| Unit name | Alternative Work and Organisations |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIMM0134 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Mangan |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
Alternative forms of work and organisation surround us in our daily lives, yet we often do not recognise or acknowledge them. For example, co-operatives, charities and volunteers all require organisation and management for them to function. Equally, work practices and organisations that are considered ‘alternative’ in the UK are commonplace in other national contexts. To ignore the experiences and richness of these alternative forms of work and organisations is to impoverish our understanding of the world of work. The unit explores a diversity of perspectives on what counts as work, examining the significance of co-operation rather than outright competition and asking whether it is important to make a difference as part of our working lives.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
In this unit, we consider HRM and the Future of Work by making a positive case for studying alternative forms of work and organisation. Students will be introduced to a variety of responses to specific problems, recognising that businesses do not exist in a vacuum, but are embedded in specific, local communities. The unit will provide students with knowledge of alternative workplaces, allowing them to develop a nuanced understanding of the different paths available when considering the future of work.
An overview of content
Content is updated annually and is based on research-rich approaches to teaching. Topics will include a broad range of alternative work practices and alternative forms of organising including co-operatives, credit unions, volunteering (unpaid work) and community activism.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Upon completion of the unit, students will have developed knowledge and understanding of alternative work and organisations. They will discover and be able to communicate the similarities, tensions and paradoxes of alternative work and organisation, based on research-rich teaching. They will develop a capacity to critically reflect on the wider socio-political context in which alternative work and organisations are situated and evaluate their importance to society.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the unit, students will be able to:
The unit will be taught through lectorials. The unit structure offers 30 contact hours in total (10 x 3-hour lectorials). The lectorials will have the principal purpose of introducing the content of the course, providing students with an opportunity to test their understanding of the key concepts and developing their analytical skills through discussions based on key readings. The classes are research-informed and will be based on current empirical research by experts in the field. A variety of teaching methods will be utilised in the lectorials, including discussions based on readings and student experiences; case study work involving analysis, problem-solving and decision-making; group and individual exercises; presentations, discussion, and debate. Lectorials will be structured around key weekly topics.
The unit structure offers 30 contact hours in total. The remaining 170 learning hours will be spent in independent study and in the preparation of assessment.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative: A 500-word essay where students will identify an alternative form of work or organisation, then use relevant academic literature to explain why it is defined as alternative, as well as critical reflections on the advantages, limitations and broader context. The formative is scheduled for early in the unit, to provide early written feedback. Verbal formative feedback (group and individual) is also delivered during scheduled classes.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Summative: (60% of overall unit mark) 1 x 1,000-word individual essay, which will be provided in class and on Blackboard. This task is scheduled for the end of the unit. Intended Learning Outcomes: 2 and 4
Summative: (40% of overall unit mark) 1 group project (4-5 students in each group) including a 3,000-word group report (30% of overall mark) and a 20-minute presentation to their tutor in person or recorded with audio feedback given at a later date (10% of overall mark). This task is scheduled for the middle of the unit. Intended Learning Outcomes: 1-3 and 5
When assessment does not go to plan
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit, failed components will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis.
Individual essay: (60% of overall unit mark) 1 x 1,000-word individual essay. The reassessment essay will be on a different topic to the original essay. Intended Learning Outcomes: 2 and 4
Group project: (40% of overall unit mark) 1 x 1,000-word individual reflection on the topic of the group project. Intended Learning Outcomes: 1-3 and 5
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EFIMM0134).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
