AMN499 Industry, Markets and Stakeholder Capstone
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | AMN499 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Completion of 96 credit points of Business postgraduate units |
| Antirequisite(s): | CON405 |
| Equivalent(s): | AMX406 |
| Credit points: | 24 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $4,349 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $3,406 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $9,192 |
| International unit fee | $12,360 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | AMN499 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 24 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 96 credit points of Business postgraduate units |
| Equivalent: | AMX406 |
| Anti-requisite: | CON405 |
| Coordinator: | Frank Mathmann | f.mathmann@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This is the postgraduate Capstone unit for the Marketing and IMC disciplines. Using a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) industry project, you will work independently and in a team of students to critically examine contemporary issues relevant to your discipline by researching and analysing real-world problems and issues. Through the application of your discipline knowledge and skills you will develop feasible business solutions in collaboration with your industry partner and your discipline-specific academic project supervisor. In addition to the application of discipline-specific knowledge and skills, you will obtain an overview of research and project work related skills, requirements, and processes to get help you develop your graduate capabilities and to get you job ready.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Prepare a plan to investigate and creatively respond to your discipline-specific client issues or problems.Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: HO (2.2)
- Research contemporary client issues or problems, drawing on relevant, discipline-specific literature, data and information sources, to summarise the scope and key limitations of current understanding.
- Using rigorous research, propose and validate a business solution in response to client needs.
- Professionally communicate and defend ideas and thinking demonstrating academic and professional literacy orally and in writing.
- Work independently and as part of a team by contributing to and, reflecting on progress towards meeting team objectives.
- Engage ethically with the project stakeholders and the discipline-specific knowledge and skills.Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: SE (5.1)
Content
The unit addresses the following content to enable students to develop capacity to participate in and learn from industry-based experiences:
- Requirements for the effective engagement with industry.
- How to respond to industry requirements in a changing business environment.
- Applying discipline-specific theoretical knowledge to a professional setting.
- How to prepare a project proposal including objectives, timelines, literature review.
- Requirements for a successful project delivery inclusive of a professional project conclusion with hand-over.
- Use of reflective practice frameworks to learn from individual and group decisions that occur during group forming and group decision making processes.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.
Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Learning Approaches
This Capstone unit guides students through a process of independent study with scaffolded support from project supervisors and industry partners. Students work to apply discipline knowledge to real-world challenges. During lectures and discipline-specific tutorials, students will develop and practise academic and industry research skills. Support for this learning is in the form of lectures, discipline-specific tutorials focusing on theory, authentic business and discipline-specific methods, real-world application, readings, online resources, and WIL preparation classes. As the unit progresses, students transition to more independent, self-directed learning where they develop and refine their thinking in response to critical inputs from their discipline project supervisors and industry partners. Students learn to seek and respond effectively to peer and supervisor inputs and client feedback. They will also learn to critique and refine ideas and solutions through ongoing critical analysis and reflection on theory and practice in the context of a real-world industry challenge.
This unit requires students to work in teams within the semester. Accordingly, students enrolling in this unit are expected to consistently engage with team discussions and equitably contribute to the work produced by the team. If students know they will be absent from classes and/or be unavailable to liaise (digitally) with teams for a prolonged period of the semester (i.e., due to work commitments, travel plans, etc.), please consider taking this unit in a semester that you can more equitably commit your time to working with others for completing assessment.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Individual Reflection
Students will write an individual reflective piece. They will focus on their personal experience and how it helped them to understand more about their personal journey they have been on during the first seven weeks of their studies in this unit. They will in particular focus on how they became part of a group of students working towards a common objective incorporating their understanding of being self-reliant, independent knowledge workers in a fluid business environment. Individual and group decision making processes during the early stages of the group working experience are being scrutinised.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): PC (3.1), TS (4.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Viva Voce
In this assessment, students will defend a discipline-specific industry deliverable in response to an industry challenge in their groups but be assessed individually. It involves a short overview of the (i) WIL Project Solution and (ii) student contribution. In addition, it comprises questions and feedback from the teaching team in relation to the project, discipline area, and other aspects of learning across the semester.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.2), TS (4.1, 4.2)
Assessment: WIL Project Solution
Students will prepare and present a discipline-specific industry deliverable in response to an industry challenge to include real-world academic and industry research, recommendations, and conclusions. More detail of project requirements will be provided in lectures during weeks 1 and 2, during the discipline-specific tutorials starting in week 2, and will also be available on the unit Canvas site.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no prescribed text for this unit. The following optional resources may be of value. Additional references can also be found on the unit's Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Block, P. (2011), Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used, Third Edition (1st edition). Jossey-Bass.
