This course aims to equip students with a critical understanding of the foundational issues and concepts in the theory and practice of HRM. Students will examine the nature of the employment relationship and the regulation of work and employment, and consider the relationship between HR policies and economic/political environments, labour markets, product markets, forms of work organisation, and corporate performance. Students will be encouraged to understand HR practices and strategies in context, and to appreciate the essential dilemmas, tensions and choices that HR and line managers face. Throughout the course the core principles of HRM will be illustrated and evaluated through key readings and case study examples. The course will be aligned with the content of the Strategic HRM course, as well as introducing a range of issues that will help students prepare for the other courses on the programme.