Module Information
Title of module: ORGANISATIONAL THEORY: BEHAVIOUR, POWER AND POLITICS AT WORK
Module code: ULMS863
Credit value: 15
Semester in which the module is taught: Second Semester
Module Aims and Learning Outcomes
The aim of this module is to facilitate students in gaining a broad, interdisciplinary overview of theoretical approaches to Organisational Theory (OT). It is intended that students will develop an understanding of how and why OT assists in analysing, from a scholarly perspective, complex situations in relation to management and organisation theory, and practice. Having introduced the concept of OT it is intended that the module will focus on the concept of ‘organisation’ as a complex entity of multiple possibilities, ensuring it is open to investigation from a variety of perspectives, with the aim to encourage a critical understanding and reflection of 'organisation' for students. The module aims to introduce students to advanced analysis of contemporary issues in organisation studies. The module will provide an overview of relevant theories and empirical practices, and students will be trained to evaluate the appropriateness of theories in diverse contexts.
The module aims to offer readings which are relevant, focused and manageable in length. However, while the majority of readings will be recommended, selected and provided for students, the module aims to encourage them to read widely, beyond the course texts and with an interdisciplinary focus.
The module aims to offer students opportunities through group work and discussion to develop their capacity to reflect upon, and develop insightful perspectives on organisations both internally, and within wider social contexts. This is intended to help students develop their own analytical capabilities enhancing their capacity to shed light on and manage problem situations.
The module aims to facilitate students in developing their abilities to evaluate organisational decision making processes and to explore the relationships and tensions between production and well-being.
The aim is that having completed this module, students will be well positioned to discern the links among and between complex organisational problems and to relate theoretical perspectives to contemporary organisational practices.
Learning Outcomes
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Learning Outcomes
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1.
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Students will be able to critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of different theories and perspectives on, and practices of, organising.
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2.
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Students will be able to critically analyse the links among and between complex organisational problems and to relate to theoretical perspectives to contemporary organisational practices,
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3.
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Students will be able to evaluate, synthesise, and analyse reliable information and knowledge from a diverse range of sources.
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How will this module develop my ULMS Graduate skills?
This module helps students to develop the skills set out in the module specification. Details of how the stated skills will be tested are shown in the module specification.
In addition, the Management School has identified a set of key skills which it expects its students to develop throughout their studies. These are skills which are actively sought by employers and which together form. the “ULMS Graduate” (see appendix A at the end of this module guide).
Teaching and Learning Strategies
The module operates this year within the University’s hybrid active learning (HAL) model. This means that many of the learning materials will be posted on CANVAS each week and the seminar, in small groups, will provide an opportunity to apply your learning and develop techniques that will help you in your assessment.
You will be given tasks/activities each week so you need to come to the seminar prepared to discuss your ideas and review those of others. Students are expected to participate actively in sessions and student seminar presentations form. an integral part of the input on this module. Discussion questions might be posted on CANVAS, according to current affairs and issues that arise during the module.
All synchronous (live) sessions will be recorded or summarised. This will ensure that all learning materials are available online and students who are unable to attend (e.g. because of self-isolation, studying remotely) will not be disadvantaged.
Students will be expected to undertake background and follow-up reading, and to access materials via the web and University’s CANVAS network. Your private study hours should total around 125 hours for this module. Most communication and support for learning will be posted on CANVAS. You should, therefore, access CANVAS on a regular basis.
Your attention is drawn to the support the University provides for your learning via the Study Skills web page. Your Student Handbook (and Study Skills Booklet) also provides advice on the skills required for your assessments (e.g. ULMS Academic Masterclasses and/or KnowHow sessions).
Assessment Strategy – How will this module be assessed?
Type(s) of assessment: Individual assignment, 3500 words, 100%
Assignment Question:
Please select and elaborate on one theory chosen from one weekly topic, discuss and critically evaluate why it may be an important aspect in management and organizational context. Illustrate your ideas with an empirical case from contemporary organizations.
