Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module BUSI54715: Theories and Concepts of Consultancy

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI54715: Theories and Concepts of Consultancy

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap
Tied to N1K814

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To enable students to:
  • understand the theoretical framework in which the practice of consultancy is placed;
  • understand the interdisciplinary influences which inform and influence the practice of consultancy;
  • understand where consultancy fits in he spectrum o management theory;
  • understand the impact of ethics and governance ont he practice of consultancy.

Content

  • The key theories of consultancy, e.g. radical structural, radical humanist, psychodynamic and corporatist, and their interdisciplinary influences and links.
  • Consultancy theories and their links to classical, human relations, modern and postmodern theories of organisations; the implications of these for consultancy relationships, metaphorical approaches to the consultancy profession; ethical and professional theories and their practical implications.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • To be able to recognise and critique different consultancy practices and relate the to theoretical models and concepts.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

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

      • The programme incorporates both University and work-based teaching and learning.
      • The University based teaching and learning will use lectures and facilitated discussions, group and individual tasks, role play and other simulations. Individual nd group tutorials will also form part of the programme. Students will also learn through directed independent study (via the Internet) and independent study related to the preparation of coursework for assessment.
      • At work, students will reflect on how they have applied in practice what they have learnt at different stages of the programme, via a reflective learning journal and actions points agreed at the end of each module.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 4 Daily 2 hours 8
      Tutorials 1 Once 1.5 hours 1.5
      Seminars 1 Daily 3 hours 3
      Practicals 4 Daily 1 hour 4
      Preparation & Reading 133.5
      Total 150

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Essay 2,500 words 100%

      Formative Assessment:

      One essay.


      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