Updated in March 2011 Programme Specification: BA (Hons) and Human Resource Management Date of Publication to Students: 2010-11 NOTE: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detail on the specific learning outcomes, indicative content and the teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found (1) at http://www.bcu.ac.uk/bcbs, (2) in the Module Specifications and (3) in the Student Handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked within independent review processes undertaken by the Quality Assurance Agency. Awarding Institution / Body: Teaching Institution: Interim Awards and Final Award: Programme Title: Main fields of Study: Modes of Study: Language of Study: UCAS Code: JACS Code: Birmingham City University Birmingham City University CertHe / DipHE / BA / BA (Hons) BA (Hons) and Human Resource Management and Human Resource Management Full-time and Sandwich English NN16 NN16 Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes: QAA General and Management benchmark. University Teaching and Learning Strategy. Faculty Teaching and Learning Strategy. Faculty Mission Statement. 1
Programme philosophy and aims Explain the overall approach adopted by the programme and how it leads to the aims shown below For : The distinctive themed approach to the pathway is designed to prepare students for the wide variety of activities, functions, professional skills and the powerful critical awareness that careers in today s business environments demand. Students are offered the opportunity to develop a broad base of business knowledge, a range of essential personal competencies and a comprehensive understanding of both the individual within an organisation and the organisation within its environment that will help to equip them for employment in large and small organisations, or setting up their own business For Human Resource Management: The Human Resource Management joint degree pathway is designed to develop an indepth understanding of the principles and practice of people management, a foundation of people management knowledge, academic skills and a range of personal transferable skills. It has a strong vocational theme and encourages students to take an active role in the learning process. The aims of the programme are to: Provide students with: The opportunity to develop a theoretical understanding of generic theories relating to the conduct and environment of business. Experiential learning in the application of theory in conduct of business. A context in which to explore the connections and integration of subject specialisms into the wider world of business. Tasks and challenges which develop key transferable skills essential to a career in business. The opportunity to develop a theoretical understanding of generic theories relating to people management. Experiential learning in the application of theory in the conduct of managing people. The critical awareness to examine the contribution of human resource management to the success of the business. Knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the effective management of people. An assessment and evaluation of the contribution of the various activities that are part of human resource management. The means to recognise the importance of the integration of human resource management activities within the wider business strategy Tasks and challenges which develop key transferable skills essential for graduate level employment and career progression. 2
Intended learning outcomes and the means by which they are achieved and demonstrated: Learning Outcomes 1 A. Knowledge and understanding of: KBS1 The external environment and internal structure of businesses. KBS2 A range of models and theories which seek to support understanding of business. KBS3 The holistic nature of an organisation and the challenges created by the need to meet goals in a multi discipline environment. KBS4 The importance of teamwork, individual contribution and human interaction in the operation of organisations. KBS5 The complex impacts of international, social, cultural and economic issues and developments on the success and operation of businesses. KHR1 The basic concepts and philosophy of human resource management. KHR2 The importance of a holistic human resource policy that integrates with overall business strategy. KHR3 The implication of human resource policy choices. KHR4 Specialist human resource disciplines at both a tactical and strategic levels. B. The ability to: ABS1 Analyse and critically evaluate business models, principles and concepts. ABS2 Access, interpret and use information from a variety of sources to solve business challenges and problems. ABS3 Analyse multi factor situations and synthesise information to solve complex business problems. ABS4 Apply organisational and creative skills to develop business ideas. AHR1 Critically analyse and evaluate HRM strategies, policies, practices and systems in various contexts. AHR2 Access, interpret and use information from a variety of sources in order to make appropriate HRM recommendations. AHR3 Synthesise information to identify and provide alternative approaches to the application of specific HRM strategies, policies, practices and systems in various contexts. C. The skills necessary to: SBS1 Design observation and data collection activities to support creation of activity models and simulations for business situations. SBS2 Analyse operational situations and devise approaches which may improve performance of the business organisation. 1 Guidance on the specification of learning outcomes is available from the Centre for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching. 3
