Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Legal & Financial Analysis
Module Code	AC565
School	DCUBS
Online Module Resources
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

This module brings together two critical aspects of the contemporary HR professional’s strategic role in an organisation: legal and financial analysis. The legal domain of the module aims to introduce students to employment and labour legislation in Ireland as it applies to the people management. It encourages a critical evaluation of the law and its practical application in a number of everyday workplace situations. The financial analysis element of this module develops an understanding of the role and language of accounting in the management of an organisation. Module participants are introduced to ratio analysis, budgetary control and costing which develops their ability to interpret financial statements, evaluate financial performance and manage financial resources.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the basis of employment and labour legislation in Ireland including the influence of EU membership.
2. Critically evaluate major aspects of employment and labour legislation.
3. Discuss the legal basis of the employment relationship with reference to existing case law and legislation.
4. Evaluate the likely impact of actual and intended legislation on an organisation’s HR policies, practices and procedures.
5. Understand and interact with the accounting terminology used within the organisation.
6. Critically analyse the financial performance of an organisation usingratio analysis and other information.
7. Ascertain the role of budgeting and control within the organisation.
8. Evaluate basic costing concepts.

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	18	Monthly lectures
Assignment	40	Individual essay, group project and exam
Independent learning	40	Review of class materials, preparation for assignments
Library	27	Reading and reflection of course material
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Financial Analysis:.
Purpose and content of basic financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cashflow statement), interpretation of financial performance using ratio analysis (with emphasis on profitability and liquidity) , the budget setting process (including functional and cash budgets), the concept of control and variance analysis..

Law:.
Employment law and the employment contract, dismissal and equality issues; social partnership and employee relations frameworks; wrongful and unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, appeals and remedies; workplace harassment and bullying; the impact of legislation on HR strategies and practices..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Group project	Group Case Study	50%	As required
In Class Test	Individual class test	5%	As required
Essay	Individual essay	45%	As required

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List