Module |
Credits |
Compulsory/optional |
Employment Relations
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
The module encourages students to critically evaluate different theories and perspectives on employment relations. It also equips students to be able to practically undertake important aspects of the employment relationship such as bargaining and conflict resolution. The module considers the roles of the key actors in employment relations: management, trade unions and the State. The module evaluates different employment relations approaches and evaluates the design and application of processes, policies and procedures in areas such as: discipline and grievance, dismissal, collective bargaining, individual and collective negotiation, employee engagement, conflict and industrial sanctions, conciliation, mediation and arbitration and diversity management. The module also focuses on the impact of legislation, both European and domestic, on employment relations. |
International Human Resource Management
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
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. |
Training and Development
|
30 Credits |
Compulsory |
The module provides a contemporary, applied and critical approach to the study of training and development at an individual, organisational, national and international level. It is appropriate for all students who anticipate being responsible for and are interested in the management and development of people at work. Practical activities enable students to develop the skills of a trainer. The module examines the roles and functions of training in organisations and explores individual and organisational strategies for training and development. The module includes: the training cycle of identification of training need, planning, delivery and evaluation of training; management of training; organisational and individual learning and the learning organisation.
The national and international context to training and development is examined through a critical examination of differing governmental and stakeholder strategies for intervention in vocational training. |
Placement Portfolio
|
0 Credits |
Compulsory |
This activity is self-directed by the student and carries no credits. Students will be supported by the Placement Visit Co-ordinator, The Placement Experience Module Leader, an Academic Mentor and the Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE). Successful completion of the placement leads to the award suffix ‘Sandwich’ on students’ degree title.
Students who have been on placement are also eligible to apply for LCGI from City & Guilds, and should contact the Placement Experience Module Leader for more information on this. |
Contemporary Issues in Human Resource Management
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
The emphasis of this module is on stimulating independent learning and understanding of how research and theory are used to understand HRM issues.
The module provides a contemporary, research-based and critical approach to the study of the human resource management field in a strategic context, drawing upon related aspects of work, employment, organisation, society and policy as appropriate.
The module will help students identify some of the key theoretical frameworks that underpin research and alternative research methods. Students will select topics in the HRM field and discuss if, and why, they are contemporary. Students will develop ways to identify and question the impact of research on HRM practice.
Content may include contemporary debates on some of the following: synergy between HRM theory, application and practice with respect to broader organisational issues; current trends in work, employment, organisation, society and policy as they relate to the HRM field. |
Industry Practice for Human Resource Professionals
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
In this module students will assess, develop and evaluate their employability skills through work-based learning. Students will use the professional CIPD framework to demonstrate competencies. Through their work, students will have opportunities to apply and critically evaluate HR academic theories and current business school research. Work-based learning opportunities include: placement, part-time work, internship, project work, involvement in research or volunteering. |
Contemporary Developments in HRD
|
30 Credits |
Compulsory |
The module provides a contemporary, applied and critical approach to the study of HRD both within and beyond the organisational context. The module examines the roles and functions of HRD at individual, group and organisational levels. Practical activities enable students to develop professional skills for helping others learn and develop. It is appropriate for all students who anticipate being responsible for and are interested in the management and development of people at work whether in a specialist HR or general management role. |
Diversity and Equality at Work
|
15 Credits |
Compulsory |
The module aims to develop an understanding of inequalities and diversity at work. Its approach is to explain and critically analyse concepts such as job segregation on the basis of race and gender, different patterns of work and time, and pay inequality. It will consider these questions from a historical perspective, centred on the UK but developing comparative perspectives with other European countries. The module will consider and critically evaluate the various theories concerning gender and other questions of equality. In addition it will examine the relationships of women to the labour market in different periods, and the relationship between this and their domestic roles. The module will consider the role of the state, employers and trade unions in relation to equality and diversity at work, and will examine the legal framework underpinning these issues. |
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. |
Supply Chain Management
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
The focus of this module is on the theory and practice of supply chain management in the context of organisations. Topics to be covered in this module include: logistics, supply chain strategy, supply chain performance, supplier relationships; managing quality; matching supply and demand and the concept of lead-time in the supply chain; inventory control, designing global supply chains; aggregate planning; coordination in supply chains, risk management in supply chains, supply chain integration, sustainability in supply chains, and business analytics in supply chains. |
Business and Commercial Awareness
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
This module is essentially supported by lectures and workshop-based, where students will role play members of an organisational management team as they develop plan and implement a new product or service for their organisation. The lectures will present theoretical underpinnings for each of the activities required for the case. The workshops will allow students the opportunity to apply theory and develop the skills required via a selection of shorter case based exercises.