SBS3 Generate ideas for new business activity and evaluate the feasibility of those ideas. SBS4 Develop detailed plans for business start up with appropriate specification of qualitative and quantitative aspects of the chosen business. SBS5 Evaluate the business environment and make judgements as to how business activity might be adjusted to respond to those changes. SHR1 Apply human resource planning techniques and determine the relevant HR activities. SHR2 Adopt systematic, effective and efficient approaches to the design of HR policies and procedures such as grievance, discipline, recruitment, selection, training and development for specified cohorts and contexts. SHR3 Apply HR procedures in specified contexts. SHR4 Apply appropriate skills of e.g. negotiation, interviewing and coaching in specified contexts. D. The following transferable skills: JTS1 Communicate in writing appropriate for specific academic and professional audiences. JTS2 Reference all source materials consistently and accurately using the Harvard referencing system. JTS3 Present effectively for specific academic and professional audiences. JTS4 Productively use appropriate information and communications technology. JTS5 Work independently. JTS6 Numerical skills. JTS7 Problem solving skills. JTS8 Research skills and the use of modern online electronic sources and databases. JTS9 Work with, and relate effectively to, others. JTS10 Manage time and prioritise workloads. JTS11 Show confidence and self-awareness, reflect on own learning, be selfreliant and constructively self-critical. JTS12 Develop a framework of ethical behaviour. Learning teaching, and assessment methods used Learning and teaching strategies include formal lectures, student-led seminars, tutor-led seminars, workshops and self-directed study, including the use of the VLE Moodle. Case studies are used to demonstrate the application of business policies and techniques and as a vehicle for problem solving. Realistic problems are also used widely. Individual study of printed and electronic sources of information, both numeric and discursive, is required throughout the programme. 4
Initiative and independence are developed incrementally throughout the programme. Case studies become more complex and knowledge and skills build on previous attainment. At all levels, problems are used as exemplars, or teaching aids, and for students to solve. Examinations often require the demonstration of problem-solving ability. Assessment occurs formatively through classwork, homework and Moodle-based activities. Summative, assessment involves coursework and examinations. Coursework includes the preparation of stylised reports, individual or group presentations (oral or written), computer-based assignments and written pieces of work. Examinations may be seen or unseen, open-book or, in the case of those modules that qualify for exemption, closed book. 5
Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Programme structure and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards The structure of the course, the modules, levels and credit values, and the awards which can be gained are shown in the diagram below. BA (Hons) and Human Resource Management (Full-Time) Course Code: UJ0016-16 Level 4 CertHE QME4002 ACC4004 Personal QME4001 MAN4001 MAR4004 Accounting & Finance QME4003 Economics Managing People and Organisations Marketing & Operations (30 Credits) Problem Analysis (15 Credits) Level 5 DipHe BUS5001 HRM5001 BLW5001 Contemporary Professional Legal Aspects of HR HRM5003 STR5001 MAN5003 HRM5002 HRM Resourcing & International Logistics Coaching and Mentoring Level 6 Ordinary and Honours Degree STR6008 International Strategy Option or Dissertation Option or Dissertation HRM6005 HRM Relations & Rewards HRM Option or Dissertation HRM Option or Dissertation 6
Level Six Options Terms 1 and 2 STR6007 Dissertation Term 2 Options BUS6011 Entrepreneurship and Small HRM Options HRM6003 Contemporary Issues in HRM BUS6012 Operations and Systems HRM6004 International HRM 7
Term 2 Term 2 Term 2 Level 4 CertHE BA (Hons) and Human Resource Management (Sandwich) Course Code: UJ0016-17 QME4002 ACC4004 Personal QME4001 MAN4001 MAR4004 Accounting & Finance QME4003 Economics Managing People and Organisations Marketing & Operations (30 Credits) Problem Analysis (15 Credits) Level 5 DipHE BUS5001 HRM5001 BLW5001 Contemporary Professional Legal Aspects of HR HRM5003 STR5001 MAN5003 HRM5002 HRM Resourcing & International Logistics Coaching and Mentoring Placement Year Level 6 Ordinary and Honours Degree STR6008 International Strategy STR6010 Placement Project HRM6005 HRM Relations & Rewards Or HRM Option Or HRM Option 8
