Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module BUSI4E015: Work and Society (Taught)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4E015: Work and Society (Taught)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2024/2025 Module Cap
Tied to N1KY07
Tied to N6K107
Tied to N1N107
Tied to N6K207

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Work and Society (Online)

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

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of taught input, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading and specially-written self-study material. 
  • The summative assessment of the module is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of application and interpretation within the business context.

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