| Module |
Credits |
Compulsory/optional |
|
Creative Problem Solving for Managers
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
| This module is very practically orientated and hands-on. It is aimed at anyone intending to become an effective manager, consultant or business analyst.
The really important problems and crucial decisions faced by professionals in their work are often complex and ill-defined. They are known as “wicked” problems or “messes”. Problem structuring (or soft systems) methods have been developed to help us cope in these challenging, unstructured situations. Often much of the difficulty is due to people’s differing perspectives, the worrying uncertainties or the multiple interacting and dynamic factors.
Imaginative approaches are needed to rigorously analyse messy, qualitative issues. Problem structuring methods take a holistic view and are highly effective.
The three methodologies selected are:
SODA
Soft Systems Methodology
System Dynamics
With the right expertise and a suitable toolkit of methods, the manager or consultant can choose appropriate techniques, and creatively combine and tailor them to tackle any problem with confidence. |
|
Strategic Leadership in a Changing World
|
30 Credits |
Compulsory |
| The module will introduce students to a range of issues and challenges confronting strategic leaders of public, private and third sector organisations in a turbulent global environment.
In analysing practical examples, students will be encouraged to apply and evaluate concepts and techniques from the full range of schools/perspectives that comprise the strategic management discipline.
A key emphasis within the module is on the fact that leading theorists and practitioners constantly engage in debate on how to interpret strategy topics/issues. Students will learn that there is rarely one right answer to a strategic question - instead, there are usually a number of good answers.
A distinction will be made between three leading themes: strategic position, strategic choice and strategy in action/implementation. However, students will be constantly reminded that the leaders of organisations often experience strategy as a messy, unstructured process. Up-to-date real world examples will be used together with textbook cases to show how themes interact in practice. |
|
HBS Placement
|
0 Credits |
Compulsory |
| This activity is self-directed by the student and carries no credits. Students will be supported by the Professional Experience Module Leader, Professional Experience Visit Co-ordinator, an Academic Mentor and the Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE). Successful completion of the Professional Experience Module leads to the appropriate suffix on students’ degree title stated on the programme specifications. |
|
Industrial Placement Sem B only
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
|
|
Industrial Placement Year
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
|
|
Placement Study Abroad (South East Asia)
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
| The student will complete a period of study abroad at a partner institution following an appropriate programme of study, set out in a learning agreement, agreed by the student, the programme tutor at Hertfordshire and the international office at the partner institution.
The programme of study in a placement year is less prescribed and can both reflect the interests of the student in their discipline area or to broaden their education. |
|
Placement Study Abroad (North America)
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
|
|
Placement Study Abroad (Australia)
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
|
|
Placement Study Abroad A (Europe)
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
|
|
Placement Study Abroad B (Europe)
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
|
|
Placement Study Abroad (Europe)
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
|
|
Industrial Placement (Semester A)
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
|
|
Issues in Global Economy
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module explores the fundamental economic changes in the global economy and their implications for both developed and developing economies. It addresses issues related to changes in international production, global financial structures, trade patterns, migration, global governance, environment, economic development, income distribution and poverty. |
|
Dissertation - Management
|
30 Credits |
Optional |
| The dissertation offers the opportunity to undertake an individual piece of work that is designed to develop research skills relevant to a specific area of study. Students will be allocated an academic supervisor who will meet with students on a regular basis. On completion of the research, students will be required to produce a dissertation of between 7,000 to 10,000 words. The dissertation will be assessed using the Business School dissertation criteria that the management of the dissertation, the methodology used, the intellectual quality and originality, and the structure and coherence of the report. |
|
International Human Resource Management
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The module provides contemporary, applied and critical insights into the management of people across borders and in multinational corporations (MNCs). The HR implications of managing international assignments are investigated, and in-depth exposition provided of HR contexts and features in major global regions.
