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Unit outline_

PSYC4727: Positive Organisational Coaching

Intensive July, 2020 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

How can psychology help create 'healthy' workplaces? Executive and management coaching have emerged as important factors in the enhancement of performance, engagement and well-being in the workplace, This unit examines key issues in contemporary executive and workplace coaching and equips students with the knowledge and skills to provide world-class executive and management coaching, The emphasis is on critical evaluation of theory and application to practice, Although primarily focused on positive psychology, solution-focused and cognitive- behavioural approaches to coaching in organisations, the application of psychodynamic (eg Kilburg) and systems (eg O'Neil) approaches to the enhancement of performance and well-being are also considered. The unit covers issues in senior executive coaching, coaching middle management, establishing manager-as-coach programs, and the use of positive psychology in the workplace.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
PSYC4721 and PSYC4722
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sean O'Connor, sean.oconnor@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Final exam
Online open book exam
20% Week 04 1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment group assignment Intervention proposal
Proposal
40% Week 04
Due date: 10 Aug 2020 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Positive organisation essay
Essay
40% Week 06
Due date: 24 Aug 2020 at 23:59
2500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Intervention proposal: Students will create a request for proposal, providing background and content in order to develop a leadership development program for a large scale change project that will be provided in class.
  • Positive organisation essay: Students will examine one leadership theory and its evidence based in detail, specifically identifying its application to coaching within organisations. Additionally, students will include a section on the relevance of this theory to organisational climate.
  • Final exam: The exam will be in-class and closed-book. The exam will test students’ ability to understand and integrate all required reading and lecture materials presented in the unit in relation to coaching practice. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
- 1. Coaching in organisations; 2. Organisational coaching relationships; 3. Contracting and ethical issues; 4. Evaluating engagements Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
1. Coaching program design; 2. Organisational coaching at multiple levels; 3. Executive coaching; 4. Ethics in organisational coaching Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
1. Leadership in organisations; 2. Positive psychology in organisations Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
1. Organisational culture and climate; 2. Wellbeing of and in organisations Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
1. Additional material; 2. Review and catch-up; 3. Development planning Seminar (7.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

A reading pack with the set reading list for each week is available on the e-learning (LMS) website and reading will be made available online through the subject library website. Readings for each day should be completed prior to the class.

Additional Suggested Text (Highly Recommended):
Standards Australia Limited (2011). Handbook: Coaching In Organizations. SAI Global: Sydney. Ref: HB 332 – 2011
Web link: http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store2/Details.aspx?ProductID=1465966

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate competence in developing coaching programs and proposals
  • LO2. demonstrate understanding of ethical and professional practice related to organisational coaching
  • LO3. conduct evaluation of a coaching program
  • LO4. demonstrate understanding of the core issues in executive and organisational coaching
  • LO5. demonstrate an understanding of leadership in organisations and coaching applications
  • LO6. Identify knowledge on wellbeing in organisations, and positive organisational theory and approaches relevant to coaching.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Student feedback and Unit of Study Surveys are used to improve teaching and learning outcomes

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances 

  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory 

  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories 

  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door 

  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory 

  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.