People and Organisations

Module Provider: Leadership, Organisations and Behaviour
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2016/7

Summary module description:
People and Organisation is an introduction to Organisational Behaviour. Employing a number of social science disciplines the module critically analyse the interrelation between individuals, groups and organisations and their influence on one another.

This module is delivered at University of Reading, University of Reading Malaysia and Beijing Institute of Technology.

Aims:
People and Organisations introduces students to a range of mainstream and other critical theories and empirical studies in a wider field of Organisational Behaviour. Drawing particularly on insights from psychology and sociology, students are invited to examine the relations between individuals, groups and the wider organisational environment.

The module introduces students to group psychology and more advanced research on networks and their relation to outcomes at the individual, group and organisational level. In the final part of the module, we explore strategic and cultural concerns at the macro-level.

The coursework is designed to assess students? ability to read, relate to, reflect and work with the reading list, conduct their own research, and understand the difference between theory and research while appreciating the importance of both in relation to the above aims.

Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the Module, students should be able to:

1. Describe and assess key theories in organisational behaviour and understand their relation to contemporary research in the field
2. Draw on organisational theories and research in order to analyse practical work place concerns
3. Critically examine the relations between individuals, groups and the organisation in everyday life
4. Appreciate the role of psychology and sociology in understanding organisations and our entanglement with them as workers, consumers and citizens
5. Demonstrate an awareness of the role of power in organisations and the ways in which organisational hierarchies maintain and perpetuate inequalities in wider society
5. Construct coherent and evidence-based arguments drawing on both theory and research on matters concerning the organisational interface
Additional outcomes:
This foundation enables and facilitates students? learning and systematic analytical thinking that is necessary for modules in Part II and III that incorporate more complex and sophisticated organizational theories, to appreciate current issues and problems in the intersection of business and society, such as Organisational Behaviour in Part 2, business ethics, corporate social responsibility etc.

Outline content:
Introduction to Module
The Meaning of Work and the Value of Time
Personality and Motivation
Groups and Teams at Work
Difference at Work
Leadership
Communication at work
Organisations as Structures and Hierarchies
Organisational Culture
Organisational Change and Organisational Learning
Organisational Misbehaviour

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures and class discussions. Students are provided with a list of key readings for each week and are expected to prepare these as well as the relevant chapters of the accompanying textbook in time for lectures and class discussions. Class discussions in tutorials will take place in small groups which also form the basis for the poster presentations students are required to prepare as part of the oral component of assessment.

Contact hours:
Lectures 20
Guided Independent Study 175
Total Hours by Term 200

Summative Assessment Methods
Written Assignment Including Essay 60%
Oral Assessment and Presentation 40%

Other information on summative assessment:
Students will be given the opportunity to seek formative feedback from the teaching team prior to the submission of their summative assessment.

Formative assessment methods:
In order to prepare for their individual essay a preparatory workshop / tutorial is offered. Detailed instructions on scholarly writing and meeting expectations are provided by the convenor and students present drafted essays for informal formative feedback in a tutorial session. This helps develop individual and group reflective practice.

Length of examination:
No Examination

Requirements for a pass:
A minimum of 40%

Reassessment arrangements:
A resubmission (no examination) of an essay with the same title by August 14th.