Dr Elaine Yerby, NAB 3.26

This course is compulsory on the MSc in Human Resources and Organisations (Human Resource Management/CIPD). This course is not available as an outside option.

The course has a taught component, which is compulsory for all students in the stream, and a free-configuration component where students can choose among a variety of sessions that target specific skill development needs they have identified through their Skills Development Portfolio.  There is also a Group Project that runs between weeks 2 and 5 in MT.

Group project

The group project is intended to build skills that will be useful in the workplace: the ability to work in culturally-diverse teams, think critically about a work-related issue, and make realistic and achievable recommendations.  These are relevant to several of the 7SBL learning outcomes, and will therefore contribute to your Skills Development Portfolio. The group project is assessed through a group submission due in week 5, and an individual reflective statement due in week 7. Additionally, there will be a peer assessment survey where students can provide feedback to their fellow team members on their team working skills.  All details, including team allocations and the project brief will be disclosed during a compulsory project launch session in week 2.

Taught sessions

There are six 2-hour weekly sessions during Michaelmas Term (weeks 5 and 7-11). A prospective list of topics includes the following:  Leadership, Consultancy and Project Management for HRM, Diversity and Inclusion Management, Selection Interviewing, Managing Difficult Conversations, and Ethics in HRM.

Skills Development Portfolio

Students will plan their own individualised skills development, including the MG4G8 free-configuration sessions, through the Skills Development Portfolio.  The aim of this tool is to help each student identify gaps in their general and HRM management skills (as defined in CIPD’s 7SBL module), plan for their development during their studies, and document achievements and newly developed skills at the end of the programme.  Two submissions are required:

• A self-assessment and development plan, due in MT week 7 (formative).

• A portfolio documenting skill development and attainment, due in September 2021 (summative).

Free-configuration sessions

Students will be able to attend their choice of sessions within the HRO Practitioner Panel series, relevant LSE LIFE, LSE Career workshops and CIPD London events to suit their development needs. Attendance to a minimum of 15 hours between these activities and/or up to 3 hours of external activity is required.

• HRO Practitioner Panel Series: The HRO team will arrange 3 sessions with external speakers on topics that are relevant to our subject. These will be 2-hour evening sessions, and will run during LT. A prospective programme will be announced in MT, and detailed arrangements publicised in due course.

• LSE LIFE workshops and LSE career workshops: LSE LIFE and LSE Careers run a broad range of 1-hour and 2-hour workshops on many topics that are relevant to the 7SBL module. Many of these sessions are run several times during MT and LT. Students will need to book a place in the relevant sessions themselves.

• CIPD London Events: In Lent Term, HRO CIPD students become student members of the HR professional body. CIPD London run in excess of 10 events a month that students can sign up to attend that are relevant for the skills development.

External activities

Where appropriate, students may apply to receive credit for attending an external session that is relevant to the 7SBL module and conducive to significant skill attainment. External activities can count up to 3 hours within the 15 hours free configuration. Please note LSE is unable to fund external activities.

12 hours of lectures in the MT. 6 hours of lectures in the LT.

Please note that the LT sessions will take the form of a Practitioner Panel Series.

Students will receive written formative feedback on two pieces of work:

1. Students will be set in groups of about 5 to work on an applied HRM problem.  Each group will submit a short presentation with their analysis and recommendations due at the end of MT Week 5, for which formative feedback will be provided.  Additionally, students will be asked to provide anonymous written feedback to their team peers.

2. Students will submit Sections 1 and 2 of the Skills Development Portfolio (Self-Assessment and Development Plan), due in MT Week 7.  Formative feedback will be provided.

Readings are provided to students to support the taught sessions and students are provided with a range of career and skills development materials at the start of the course. The emphasis of the readings are practitioner and practically focused.

The course is not formally assessed as part of the MSc Human Resources and Organisations.  However, a pass is needed on the summative submission of the Skills Development Portfolio, due in September, for attaining CIPD accreditation.