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BU501Q: HUMAN RESOURCE ESSENTIALS (2020-2021)

Last modified: 05 Aug 2021 13:04


Course Overview

Human Resource (HR) Essentials course serves as the first course in the program to provide students foundational understanding and knowledge of HR, and functions as a sound basis for other courses in the International Human Resources Management Programme. The course is focused on introducing HR theories and the application of theories and ideas into practice. In this course, students engage in a range of theories taught by lecturers as well as interactive exercises such case studies and evaluation of journal articles, through which they can reflect on and critically evaluate different HR theories. In this way students develop cognitive skills by actively and critically reflecting on practice, and practical transferable skills through assignment and in-class activities and exercises.

Course Details

Study Type Postgraduate Level 5
Term First Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Haina Zhang

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Postgraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Human Resource (HR) Essentials course is focused on developing understanding of Human Resources from the strategic perspectives and the components of, and approaches to HR. This course therefore aims to provide students foundational knowledge about i) the nature, role and impact of HR in organizations, both nationally and internationally, and ii) the philosophies, processes and elements of HR.

This course aims to develop students’ understanding and knowledge of HR practices and strategies through introduction to a range of HR functions including recruitment and selection, performance appraisal, training and coaching, leadership development, reward management, and employment relationship. The module also aims to develop students’ understanding and knowledge of the principle internal and external environmental contexts of contemporary organisations, including the organizational context and international context, within which HR professionals work out HR strategies in different aspects of HR functions, in order to enhance organizational performance. Drawing upon real life case studies and examples, contemporary research and classroom exercises, the course aims to develop students’ critical thinking on HR practices and strategies within these different contexts. Through interactive exercises in class and the assessment, the course also aims to develop students’ skills in the critical evaluation of HR theories and practices, and in the application of theories into business activities.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1x Individual presentation (40%)

1x 2000-word essay (60%)

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
FactualUnderstandDevelop knowledge and understanding of the issues involved with the development and implementation of HRM strategy in a range of internal contexts and external contexts
ReflectionEvaluateCritically evaluate HR interventions using theoretical approaches to manage human resources
ProceduralCreateDevelop a capability to develop HRM policy and strategy effectively aligned with HRM philosophy
ConceptualUnderstandDevelop a deep understanding of the key issues in culture, institutional environments, economic context and managerial process that are central to international human resource management

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