MG458      Half Unit
Foundations of Management I

This information is for the 2014/15 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Brittany Jones NAB 4.04

Availability

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Management. This course is not available as an outside option.

Course content

This course is designed to equip students with a holistic understanding of the evolution of management theory and organisational forms and practices since the emergence of modern industrial organisations in the 19th century. Students will be provided with an overview of the development of management as a practice and as a subject of study, and will develop an understanding of the disciplinary anchors in Sociology, Psychology and Economics. Within each field we will cover origins, disciplinary boundaries, triggers for growth, core concepts and the current state of play and debate.  Weekly topics cover:

1. Course Introduction and the Origins of Management

2. Management and the Firm

3. Taylorism, Motivation, and Performance

4. The Rise and Decline of Labour

5. The Rise of Human Resources Management

6. Decision Making

7. Understanding Organisational Structures

8. The Origins of Modern Strategy

9. Contemporary Strategic Management: Firms as Bundles of Resources

10. Managed by Markets

Teaching

30 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT.

Seminars will cover the assigned readings in more depth and develop critical thinking and writing skills for postgraduate study.

Formative coursework

Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT.

Indicative reading

Wren, D. A. and A.G. Bedeian (2009).  The Evolution of Management Thought (Sixth Edition), Wiley. 

Wallace, M  and A. Wray (2012). Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates (Second Edition). London: Sage.

A full reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Assessment

Exam (50%, duration: 2 hours, reading time: 15 minutes) in the main exam period.
Essay (25%, 1500 words) in the LT.
In class assessment (25%) in the MT.

Key facts

Department: Management

Total students 2013/14: 101

Average class size 2013/14: 31

Controlled access 2013/14: No

Lecture capture used 2013/14: Yes (MT)

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Team working
  • Problem solving
  • Application of information skills
  • Communication
  • Application of numeracy skills
  • Commercial awareness
  • Specialist skills