Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2019-2020 (archived)

Module BUSI4A315: CRISIS MANAGEMENT (FT)

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4A315: CRISIS MANAGEMENT (FT)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2019/20
Tied to N1K017
Tied to N1KC17

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To explore, at an advanced level, the nature of crisis management including the key related areas of risk assessment, human factors and organisational turnaround.
  • To examine the strategic and operational implications of crisis management.

Content

  • The nature of Crisis Management.
  • Modelling the Crisis Process.
  • The Crisis-Prone Organisation.
  • The Nature of Human Error and Organisational Failures.
  • The Nature of a Safety Culture.
  • Post-Crisis Turnaround Strategies.
  • Developing the Crisis-Prepared Organisation.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will:
  • have a detailed understanding of the nature of, and principal concepts in, crisis and risk management;
  • have an advanced understanding of the relationship of various organisational levels with crisis management;
  • have a critical appreciation of the importance of organisational learning within the process of crisis prevention.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Upon successful completion of the module, the students will:
  • be able to identify the main phases of crisis management and the pre-cursors for each phase, and have a critical appreciation of the relationships between them;
  • be able to identify a crisis portfolio for an organisation with which they are familiar;
  • be able to develop appropriate corporate strategies for crisis and risk management.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.
  • Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading. The written assignment will test students' understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion) 28
Preparation and Reading 122
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Assignment 4,000 words maximum 100%

Formative Assessment:

None.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University