Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module BUSI2081: THEORIES OF WORK AND ORGANISATIONS II

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (BUSINESS)

BUSI2081: THEORIES OF WORK AND ORGANISATIONS II

Type	Open	Level	2	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2005/06	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Prerequisites

Theories of Work and Organisations I (BUSI1061).

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

None.

Aims

The overall aim of this module is to critically examine contemporary theories of work and organization and to reflect on these within the contemporary business and societal context.

Content

Work in a Historical Context.
The Sociological Analysis of Work.
Meaning and Experience of Work - Orientations to work.
Changing orientations to work.
Identity and subjectivity.
Work and satisfaction.
Structuring Work - Occupational structures.
Divisions of labour.
Discrimination at work.
Conflict, Control and the Employment Relationship - Legitimation, consent, control and resistance.
Industrial relations.
Technology and Work.
Restructuring Work and Theories of Change - Globalisation.
Fordism and Post-Fordism.
Post-industrialism.
Flexible specialisation.
From modernity to post-modernity?.
Trends and trajectories.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

By the end of the module, students are expected:
To understand the changing nature of work and organizations.
To be able to analyse the major trends and developments work, industry and society.
Appreciate some of the neglected and more contemporary issues in the field.
To have considered the heterogeneity of theory and experience of work and organization.

Subject-specific Skills:

To be able to critique the fundamental arguments surrounding organization theory.

Key Skills:

Written communication - through writing the summative assignment
Computer Literacy - typing up the summative assignment

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching is by lectures, tutorials and support for student-centred learning. Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in tutorial classes and private study (including student-centred learning.) Formative assessment is by means of group presentation and short report. Summative assessment is by means of an unseen written examination of 2 hours duration and 2500 word essay.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	21	1 per Week	20 x 1 Hour 30 Minutes, 1 x 1 Hour	31
Tutorials	8	4 in Term 1, 4 in Term 2	1 Hour	8
Structured Reading Week	1	In Term 2
Preparation and Reading	161			161
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 50%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
one two-hour written examination	2 hours	100%
Component: Essay		Component Weighting: 50%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
one written assignment of 2500 words max.	2500 words	100%

Formative Assessment:

Group Presentation and short summary report.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University