The module aims to produce confident students who can deploy their knowledge of contemporary Human Resources to diagnose and propose solutions for complex HR management issues. Students will be introduced to a broad selection of models and frameworks from the human resources management literature which will provide them with a toolkit for manging the challenges of modern organisations of all types, sizes and from all sectors.

(LO1) Students will be able to critically evaluate the key components, theories and frameworks of contemporary human resources management (HRM)

(LO2) Students should be able to formulate solutions to contemporary HR issues to ensure employee commitment and effective people management

(LO3) Students should be able to design an integrated organisational HR strategy

(LO4) Students should be able to critically evaluate the changing nature of managing HR in contemporary organisations and operating environments

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Commercial awareness

(S3) Organisational skills

(S4) Communication skills

(S5) International awareness

(S6) Ethical awareness

(S7) Teamwork

Teaching Method: Lecture
Description: Weekly 2-hour lecture covering relevant theory, concepts, and frameworks which students will apply (in seminars) to contemporary organisational contexts
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 24
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method: Seminar
Description: Bi-Weekly 2-hour case-based seminars where students apply the theory / frameworks from the lectures to a contemporary business problem. Students will be encouraged to develop and present solutions for formative feedback. Seminars will be focused on applying concepts and preparing students for their group work presentation
Scheduled Directed Student Hours: 12
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Self-Directed Learning Hours: 114
Self-directed learning hours can involve additional reading, research and preparation relating to development of knowledge of the module topic areas or in preparation for the assessments. Bi-weekly seminars will involve formative presentation so it is expected that self-directed learning would also involve preparation for these seminars with students working in their groups.

Skills/Other Attributes Mapping

Skills / attributes: Ethical awareness
How this is developed: By engaging with the seminar, lecture, and team work for the assessment activities.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Individual essay and assessed group presentation

Skills / attributes: International awareness
How this is developed: A variety of case studies from international contexts will be used to highlight the challenges faced by contemporary HR managers, developing the students’ awareness of business operations on an international scale.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Individual essay and assessed group presentation

Skills / attributes: Communication skills
How this is developed: The assessments require students to communicate via presentation and via written communications. Students will develo p their skills by participating in practice presentations during seminars and by completing the assessment requirements.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Individual essay and assessed group presentation

Skills / attributes: Organisational skills
How this is developed: Students will be required to engage with pre-reading and to prepare formative presentation activities, this will require students to effectively organise themselves and teammates so that work may be adequately completed.
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Individual essay and assessed group presentation

Skills / attributes: Commercial awareness
How this is developed: The cases employed during this module are all of a contemporary nature and reflect the activities of businesses., Eengaging with these cases and with the lecture content will improve student commercial awareness
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Individual essay and assessed group presentation

Skills / attribut es: Problem solving skills
How this is developed: The cases provided by the module team are problem based and the students will be required to discuss, define and present solutions for these problems. Students will build their confidence and problem- solving skills over the course of the module based on the formative feedback provided in seminars
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Individual essay and assessed group presentation

Skills / Attributes: Teamwork
How this is developed: Seminars are team- based and students will work closely with colleagues to develop their case assessment presentation
Mode of assessment (if applicable): Assessed Group Presentation

Topic areas include:
• Intro to strategic HRM
• Employee Health and Wellbeing
• Sustainable & Ethical HRM
• The role of HRM in Modern Slavery
• HR Analytics – the use of Data in the management of HR
• Developing Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategy
• Other Relevant Contemporary HRM Issues