Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Industrial Relations

Purpose

The purpose of the Honours in Industrial Relations programme is to broaden the learners' human resource management knowledge within a business framework so as to develop a thorough understanding of Industrial Relations theory as well as the skills necessary to apply the theory.

Rationale

The qualification will prepare learners for entry into, or development of existing careers in Industrial Relations in the private and public sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Advanced Diploma in Public Relations Management, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory Modules 1, Level 8, 48 Credits

• Industrial Relations/Employ Relations Research Paper, 32 Credits.
• Research Methodology in Human Resources Management, 16 Credits.

Elective Modules 1, Level 8, 80 Credits (Choose five)

• Dispute Resolution, 16 Credits.
• Planning and Strategy, 16 Credits.
• Career Management, 16 Credits.
• Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
• Organisational Behaviour, 16 Credits.
• Special Topics in Employment Relations, 16 Credits.
• Leadership and Change Management, 16 Credits.
• Employment Law 1, 16 Credits.
• Employment Relations, 16 Credits.
• Training and Development Strategies, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate in writing their understanding of Industrial Relations (IR) theories and principles.
2. Demonstrate their ability to apply IR theory in practice.
3. Identify and diagnose IR problems in both real and hypothetical organisations.
4. Collect, analyse, and report on IR information gathered from organisations in order to develop solutions to problems.
5. Develop practical solutions.
6. Make recommendations based on their findings and conclusions.
7. Participate in group work and members of the group must work together to develop a solution to problems identified. Write reports that will require group development of solutions to management problems involving various organisational stakeholders.
8. Make verbal presentations on the outcomes of individual and group work.

• Understand concepts, theories and principles.
• Use critical reasoning.
• Communicate effectively.
• Utilise appropriate techniques/methodologies for the effective presentation of an argument.
• Demonstrate concern for others, especially in multi-cultural groups.
• Think creatively and utilise critical reasoning to place data and information in context.
• Demonstrate planning and organisational skills.
• Demonstrate ability to work with others in groups or through networking.
• Demonstrate creativity and originality in the selection and treatment of a research topic of his/her own choice.
• Assess the Degree to which the learner understands the concepts of ethical practice and concern for others in the research context.
• Assess the Degree to which the learner can think holistically and integrate the learning experiences of all the modules in the programme as it relates to the topic chosen.
• Evaluate the level of self-motivation, independence and self-reliance of the student.

Integrated Assessment

Each module will be assessed through an integrated individual written assignment, in addition to a range of oral and written, group and individual class assignments in order to give learners the opportunities to demonstrate a variety of competencies. The final module assignment requires students to apply their learning in an integrated way to analyse a specific area related to their work context in a work-based assignment and to apply the theoretical frameworks to recommend solutions to identified problem areas.

The practitioner research project assesses the ability of learner to integrate themes from different modules appropriately to a real scenario.