Pearce, G., & Lee, G. (2009). Viva Voce (Oral Examination) as an Assessment Method: Insights From Marketing Students. Journal of Marketing Education, 31(2), 120–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/0273475309334050
Wallace, M & Wray, A., (2021), Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (4th edition) London; Sage Publications
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
HO (2.1): Critical Analysis
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Individual Reflection, WIL Project Solution
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
Relates to: ULO6, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO5, Individual Reflection
TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills
Relates to: ULO5
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BS11 Master of Business
- Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution - Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution - Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Individual Reflection, WIL Project Solution - Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Relates to: ULO4, Viva Voce - Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
Relates to: ULO5, Individual Reflection - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5 - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO6, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Online
| Unit code: | AMN499 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 24 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 96 credit points of Business postgraduate units |
| Equivalent: | AMX406 |
| Anti-requisite: | CON405 |
Overview
This is the postgraduate Capstone unit for the Marketing and IMC disciplines. Using a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) industry project, you will work independently and in a team of students to critically examine contemporary issues relevant to your discipline by researching and analysing real-world problems and issues. Through the application of your discipline knowledge and skills you will develop feasible business solutions in collaboration with your industry partner and your discipline-specific academic project supervisor. In addition to the application of discipline-specific knowledge and skills, you will obtain an overview of research and project work related skills, requirements, and processes to get help you develop your graduate capabilities and to get you job ready.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Prepare a plan to investigate and creatively respond to your discipline-specific client issues or problems.Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: HO (2.2)
- Research contemporary client issues or problems, drawing on relevant, discipline-specific literature, data and information sources, to summarise the scope and key limitations of current understanding.
- Using rigorous research, propose and validate a business solution in response to client needs.
- Professionally communicate and defend ideas and thinking demonstrating academic and professional literacy orally and in writing.
- Work independently and as part of a team by contributing to and, reflecting on progress towards meeting team objectives.
- Engage ethically with the project stakeholders and the discipline-specific knowledge and skills.Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: SE (5.1)
Content
The unit addresses the following content to enable students to develop capacity to participate in and learn from industry-based experiences:
- Requirements for the effective engagement with industry.
- How to respond to industry requirements in a changing business environment.
- Applying discipline-specific theoretical knowledge to a professional setting.
- How to prepare a project proposal including objectives, timelines, literature review.
- Requirements for a successful project delivery inclusive of a professional project conclusion with hand-over.
- Use of reflective practice frameworks to learn from individual and group decisions that occur during group forming and group decision making processes.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.
Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Learning Approaches
This Capstone unit guides students through a process of independent study with scaffolded support from project supervisors and industry partners. Students work to apply discipline knowledge to real-world challenges. During lectures and discipline-specific tutorials, students will develop and practise academic and industry research skills. Support for this learning is in the form of lectures, discipline-specific tutorials focusing on theory, authentic business and discipline-specific methods, real-world application, readings, online resources, and WIL preparation classes. As the unit progresses, students transition to more independent, self-directed learning where they develop and refine their thinking in response to critical inputs from their discipline project supervisors and industry partners. Students learn to seek and respond effectively to peer and supervisor inputs and client feedback. They will also learn to critique and refine ideas and solutions through ongoing critical analysis and reflection on theory and practice in the context of a real-world industry challenge.
This unit requires students to work in teams within the semester. Accordingly, students enrolling in this unit are expected to consistently engage with team discussions and equitably contribute to the work produced by the team. If students know they will be absent from classes and/or be unavailable to liaise (digitally) with teams for a prolonged period of the semester (i.e., due to work commitments, travel plans, etc.), please consider taking this unit in a semester that you can more equitably commit your time to working with others for completing assessment.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Individual Reflection
Students will write an individual reflective piece. They will focus on their personal experience and how it helped them to understand more about their personal journey they have been on during the first seven weeks of their studies in this unit. They will in particular focus on how they became part of a group of students working towards a common objective incorporating their understanding of being self-reliant, independent knowledge workers in a fluid business environment. Individual and group decision making processes during the early stages of the group working experience are being scrutinised.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): PC (3.1), TS (4.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Viva Voce
In this assessment, students will defend a discipline-specific industry deliverable in response to an industry challenge in their groups but be assessed individually. It involves a short overview of the (i) WIL Project Solution and (ii) student contribution. In addition, it comprises questions and feedback from the teaching team in relation to the project, discipline area, and other aspects of learning across the semester.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.2), TS (4.1, 4.2)
Assessment: WIL Project Solution
Students will prepare and present a discipline-specific industry deliverable in response to an industry challenge to include real-world academic and industry research, recommendations, and conclusions. More detail of project requirements will be provided in lectures during weeks 1 and 2, during the discipline-specific tutorials starting in week 2, and will also be available on the unit Canvas site.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no prescribed text for this unit. The following optional resources may be of value. Additional references can also be found on the unit's Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Block, P. (2011), Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used, Third Edition (1st edition). Jossey-Bass.
