Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook
This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2006-2007 (archived)

Module BUSS2081: Organisational Behaviour

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

BUSS2081: Organisational Behaviour

TypeLevelCreditsAvailabilityModule CapLocation
Tied 2 20 Available in 2006/2007 None. Queen's Campus Stockton

Tied To

Pre-requisites

  • Introduction to Management

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations

  • None

Aims

  • This module builds upon the material contained within the Level 1 module: Introduction to Management.
  • The module introduces students to theories, models and research relevant to the behaviour of individuals, groups and organisations and encourages them to apply and critically assess these in the context of contemporary business and society.
  • To develop an awareness and understanding of contemporary debates/issues around the relationship between the organization and individual'

Content

  • Explanations of individual attributes, attitudes and behaviour eg personality, learning
  • Motivation, orientation, satisfaction, commitment
  • Meaning and experience of work
  • Groups and team processes
  • Approaches to understanding organisation
  • Organisational forms (eg: hierarchy, network, market)
  • Forms of organising (eg: Taylorism, Fordism, Post-Fordism)
  • Authority, power, obedience, conflict
  • Leadership and decision making
  • Culture and organisation
  • Critical approaches to organisation, nature of exploitation, alienation
  • International and diversity issues

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge
  • Analysis of individuals as members of organisations and of group and team processes in organisational contexts
  • Understand the main features and practices that characterise contemporary organisation
  • Develop in-depth knowledge of the form and functioning of at least one contemporary organisation, evaluated in the light of theory.
  • Develop the ability to critically assess and deal with the managerial and organisational implications of OB issues at the individual, interpersonal/group and organisational levels of analysis.
Subject-specific Skills
  • Assess and critique business practices from a range of theoretical and positional perspectives
  • Demonstrate the ability to think independently, work individually and as part of a group to locate, assess and use information
  • Reflect on and understand ones own styles, preferences and values in relation to issues discussed in the course
Key Skills
  • Written communication: through summative assessment
  • Computer literacy: word-processing and layout of summative essay, interrogation of electronic and web-based academic databases

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

  • Teaching is by lectures, seminars and support for student-centred learning.
  • Learning takes place through attendance at lectures, preparation for and participation in seminars and private study (including student-centred learning).
  • Formative assessment is by means of one group presentation, poster and short written report.
  • Summative assessment is by means of an unseen written examination of 1 hour and 15 minutes plus one written assignment of 1500 words.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotal HoursAttendance Monitored
Lectures 20 1 per week 1.5 hours 30
Seminars 8 4 in term 1, 4 in term 2 1 hour 8
Student preparation and reading time 162
Total 200

Summative Assessment

ComponentComponent WeightingElementLength/DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Examination 60% One written unseen examination 1 hour 15 mins 100%
Assignment 40% One written assignment 1500 words max 100%

Formative Assessment

One group presentation / poster and short written report


Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.