BA Modern Language and Business & Management (Arabic) / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Human Resource Management

Course unit fact file
Unit code BMAN30042
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 3
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

The course has both a UK and an international focus and it treats HRM as a blanket term to describe the employment relationship in any organization rather than focusing on HRM as a particular style of management. The course draws heavily on research analysing contemporary developments in HRM and employment, and wherever possible we draw out implications for organizations and HR policy and practice.

This course is especially suited to those who want an introduction to HRM and employment issues and are taking it as part of a degree programme where an understanding of HRM is seen as an important complement to their specialist studies. As such, it is appropriate for students from a diverse range of backgrounds.  

Pre/co-requisites



 

Aims

To examine at introductory level the nature and meaning of human resource management (HRM) within the context of institutional frameworks and organisational strategies.

The objectives of this course are to understand and explain:

  • The changing context in which HRM takes place, highlighting the factors external and internal to the organization that shape HRM;
  • The theory and practice, rhetoric and reality, of a number of HRM practices;
  • The nature and diversity of approaches to HRM across organisations and sectors.

 

 

Syllabus

  • Introduction to HRM
  • Strategic HRM; rhetoric and practice  
  • Recruitment and Selection
  • Developing Skills and people  
  • Pay and Reward
  • Employee Voice  
  • Flexible Work and Work Life Balance  
  • Equality and Diversity 

Teaching and learning methods

Methods of Delivery: 10 one hour lectures and 10 one hour seminars over the duration of the course.

Total study hours: 100 hours split between lectures, workshops, reading for classes and examinations.

Private study hours: 80

Knowledge and understanding

  • Explain how different aspects of HRM are put into practice within organisations
  • Explain how institutional and contextual factors shape the nature of HRM at the organisational level
  • Examine HR practices from the perspectives of employers and employees 

Intellectual skills

  • To critical assess and use theoretical frameworks or literature in the analysis of social phenomena 

Practical skills

  • Use of library, electronic and online resources 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Demonstrate ability to independently gather, sift, synthesise and organise material from various sources (including library, electronic and online resources), and to critically evaluate its significance.

Employability skills

Analytical skills
The course emphasises skills in critical thinking and relevant to the role of HR, such as strategic planning, evidenced based practice, and decision-making of HR managers and HR professionals.
Project management
Students will learn and experience a range of skills relevant to undertaking industry-based projects, encompassing both design and development of systems, in addition to project planning and management.
Other
The module covers a range of topics relating to employment and careers that will help students understand how they can improve their own employability including recruitment and selection, training and skills development.

Assessment methods


Formative Assessment:
Essay - optional formative assignment rehearsing an answer to a hypothetical exam question

Summative Assessment:
Exam (100%)

Feedback methods

  • As per school guidelines on summative written work 
  • Essay is due in the middle of February and written feedback is provided 3 weeks after the deadline  

Recommended reading

Wilkinson A, Dundon T, Redman T, eds. Contemporary Human Resource Management : Text and Cases . Sixth edition. SAGE; 2021. https://read.kortext.com

Gold M. Where’s the “human” in Human Resource Management? : Managing Work in the 21st Century . (Smith C, ed.). Bristol University Press; 2022.

Grugulis I. A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Human Resource Management . SAGE; 2017.

Gunawardana SJ. Reframing employee voice: a case study in Sri Lanka’s export processing zones. Work, employment and society. 2014;28(3):452-468. doi:10.1177/0950017013491451

Rubery J. Change at work: feminisation, flexibilisation, fragmentation and financialisation. Ralph Darlington P, ed. Employee relations. 2015;37(6):633-644. doi:10.1108/er-04-2015-0067

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 2
Lectures 10
Seminars 10
Independent study hours
Independent study 78

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Nathaniel Tetteh Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Dependent courses: None

Programmes to which this course unit contributes (including cross faculty/school): Available as a free choice option to students who have received prior agreement from their registering School. Option for IBFE. Not available to BSc in Management/Management (Specialism), IM, ITMB or Accounting

 

For Academic Year 2025/26

Updated: March 2025

Approved by: March UG Committee

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