Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Management Skills
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
To answer any questions, you can contact the subject coordinator via email:
David Tanganelli: databer@uic.es
Or, with the teacher of each of the modules:
Module 1-
Cristina Gispert, MAPFRE (cgispe@mapfre.com) grupo castellano.
Alfonso Gironza (agironza@uic.es) grupo English.
Module 2-
Reetta Heikkinen (rvheikkinen@uic.es) grupo castellano y English.
Module 3-
Mar Deus (mardeus@emedeeme.com) grupo Castellano.
Laura Gabriel (laura@lauragabriellop.com) grupo English.
Introduction
The purpose of the Management Skills subject is to introduce and familiarize students with the basic management competencies and skills, essential for effective leadership within the framework of organizations, improving interaction with other people, knowing communication and leadership strategies and techniques, among other.
It is a practical subject with three modules on different topics. Each module develops a managerial skill or soft skill.
Each module will be led by a subject expert. Theoretical content is combined with the performance of different practical activities associated with each competence or skill to be developed.
The subject has 3 credits assigned. It takes place during the first semester of the fourth year.
Pre-course requirements
None.
Objectives
-
• Understand the need to possess certain skills beyond the technical competencies inherent in management.
• Understand the main methods and systems for effectively leading and managing work teams.
• Learn to effectively manage cultural differences in a business environment.
• Learn effective communication and conflict resolution techniques.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 32 - To acquire problem solving skills based on quantitative and qualitative information.
- 33 - To be able to search for, interpret and convey information.
- 37 - To be able to apply managerial methods, tools and techniques.
- 39 - To acquire the ability to solve problems and make decisions based on relevant information, applying the appropriate methods and situating the problem within the organisation as a whole.
- 41 - To be able to descriptively summarise information.
- 48 - To be able to identify the information needs in order to manage the main departments within organisations.
- 50 - To acquire the ability to relate concepts, analyse and synthesise.
- 51 - To develop decision making skills.
- 52 - To develop interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
- 53 - To acquire the skills necessary to learn autonomously.
- 54 - To be able to express one’s ideas and formulate arguments in a logical and coherent way, both verbally and in writing.
- 61 - To develop skills for adapting to new situations.
- 63 - To be able to analyse business related behaviour and decisions and evaluate them from an economic, social and ethical point of view.
- 64 - To be able to plan and organise one's work.
- 65 - To acquire the ability to put knowledge into practice.
Learning outcomes of the subject
The student will be able to:
- Relate concepts and perform analysis and synthesis exercises.
- Develop decision-making skills.
- Develop skills in interpersonal relationships.
- Acquire skills for autonomous learning.
- Express ideas and arguments with order and coherence orally and in writing.
- Establish time management mechanisms.
- Make arguments that favor critical and self-critical reasoning.
- Acquire skills in the use of computer media and NICT.
- Develop capabilities to adapt to new situations.
- Analyze business behaviors and decisions in a business context and evaluate them from an economic, social and ethical point of view.
- Plan and organize work.
- Acquire the ability to apply knowledge in practice.
- Have tools to process information.
Syllabus
It is a practical subject with three modules on different topics. Each module will be led by an expert on the subject.
Contents:
Module ONE: Leadership and Team Management – 4 sessions
Instructor: Alfonso Gironza (agironza@uic.es)
Dates: September 10, 17, and October 1, 8, 2025
- Leader Skills: Innovation
- Leader Skills: Communication
- Leader Skills: Loyalty
Module TWO: Cross-Cultural Management – 4 sessions
Instructor: Reetta Heikkinen (rvheikkinen@uic.es)
Dates: October 15, 22, 29, and November 5, 2025
- The concept of culture: how and where cultural differences are observed, and why it is important to understand them; awareness.
- Theoretical notes (Hofstede, Meyer, Trompenaars, etc.); styles of being and communicating across cultures.
- Tools for adaptation and becoming an “intercultural leader.”
Module THREE: Effective Communication – 5 sessions
Instructor: Laura Gabriel (laura@lauragabriellop.com)
Dates: November 12, 19, 26; December 3, 10, 2025
- Interpersonal communication and inner dialogue.
- Team communication. Assertive communication and leadership.
- Communication in conflict situations. Non-violent communication.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The methodology will be dynamic and varied, focused on practical learning.
Throughout each module, in-class evaluation activities will be carried out. In addition, deliveries or work will be made during the course.
Mainly it will be performed:
Teamworks
Autonomous work
Projects
Dynamics
Presentations
Professional talks
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Each of the three modules or workshops is independent from the others.
In each module, some theoretical material should be provided whenever possible: book chapters, specialized articles, specific videos, etc. In some highly practical modules this may not be necessary.
During each module, in-class evaluative activities must be carried out. In addition, each module should include, where possible, some assignment or coursework to be completed during the semester.
To be assessed in each module, students must complete all proposed tasks and activities.
If a student has not been able to complete an in-class activity due to absence, or has missed a class in the module, they must recover it through a compensatory activity as indicated by the instructor.
In cases of excessive absenteeism, the instructor of the module may grade the student as Not Assessed in that module, which means failing it.
Each module has its own specific evaluation system.
Failing one or more modules means failing the course.
Module 1 – Alfonso Gironza
First call: Active participation = 20%; class exercises, assignments, and final project = 80%
Second call: Final project submission.
Module 2 – Reetta Heikkinen
First call: Active participation = 50%; class exercises, assignments = 50%
Second call: Assignments.
Module 3 – Laura Gabriel
First call: Active participation = 20%; in-class activities = 30%; assignments = 50%
Second call: Assignments = 70%; attendance = 30
First Call Evaluation:
The course has no final exam. Each student is graded separately in each of the three modules. Students must pass each module individually in order to pass the course.
a) If all three modules are passed individually, the final grade is calculated as follows:
Final Grade = (Module 1 grade × 0.30) + (Module 2 grade × 0.30) + (Module 3 grade × 0.40)
b) If one or more modules fail: the student FAILS the course in the first call. Their final grade for the first call will be either the average of the remaining modules if that grade is below 5, or a 4.5 if the average of the remaining modules is 5 or higher.
Each module instructor will indicate how recovery is to be done in the second call.
Second Call Evaluation:
Each module failed in the first call will be assessed based on the requirements established by the corresponding instructor in order to pass the module.
It is necessary to pass all modules individually in order to pass the course.
a) If all three modules are passed individually, the final grade is calculated as follows:
Final Grade = (Module 1 grade × 0.30) + (Module 2 grade × 0.30) + (Module 3 grade × 0.40)
b) If one module is failed:
The student does not pass the course in the second call.
Their second grade will be either the average of the remaining modules if that grade is below 4.5, or a 4.5 if the average of the remaining modules is 5 or higher.
Bibliography and resources
In the subject's Moodle, students have:
- Presentations to support explanations in class.
- Articles of interest and theoretical material related to the content of the subject.