BMGT45130 Mindfulness & Resilience atWrk

Academic Year 2023/2024

Stress which is emanating from the workplace affects the psychological and physical health of individuals, as well as the effectiveness of organizations and the functioning of society. This module will focus on the individual’s well-being as a starting point for organisational and societal well-being.

Mindfulness can be considered as a mean to build resilience to the adverse effects of stress, to find a way to respond differently to challenges that are experienced in everyday life, in - and outside of - work. Qualities of awareness, kindness and compassion are key to succeed in changing habitual reactions - and these are skills that can be learned through practice. The roots of the approaches might be found in spiritual traditions which have been secularized through explorations and evidence-based research in psychology, neuroscience, and organisations.

The module will be both academic and practical in content and will require students to commit to engage throughout the term with a wide range of practices using different modalities to expose participants to a variety of techniques. Habits can be changed and the skills to do so can be learned, it is sometimes simply a matter of finding the right tool!

In addition to direct, personal experience of practices, participants will explore the module theme in a workplace setting. The emphasis is on compassion in the workplace applying compassion competence and social architecture frameworks (Worline and Dutton, 2017) at an organisation of their choice.

It is advised that students are comfortable with their emotional wellbeing before enrolling in this module. In the event of questions about the suitability of this module, please contact the module coordinator prior to enrolling in the module.

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Curricular information is subject to change

What will I learn?

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be expected to be able to:
(a) evaluate resilience building practices based on personal experience and academic research,
(b) explain and discuss concepts exploring resilience in general - and in the workplace, and
(c) appraise resilience - and in particular compassion - frameworks within the context of an organisation.

Note:
Personal development is an important outcome of this module. The class sessions and assessment components encourage students to develop and practice a range of skills which are not just relevant for this module but also their personal and working life. Personal development in its nature is about change and as such requires honest attention to one’s existing behaviour which can be challenging at times.

Indicative Module Content:

Direct experience of reflective practices with supporting literature (for example 3 minute breathing space, self-compassion break, soles of feet, lovingkindness, gratitude, sleep hygiene, Shinrin-yoku, mindful movement/yoga, mindful doodling, mindful eating).

Review of academic and other sources on topics such self-care, loss, neuroplasticity, workplace culture, values, character strengths, resilience, focus, lovingkindness, compassion, self-compassion, mindfulness - including activities inside/outside of the classroom setting.

In depth exploration of compassion in the workplace based on independent research in a real life setting which is visually presented and outlined in a report including action points.

How will I learn?

Student Effort Type	Hours
Autonomous Student Learning	214
Lectures	36
Total	250

Am I eligible to take this module?

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Learning Requirements:

Students must have online access to complete module work/tasks.

Learning Recommendations:

Ability to use UCD library online resources
Proficiency in use of in text citation and bibliographies
Proficiency in professional written and oral presentations

Module Requisites and Incompatibles

Incompatibles:
BMGT20180 - Wellbeing and Work

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Strategy

Description	Timing	Open Book Exam	Component Scale	Must Pass Component	% of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Practice reflections	Throughout the Trimester	n/a	Graded	No	35
Continuous Assessment: Preparation for and contribution to sessions	Throughout the Trimester	n/a	Graded	No	25
Project: Compassion at work investigation	Throughout the Trimester	n/a	Graded	No	40

Carry forward of passed components
No

What happens if I fail?

Resit In	Terminal Exam
Summer	No

Assessment feedback

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive class level feedback on first submissions of recurring components like the practice reflections, continuous contributions or follow on components within 2 weeks of the submission deadline. In addition, individual feedback in the form of provisional grades/completion record will be posted on Brightspace within twenty working days of a submission deadline. Supplementary individual feedback will be given upon written request. Students will also provide formative feedback to their peers after the completion of a project elements.

When is this module offered?


Spring
Lecture	Offering 1	Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33	Wed 14:00 - 16:50