Module: Organisational Behaviour & Learning

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Organisational Behaviour & Learning
Module Code	EDU1129 (ITS: ES592)
Faculty	STEM Ed, Innov, Global Studies	School	DCU Institute of Education
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	10

Description

The purpose of the module is to provide students with an insight on how organisations come to be formed and how they may be structured with a particular focus on the significance of individual and group behaviour in this understanding. Drawing on theories of organisational psychology, the module will explore the role of team and group work as applied in the contemporary workplace. There will also be an emphasis on learning in organisational settings. Understanding how change has an impact on organisational members is a central aspect in this module and much of the focus will be on shared sense-making surrounding this.

Learning Outcomes

1. Examine the theoretical assumptions used to explain the nature of continuous change in organisations.
2. Participate in team and group work in a more constructive way having gained new insights on teamwork from the module.
3. Diagnose conflict situations in the workplace and describe both effective and ineffective ways of dealing with it.
4. Assess the relevance and effectiveness of human resource strategies in reinforcing competencies required to achieve organisation goals
5. Evaluate and employ teamwork strategies.
6. Play an influential role as change agent in the work organisation using the new insights gained through complexity theories and understandings of organisational behaviour and learning.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	22	Structured Presentations
Tutorial	6	Group Work Tutorials
Independent Study	100	Reading and Research
Group work	78	Directed to Assignment
Online activity	44	Engagement on Moodle
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10573	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Margaret Farren	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Complex Case Study	75%	Sem 2 End
Reflective journal	Individual reflection on the learnings within conduct of the complex case study.	25%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	d,
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Organisational Cultures
Understanding the limits and possibilities of cultural change

Communication for Change
The role of communication in change contexts

Introduction to Organisational Behaviour
What is Work?

Psychological Contract
Introduction to understanding psychological contracts in the work environment

Trust in the Workplace
Understanding the centrailty of trust in work engagement and in organisational change

Work Motivation
Some models and controversies

Leadership
Leadership values, dispositions and qualities in change contexts

Complexity Theory
Introducing the insights from complexity theorists for understanding change

The Change Management Process
Synthesizing the learnings for application to change settings.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Lencioni, P.: 2002, The five dysfunctions of a team: a leadership fable, Jossey-Bass,
Lencioni, P.: 2016, The ideal team player: how to recognize and cultivate the three essential virtues: a leadership fable, Jossey-Bass,
Viscuso, F.: 2015, Step up your teamwork, PennWell Books,
Harvard Business Review: 2016, Leading virtual teams: hold people accountable, build trust, encourage collaboration, Harvard Business Review Press,
Moussa, M.: 2016, Committed teams: three steps to inspiring passion and performance, Hoboken,
Buchanan, B.: 2016, Organisational behaviour, Pearson,
West, M.: 2012, Effective teamwork: practical lessons from organizational research, Blackwell,
Davis, C.: 2017, Servant Leadership and Followership: Examining the Impact on Workplace Behavior, Springer International,
Gustavson, P.: 2014, A team of leaders: empowering every member to take ownership, demonstrate initiative, and deliver results., AMACOM,
Fieldhouse, A.: 2020, Getting teamwork right : the key to happy, successful and resilient teams, Rethink Press,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None