The module appears to students specialising in HRM and international business, and is also relevant to those working/planning to work in an international environment. The content includes an analysis of differences between national and international HRM, examines structures and strategies of MNC's and the ethical issues impinging upon international business in the field of employment. The module also considers the management of the expatriation cycle-recruitment, training, pay, performance management and repatriation. An analysis of industrial relations structures/systems for employee participation in north America, Europe and Australasia and an exploration of political/economic environments and major features of HR/employment practice in these continents and developing countries. |
|
Global Marketing Ethics and Culture
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Global marketing success is a function of perspective, opportunity, motivation, organisation, knowledge and skills. The challenge for today's global marketers is to identify those opportunities appropriate to the firm, to develop appropriate marketing strategies and build and sustain competitive advantages in co-operation with other members of the firm as well as external partners.
To this end, the module will provide learning opportunities to appreciate current writings and perspectives on the global marketing environment. Opportunities will be given to analyse different global marketing organisations and their environments, suggest and implement realistic strategies and plans and control mechanisms.
The module addresses global issues such as the macro environment, market entry strategies, communication, price, planning and control. |
|
Forecasting Methods for Managers
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The process of making decisions in organisations is based, in most cases, on future values of many variables. Therefore, it is vital that these future values are predicted in the most accurate possible ways. This module introduces students to a variety of forecasting techniques used to predict future values. Much of the module will be devoted to the use of software, especially spreadsheets, to calculate forecasts and their associated errors. A particular emphasis will be on the pitfalls associated with the application of different forecasting techniques.
The module includes the following: the purpose of business forecasting; data collection and review; measuring the accuracy of forecasts; a range of methods presented for dealing with stationary time series, trend, seasonality and multi-variate models; demographics; communication of results to a business audience.
Students use a calculator and computer to calculate forecasts and related error measures and statistics. |
|
International Financial Management
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module sets financial management within an international context, allowing students to explore the financial problems specific to multi-national corporations. It will examine the theory associated with these issues and the techniques employed by multi-national corporations in their financial management.
Topics to be covered may include: the development of the international financial system; International financial theory; international capital budgeting; current issues in international finance; international taxation; international treasury management; multi-national corporate structures. |
|
Strategic HRM Perspectives
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Students will analyse contemporary HRM theory and practice. The module provides a contemporary, applied and critical approach to the study of human resource management in an organisational context. |
|
Social Networking and Enterprise
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Social networking is a rapidly growing phenomenon and it is one of the most influential media in web technology today. Hundreds of companies globally use social media to gain credibility, foster employee relationships, build a forum for communication with customers and, often, to boost sales. Businesses receive inquiries directly from consumers and other businesses without advertising, which results in lower costs and higher conversion rates. Therefore, this module explores insights of the social networking sites and opportunities they present for organisations. |
|
Small Business Management
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The small business is now a major part of the economy and it is recognised for its contribution to employment creation. The module will examine how small business works in practice, focusing on its creation, development, growth and key functions. There is scope for the student to bring in their own experiences of small business and they will be encouraged to pursue their own particular interests within the overall framework of the syllabus, partly through exercises and case-based activities throughout the programme of planned tutorial sessions |
|
Databases for Management Decision Making
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module is aimed at students with a particular interest in information systems in a business context. It combines a practical and theoretical approach to database systems. Students develop their business analysis skills as they produce a logical model of information system requirements. The acquisition of skills in the application of SQL exposes students in a very practical way to the means by which information is extracted from databases and manipulated for presentation to the user, underpinning a more theoretical understanding of information requirements at different levels of management decision-making. |
|
Marketing Communications
|
30 Credits |
Optional |
| This module is offered both to students with or without previous marketing work experience. The aims of the module are to enable students to understand the various aspects of marketing communications from initial analysis of the market through to the development of strategies incorporating an expanding range of promotional techniques. The module combines an understanding of relevant marketing theories, for instance consumer and behavioural models, with the application of the theory to practical situations through the use of case studies and other techniques. |
|
Management Decision Making
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The module explores the use of management accounting information to assist organisations in short and long-term decision-making. Emphasis is given to the use of various techniques in the formulation of management decision-making and, in order to emphasise the practical application of the principles and techniques, considerable use is made of practical examples. Indicative module content includes: information contents of financial statements, relevant costs and revenues for decision making, - cash flow analysis for long-term and short-term decision-making, decision-making within constraints for product mix analysis – absorption and standard costing, external and transfer pricing, performance measurement and market imperfections within decision-making frameworks (eg tax, inflation, etc). |
|
Research Methods
|
0 Credits |
Optional |
| This non-credit bearing module of study is designed to provide students with sufficient research skills in order to successfully undertake a dissertation and/or research project.
