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HRM40660

Academic Year 2026/2027

Human Resource Management (HRM40660)

Subject:
Human Resources Management
College:
Business
School:
Business
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
7.5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Linda Dowling-Hetherington
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module will provide students with no previous knowledge or experience of HRM with an understanding of key issues and current developments in the field. The module deals with a range of key aspects associated with the strategic management of human resources. Among the areas covered are: strategic human resource management (HRM); talent management which incorporates recruitment, selection, retention, learning and development, employee engagement, performance management and rewards; and contemporary issues in HRM, including HRM and change management; HRM & sustainability.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completing this module, students will be able to:

Critically assess the potential contribution of HR strategy and related practices to the success of a business;

Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of selected human resource policies and their application in practice, including, for example, employee resourcing, talent management and learning and development, performance management, reward strategies; employee engagement; retention; & HRM and Sustainability.

Appreciate current challenges being faced by HR functions and line managers with respect to the management of employees.

Indicative Module Content:

Strategic Human Resource Management
Employee Resourcing & Recruitment and Selection
Learning and Development
Performance Management and Reward Systems
Staff Retention and Downsizing
Employee Engagement
HRM, Change, Culture and Communication
HRM & Sustainability

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Competent

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Competent

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Competent

Strategic

 The ability to collectively develop and implement innovative actions that further sustainability at the local level and further afield. Novice

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Novice

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Not addressed

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Not addressed

Anticipatory

 The ability to understand and evaluate multiple scenarios for the future – possible, probable and desirable; to create one’s own visions for the future; to apply the precautionary principle; to assess the consequences of actions; and to deal with risks and changes. Not addressed

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Not addressed

AI Literacy & Agency

 The ability to understand, critically evaluate and responsibly engage with artificial intelligence; to recognise how AI systems are shaped by human values; to assess their ethical, social and environmental implications; and to exercise human judgement, agency and accountability in AI-related contexts. Not addressed

Wellbeing

 Wellbeing is having the resources and skills to meet life's challenges, including attributes such as personal development skills, resilience, stress management, strengths, lifestyle skills, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, alcohol/substance use, academic skills, time management, goal setting, interpersonal skills, group work, communication. Novice

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages 2

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 1

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all 2

Reduce inequality within and among countries 2
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

50
Autonomous Student Learning

100
Lectures

24
Small Group

1
Total

175

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Classes involve a combination of lectures, presentations, case studies, discussion/debate, group exercises and individual participation. During class, students are expected to be able to discuss issues arising from the assigned chapters and readings for the topics. Session participation is a vital element in the design of this module. Therefore, all students are expected to engage in class discussion and debate in order to facilitate the formation of their critical judgements.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): You will complete a 2-hour written exam in an exam hall to be scheduled by UCD Assessment. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
70
 No
Group Work Assignment: Students will be assigned to a group and each group will make a presentation during class. Week 11 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group Presentation: A short paragraph of written feedback on each group presentation will be provided to students.

Name Role
Dr Linda Dowling-Hetherington Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Majella Fahy Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Presentation Offering 1 Week(s) - 11 Tues 09:00 - 11:30
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Tues 10:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 10 Tues 10:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 12 Tues 10:00 - 11:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 2 Week(s) - 12 Tues 10:00 - 11:50
Autumn Presentation Offering 2 Week(s) - 11 Tues 12:00 - 14:30
Autumn Lecture Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Tues 12:30 - 14:20
Autumn Lecture Offering 2 Week(s) - 10 Tues 12:30 - 14:20
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