Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2005-2006 (archived)

Module BUSS2041: THEORIES OF WORK AND ORGANISATIONS II

Department: ECONOMICS FINANCE AND BUSINESS (BUSINESS) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BUSS2041: THEORIES OF WORK AND ORGANISATIONS II

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2005/06 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus, Stockton
Tied to N200
Tied to N420

Prerequisites

  • Theories of Work and Organisations I (BUSS1001)

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • This module will critically examine contemporary theories of work and organization and to reflect on these within the contemporary business and societal context.

Content

  • Work in the historical context, the sociological analysis of work, meaning and experience of work: orientations to work.
  • changing orientations to work.
  • identity and subjectively.
  • work and satisfaction.
  • Structuring: occupational structures.
  • divisions of labour.
  • discrimination at work.
  • Conflict, control and the employment relationship: legitimation, consent, control and resistance.
  • industrial relations.
  • Technology and Work, reconstructing work and theories of change: globalisation.
  • fordism and post-fordism.
  • 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: critique the fundamental arguments surrounding organization theory.
  • understand the changing nature of work and organizations.
  • analyse the major trends and development work, industry and society.
  • appreciate some of the neglected and more contemporary issues in the field.
  • consider the heterogeneity of theory and experience of work and organization.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

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

      • The lectures provide students with a sound theoretical and empirical base for their students on work and organisations.
      • Tutorials will enable students to explore and discuss the concepts and theories more fully.
      • The summative assignment will test the students' ability to research a topic independently and construct a robust and coherent argument.
      • The examination will seek to evaluate the students' understanding of the broad range of topics covered throughout the lectures and tutorials.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 28 + 3 revision Weekly 1 hour 31
      Seminars 8 4 in term 1, 4 in term 2 1 hour 8
      Preparation and Reading 161
      Total 200

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Examination Component Weighting: 50%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      one two-hour written examination 100%
      Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 50%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      one written Assignment of 2500 words maximum 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