Key themes covered by the module, include:
Primary and secondary research
Formulating the research objectives/questions
Quantitative and qualitative research methods (inc. sampling)
Writing the methodology chapter
The need for a theoretical underpinning, and writing the literature review
Ethics considerations and the approval process
Presenting research findings. |
|
Contemporary Issues in Business and Management
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module will bring together a range of current research on contemporary strategic issues in business and management and enable students to consolidate their understanding of these issues, whilst giving them the skills and opportunity to examine and evaluate alternative valid views.
Students will be asked to use their research skills to develop an in-depth understanding of these contemporary issues while being encouraged to examine and question the legitimacy of alternative approaches to management and to evaluate the impact, if any, of these issues on a business' strategic development.
Students are expected to draw on the whole range of knowledge and skills developed during their studies when reviewing research literature and evaluating business and management responses to contemporary issues. |
|
Performance Strategy
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| The module deepens students’ prior knowledge and understanding of management accounting focuses on the role of the management accountant within the strategic planning process. Making use of relevant literature and case studies, the module explores strategic planning in the context of the management accounting information required to support this process. The module continues by considering performance management systems which have been developed to control the implementation of strategic plans.
Indicative content may include:
- The strategic process
- Tools of strategic management accounting
- The balanced scorecard
- Innovations in management accounting
- Innovations in performance management |
|
Industry Practice in Business (MLO)
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| In this module students will assess, develop and evaluate their employability skills through work-based learning. Students will use the professional framework relevant to their specialism to demonstrate competencies. Through their work, students will have opportunities to apply and critically evaluate academic theories and current business school research. Work-based learning opportunities include: placement, part-time work, internship, project work, involvement in research or volunteering. |
|
Sustainable Operations and Management
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This is a new and exciting area of business operations management. It will be useful for anyone who may wish to pursue a career in operations management; particularly in the current environment in which matters of sustainability are becoming more and more important.
The module covers the following topics: Operations Strategy: environmental impact and sustainability; Designing Operations: goods, services, packaging and processes, capacity, location, layout and jobs; Managing Quality; Sustainable Supply Chains: transport, inventory management, procurement, recycling. |
|
French Project
|
30 Credits |
Optional |
| This module provides students with an opportunity, under tutorial guidance, to choose a topic of interest to them related to an aspect of the social, political, economic or cultural life of a French-speaking country, to research a topic, using authentic materials to write a project on the topic in French/German/Spanish. Students are encouraged to conduct interviews with native French-speakers, having completed the necessary University formalities to obtain Ethics approval. |
|
German Project
|
30 Credits |
Optional |
| This module provides students with an opportunity, under tutorial guidance, to choose a topic of interest to them related to an aspect of the social, political, economic or cultural life of a German.-speaking country, to research a topic, using authentic materials to write a project on the topic in German. Students are encouraged to conduct interviews with native German-speakers, having completed the necessary University formalities to obtain Ethics approval. |
|
French Route A - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module further improves the students’ competence and confidence from study at levels 4 and 5 in
understanding and responding to more advanced written and spoken French. Students develop skills which will
be of value both professionally and socially and will be exposed to a wider variety of contexts and language
registers.
The module will enable students to participate more fully in discussions and develop logical argument. They
will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the framework of the vocabulary and
grammatical structures studied. The module will be largely course book based, supplemented by on-line
materials including for example on-line TV news items, blogs and magazine websites. |
|
French Route A - 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module enables students to improve further their competence and confidence from the previous semester
in understanding and responding to more advanced French. Students continue to develop skills which will be of
value both professionally and socially. The module will enable students to play a more active and spontaneous
part in discussions and to use a wider range of phrases which express different shades of opinion in speaking
and writing. They will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the framework of the
vocabulary and grammatical structures studied. The module will be largely course book based, supplemented
by on-line materials including for example on-line news reports, blogs and magazine websites. |
|
Spanish Route A - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module further improves the students’ competence and confidence from study at levels 4 and 5 in
understanding and responding to more advanced written and spoken Spanish. Students develop skills which
will be of value both professionally and socially and will be exposed to a wider variety of contexts and language
registers.
