Human Resources Development
Name: Human Resources Development
Code: SOC02429L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Sociology
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Presentation
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Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The course was designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to understand and apply practices and strategies for developing people and organizations within a workplace context. The following specific objectives were defined:
1.Understand the theoretical, evolutionary, and international foundations of HRD
2.Become familiar with models of learning, development, and performance management within organizations.
3.Recognize the influence of culture, identity, and ethics on HRD practices.
4.Diagnose needs and design training and development programs.
5.Apply methodologies of coaching, mentoring, counseling, and organizational change management.
6.Evaluate and critically reflect on HRD practices and policies.
7.Integrate HRD into organizational strategy and team management.
8.Lead based on ethical, creative, and inclusive principles.
9.Demonstrate autonomy, critical thinking, and continuous learning.
1.Understand the theoretical, evolutionary, and international foundations of HRD
2.Become familiar with models of learning, development, and performance management within organizations.
3.Recognize the influence of culture, identity, and ethics on HRD practices.
4.Diagnose needs and design training and development programs.
5.Apply methodologies of coaching, mentoring, counseling, and organizational change management.
6.Evaluate and critically reflect on HRD practices and policies.
7.Integrate HRD into organizational strategy and team management.
8.Lead based on ethical, creative, and inclusive principles.
9.Demonstrate autonomy, critical thinking, and continuous learning.
Contents
1. Foundations of HRD
1.1. Definition and evolution of the concept
1.2. Disciplinary origins and theoretical foundations
Learning
2.1. Organizational Learning
2.2. Organizational Development
2.3. Workplace Learning
Training
3.1. Planning, design, and organization of training
3.2. Evaluation of training effectiveness
3.3. Assessment of training outcomes
Performance Management
4.1. Strategic HRD
4.2. Change Management
4.3. Leadership and performance management
4.4. Creativity and HRD
Organizational Culture
5.1. The social construction of organizational reality
5.2. The question of identity
International HRD
6.1. Building an international HRD framework
6.2. Workplace diversity, interculturality, and cultural adaptation
6.3. International mobility
6.4. Global strategies and ethical and legal challenges
Critical Perspective from the Sociology of HRD
1.1. Definition and evolution of the concept
1.2. Disciplinary origins and theoretical foundations
Learning
2.1. Organizational Learning
2.2. Organizational Development
2.3. Workplace Learning
Training
3.1. Planning, design, and organization of training
3.2. Evaluation of training effectiveness
3.3. Assessment of training outcomes
Performance Management
4.1. Strategic HRD
4.2. Change Management
4.3. Leadership and performance management
4.4. Creativity and HRD
Organizational Culture
5.1. The social construction of organizational reality
5.2. The question of identity
International HRD
6.1. Building an international HRD framework
6.2. Workplace diversity, interculturality, and cultural adaptation
6.3. International mobility
6.4. Global strategies and ethical and legal challenges
Critical Perspective from the Sociology of HRD
Teaching Methods
Given the theoretical and practical nature of the course, the teaching and learning methodologies are aligned with a student-centered pedagogical model that emphasizes active, reflective, and collaborative learning.
These methodologies combine moments of theoretical exposition with practical and participatory activities, promoting the integration of conceptual and applied knowledge while encouraging a break from common-sense approaches.
The main methodologies used include:
? Theoretical-practical classes involving guided discussion, case analysis, and problem-solving.
? Individual and group assignments for the development of training projects, organizational diagnoses, and human resource development strategies.
? Case studies and simulations to apply theories and tools in real organizational contexts.
? Debates and critical reflections to foster critical thinking, autonomy, and self-regulated learning.
? Formative guidance and feedback to support students? personal and professional development.
? Participation in conferences related to the topics covered in the course.
? In-person and online tutoring for clarification of questions and study support.
? Presentation and discussion of specialized journals.
? Consultation of documents and completion of activities provided by the instructor on the MOODLE platform (http://www.moodle.uevora.pt).
These methodologies ensure coherence with the learning objectives, promoting the development of theoretical knowledge, technical and interpersonal skills, and strategic, ethical, and intercultural competencies essential for professional practice in the field of Human Resource Development.AI Usage Policy (Order No. 34/2026): The use of AI tools is permitted to assist with research and information organization, linguistic and stylistic support, analytical support and brainstorming, and the creation of presentations based on content produced by the student. The following are prohibited: the complete generation of answers or assignments, the automatic solving of graded exercises, and the use of analyses, data, or references generated without verification. Any work that uses AI must include a statement of use (tool, purpose, and, whenever possible, a link to the session), and content generated by AI must be cited according to APA 7th ed. Personal or confidential data may not be entered into AI systems. Improper or undeclared use is classified as academic fraud (Article 119 of the Academic Regulations).