The module will consolidate functional business knowledge and provide students with an opportunity to integrate theories and gain experience in a simulated business environment. |
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 |
|
Dissertation - Human Resources
|
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 cover the management of the dissertation, the methodology used, the intellectual quality and originality, and the structure and coherence of the report. |
Creative Problem Solving for Managers
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
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. |
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. |
Leadership and Organisations
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
This module explores leadership and management within the context of the business organisation, complementing the knowledge and understanding of strategic issues developed through studies on the companion module 6BUS1143 Business Strategy.
It examines the development of leadership and management theory as well as discussing contemporary applications of theoretical approaches. Leadership styles and models are analysed, including their impact on follower performance. Students will be constantly reminded that the leaders of organisations often experience strategy in action/implementation as a messy, unstructured process.
Up-to-date real world examples will be used, together with textbook cases, to appraise the effectiveness of particular organisational leadership styles and to show how strategic leaders and their followers interact in practice. |
Business Strategy
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
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. It will focus on the many conflicting perspectives within the subject of strategic management and consider the problems involved in researching and developing strategies and plans and implementing them within the limitations of the organisation. It considers a range of analytical techniques and concepts, both applying them and critically evaluating their usefulness through the use of case study work.
The module includes a comprehensive review of current strategic issues, identifying the contradictions and paradoxical nature of strategic decision-making and strategic planning. This module’s coverage of the themes of strategic position and strategic choice is designed to complement the study of strategy in action/implementation in the companion module 'Leadership and Organisations'. |
Contemporary Issues in Ethics, Business and Sustainability
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
This module enables students to identify and evaluate a range of national and global approaches to sustainability, exploring the various meanings attached to the word ‘sustainability’ and alternative strategies and drivers. Students will discuss the technology which businesses, and government agencies are using to develop and evaluate their practice in this area. Issues of ethics and social responsibility, stakeholders, political legitimacy and economic longevity will be considered together with the ecological issues which are the main focus of current media debates.
Students will gain the ability to identify and explain the major developments in national and global sustainability practice in the twenty-first century and to compare and contrast alternative approaches, supporting an informed choice of a personal ethical and practical stance to guide their future handling of sustainability issues. |
German Mini Project
|
15 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 an essay on the topic in German. |
Spanish Mini Project
|
15 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 Spanish -speaking country, to research a topic, using authentic materials to write an essay on the topic in Spanish. |
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. |
French 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. Students will acquire a better
understanding of contemporary France through the study of selected events of great importance to French
society in the first part of the 20th century.
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. |
French 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. Students will continue to develop an
understanding of the relationship between key aspects of contemporary France and historical facts which
occurred in the second part of the 20th century.
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 - 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. |
Italian 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 Italian. 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. |
Italian 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 Italian. 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 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. |
Italian 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 Italian. A thematic approach to language learning will be used, improving the
student’s linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex Italian. 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. |
Italian 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 Italian. A thematic approach to language learning will be used, improving
the student's linguistic ability and knowledge of more complex Italian. 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 |
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. |
German Route C - 6a
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
Emphasis w ill continue to be placed on improving the student’s linguistic ability primarily through the study of selected themes taken from online news papers, magazines, websites chosen specifically to illustrate contemporary issues in the German-speaking world.
Students w ill be expected to research their own materials and present them in discussions, analysing them and reflecting upon them. Complex and more subtle grammatical points w ill be analysed through the study of texts. |
German 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 German 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. |
Collective Employment Law
|
15 Credits |
Optional |
The law as a facilitator of change in the workplace and how it regulates, supports and restrains collective bargaining. Emphasis will be placed upon recent attempts to de-regulate the labour market and legislation designed to allow trade unions to claim recognition from particular employers. The importance of EU law in collective labour relations. The legal status and effect of collective agreements. The rights of trade unions and trade union members in the workplace. The law relating to industrial action with particular emphasis on the remedies available to management. The obligations to consult in advance of redundancies. European Works Councils and the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employers Regulations 1999. |