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SMGT40380

Academic Year 2026/2027

Sport Leadership & People Mgmt (SMGT40380)

Subject:
Sports Management
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Public Hlth, Phys & Sports Sci
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Seamus Kelly
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module explores how to effectively lead, manage, and develop people within an organisational setting. It utilises key concepts and theories from organisational behaviour (OB) and human resource management (HRM).
The aim of this module is to develop students’ knowledge of the links between OB, HRM practices and performance at the individual, team and corporate level of sports organisations.
Students will address a wide range of issues from both a theoretical and practical perspective, such as leadership, organisational culture and change, negotiation, decision making, strategic recruitment and selection and performance management.
After undertaking this module, students should have developed their understanding and acquired the tools necessary to critically analyse how competitive advantage can be delivered for sport organisations through the effective leadership and management of people.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Discuss & critically assess selected theoretical frameworks, concepts and practices of leadership relevant to sport.
2. Identify and evaluate the range of perspectives on human resource management and employee relations.
3. Critically examine current issues in organisational behaviour, human resource management and employee relations in sport organisations.
4. Appraise the relevant academic literature in a critical manner.

Indicative Module Content:

Sample topics to be covered in the module include: Work, Employment & the Labour Market; Managing People – from PM/IR to HRM to SHRM; Managing the Employment Relationship; Managing Corporate Social Responsibility Managing Diversity; Values & Organisational Culture; Leadership; Trust & Distrust; Developing & Maintaining Cohesion; Leadership & Decision Making

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.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

54
Autonomous Student Learning

160
Lectures

36
Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In line with the MSc programme values, the module utilises a teaching and learning approach which places students at the centre of the learning experience; promoting a collaborative and interactive learning process. Students have the opportunity to actively engage and learn during the module through lectures, class discussions, reflective learning and group work.

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
Assignment(Including Essay): Individual Assignment Week 7 Graded No
40
 No
Individual Project: Individual Journal Article Review Week 12 Graded No
40
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: Students will be assessed for their participation in weekly low-stakes learning activities (such as contributions to in-class and online discussions, review exercises, and short quizzes). Week 2, Week 4, Week 6, Week 8, Week 10 Graded No
20
 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 No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will be provided with feedback on their individual assignments post assessment.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Seamus Kelly Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Ruth Mullally Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Eleni Theodoraki Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 2, 12 Fri 09:00 - 12:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12 Fri 14:00 - 16:50
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