The main aim of the module (30 credits) is to explore the practices, ideas and concepts that underpin the successful and efficient performance of people working together in groups and to investigate the challenges and opportunities associated with working in an organisation.
The module begins by looking at the complex nature of human behaviour and how this translates into a greater appreciation of behaviour and activity within a group situation. It then explores common problems in the work place, compares the work experiences of students, and encourages them to critically reflect on and evaluate their own organisations within the context of management and supervisory concepts and theories (and vice-versa). From here, the module progresses to the development of more sophisticated work-based analysis, strategic review and creative problem-solving approaches. The module examines the (public, not-for-profit or if applicable private) context in which organisations operate. It explores specific organisation activities, and examining the way in which people behave within the organisational environment. Group members are required to apply reflective practices as part of the module. The ways a working group is managed, motivated and accepts and responds to change are all key areas in the effective development of people working together in groups. For this reason, considerable emphasis is placed on the students forming in to groups, working effectively within groups and utilising each other’s strengths in the completion of a formal piece of assessed work. Throughout the module consideration is given to techniques employed in managing work place problems in a creative way.
Learning outcomes
• Explore the concept of ‘reflection’ as part of the learning process and its application towards achieving group goals, including self-awareness of own role type.
• Investigate the skills of supervision, managing and motivation in relation to the efficient performance of a group of people working together.
• Consider the benefits of the use of counselling skills in communication to encourage the effective performance of a group of people working towards corporate goals.
• Explore the role of technology in promoting effective communication and functioning in groups.
• Identify, compare, and evaluate current and emergent organisational behaviours.
• Compare, and evaluate differing management and leadership styles, responsibilities and skills.
• Identify and assess significant key human resource policies, practices and strategies.
• Consider the impact of legal framework in the work place (e.g. for employment, H&S at work, DDA etc)
• Introduce creative problem solving, operational and communication techniques used in the work place.
• Investigate organisational characteristics such as type, sector (public/private/not for profit), mission, structure and culture.
• Introduce relevant, theoretical concepts and models relating to motivation, learning styles, organisational behaviour, management, leadership styles, team roles, groupwork etc.
• Explore a range of organisational behaviour theories as tools with which to seek and develop solutions to employee and management problems in an organisation
Method of Assessment
ASSIGNMENT 1 - Group report and group presentation (Weighting 20%)
Groups of c. 4 students address an organisational problem provided by the lecturer(s). The groups then prepare an oral presentation, lasting no longer than 15 minutes, outlining the cause of the difficulty, describing the current situation, offering a strategy for resolving the conflict and explaining how they would expect to measure the outcomes.
ASSIGNMENT 2 - Individual study (Weighting 30%)
This part of the assessment for the module consists of a written paper on how the student as an individual can make a difference to the effectiveness of a group of people with whom the student is working. It must include a significant engagement with group-work practise and theory (and may reference group work from Assessment 1 and/or workplace case studies), and thus will require students to engage with some of the key texts associated with the module. Word limit: 2,000 words.
ASSIGNMENT 3 - Group report and group presentation (Weighting 20%)
Group presentation (10 minutes + Q&As) focusing on a suitable area of the module (to be agreed in advance with Module Convenor). In pre-determined groups, prepare and present an oral presentation focusing on an agreed area of the module. This may be a specific theory or concept which is pertinent to your group or a topic area or theme which particularly interests you. Presentation topics must be agreed with the module tutors. In addition to delivering your presentation, please submit a hard copy of the resources used in your presentation delivery, at the start of your presentation. You will be required to strictly adhere to the time limit of 10 minutes. Five minutes will be allowed for Qs following each presentation.
ASSIGNMENT 4 - Individual study (Weighting 30%)
A work-based problem-solving investigation (3,500 words). The chosen problem can in your or another’s work place. Choose a realistic problem (and a problem owner) and ensure there are boundaries (focus) to your study area.
Dates: 25/9/13, 2/10/13, 9/10/13, 16/10/13, 23/10/13, 30/10/13, 6/11/13 13/11/13, 20/11/13, 27/11/13, 4/12/13, 11/12/13, 18/12/13, 8/1/14, 15/1/14, 22/1/14, 29/1/14, 5/2/14, 12/2/14, 19/2/14.
Learning outcomes
• Explore the concept of ‘reflection’ as part of the learning process and its application towards achieving group goals, including self-awareness of own role type.
• Investigate the skills of supervision, managing and motivation in relation to the efficient performance of a group of people working together.
• Consider the benefits of the use of counselling skills in communication to encourage the effective performance of a group of people working towards corporate goals.
• Explore the role of technology in promoting effective communication and functioning in groups.
• Identify, compare, and evaluate current and emergent organisational behaviours.
• Compare, and evaluate differing management and leadership styles, responsibilities and skills.
• Identify and assess significant key human resource policies, practices and strategies.
• Consider the impact of legal framework in the work place (e.g. for employment, H&S at work, DDA etc)
• Introduce creative problem solving, operational and communication techniques used in the work place.
• Investigate organisational characteristics such as type, sector (public/private/not for profit), mission, structure and culture.
• Introduce relevant, theoretical concepts and models relating to motivation, learning styles, organisational behaviour, management, leadership styles, team roles, groupwork etc.
• Explore a range of organisational behaviour theories as tools with which to seek and develop solutions to employee and management problems in an organisation
Method of Assessment
ASSIGNMENT 1 - Group report and group presentation (Weighting 20%)
Groups of c. 4 students address an organisational problem provided by the lecturer(s). The groups then prepare an oral presentation, lasting no longer than 15 minutes, outlining the cause of the difficulty, describing the current situation, offering a strategy for resolving the conflict and explaining how they would expect to measure the outcomes.
ASSIGNMENT 2 - Individual study (Weighting 30%)
This part of the assessment for the module consists of a written paper on how the student as an individual can make a difference to the effectiveness of a group of people with whom the student is working. It must include a significant engagement with group-work practise and theory (and may reference group work from Assessment 1 and/or workplace case studies), and thus will require students to engage with some of the key texts associated with the module. Word limit: 2,000 words.
ASSIGNMENT 3 - Group report and group presentation (Weighting 20%)
Group presentation (10 minutes + Q&As) focusing on a suitable area of the module (to be agreed in advance with Module Convenor). In pre-determined groups, prepare and present an oral presentation focusing on an agreed area of the module. This may be a specific theory or concept which is pertinent to your group or a topic area or theme which particularly interests you. Presentation topics must be agreed with the module tutors. In addition to delivering your presentation, please submit a hard copy of the resources used in your presentation delivery, at the start of your presentation. You will be required to strictly adhere to the time limit of 10 minutes. Five minutes will be allowed for Qs following each presentation.
ASSIGNMENT 4 - Individual study (Weighting 30%)
A work-based problem-solving investigation (3,500 words). The chosen problem can in your or another’s work place. Choose a realistic problem (and a problem owner) and ensure there are boundaries (focus) to your study area.
Dates: 25/9/13, 2/10/13, 9/10/13, 16/10/13, 23/10/13, 30/10/13, 6/11/13 13/11/13, 20/11/13, 27/11/13, 4/12/13, 11/12/13, 18/12/13, 8/1/14, 15/1/14, 22/1/14, 29/1/14, 5/2/14, 12/2/14, 19/2/14.
