Dr Juan Lopez-Cotarelo

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:  Evaluating and Costing HR initiatives, Project Management for HRM, Diversity and Inclusion Management, Selection Interviewing, 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 2018 (summative).

Free-configuration sessions

Students will be able to attend their choice of sessions within the HRO Practitioner Panel series and LSE LIFE workshops to suit their development needs. Attendance to a minimum of 15 hours between the two is required.

• HRO Practitioner Panel Series: The HRO team will arrange 5 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: LSE LIFE runs 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.

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. The decision to grant such credit will remain fully at the discretion of the MG4G8 Course Leader and the HRO Programme Director, so students will be strongly advised to make their application before enrolment. No individual student will receive credit for external activities for more than 20% of the free-configuration requirement (i.e. 3 hours). We will not offer to fund external activities.

12 hours of lectures in the MT. 10 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 Porfolio (Self-Assessment and Development Plan), due in MT Week 7.  Formative feedback will be provided.

N/A (this is a practical skills course)

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.