Level Six Options Term 2 Options BUS6011 Entrepreneurship and Small HRM Options HRM6003 Contemporary Issues in HRM BUS6012 Operations and Systems HRM6004 International HRM Support for Learning including Personal Planning (PDP) Students are encouraged to identify and, with guidance, to reflect on their own learning needs and are offered the following support as appropriate to meet those needs. All first years are invited to take part in an induction programme dealing with orientation and the dissemination of essential information, including an introduction to PDP. PDP is embedded in the first year module Personal and in Professional, a second year module, and its ethos permeates the programme. To increase the employability of graduates, the Professional module uses the Future-Proof Graduates Employability Skills Framework to benchmark the portfolio of work. The module culminates in an Assessment Centre which incorporates Psychometric testing. This is designed to differentiate our graduates from the employer perspective. International students are allocated to a personal tutor who will advise and support them, during their time at the University. In the first year, in particular, support is given on writing assignments, problem-solving, the use of appropriate software in the presentation and manipulation of data, team-working and examination technique. The main channel for this support is the Personal module. Sessions are available in the Learning Centre on, amongst many other things, academic writing, revision and examination technique. There is access to all of the many facilities of the Learning Centre. There are dedicated Presentation Rehearsal Rooms and feedback is available on rehearsals, if requested. A Student Handbook, containing information relating to the University, Birmingham City School and the Programme is supplied. Programme booklets, detailing the syllabi of all modules for each Year, are made available. 9
There are option choice and advice sessions. Students have access to academic and administrative staff, including the Year Tutors, the Undergraduate Programmes Coordinator and the Head of Department. There are sessions on careers, led by Birmingham City University careers service and local employers. There is access to all of the many traditional facilities of the Library at Birmingham City University. Students have access to the Digital Library UCEEL through which past examination papers, journal articles, book extracts and student projects may be accessed, using a password protected system, over the Internet. Students are supported by Moodle, the University s virtual learning environment. Entirely web-based, this supports a huge number of activities, all aimed at improving access to, and the dissemination of, programme information and material. These include: free instant messaging between users, discussion forums, video lectures, testing with instant automatic feedback. There is access to Faculty computer rooms, software, email, Internet and personal user space, via personal secure computer ID. Students have access to the Students Union and to the University s Student Services, including those offered by the careers service, financial advisers, the medical centre, disability service, crèche, counselling service, chaplaincy and the Staff and Student Department. Lecturers monitor and discuss progress, during the semester. Following the publication of results, students are counselled, where appropriate. Criteria for admission Candidates must satisfy the general admission requirements of the programme. The current admission requirements can be found under the Entry Requirements tab of the web page for this course. Methods for evaluation and enhancement of quality and standards including listening and responding to views of students The views of students are made known and are responded to through the formal committees and mechanisms listed below. Quality standards are evaluated and enhanced through the mechanisms listed. Committees Board of Studies [reports to Faculty Board via Associate Dean (Academic)]. This is chaired by the Course Director and the membership includes the elected student representatives, Undergraduate Programmes Coordinators, Year Tutors, lecturers and the Course Administrator. 10
The Field and Routeway Examination Boards. Faculty Academic Standards & Quality Enhancement Committee. Faculty Learning & Teaching Committee. Faculty Student Experience Committee. Faculty Board. Mechanisms for review and evaluation Review and re-approval events. Accreditation by professional bodies. Annual Monitoring Report. Student Module Feedback Questionnaires. Annual staff appraisal. External Examiners Reports. Programme Team Meetings core, year and full team. 11