Pearce, G., & Lee, G. (2009). Viva Voce (Oral Examination) as an Assessment Method: Insights From Marketing Students. Journal of Marketing Education, 31(2), 120–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/0273475309334050
Wallace, M & Wray, A., (2021), Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (4th edition) London; Sage Publications
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
HO (2.1): Critical Analysis
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Individual Reflection, WIL Project Solution
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
Relates to: ULO6, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO5, Individual Reflection
TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills
Relates to: ULO5
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BS11 Master of Business
- Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution - Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution - Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Individual Reflection, WIL Project Solution - Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Relates to: ULO4, Viva Voce - Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
Relates to: ULO5, Individual Reflection - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5 - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO6, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | AMN499 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 24 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 96 credit points of Business postgraduate units |
| Equivalent: | AMX406 |
| Anti-requisite: | CON405 |
| Coordinator: | Frank Mathmann | f.mathmann@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This is the postgraduate Capstone unit for the Marketing and IMC disciplines. Using a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) industry project, you will work independently and in a team of students to critically examine contemporary issues relevant to your discipline by researching and analysing real-world problems and issues. Through the application of your discipline knowledge and skills you will develop feasible business solutions in collaboration with your industry partner and your discipline-specific academic project supervisor. In addition to the application of discipline-specific knowledge and skills, you will obtain an overview of research and project work related skills, requirements, and processes to get help you develop your graduate capabilities and to get you job ready.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Prepare a plan to investigate and creatively respond to your discipline-specific client issues or problems.Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: HO (2.2)
- Research contemporary client issues or problems, drawing on relevant, discipline-specific literature, data and information sources, to summarise the scope and key limitations of current understanding.
- Using rigorous research, propose and validate a business solution in response to client needs.
- Professionally communicate and defend ideas and thinking demonstrating academic and professional literacy orally and in writing.
- Work independently and as part of a team by contributing to and, reflecting on progress towards meeting team objectives.
- Engage ethically with the project stakeholders and the discipline-specific knowledge and skills.Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: SE (5.1)
Content
The unit addresses the following content to enable students to develop capacity to participate in and learn from industry-based experiences:
- Requirements for the effective engagement with industry.
- How to respond to industry requirements in a changing business environment.
- Applying discipline-specific theoretical knowledge to a professional setting.
- How to prepare a project proposal including objectives, timelines, literature review.
- Requirements for a successful project delivery inclusive of a professional project conclusion with hand-over.
- Use of reflective practice frameworks to learn from individual and group decisions that occur during group forming and group decision making processes.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.
Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Learning Approaches
This Capstone unit guides students through a process of independent study with scaffolded support from project supervisors and industry partners. Students work to apply discipline knowledge to real-world challenges. During lectures and discipline-specific tutorials, students will develop and practise academic and industry research skills. Support for this learning is in the form of lectures, discipline-specific tutorials focusing on theory, authentic business and discipline-specific methods, real-world application, readings, online resources, and WIL preparation classes. As the unit progresses, students transition to more independent, self-directed learning where they develop and refine their thinking in response to critical inputs from their discipline project supervisors and industry partners. Students learn to seek and respond effectively to peer and supervisor inputs and client feedback. They will also learn to critique and refine ideas and solutions through ongoing critical analysis and reflection on theory and practice in the context of a real-world industry challenge.
