Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module BUSI44I15: Crisis Management (Blended Learning)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI44I15: Crisis Management (Blended Learning)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2011/12
Tied to
Tied to

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Crisis Management (Block Taught)

Aims

  • To explore the nature of crises and crisis management strategies
  • To understand the key related areas of risk assessment, human intervention and organisational turnaround
  • To examine the strategic and operational implications of crisis management planning

Content

  • The nature of Crisis Management
  • Modelling the Crisis Process
  • The Crisis-Prone Organisation
  • The Nature of Human Error
  • Organisational Failures
  • The Nature of a Safety Culture
  • Post-Crisis Turnaround Strategies
  • Developing the Crisis-Prepared Organisation
  • Developing and evaluating a Crisis Management Strategy

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students should:
  • have a critical understanding of the nature and principal concepts in crisis and risk management;
  • have a grounded understanding of various individual and organisational factors contributing to crisis-proneness, preparedness and crisis management success;
  • have a critical appreciation of the components of a successful crisis management plan.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students should:
  • be able to identify the main phases in crisis development, the pre-cursors of each, and the relationships between them;
  • be able to identify a potential crisis portfolio for an organisation;
  • be able to analyse appropriate corporate strategies for crisis and risk management.
Key Skills:
  • Effective written communication skills
  • Planning, organising and time management skills
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • The ability to use initiative
  • Advanced skills in the interpretation of data
  • Advanced computer literacy skills

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

  • The module is delivered via blended learning and in the form of discrete Study Units. These are designed to enable the learning outcomes to be achieved through a combination of specially written material, directed reading, reflection through self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading. Extensive use of learning technologies is also employed to reinforce learning, including online seminars. Module tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (by email, telephone, post, fax and video-conferencing).
  • The summative written assignment will test students' understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Blended-learning Study Units (a combination of specially written materials, directed reading, self-assessed assignments, e-learning resources, and guidance for further reading) 8 150
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual written report, based on the analysis of risks to an organisation and preparation of a crisis management plan 4,000 words maximum 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Virtual team-based discussions and case-study exercises, delivered via DUO.


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