Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module BUSI4E015: Work & Society (Block Taught)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI4E015: Work & Society (Block Taught)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2011/12
Tied to N6K107
Tied to N1KY07

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Work and Society (Distance Learning)

Aims

  • To develop students’ knowledge and understanding of key issues relating to trends in work and society.

Content

  • Introduction; meanings and orientation to work
  • Globalisation
  • Power in organisations
  • Organisational culture
  • Emotional labour
  • Discrimination at work
  • Organisational misbehaviour
  • Language and organisational communication

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • On completion of the module students should have an advanced knowledge and understanding of the context and nature of 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 work and society;
  • Be able to critically evaluate competing theories of change in work and society.
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

  • Through a combination of lectures, seminars and guided reading addressing key topics in the sociology of work, students will acquire the advanced skills and knowledge to enable them to develop a thorough understanding of this specialist field of study.
  • The 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 work and society.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion), timetabled in blocks 24
Preparation and reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual written assignment analysing a contemporary work-related issue 3000 words 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Group-based discussions and case study exercises.


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