The module will enable students to participate more fully in discussions and develop logical argument. They
will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the framework of the vocabulary and
grammatical structures studied. The module will be largely course book based, supplemented by on-line
materials including for example on-line TV news items, blogs and magazine websites. |
|
Spanish Route A - 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module enables students to improve further their competence and confidence from the previous semester
in understanding and responding to more advanced Spanish. Students continue to develop skills which will be
of value both professionally and socially. The module will enable students to play a more active and
spontaneous part in discussions and to use a wider range of phrases which express different shades of opinion
in speaking and writing. They will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the framework of
the vocabulary and grammatical structures studied. The module will be largely course book based,
supplemented by on-line materials including for example on-line news reports, blogs and magazine websites. |
|
French Route B - 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will continue to be placed on ensuring that students have a grammatically sound command of both
the written and the spoken forms of French. A thematic approach to language learning will be used, improving
the student's linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex French. The module will be based on selected,
more complex carefully graded texts and materials compiled from a variety of sources made available to
students through Studynet. Students will participate in discussions on a variety of topics focusing on cultural
issues, tourism and the world of work. |
|
French Route B - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that students have a grammatically sound command of both the written
and the spoken forms of French. A thematic approach to language learning will be used, improving the
student’s linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex French. The course will be based on selected,
complex carefully graded texts, online and audiovisual materials compiled from a variety of sources made
available to students through StudyNet. Typical themes of study will focus on social, economic and cultural
issues. Student will be expected to take part in discussions on the various topics studied. |
|
Spanish Route B - 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will continue to be placed on ensuring that students have a grammatically sound command of both
the written and the spoken forms of Spanish. A thematic approach to language learning will be used, improving
the student's linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex Spanish. The module will be based on selected,
more complex carefully graded texts and materials compiled from a variety of sources made available to
students through Studynet. Students will participate in discussions on a variety of topics focusing on cultural
issues, tourism and the world of work |
|
German Route A - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module further improves the students’ competence and confidence from study at levels 4 and 5 in
understanding and responding to more advanced written and spoken German. Students develop skills which
will be of value both professionally and socially and will be exposed to a wider variety of contexts and language
registers.
The module will enable students to participate more fully in discussions and develop logical argument. They
will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the framework of the vocabulary and
grammatical structures studied. The module will be largely course book based, supplemented by on-line
materials including for example on-line TV news items, blogs and magazine websites. |
|
German Route A - 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module enables students to improve further their competence and confidence from the previous semester
in understanding and responding to more advanced German. Students continue to develop skills which will be
of value both professionally and socially. The module will enable students to play a more active and
spontaneous part in discussions and to use a wider range of phrases which express different shades of opinion
in speaking and writing. They will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the framework of
the vocabulary and grammatical structures studied. The module will be largely course book based,
supplemented by on-line materials including for example on-line news reports, blogs and magazine websites. |
|
German Route B - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that students have a grammatically sound command of both the written
and the spoken forms of German. A thematic approach to language learning will be used, improving the
student’s linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex German. The course will be based on selected,
complex carefully graded texts, online and audiovisual materials compiled from a variety of sources made
available to students through StudyNet. Typical themes of study will focus on social, economic and cultural
issues. Student will be expected to take part in discussions on the various topics studied. |
|
German Route B - 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will continue to be placed on ensuring that students have a grammatically sound command of both
the written and the spoken forms of German. A thematic approach to language learning will be used, improving
the student's linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex German. The module will be based on selected,
more complex carefully graded texts and materials compiled from a variety of sources made available to
students through Studynet. Students will participate in discussions on a variety of topics focusing on cultural
issues, tourism and the world of work |
|
Mandarin Route A - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module further improves the students’ competence and confidence from study at levels 4 and 5 in
understanding and responding to more advanced written and spoken Mandarin Chinese. Students develop
skills which will be of value both professionally and socially and will be exposed to a wider variety of contexts
and language registers.
