ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT AS A SOCIAL SCIENCE
Code ULMR602
Coordinator Professor DP O'Doherty
Work, Organisation and Management
Damian.O-Doherty@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2022-23 Level 8 FHEQ First Semester 0

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):
 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:
 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:
 

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 12

         4

 16
Timetable (if known) 180 mins X 1 totaling 12
  		        60 mins X 1 totaling 4
  		 
Private Study 184
TOTAL HOURS 200

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Independent Research Report There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When): Semester 1  0    100       

Aims

This module aims to introduce students to research in business and management research. The module provides a broad grounding in social science, but remains targeted on the concerns of business and management. Students will be encouraged to reflect on the purpose of knowledge creation including their own motivations for engaging with business and management research.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Understand what social science is and why social science matters. / Understand historical developments and key debates in social science.

(LO2) Understand the relationship and tensions between social science practice and business and management research.

(LO3) Be aware of a range of different approaches to what constitutes ‘good’ research in business and management.

(LO4) Be familiar with debates about the purpose and relevance of management research and the processes of knowledge creation and dissemination into managerial practice;

(LO5) Understand key concepts in management research including polarities of approaches found in objectivism -v- constructionism; modernism -v- postmodernism; quantitative -v- qualitative distinctions, etc., and be able to apply them critically;

(LO6) Have a critical awareness of the influence of politics and ethics on management research

(LO7) Critically understand the idea and process of theory building.

(S1) Communication skills. Students will develop communication skills via group discussions, in-class presentations and coursework. This will be assessed by written assignment.

(S2) Problem solving skills. Students will be challenged to think about organisational issues and dilemmas. They will do this by gathering and synthesising information, analysing alternative perspectives and options and presenting a considered opinion or course of action in their course assessment.

(S3) IT skills. Students will have opportunities to improve their ICT skills in the use of software applications including word processing, visual presentations, databases, spreadsheets and using the internet for information searches in the course of researching and presenting coursework.

(S4) Organisational skills. This applies to all modules of the programme and is relevant for planning scheduled work and meeting assessment deadlines. This will be evident in the students' independent management of their assignments and coursework and by meeting coursework deadlines.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

3 hour lectures per week x 4 weeks (12 hours)

4 x 1 hr drop-in sessions (4 hours)

Self-directed learning 184 hours

Syllabus
 

Session 1: The nature of knowledge in social science: explanation and understanding

Session 2: The nature of knowledge in business and management studies

Session 3: Building theory in business and management studies

Session 4: Critical approaches to knowledge and method in business and management studies

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.