This unit requires students to work in teams within the semester. Accordingly, students enrolling in this unit are expected to consistently engage with team discussions and equitably contribute to the work produced by the team. If students know they will be absent from classes and/or be unavailable to liaise (digitally) with teams for a prolonged period of the semester (i.e., due to work commitments, travel plans, etc.), please consider taking this unit in a semester that you can more equitably commit your time to working with others for completing assessment.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Individual Reflection
Students will write an individual reflective piece. They will focus on their personal experience and how it helped them to understand more about their personal journey they have been on during the first seven weeks of their studies in this unit. They will in particular focus on how they became part of a group of students working towards a common objective incorporating their understanding of being self-reliant, independent knowledge workers in a fluid business environment. Individual and group decision making processes during the early stages of the group working experience are being scrutinised.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): PC (3.1), TS (4.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Viva Voce
In this assessment, students will defend a discipline-specific industry deliverable in response to an industry challenge in their groups but be assessed individually. It involves a short overview of the (i) WIL Project Solution and (ii) student contribution. In addition, it comprises questions and feedback from the teaching team in relation to the project, discipline area, and other aspects of learning across the semester.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.2), TS (4.1, 4.2)
Assessment: WIL Project Solution
Students will prepare and present a discipline-specific industry deliverable in response to an industry challenge to include real-world academic and industry research, recommendations, and conclusions. More detail of project requirements will be provided in lectures during weeks 1 and 2, during the discipline-specific tutorials starting in week 2, and will also be available on the unit Canvas site.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no prescribed text for this unit. The following optional resources may be of value. Additional references can also be found on the unit's Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Block, P. (2011), Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used, Third Edition (1st edition). Jossey-Bass.
Pearce, G., & Lee, G. (2009). Viva Voce (Oral Examination) as an Assessment Method: Insights From Marketing Students. Journal of Marketing Education, 31(2), 120–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/0273475309334050
Wallace, M & Wray, A., (2021), Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (4th edition) London; Sage Publications
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
HO (2.1): Critical Analysis
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Individual Reflection, WIL Project Solution
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
Relates to: ULO6, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO5, Individual Reflection
TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills
Relates to: ULO5
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BS11 Master of Business
- Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution - Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution - Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Individual Reflection, WIL Project Solution - Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Relates to: ULO4, Viva Voce - Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
Relates to: ULO5, Individual Reflection - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5 - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO6, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Online
| Unit code: | AMN499 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 24 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 96 credit points of Business postgraduate units |
| Equivalent: | AMX406 |
| Anti-requisite: | CON405 |
Overview
This is the postgraduate Capstone unit for the Marketing and IMC disciplines. Using a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) industry project, you will work independently and in a team of students to critically examine contemporary issues relevant to your discipline by researching and analysing real-world problems and issues. Through the application of your discipline knowledge and skills you will develop feasible business solutions in collaboration with your industry partner and your discipline-specific academic project supervisor. In addition to the application of discipline-specific knowledge and skills, you will obtain an overview of research and project work related skills, requirements, and processes to get help you develop your graduate capabilities and to get you job ready.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Prepare a plan to investigate and creatively respond to your discipline-specific client issues or problems.Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: HO (2.2)
- Research contemporary client issues or problems, drawing on relevant, discipline-specific literature, data and information sources, to summarise the scope and key limitations of current understanding.
- Using rigorous research, propose and validate a business solution in response to client needs.
- Professionally communicate and defend ideas and thinking demonstrating academic and professional literacy orally and in writing.
- Work independently and as part of a team by contributing to and, reflecting on progress towards meeting team objectives.
- Engage ethically with the project stakeholders and the discipline-specific knowledge and skills.Relates to: PG Business Capabilities: SE (5.1)
Content
The unit addresses the following content to enable students to develop capacity to participate in and learn from industry-based experiences:
- Requirements for the effective engagement with industry.
- How to respond to industry requirements in a changing business environment.
- Applying discipline-specific theoretical knowledge to a professional setting.
- How to prepare a project proposal including objectives, timelines, literature review.
- Requirements for a successful project delivery inclusive of a professional project conclusion with hand-over.
- Use of reflective practice frameworks to learn from individual and group decisions that occur during group forming and group decision making processes.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
The content and assessment in this unit are aligned to a selection of the following set of QUT Business Capabilities, also known as Assurance of Learning Goals (AoLs). Developing these capabilities will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT and equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in your chosen career.
Knowledge & Technical Skills (KS)
1.1 Demonstrate and apply integrated and advanced discipline and professional practice knowledge, including knowledge of relevant research principles and methods.
1.2 Apply technical, technological and technical research skills to organise and interpret discipline knowledge, including theory and practice, to investigate business issues.
Higher Order Thinking Skills (HO)
2.1 Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
2.2 Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Professional Communication (PC)
3.1 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
3.2 Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Teamwork & Self (TS)
4.1 Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
4.2 Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Social, Ethical & Global Understanding (SE)
5.1 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
5.2 Demonstrate and apply knowledge of socially responsible behaviour in analysing and addressing business issues and critically reflect on the responsibilities and impacts of organisations in national and international business contexts.
