Leadership and Organisational Change Course Descriptor

Course Summary

This course will provide learners with the skills and knowledge to be effective leaders and change agents. The course examines organisational change, from human resource management and psychological perspectives. Learners will analyse conceptual frameworks, organisational theory and case studies, using reflective practice and critical analysis.  Learners will consider what an effective leader is and how to manage stakeholder relationships and promote vision and values. Leadership and management skills required to deliver business change programmes will be taught and critiqued.

Course Aims

• Train learners in the competing theories behind the study of leadership and organisational change.
• Train learners in the leadership and management skills required to be change agents.
• Give learners the opportunity to explore and critically evaluate a range of case studies on leadership, organisational and technological change.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, learners will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

Subject Specific Skills

Transferable and Professional Skills

Teaching and Learning

This is an e-learning course, taught throughout the year. 

This course can be offered as a standalone short course.

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

• Online learning
• Online discussion groups
• Online assessment

Course information and supplementary materials will be available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Learners are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Learners are also expected to manage their self-directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

The course learning and teaching hours will be structured as follows:

• Off-the-job learning and teaching (6 days x 7 hours) = 42 hours
• On-the-job learning (12 days x 7 hours) = 84 hours (e.g. 2 days per week for 6 weeks)
• Private study (4 hours per week) = 24 hours

Total = 150 hours

Workplace assignments (see below) will be completed as part of on-the-job learning.

Assessment

Formative

Learners will be formatively assessed during the course by means of set assignments. These will not count towards the final degree but will provide learners with developmental feedback.

Summative

Feedback

Learners will receive formal feedback in a variety of ways: written (via email or VLE correspondence) and indirectly through online discussion groups. Learners will also attend a formal meeting with their Academic Mentor (and for apprentices, including their Line Manager). These bi or tri-partite reviews will monitor and evaluate the learner’s progress.  

Feedback is provided on summative assessment and is made available to the student either via email, the VLE or another appropriate method.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to learners; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books 

Boonstra, J. (2013). Cultural Change and Leadership in Organizations a Practical Guide to Successful Organizational Change. Chichester; Maldon, Massachusetts : Wiley 

Carter, L., Goldsmith, M., Smallwood, N., Sullivan, R. L. and Ulrich, D. (2013). The Change Champion’s Field Guide : Strategies and Tools for Leading Change in Your Organization. Somerset : Centre for Creative Leadership 

Kreutzer, R., Neugebauer, T., and Pattloch, A. (2018). Digital Business Leadership: Digital Transformation, Business Model Innovation, Agile Organization, Change Management. Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer  

Journals

Learners are encouraged to read material from relevant journals on leadership and organisational change as directed by their course leader.

Electronics Resources

Learners are encouraged to consult relevant websites on leadership and organisational change.

Indicative Topics

Learners will study the following topics: 

• Change theories and conceptual frameworks
• Leadership and leaders as change agents
• Reflective practice