Stirling Management School

Business & Organisation Division

Module Co-ordinator:  Ms Doris Eikhof                                                                                                 

Module Aims

• To provide a strong foundation for the Masters programme, introducing students to the key structural features of, and contextual influences on, the world of work and employment. 
• To make students aware of the diversity of disciplines, the breadth of specialisms and the competing theoretical paradigms that are to be found within the field of management studies.
• To develop a critical awareness amongst students of relevant themes in industrial sociology, organizational theory, labour economics, industrial relations and business strategy, focusing both on historical perspectives and recent and contemporary academic debates.
• To provide a foundation in social science and management research methods and the philosophical bases of social science/management inquiry.
• To enhance each student’s ability to develop and advance a coherent, well-argued case, based upon a critical reading of secondary academic sources and the marshalling of evidence, statistical or otherwise, from a wide variety of other sources.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will have developed a critical understanding of recent and current academic debates within industrial sociology, and other disciplines, in relation to the world of work and employment;
• Students will have developed a knowledge of the most significant contextual influences shaping the emerging world of work;
• Students will have an understanding of the nature of social enquiry and an appreciation of the relationship between social theory and social science research;
• Students will have advanced their generic skills in gathering and evaluating information, team working and individual project organisation;
• Students will have advanced their skills in academic discussion and academic writing.

Teaching and Learning

The aims and methods are met through both independent study and collaborative group work. Teaching will take place through formal lectures, small group work, class discussion and audio-visual material where appropriate.  In addition, learning will take place in guided but self-led study in groups and individually.

There is one two-hour lecture per week.

There will also be a 5-week seminar programme.  

Assessment

50% coursework

50% examination

Coursework:

A 1,000 word essay. The essay will account for 10% of the final mark.

A 3,000 word essay. The essay will account for 40% of the final mark

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