N.B. This question is written in such a way as to give you a wide degree of choice over how it is to be answered through engaging with the chosen theoretical framework. Your empirical case can be an actual organization; or an organizational setting; or a specific management problem to be solved; or a specific industry. Your choice of empirical case will be assessed by how well it helps illustrations of the chosen theoretical framework.
N.N.B. You will have opportunity to discuss your chosen theory and empirical case with the module leader in person and there will also be a designated Q&A session for assignment preparation.
Submission Deadline: 12pm (noon) 9th May, 2025
Date of return: We aim to meet the 3-week turnaround for work to be marked and moderated.
How to submit your work:
This coursework requires online submission only. You do not need to submit a hard copy of the coursework. You should submit your coursework via Turnitin, which is a plagiarism and collusion detection system. If you do not submit to Turnitin your work will not be marked.
To submit via Turnitin, you go to the assessment area for the module on Canvas and you will find a link for the coursework. Click on View/Complete and then on the “submit” icon for the paper. You are then prompted to submit a title for the paper. Use the “browse” button to locate the file you want to submit, then click “submit”. You will then be asked to confirm that you want to submit by clicking the “Yes, submit” button.”
Maximum length of coursework elements: See module specification: Section 4, Assessments
Students are asked to note that the word count is the absolute upper limit. There is no leeway over this, i.e. you will be penalised if you submit work that exceeds the word limit (the suggestion that you may exceed the word count by 10% is a myth!)
The following are not included in word counts:
· Reference lists/bibliographies and question titles
· Appendices/footnotes - provided these have been used only when necessary. If appendices or footnotes are used excessively, or contain material which should clearly be included in the main body of the essay/report, it is at the markers’ discretion to include these in the word count.
· Tables/graphs - provided these have been imported from elsewhere (correctly referenced) and not produced by the student.
· Contents pages and front pages of reports
· As well as the essay/report itself, the following are included in word counts:
· Citations/quotations - this includes the material paraphrased/quoted itself as well as the name, date and page information.
· Tables and graphs - if they have been produced by the student.
· Executive summaries in reports - unless otherwise stated.
Will feedback on draft coursework be given?
Feedback on draft assignment should be less than 2 pages and the turnaround time for feedback is 5 working days.
Weighting of the assessment components: See module specification: Section 4, Assessments
Important information:
· Re-sits
If you do not pass this assignment, you will be re-assessed by a 3500 word assignment.
· Penalties – presentation, use of Wikipedia, late submission
The following table outlines the penalties that may be imposed for deviation from assessment guidelines:
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DEVIATION FROM GUIDELINES/REQUIREMENTS
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PENALTY
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The following penalties will be imposed on coursework where students are found not to have followed the guidelines set down. No piece of Postgraduate coursework which achieves a mark of 50% or more before the application of penalties will be reduced below the pass mark once penalties are taken into account.
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Coursework presented in a form. that is difficult to read, e.g., if not word-processed, in a font of less than 12pts, in single spacing or with inadequate margins
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5% of the overall mark available for the piece of work will be deducted
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Coursework exceeds the maximum word length specified by the module leader
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3 marks or pro rata per part thereof will be deducted for every 100 words by which the work exceeds the maximum length. E.g., 6 marks will be lost for work that exceeds the limit by 200 words, 1 mark will be lost for work that exceeds the limit by 30 words etc.
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Inadequate referencing
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Up to 5% of the overall mark available for the piece of work
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Failure to include a list of references or a bibliography
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Up to 5% of the overall mark available for the piece of work
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Use of Wikipedia or other Wiki sites as a primary source of research
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Penalty to be determined by the module leader.
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Work submitted up to five days after the deadline set
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5% of the total marks available for the assessment shall be deducted from the maximum mark for each day after the submission deadline, up to a maximum of five days. E.g., for work marked out of 100, five marks per day will be deducted. The mark will not be reduced below the pass mark for the assessment. Work assessed below the pass mark will not be penalised for late submission.
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Work submitted more than five days after the deadline set
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A mark of zero will be awarded. Where a student is required to re-sit the assessment, a different assessment will be set and the student will not be permitted to submit coursework relating to the original subject.
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· Referencing work
· Marking criteria
· ULMS group work policy
· Exemption from Late Penalties (ELP)