The sport workplace

This unit is under development, as the course runs in 2010

This subject is designed to provide insight into, and understanding of, the historical development of player associations and labour unions in professional sport. It will explore international and domestic trends in the player/management relationship, highlight significant legal precedents in regard to labour issues in sport, and examine various examples of sports labour agreement.

Learning objectives

1. The importance of player unions and associations in Australian sport;
2. How enterprise bargaining agreements are developed for the sporting environment;
3. The structure and implications of other industrial relations issues in foreign countries and how they affect Australian sport.

Generic skills:

It is expected that students, in achieving the above learning outcomes, will also further their skills of:

1. Expressing ideas, knowledge and opinions with clarity and confidence
2. Presenting arguments and ideas effectively
3. Actively listening and responding to others’ ideas
4. Negotiating effectively
5. Creating and expressing new ideas
6. Locating, identifying, collating, analysing, manipulating, evaluating, interpreting, presenting information and data and to select and use appropriate information and communication technology in so doing
7. Working with others in a group, taking responsibility for tasks and respecting the rights of others.

Topics

Careers in Sport

Jobs and careers in the sport and fitness industry

The Employment Interview

The employment interview

Assessment

Assignment 20%: Depiction of Industrial Relations in Sport

This will be a creative presentation of the student’s understanding of a topic in Industrial Relations in Sport. Students may work individually or in pairs. This mode of presentation allows students to engage in a creative opportunity to show their academic understanding of the topic. Format/mode of presentation and selection of the topic must have prior approval from the unit convener by August 18th. Requirements for this are discussed in the Week 2 tutorials.

Word Limit Each mode of presentation requires an additional written piece of 500-550 words for individual assignments and 800 words for paired assignments.

Objectives

1. To express a critical understanding of the sport workplace.
2. To express such understandings through a creative medium, such as art, poetry, drama, fiction or as agreed with the unit convener.
3. To present an accompanying written piece, of 500-550 words that explains the creative work and its significance in terms of its representation of a critical understanding of industrial relations in sport.

Requirements

1. The art work submitted should be in the range of 90cm x 60cm to 40cm x 70cm
2. A piece of fiction or drama script should be approximately 1000 words. Poetry would be expected to be of sufficient length to demonstrate the critical concepts..
3. Assignments may be done individually or in pairs. If done in pairs the written piece (3 above) will be 800 words. Paired students will receive the same mark unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Guidelines

1. This mode of assessment is offered to allow students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of key concepts in a creative mode that does not necessarily place an emphasis upon a traditional written assignment format.
2. Material submitted is handed in with the signature of the student affirming that the assignment is their own work. Paired submission requires both students’ signatures.
3. The unit convener is available for discussion and guidance in this assignment. The assignment will be fully discussed in Tutorials.

Marking Criteria

1. The work clearly conveys a critical concept or critical concepts of Industrial Relations in Sport (7 marks)
2. The engagement of the work and the respondent reader, viewer etc. (7 marks).
3. The content and quality of the written piece explaining the significance of the work as a medium of expression of the key concepts. (6 marks).

Broad Grade Descriptors

• Distinction Standard This would be earned through an outstanding representation of key understandings in such a way that the respondent is engaged fully and gains an understanding of the concepts and appreciation of the quality of creative expression. The accompanying written piece would be clear in its understandings, well-written and relate explicitly to the creative piece. The written work would be correctly referenced and grammatically sound.
• Pass Standard. This would be characterised by such aspects as: variable with possible inconsistencies, a lack of understanding in places, an acceptable but moderate quality of the creative work and a flawed piece of the written work that does have some good points.
• Fail Standard. This could have a creative work that was lacking depth, did not engage the respondent and did not have clarity in representing critical concepts. The written work may be poorly written and not adequate in explaining the creative work and the critical concepts.

Small Group Presentations 35%

Due Date: To be arranged in the first week of tutorials Grade Proportion: Word Limit: 1,000 word summary Time limit:

Students will form small groups and select a topic from a provided list to research and present for 35 minutes followed by 15 minutes for discussion.

Objectives

1. To provide students with the opportunity to work co-operatively in group situations.
2. To generate effective presentations on an agreed topic within Industrial Relations in Sport.

Requirements

1. That the students form groups with no more than five members to select a topic from the list provided by the unit convener and present the topic at an assigned tutorial session.
2. That the students will participate equally in the group preparation and presentation. Non-contributing or minimally contributing members may be required to present as individuals.
3. The time for the presentation is 35 minutes, with 15 minutes for possible discussion and activities.
4. That the group will hand in a 1,000 word referenced summary of the key points of their presentation plus any materials used in the presentation.

Guidelines

1. A guide sheet will be given to the class, in tutorials, on presenting a seminar.
2. The presentation should include at least one class activity.
3. It is strongly recommended that groups should meet regularly and plan early.

Marking Criteria

1. A clear and coherent presentation that engages the class. (8 marks).
2. Content is well selected, relevant and shows an understanding of the selected topic (11 marks).
3. All group members are equally involved. (6 marks).
4. The written summary is pertinent and clear. (10 marks).

Note that the marks allocated are the same for each group member.

Broad Grade Descriptors

• Distinction Standard. This would be attained by a group that has a palpable group dynamic which is manifested in an engaging, thoughtful and relevant presentation. The written piece is clear and researched with no grammatical or referencing errors.
• Pass Standard. This would reflect a variable presentation, probably with uneven contributions and engagement that was inconsistent. The written piece may have some good points but lack cohesion and depth.
• Fail Standard. This presentation would probably appear hastily constructed, lack depth and/or relevance and not engage the class in critical reflection or beneficial participation. The written piece lacks depth and efficacy.

The marks are allocated with 25% for the presentation and 10% for the written piece.

Examination 45%

Due date: Within the official examination period. Grade:

The examination is based on the topic list.

Objectives

1. To offer students the opportunity to express their understandings of industrial relations and sport.
2. To provide students with a form of assessment different from the other two modes of assessment in this unit.
3. To simulate life situations where sport management persons work under constraints with relevant source material available to them.

Requirements

1. To sit a two-hour examination under examination conditions.

Guidelines

1. The examination will have a compulsory multiple-choice section and require answers to three of four other questions.
2. Effective note-taking will be discussed at the first lecture to assist the acquisition of knowledge.
3. Students are urged to discuss, with the course convener, any aspect of the unit that they do not understand with confidence.
4. The examination will test a student’s ability to organise and synthesize material under constraints of time such that excellent answers are provided to the set questions - so planning for the examination is important.

Workload

The amount of time you will need to spend on study in this unit will depend on a number of factors including your prior knowledge, learning skill level and learning style. Nevertheless, in planning your time commitments you should note that for a 3cp unit the total notional workload over the semester or term is assumed to be 150 hours. These hours include time spent in classes. The total workload for units of different credit point value should vary proportionally. For example, for a 6cp unit the total notional workload over a semester or term is assumed to be 300 hours.

Feedback

Please feel free to leave feedback on the discussion page for this course (see tabs at top)