Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module BUSI45L15: Skills, Training and Human Resource Development

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI45L15: Skills, Training and Human Resource Development

Type Open Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2011/12
Tied to N1K607
Tied to N1K507
Tied to N1K307
Tied to N1KL07

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop students’ knowledge and understanding of key issues relating to skills, training and HRD.

Content

  • Introduction: the nature of skill and skills at work
  • International comparisons
  • Skill and performance
  • The changing nature of skill
  • Emotional and aesthetic labour
  • Managing culture
  • Knowledge work and knowledgeable workers
  • Networks and fragmented organisational forms
  • Theories of skill: where next?

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students should:
  • have an advanced knowledge and understanding of the context and nature of skills at work in contemporary societies.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students should:
  • be able to critically analyse a number of different issues relating to the study of skills, training and HRD;
  • be able to critically evaluate different practices;
  • be aware of and be able to critically evaluate different theories of skill and skills development.
Key Skills:
    Written communication;
Key Skills:
    Planning, organising and time management;
Key Skills:
    Problem solving and analysis;
Key Skills:
    Using initiative;
Key Skills:
    Computer literacy.

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

  • Through a combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading addressing key topics, students will acquire the advanced skills and knowledge to enable them to develop a thorough understanding of this specialist field of study.
  • The summative assessment of the module, by written assignment, is designed to test students’ knowledge and understanding of the subject-matter and their ability to apply it to the analysis of specific issues relating to the study of skills, training and HRD.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 9 Weekly 2 hour 18
Seminars 4 Fortnightly 1 hour 4 ■
Preparation, project work & reading 128
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Individual written assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual written assignment 2500 words (maximum) 100%

Formative Assessment:

Group presentation

■ 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