The module will enable students to participate more fully in discussions and develop logical argument. They
will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the framework of the vocabulary and
grammatical structures studied. The module will be delivered via on-line materials including video clips and
Chinese websites. |
|
Mandarin Route A - 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module enables students to improve further their competence and confidence from the previous semester
in understanding and responding to more advanced Mandarin Chinese. Students continue to develop skills
which will be of value both professionally and socially. The module will enable students to play a more active
and spontaneous part in discussions and to use a wider range of phrases which express different shades of
opinion in speaking and writing. They will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the
framework of the vocabulary and grammatical structures studied. The module will be delivered via on-line
materials including video clips and Chinese websites. |
|
Spanish Route C - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will continue to be placed on improving the student’s linguistic ability primarily through the study of
selected themes taken from online newspapers,magazines,websites chosen specifically to illustrate
contemporary issues in the Spanish-speaking world.
Students will be expected to research their own materials and present them in discussions, analysing them
and reflecting upon them. Complex and more subtle grammatical points will be analysed through the study of
texts |
|
Spanish Route C - 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will continue to be placed on improving the student’s linguistic ability primarily through the study of
selected themes taken from online newspapers, magazines, websites chosen specifically to illustrate
contemporary issues in the Spanish-speaking world. Students will be expected to research their own materials
and present them in discussions, analysing them and reflecting upon them.
Complex and more subtle grammatical points will be analysed through the study of texts. |
|
Spanish Route B - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that students have a grammatically sound command of both the written
and the spoken forms of Spanish. A thematic approach to language learning will be used, improving the
student’s linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex Spanish. The course will be based on selected,
complex carefully graded texts, online and audiovisual materials compiled from a variety of sources made
available to students through StudyNet. Typical themes of study will focus on social, economic and cultural
issues. Student will be expected to take part in discussions on the various topics studied. |
|
Japanese Route A - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module further improves the students’ competence and confidence from study at levels 4 and 5 in
understanding and responding to more advanced written and spoken Japanese. Students develop skills which
will be of value both professionally and socially and will be exposed to a wider variety of contexts and language
registers.
The module will enable students to participate more fully in discussions and develop logical argument. They
will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the framework of the vocabulary and
grammatical structures studied. The module will be largely course book based, supplemented by on-line
materials including for example on-line TV news items, blogs and magazine websites. |
|
Japanese Route A - 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| This module enables students to improve further their competence and confidence from the previous semester
in understanding and responding to more advanced Japanese. Students continue to develop skills which will be
of value both professionally and socially. The module will enable students to play a more active and
spontaneous part in discussions and to use a wider range of phrases which express different shades of opinion
in speaking and writing. They will carry out reading and listening tasks and write texts within the framework of
the vocabulary and grammatical structures studied. The module will be largely course book based,
supplemented by on-line materials including for example on-line news reports, blogs and magazine websites. |
|
Japanese Route B 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will be placed on ensuring that students have a grammatically sound command of both the written and the spoken forms of Japanese. A thematic approach to language learning will be used, complemented by grammatical instruction, improving the student’s linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex Japanese. The course will be based on a textbook and supplemented by selected, carefully graded texts, online and audiovisual materials compiled from a variety of sources made available to students through StudyNet. Typical themes of study will focus on issues encountered in the workplace and in everyday life in Japan. Student will be expected to take part in discussions on the various topics studied. Students will be exposed to varied teaching formats, including lectures, small group work and independent study in the digital language laboratory. |
|
Japanese Route B 6b
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
| Emphasis will continue to be placed on ensuring that students have a grammatically sound command of both the written and the spoken forms of Japanese. A thematic approach to language learning will be used complemented by grammatical instruction, improving the student’s linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex Japanese. The course will be based on a textbook and supplemented by selected, carefully graded texts, online and audiovisual materials compiled from a variety of sources made available to students through StudyNet. Typical themes of study will focus on issues students would encounter while working or studying in Japan. Student will be expected to take part in discussions on the various topics studied. Students will be exposed to varied teaching formats, including lectures, small group work and independent study in the digital language laboratory. |
