PE7056 - The Organisation

What will I learn on this module?

You will learn about the field of organisational psychology from both a theoretical/academic and applied perspective. The module adopts a widened organisational perspective and considers topics such as organisational culture, organisational change and development, leadership and team working. You will learn to develop a critical approach to theories and models and to identify the practical, professional and ethical issues inherent in undertaking research and practice in the area of occupational and organisational psychology.

How will I learn on this module?

The module is delivered entirely online via our electronic learning platform (elp). You will interact with a range of materials on the module site. The module home page provides you with quick access to detailed information about the module in an interactive, easily accessible format. This is designed to broach new, and challenging information, and to provide breadth and depth of conceptual knowledge on contemporary organisational activity. The teaching materials support your learning. Each session delivers flexible, interactive learning materials, accessible in a variety of formats such as audio and video presentations. Tasks to extend and test your learning are interspersed within the learning materials. A range of different tasks, with formative feedback, are aimed at supporting your learning. In addition to this you will be encouraged to utilise peer to peer support opportunities through the use of elp supported platforms for interaction. Each session is supported by directed reading from the core texts accessed through the electronic reading list.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be an autonomous, self-motivated learner within a supportive distance learning environment. You will be introduced to the module by the module tutor in an introductory video. The online module sessions and interactive tasks form the cornerstone for supporting you during your study. Academic support is available from the teaching team and each session includes a link to enable you to email a question directly to the tutor from within the session. Responses will be fed back either directly or via the module discussion board. In advance of each assessment a video presentation is uploaded to support you in your preparation for this session. This is followed by an online live question and answer session prior to submission of your assessed work. Focused academic support coupled with timely formative and summative feedback should enable you to meet your full academic potential within this module. Feedback from the summative assessment will be made available 20 working days after submission through the eLP portal.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
• MKU1: You will be expected to critically evaluate theoretical models of organisations/organisational change and development
• MKU2: You will utilise an evidence base to critically evaluate organisational development interventions and approaches

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• MIPSA1: You will be able to analyse critical issues related to performance, improvement and change within an organisational scenario/case study
• MIPSA2: You will develop your ability to communicate academic and/or complex information to a range of audiences

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• MPVA 1: You will be able to identify ethical and professional issues related to research and practice in the field of organisational psychology

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment:
You will participate in group activities and one to one work where you will apply the skills learned as part of the module. Examples include group presentations and extracting and communicating information from complex reports. Feedback will be provided verbally by the module tutor on your skills development and peer feedback will be encouraged as part of the process. Self-assessment and reflection will also be encouraged. Where appropriate written feedback will also be provided by the module tutor to identify ways to support skill development and employability enhancement. (KU1; IPSA1 PVA 1)


Summative Assessment:
A 4000 word case study report based upon an organisational consultancy problem or scenario will provide the opportunity for you to demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes MKU1, MKU2, MIPSA 1, MIPSA2 and MPVA 1.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

‘The Organisation’ will provide you with an in-depth understanding of contemporary organisational issues particularly those relating to the human element. Academic literature is utilised alongside interactive activities and case studies to help students to link theory, research and practice. Ethical and professional issues encountered by practitioners and researchers are explored and a scientist practitioner model promoted to develop students critical thinking and their ability to apply psychological principles in organisational settings. Completion of the module will provide you with key knowledge and skills that are directly relevant to future employment in areas such as occupational psychology, human resource management organisational development and consultancy.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years Part Time (Distance Learning)
2 other options available

Department Psychology

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start October 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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