6. Assessment task and assessment criteria for coursework There will be a 2000 word (maximum) individual assignment (20%) and a group presentation (10%), subtotalling 30% of the marks for the module, a class test (mid- sem exam) 20%, and an end of semester examination that attracts 50%. The assignment brief is as follows: "Choose one or two of the areas covered in the Managing Organizations module and critically analyse them with reference to an organization in which you have worked or are familiar." Note: Please type the assignment using double-line spacing and fasten assignment by stapling at top left hand corner. Assignment Guidance The objective is to explore some areas of the module that interest you in the context of a real organization. We will cover topics from the list below: Personal Learning and Development Organisational development and change Communication The nature of management Leadership Decision-Making Power Culture Groups and team Motivation Cross cultural dimensions of management Conflict 2) Since most organizational issues are complex it is likely that more than one factor may be important in any situation. For example, one of the challenges of leadership is about understanding and attempting to manage the organizational culture, and the way this is undertaken may well affect motivation in the organization. However, attempting to cover too many different areas in one assignment will inevitably lead to a superficial piece of work. It is certainly desirable to reflect on how different factors interact but the focus should be on a limited number of topics to enable greater depth of analysis. The purpose of the assignment is to utilize theory to analyse practice and to help you reflect on your own working experience. An assignment that makes little or no reference to a real organizational situation and appropriate theoretical and conceptual issues will not fulfil the above brief and is likel receive a fail mark. The assignment asks for a critical analysis. This is not simply a description either of the situation in your organization or of relevant theory. It means using the theory to explain what went on in your organization - not just what happened, but why things happened in a particular way and why they led to particular outcomes. A critical analysis means evaluating the utility of theory - how good is it at explaining practice, how far is it of assistance in understanding organizational issues and problems and suggesting recommendations for future practice? 5) In summary, an assignment needs to do the following: demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of relevant literature, making good use of journal articles in addition to text books; apply this appropriately in order to analyse one or two organizational topics covered on the course; facilitate insights and understanding of both theory and your own work experience; enable conclusions to be drawn about both. 6) Marks will be awarded according to how far an assignment meets the criteria outlined in (5) above. The following gives some general indication about how the assignment will be assessed. Please note that this is indicative only and there is no prescribed schema for the allocation of marks. 8o and above Distinction The assignment shows evidence of wide, relevant reading that goes well beyond classroom material. The work demonstrates a Page 7 of 21 6. Assessment task and assessment criteria for coursework There will be a 2000 word (maximum) individual assignment (20%) and a group presentation (10%), subtotalling 30% of the marks for the module, a class test (mid- sem exam) 20%, and an end of semester examination that attracts 50%. The assignment brief is as follows: "Choose one or two of the areas covered in the Managing Organizations module and critically analyse them with reference to an organization in which you have worked or are familiar." Note: Please type the assignment using double-line spacing and fasten assignment by stapling at top left hand corner. Assignment Guidance The objective is to explore some areas of the module that interest you in the context of a real organization. We will cover topics from the list below: Personal Learning and Development Organisational development and change Communication The nature of management Leadership Decision-Making Power Culture Groups and team Motivation Cross cultural dimensions of management Conflict 2) Since most organizational issues are complex it is likely that more than one factor may be important in any situation. For example, one of the challenges of leadership is about understanding and attempting to manage the organizational culture, and the way this is undertaken may well affect motivation in the organization. However, attempting to cover too many different areas in one assignment will inevitably lead to a superficial piece of work. It is certainly desirable to reflect on how different factors interact but the focus should be on a limited number of topics to enable greater depth of analysis. The purpose of the assignment is to utilize theory to analyse practice and to help you reflect on your own working experience. An assignment that makes little or no reference to a real organizational situation and appropriate theoretical and conceptual issues will not fulfil the above brief and is likel receive a fail mark. The assignment asks for a critical analysis. This is not simply a description either of the situation in your organization or of relevant theory. It means using the theory to explain what went on in your organization - not just what happened, but why things happened in a particular way and why they led to particular outcomes. A critical analysis means evaluating the utility of theory - how good is it at explaining practice, how far is it of assistance in understanding organizational issues and problems and suggesting recommendations for future practice? 5) In summary, an assignment needs to do the following: demonstrate a critical understanding of a range of relevant literature, making good use of journal articles in addition to text books; apply this appropriately in order to analyse one or two organizational topics covered on the course; facilitate insights and understanding of both theory and your own work experience; enable conclusions to be drawn about both. 6) Marks will be awarded according to how far an assignment meets the criteria outlined in (5) above. The following gives some general indication about how the assignment will be assessed. Please note that this is indicative only and there is no prescribed schema for the allocation of marks. 8o and above Distinction The assignment shows evidence of wide, relevant reading that goes well beyond classroom material. The work demonstrates a Page 7 of 21