Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module BUSI43160: MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI43160: MAKING CHANGE HAPPEN

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 60 Availability
Tied to N1KH07

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The aim of the module is to enable participants to:
  • Choose appropriate advanced methods to address business transformation in specific organizational contexts.
  • Employ a variety of specialized techniques to enable their continued learning and to enable them to put knowledge into action.

Content

  • Planning the project
  • Research methods:
  • 1. research philosophy
  • 2. quantitative and qualitative research designs
  • 3. critical review of literature
  • 4. questionnaire design
  • 5. other research techniques etc.
  • Project supervision
  • Presentation of project findings
  • Reflections on learning
  • Planning for the future - as an individual
  • Planning for the future - the organization

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
    Subject-specific Skills:
    • Communicate and outline the benefits of an approach to a complex change programme.#
    • Use a range of specialized techniques to plan and lead a complex change programme.
    • Synthesize the issues studied throughout the programme.
    • Critically reflect on their personal development and set goals for continued development.
    • Critically reflect on the success of organizational change initiatives and diagnose the possibilities for improved approaches in the future.
    • Write a substantial and well researched piece of work at Masters level on specific organizational issues.
    Key Skills:
    • Consistently apply an advanced level of knowledge and wider intellectual skills in this complex and specialized area of study.
    • Be adaptable, and show originality, insight, and critical and reflective abilities which can all be brought to bear on unpredictable and problematic situations.
    • Critically evaluate and integrate theory and practice, exercising appropriate judgment, in a complex range of situations.
    • Be self directed and able to act autonomously in planning and implementing projects at professional levels, taking a high level of responsibility for themselves and others as appropriate.
    • Take responsibility for continuing to develop their own knowledge and highly specialized skills.

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

    • The business venture/project is an opportunity for participants working as individuals or, where appropriate, groups to apply their leading from the programme to a significant organizational issue.
    • The summative assignments will be individual work.
    • The learning outcomes will be addressed through a combination of lectures, case studies and seminars, project work and project supervision and individual study.
    • The summative assessment, by business report, is designed to test both students' conceptual knowledge and understanding, and their ability to apply what they have learned. The business report based on a project in the participants' organization. The focus is on practical application of learning from the programme (10,000 words maximum)
    • The reflective paper component of the summative assessment is designed to enable participants to consolidate their learning and provide a foundation for ongoing learning following the programme. Its is accompanied by a portfolio of evidence.

    Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

    Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
    Lectures 8 3 hours 24
    Tutorials
    Seminars 4 2 hours 8
    Practicals
    Group, case study work
    Preparation & Reading 565
    Other: (Project Supervisions) 6 30 minutes 3
    Total 600

    Summative Assessment

    Component: Business Report Component Weighting: 70%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Business Report 10,000 words maximum 100%
    Component: Reflective Paper and Portfolio of Evidence Component Weighting: 30%
    Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
    Reflective Paper and Portfolio of Evidence 3000 words maximum 100%

    Formative Assessment:

    In formal formative assessment and feedback will be provided throughout the module. A presentation of initial business project outlines will provide an opportunity to tutor feedback and also for informal peer feedback.


    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