Learning Approaches
This Capstone unit guides students through a process of independent study with scaffolded support from project supervisors and industry partners. Students work to apply discipline knowledge to real-world challenges. During lectures and discipline-specific tutorials, students will develop and practise academic and industry research skills. Support for this learning is in the form of lectures, discipline-specific tutorials focusing on theory, authentic business and discipline-specific methods, real-world application, readings, online resources, and WIL preparation classes. As the unit progresses, students transition to more independent, self-directed learning where they develop and refine their thinking in response to critical inputs from their discipline project supervisors and industry partners. Students learn to seek and respond effectively to peer and supervisor inputs and client feedback. They will also learn to critique and refine ideas and solutions through ongoing critical analysis and reflection on theory and practice in the context of a real-world industry challenge.
This unit requires students to work in teams within the semester. Accordingly, students enrolling in this unit are expected to consistently engage with team discussions and equitably contribute to the work produced by the team. If students know they will be absent from classes and/or be unavailable to liaise (digitally) with teams for a prolonged period of the semester (i.e., due to work commitments, travel plans, etc.), please consider taking this unit in a semester that you can more equitably commit your time to working with others for completing assessment.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:
- Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation
- Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary
- Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation
- Indirect: to the whole class
Assessment
Overview
Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Individual Reflection
Students will write an individual reflective piece. They will focus on their personal experience and how it helped them to understand more about their personal journey they have been on during the first seven weeks of their studies in this unit. They will in particular focus on how they became part of a group of students working towards a common objective incorporating their understanding of being self-reliant, independent knowledge workers in a fluid business environment. Individual and group decision making processes during the early stages of the group working experience are being scrutinised.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): PC (3.1), TS (4.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Viva Voce
In this assessment, students will defend a discipline-specific industry deliverable in response to an industry challenge in their groups but be assessed individually. It involves a short overview of the (i) WIL Project Solution and (ii) student contribution. In addition, it comprises questions and feedback from the teaching team in relation to the project, discipline area, and other aspects of learning across the semester.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.2), PC (3.2), TS (4.1, 4.2)
Assessment: WIL Project Solution
Students will prepare and present a discipline-specific industry deliverable in response to an industry challenge to include real-world academic and industry research, recommendations, and conclusions. More detail of project requirements will be provided in lectures during weeks 1 and 2, during the discipline-specific tutorials starting in week 2, and will also be available on the unit Canvas site.
Formative or Summative: Summative
Business Capabilities (AoL goals): HO (2.1, 2.2), PC (3.1), SE (5.1)
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no prescribed text for this unit. The following optional resources may be of value. Additional references can also be found on the unit's Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Block, P. (2011), Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used, Third Edition (1st edition). Jossey-Bass.
Pearce, G., & Lee, G. (2009). Viva Voce (Oral Examination) as an Assessment Method: Insights From Marketing Students. Journal of Marketing Education, 31(2), 120–130. https://doi.org/10.1177/0273475309334050
Wallace, M & Wray, A., (2021), Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (4th edition) London; Sage Publications
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out-of-the ordinary risks associated with this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to view the Emergency video.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
QUT Business Capabilities (Postgraduate)
HO (2.1): Critical Analysis
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
HO (2.2): Independent Judgement and Decision-Making
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
PC (3.1): Professional Communication (Written)
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Individual Reflection, WIL Project Solution
PC (3.2): Professional Communication (Oral)
SE (5.1): Ethical and Legal Understanding
Relates to: ULO6, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution
TS (4.1): Self-Reflection and Accountability
Relates to: ULO5, Individual Reflection
TS (4.2): Teamwork Knowledge and Skills
Relates to: ULO5
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.BS11 Master of Business
- Critically investigate real world business issues and problems drawing on analysis, evaluation and synthesis of discipline knowledge, including theory and practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution - Exercise creativity and intellectual independence and make informed decisions and judgements in planning, designing, and executing strategic and research-based responses to address real world issues and problems.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution - Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in written forms and using media appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Individual Reflection, WIL Project Solution - Use information literacy skills and communicate effectively and professionally in oral forms appropriate for diverse purposes, contexts and audiences.
Relates to: ULO4, Viva Voce - Exercise self-reflection and accountability in applying knowledge and skills for own learning and effective practice.
Relates to: ULO5, Individual Reflection - Apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration across a range of complex activities and contexts.
Relates to: ULO5 - Demonstrate and apply knowledge of ethical and legal principles and practices of business in critically analysing and effectively responding to complex business issues.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO6, Viva Voce, WIL Project Solution