Strategic Human Resource Management and Labour Relations, 120 hec

Transcription

1 Master programme in Strategic Human Resource Management and Labour Relations, 120 hec Programme description

2 1. Confirmation The programme description for the master programme in Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM) and Labour Relations was approved by the faculty board of Social Sciences, University of Gothenburg on 29 September 2009 to be valid from 1 September Objectives After completing the two years master programme the students are expected to acquire the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Knowledge and understanding Demonstrate substantial knowledge and understanding in strategic human resource issues and labour relations. Demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in studies in HRM and labour relations. Skills and abilities Understand, analyse and explain the roles of HRM within the organisation s strategic plans and demonstrate an ability to link business strategies and HRM strategies to each other. Display ability to critically evaluate crucial factors in an organisational change process and especially the importance of HRM in the change process. Understand, analyse and explain the HRM work in different labour markets in a comparative perspective. Demonstrate knowledge in the impact of societal trends on the organisation, such as globalisation, trade conditions, demography, segregation and equality. Demonstrate an ability to evaluate the effectiveness of strategic HRM. Demonstrate an ability to independently and creatively carry out an in-depth study in the field of HRM and labour relations, using appropriate advanced methods and clearly present and discuss the conclusions of the study within and outside the scientific society. Demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development work within the field of HRM and labour relations in an international context. Judgement and approach Critically and independently acquiring research findings on HRM, and drawing conclusions about their applications in working life. Being able to identify further requirement of knowledge in the area of HRM and being responsible for own proficiency.

3 Critically and independently appraise trends in management and HR, taking into account scientific, social and ethical aspects. Reflect upon different ethical attitudes. Critically scrutinise the professional development of HR. 3. Disposition The master programme in Strategic Human Resource Management and Labour Relations is a two year programme (120 higher education credits). The programme consists of 7 courses. Five courses are mandatory, and two courses are elective. For the elective courses, the students can apply to courses at University of Gothenburg or any other university. The programme co-operates with some other universities in Europe. The programme is based on a full-time schedule, with the possibility to do some courses on a half-time schedule. The programme is offered to both foreign and Swedish students. All compulsory courses are taught in English. Elective courses can be taken in any language. The first year in the master programme starts with two courses in parallel; the core course in Strategic Human Resource Management and Research theories and methods. Both courses are on half-time schedules. The third course deals with HRM issues in a societal perspective. The fourth course is an elective course. The second year starts with an elective course, followed by a course in the human resource role and organisational concepts. The third course is a 30 higher education credit master thesis. The master thesis could preferably have a close connection to an ongoing research project in the human resource management and labour relation areas.

4 4. Content of courses Autumn semester Period 1 Period 2 Spring semester Period 1 Period 2 First year Strategic HRM (15 hec) Research theories and methods (15 hec) HRM in a societal perspective (15 hec) Elective (15 hec) Second year Elective (15 hec) The human resource role and organisational concepts (15 hec) Master thesis (30 hec) First year Strategic Human Resource Management, 15 higher education credits, core course This course aims at deepening students knowledge about leadership and human resource management. The focus in this course is on the relationship between business goals and HR strategies, and on the translation of business goals into HRM strategies. The students will be able to compare and analyse strategic HRM issues like competence, work environment, organisational and change processes in different theoretical perspectives. Research theories and methods, 15 higher education credits, method course This course aims at providing students with deeper knowledge about research theories and methods in social science. The course deals with both qualitative and quantitative methods such as discourse analysis, interview techniques, focus group, observations, statistical analyses of surveys and register data. After completing the course students are expected to be able to critically evaluate research results conducted by others, and to independently design and carry out their own research projects using advanced research methods. Human Resource Management in a societal perspective, 15 higher education credits, in depth-course In this course the HR activities are analysed in relation to different labour markets and major trends in society. The course provides a deeper level analysis of the impacts of changes in the labour market (such as new patterns of employment contracts, labour market policies and unemployment) on HRM. Another objective of this course is to critically relate societal changes such as internationalisation, individualisation, segregation and demographic changes to HRM. Elective, 15 higher education credits

5 The student can apply to courses with relevance for the programme at University of Gothenburg or any other university. The programme offers guaranteed places at the following courses at the University of Gothenburg: Human resource management practice, Business communication and branding, and Social psychology (in Swedish). The programme offers the following courses at Bochum University: International Management of Organizations and Human Resources, and Knowledge Management. Second year Elective, 15 higher education credits The student can apply to courses with relevance for the programme at University of Gothenburg or any other university. The programme offers guaranteed places at the following courses at the University of Gothenburg: Human resource management practice, Business ethics, Management and leadership, and Project management. The human resource role and organisational concepts, 15 higher education credits, in-depth course This course will provide the students with the latest thinking, practice and methods in HRM. The point of departure is that human resource management can be handled at different levels and from different perspectives, i.e. the HR function at the organisational level, the line managers, and outsourced HRM services. These actors play different roles which are influenced by different traditions. While organisations go through change processes, new roles will emerge. The course prepares the students to handle new and different aspects of HRM and to evaluate emerging organisational concepts. Master thesis 30 higher education credits, in-depth course In this course students independently design, carry out and defend an advanced research work. This work could preferably be part a of a research project in the area of HRM and labour relations. The expected outcome is a 30 higher education credit master thesis in the format of a scientific article in which the student shows deep knowledge in scientific work and writing. 5. Prerequisites To be admitted to the programme a bachelor degree in HRM and labour relations or an equivalent is required, corresponding to at least 180 education credits. Equivalent degrees include bachelor degree in social sciences or business administration. Proficiency in English 1. English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School, with a minimum of Passed mark

6 2. Alternatively, IELTS An overall mark of 6,0 and no section below 5,0 TOEFL Paper based: Score of 4,0 (scale 1-6) in written test and a total score of 550. TOEFL Computer-based: Score of 4,0 (scale 0-6) in essay rating and a total score of 213 TOEFL Internet-based: Score of 17 (scale 0-30) in written test and a total score of Alternatively, A Bachelor s degree from a university where English is the only language of instructions, in accordance with the recommendations in the latest edition of International Handbook of Universities.

7 Priorities In case of equal grades, students with one year work experience after completed bachelor degree have priority. 6. Degree After completing a two years programme the student can apply for a diploma with the denomination Degree of Master of Science (Two years) in Strategic Human Resource Management and Labour Relations.