Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2011-2012 (archived)

Module BUSI5G515: Your Professional and Personal Role

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI5G515: Your Professional and Personal Role

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2011/12
Tied to N1KK13
Tied to N1KD14
Tied to N1DT14

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • This modular unit will allow students to reflect on themselves and the people who work in their organisation. The emphasis will be on understanding themselves and others in the organisation as they are now and see whether they are appropriate to the current needs of the organisation. The course introduces students to the subject of management and the importance of managing the task, the team and individuals.

Content

  • The content of this module is aimed at first time managers and covers the following areas:
  • Understanding yourself and your current role; understanding and developing your learning style (Honey and Mumford) and Kolb's Learning cycle; an introduction to Adair's action centred leadership model; understanding the key functions of work and how they relate to task, team and the individual; the four stages in the communication loop; the six elements of communication; oral and written communication; oral and written communication; the tem dimensions of role effectiveness; why people procrastinate; making the most out of your reading.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
    Subject-specific Skills:
    • By the end of the module, students should be able to:
    • Critique their own learning style and what this means both to work and to their personal development.
    • Identify the issues involved in management in terms of managing jobs and managing people.
    • Recognise the key functions of work.
    • Highlight the importance of communication in the management process.
    • Decide when to use verbal or written communication.
    • Give and receive feedback.
    • Recognise the breadth of factors that make a manager effective in their role.
    • Better manage their time both in work and outside in order to achieve a more balanced approach to life.
    • Analyse their own reading, listening and writing skills and the effect this will have on their communication and their study.
    • Write an assignment to meet their requirements in the business and the requirements of a postgraduate certification in Professional Development.
    Key Skills:

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

      • Lectures and seminars, supported by guided reading, will be used to introduce and explore they key concepts and theories.
      • Established questionnaires will be used to help people identify personality type, learning style and team role. The results will be used to understand themselves and how they can develop and to value the diversity of others. These will be used in conjunction with a series of short questionnaires especially designed to allow students to assess themselves against key management skills.
      • Group exercises will help them compare their own findings with that of other members of the group and design opportunities to practice areas identified for improvement.
      • A large, goal directed group exercise to allow the group to attempt a number of tasks using individual strengths and weakness and allocating time and resources between these tasks.
      • Assignment and tutor support will then help them adapt and apply to the specific needs of their own organisation.
      • A personal Statement will enable students to think about the reasons for starting this study and identify their own learning objectives.
      • The summative assignment will require the student to analyse themselves, the learning and communication styles and their time management and the impact this has on their own and their organisations performance. this assignment allows students to consider the practical application of the subject covered.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 9 Over a two month period 27
      Tutorials 1 Once 5 hours 5
      Action learning set 2 Twice 3 hours 6
      Preparation & Reading 112
      Total 150

      Summative Assessment

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

      Formative Assessment:

      One written Personal Statement of Learning Objectives (1000 words). Peer and tutor feedback will be provided at a study skills day.


      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