HRD: Learning, Change and Development in Organizations, 15 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

• General entry requirements for undergraduate studies
  and
• Social Studies, English and Mathematics corresponding to the level in Swedish upper secondary education (Social Studies 1b or 1a1 and 1a2, English 6, Mathematics 2a/2b/2c or Mathematics B)
  and
• At least two years (120 ECTS credits) of undergraduate studies are required, one of which one year (60 ECTS credits) must be in a discipline relevant to the course
  Exemption from Swedish

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• describe, analyse, and critically examine theories, perspectives, models and previous research within the field of Human Resource Development (HRD)
• describe and critically examine what factors might contribute to bridging the gap between HRD research and HRD practice
• search for, identify, evaluate, compile and critically examine current HRD research within a defined area and within given time frames
• plan, invite to, implement and evaluate a HRD conference for HR practitioners
• present current research, in writing as well as orally, for HR practitioners and in dialogue with them make suggestions on how research-based knowledge can be used as a starting point for HRD practice

Course content

The course covers questions about Human Resource Development (HRD) in terms of learning, training, development and change in organizations. The course starts with a problematization of the gap between HRD research and HRD practice, and the course ends with students get to practice to compile and present up-to-date HRD research for practitioners in the field. In between, concepts, theories, perspectives, models and previous research in the field of HRD are introduced. Examples of topics covered are formal and informal learning, leadership and management development, transfer and use of knowledge, change processes and organizational development.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching consists primarily of lectures, seminars and group work. In addition to scheduled hours the students are expected to use self-organized learning activities.

Examination

The course is examined through:

• active participation in seminars, workshops and conferences in groups, grading scale: UG
• written project report in group, grading scale: UV
• written examination, individual, grading scale: UV

For full-course grades, a combined assessment is made of all examinations. For a Passed final grade, a Pass is required in all sections. For Well Passed, a Well Passed level is also required for a written project report in a group and a written individual examination.

Detailed information can be found in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is “Swedish”, the course as a whole could be given in Swedish, or partly, or as a whole, in English. Examination language is Swedish, but parts of the examination can be in English.
• If teaching language is “English”, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.
• If teaching language is “Swedish/English”, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English depending on teaching language.

Department