Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
1. Course
Code
5. School
C10CW
2. Course
Title
Management and Languages
The Contemporary Workforce
7. Delivery:
Location &
Semester
Edin X
SBC
Orkney
Dubai
IDL
Collaborative Partner
Approved Learning Partner
Sem 1
Sem….
Sem………..
Sem 1
Sem….
Name…………………….....Sem..…...
Name …………………………………Sem………..
8. Pre-requisites
Human Resource Management (C18HM)
9. Linked Courses
(specify if synoptic)
10. Excluded Courses
11. Replacement Courses
None
12. Degrees for which
this is a core course
3. SCQF 10
Level
6. Course
Dr K. Sang
Co-ordinator
4. Credits
15
None
13. The course may be
14. Available as an Elective?
Yes X
No
PG only
UG only
UG & PG
delivered to:
15. Aims
Course aims are to:
 Develop understanding of the issues affecting the contemporary workforce
 Develop critical awareness of the main theories and drivers of the contemporary workforce
 Encourage the identification and evaluation of organisational strategies for accommodating the dynamics of a changing workforce.
 Assess the challenges and the opportunities for organisations in managing the contemporary workforce
 Develop understanding of the methodological issues associated with researching the contemporary workforce and its needs
 To provide a broad base for students who progress to semester 2 elective HRM courses: C10DI (Diversity management) and C10LT (Changing trends in
employment) while providing depth on topics covered in less detail on these courses, for example, disability, social mobility and changing family structures
16. Syllabus
The syllabus will cover a range of issues affecting the contemporary workforce. An indicative syllabus is:
 Theoretical underpinnings of the contemporary workforce, for example, intersectionality
 Demographic dynamics, for example, disability, ageing, LGBT
 Changing family structures and implications for organisations, for example, reproductive technologies, blended families
 Appearance, embodiment and the performance of professional identity
 The representation of the contemporary workforce in the media and the implications for employees and organisations
1/2
Form C4
Heriot-Watt University - Course Descriptor
17. Learning Outcomes (HWU Core Skills: Employability and Professional Career Readiness)
Subject Mastery
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills
Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
Students should be able to:
 define and explain the issues affecting the contemporary
workforce
 have a critical understanding of the contemporary workforce
and the underlying theoretical concepts
 critically evaluate organisational strategies for addressing the
dynamic needs of the contemporary workforce
 demonstrate a critical awareness of the methodological
challenges for investigating the contemporary workforce
Industrial, Commercial & Professional
Practice
Students should be able to
 demonstrate an awareness of and
critical appreciation of the challenges
in managing the contemporary
workforce
 use evidence to identify potential
organisational strategies for
managing the contemporary
workforce
Students should be able to:
 demonstrate an ability to independently research one aspect of the
issues salient to the contemporary workforce
 demonstrate the ability to effectively analyse and research complex
themes through essays and classroom discussions
Autonomy, Accountability & Working with
Others
Students should be able to
 work independently
 work effectively in small groups
 manage their own work and time
18. Assessment Methods
Method
Communication, Numeracy & ICT
Students should be able to
 effectively communicate using both
written and verbal means to a range
of audiences
 use a range of ICT to effectively
communicate their ideas
19. Re-assessment Methods
Duration of Exam
Weighting (%)
Synoptic courses?
Method
(if applicable)
Coursework
20. Date and Version
Date of Proposal
February 2013
Duration of Exam
Diet(s)
(if applicable)
100
Date of Approval by
School Committee
None
None available
Date of
Implementation
September 2013
Version
Number
2/2
1.0