Introductory description

The module, primarily through presentations, discussion and the consideration of case studies and problem solving, seeks to achieve the following aims:

• to enable students to see the big picture, as well as the local detail, of law and management today and tomorrow;
• to enable students to integrate insights from the range of specialist studies during their undergraduate course;
• to enable students to learn how to work in team-based settings bringing diverse skills to the study and analysis of complex or unstructured real-world problems;
• to enable students to learn thereby how to develop a constructive yet critical understanding of law and management issues, both local and global;
• to enable students to learn and develop research methods and techniques.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

This module aims to build on the skills and knowledge developed in the first year module IB145 CORE Foundations, Skills and Debates with particular reference to

• working on un-structured problems where there is not one 'right' answer,
• working in teams to address such problems, and
• giving (and being formally evaluated on) class presentations
• alternative methods of expressing ideas and opinions
  The module is the first situation where Law and Business Studies students work together as a cohort, bringing together knowledge from WBS and WLS through the involvement of tutors from both Schools. By nature, the module is interdisciplinary as the themes explored are drawn from both law and management.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Have a good knowledge of the major theories of and approaches to problem solving applicable in the law and business environments.
• Be able to assess relevance and analyse data from a range of diverse sources.
• Be able to think critically in individual and group settings
• Be able to marshall information relevant to particular tasks.
• Be able to test critically hypotheses offered by others.

Indicative reading list

Further literature on the specific cases will be provided in consultation with the Law colleagues.
D Murray, The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race and Identity (Bloomsbury Publishing 2019)
H Mac Donald, The diversity delusion: How race and gender pandering corrupt the university and undermine our culture (St. Martin's Press, 2018).
E. Bono, Lateral Thinking: A textbook of Creativity, (Penguin 2009)
J. Mingers, What is it to be Critical?, Management Learning 31 (2), 219-237, (2000)
I. Iordannou & G. Palmer, "Exploring Cases Using Emotion, Open Space and Creativity", Case-based Teaching and Learning for the 21st Century, (Libri, 2015)
J. Bakan, The Corporation: The Practical Pursuit of Profit and Power, (Constable 2005)
S. Cottrell. Critical Thinking Skills, (Palgrave 2011)
J Henry, Creativity and Perception in Management, (Sage 2003)
J. Henry, Creativity and Perception in Management, (Sage 2001)
G. Easton, Learning from Case Studies, (Prentice/Hall 1992)
J J Reynolds, Case Method in Management Development, (International Labour Office 1990)
P. Checkland, Systems Thinking: Systems Practise
B. Minto The Pyramid Principle: Report Writing
A. Dixit and B. Nalebuff, Thinking Strategically: The Competitive Edge in Business Politics and Everyday Life, (pub. W. W Norton & Co 1991)
G. Kennedy, Everything in Negotiable, (Arrow 1991)
S. Loeb, Accounting Ethics: Readings and Cases, (American Accounting Association 1994)
S.Cummings and D.Wilson, Images of Strategy, (Blackwell 2003)
C.Hart, Doing a Literature Review, (Sage 2003)

Subject specific skills

Be able to conduct research using specialised legal and management sources.
Be able to employ techniques of legal analysis and argument.
Be able to integrate law and management perspectives and techniques in problem solving.
Be able to recognise fundamental ethical dilemmas in business.
Be able to analyse unstructured management case studies in terms of the legal and other issues which they raise

Transferable skills

Be able to present a report orally and respond to questions and criticisms.
Be able to advocate particular positions or arguments and to respond to counter arguments.
Be able to work cooperatively with others in preparing and presenting a team presentation.
Be able to conduct relevant research using library and electronic sources.
Be able to use effectively word-processing and presentation software.
Be able to express ideas creatively in writing and orally.
Write an essay applying appropriate academic writing skills.
Reflective critically on own learning experience.