Indigenous Business Studies (INBU) 386

Overview

This course is designed to teach students the structure of communication in Canadian businesses and its impact in the workplace. The course will introduce fundamental leadership skills, including communication topics used in business. INBU 386 covers essential Indigenous human resource topics, such as communication and leadership. Interpersonal skills development, working with teams and groups, and working in digital work environments (all from a Canadian perspective) are also covered in this course. Thus, students obtain an overview of the study of human resource management (HRM) in a business setting, specifically from an Indigenous perspective. The course also introduces many additional business topics, such as leadership, corporate responsibility, diversity in the workplace, and Indigenous leadership.

INBU 386 exposes students to all the primary communication topics used in business. Thus, students obtain an overview of the study of communication processes in the workplace, leadership communication skills development, and interpersonal skills development that benefit the individual and the workplace. This knowledge can be used in subsequent business courses or simply to understand dynamic interpersonal relationships development in Canadian businesses.  

Outline

Part 1: Introducing Indigenous Human Relations

• Lesson 1: A Framework for Interpersonal Skill Development
• Lesson 2: Understanding Individual Differences
• Lesson 3: Building Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence
• Lesson 4: Interpersonal Communication
• Lesson 5: Interpersonal Skills for the Digital World

Part 2: Developing Effective Groups and Managing Conflict in the Workplace

• Lesson 6: Developing Teamwork Skills
• Lesson 7: Group Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Lesson 8: Cross-Cultural Relations and Diversity
• Lesson 9: Resolving Conflicts with Others

Part 3: Developing Indigenous Leadership Skills

• Lesson 10: Becoming an Effective Leader
• Lesson 11: Who Is a Leader, and What Skills Do Leaders Need?
• Lesson 12: Leadership Traits and Ethics
• Lesson 13: Influencing—Power, Politics, Networking, and Negotiation

Part 4: Developing Healthy Interpersonal Relations in the Workplace

• Lesson 14: Helping Others Develop and Grow
• Lesson 15: Positive Political Skills

Evaluation

Your final grade in INBU 386 is determined by a weighted average of the grades you receive on four written assignments and a final exam. To receive credit for INBU 386, you must achieve a minimum grade of 50 percent on the final exam and an overall grade of D (50 percent) or better for the entire course.

The weightings for each assignment and the exam are as follows:

The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.

Materials

Digital course materials

Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:

DuBrin, A. J. (2015). Human relations: Interpersonal job-oriented skills (12th ed.). Pearson.

Lussier, R, N., & Achua, C. F. (2016). Leadership: Theory, application, and skill development (6th ed.). Cengage.

Other Resources

All other learning resources will be available online.

Challenge for credit

Overview

The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.

Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Evaluation

To receive credit for the INBU 386 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent)on the examination.

• Online Exam

Important links

• Academic advising
• Program planning
• Request assistance
• Support services at AU