These methodologies combine moments of theoretical exposition with practical and participatory activities, promoting the integration of conceptual and applied knowledge while encouraging a break from common-sense approaches.
The main methodologies used include:
? Theoretical-practical classes involving guided discussion, case analysis, and problem-solving.
? Individual and group assignments for the development of training projects, organizational diagnoses, and human resource development strategies.
? Case studies and simulations to apply theories and tools in real organizational contexts.
? Debates and critical reflections to foster critical thinking, autonomy, and self-regulated learning.
? Formative guidance and feedback to support students? personal and professional development.
? Participation in conferences related to the topics covered in the course.
? In-person and online tutoring for clarification of questions and study support.
? Presentation and discussion of specialized journals.
? Consultation of documents and completion of activities provided by the instructor on the MOODLE platform (http://www.moodle.uevora.pt).
These methodologies ensure coherence with the learning objectives, promoting the development of theoretical knowledge, technical and interpersonal skills, and strategic, ethical, and intercultural competencies essential for professional practice in the field of Human Resource Development.AI Usage Policy (Order No. 34/2026): The use of AI tools is permitted to assist with research and information organization, linguistic and stylistic support, analytical support and brainstorming, and the creation of presentations based on content produced by the student. The following are prohibited: the complete generation of answers or assignments, the automatic solving of graded exercises, and the use of analyses, data, or references generated without verification. Any work that uses AI must include a statement of use (tool, purpose, and, whenever possible, a link to the session), and content generated by AI must be cited according to APA 7th ed. Personal or confidential data may not be entered into AI systems. Improper or undeclared use is classified as academic fraud (Article 119 of the Academic Regulations).
Assessment
Students are evaluated in two ways:
Continuous assessment, which consists of the following:
1st written midterm exam (50%)
2nd written midterm exam (50%)
To be eligible for continuous assessment, students must have attended at least 75% of classes. If attendance is less than 75%, the student may only be evaluated through a make-up exam.
Students with a specific status (e.g., working student, parent) are exempt from this rule.
Final assessment, which consists of:
a written exam (100%)
The assessment schedule will be posted on UC?s Moodle platform after approval by the Academic Council.
If deemed necessary to assess the extent to which the student has acquired the knowledge and skills required for the course, the teaching team may summon the student to an oral exam, pursuant to Article 110(13) of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora, ensuring compliance with the conditions set forth in Article 116(4) and Article 118(1) of the same Regulations. The oral exam will account for 70% of the course?s final grade. In this case, the oral exam accounts for 70% of the final grade (FG) and coursework accounts for 30%.
Use of AI in assessment (Order No. 34/2026): For assignments, the policy defined in the course guidelines applies, with mandatory disclosure; the use of AI is not permitted in in-person written exams. Failure to disclose or improper use constitutes academic fraud (Article 119 of the RAUÉ).
Continuous assessment, which consists of the following:
1st written midterm exam (50%)
2nd written midterm exam (50%)
To be eligible for continuous assessment, students must have attended at least 75% of classes. If attendance is less than 75%, the student may only be evaluated through a make-up exam.
Students with a specific status (e.g., working student, parent) are exempt from this rule.
Final assessment, which consists of:
a written exam (100%)
The assessment schedule will be posted on UC?s Moodle platform after approval by the Academic Council.
If deemed necessary to assess the extent to which the student has acquired the knowledge and skills required for the course, the teaching team may summon the student to an oral exam, pursuant to Article 110(13) of the Academic Regulations of the University of Évora, ensuring compliance with the conditions set forth in Article 116(4) and Article 118(1) of the same Regulations. The oral exam will account for 70% of the course?s final grade. In this case, the oral exam accounts for 70% of the final grade (FG) and coursework accounts for 30%.
Use of AI in assessment (Order No. 34/2026): For assignments, the policy defined in the course guidelines applies, with mandatory disclosure; the use of AI is not permitted in in-person written exams. Failure to disclose or improper use constitutes academic fraud (Article 119 of the RAUÉ).
Accreditations and Certifications
