Module Description
The module begins with an introduction to forms of business, business and government and the role of multinationals. This is followed by a section on starting a business, ownership and control and corporate aims. An introduction to accounting is next in which students learn the fundamentals of accounting. In the second term the course covers a section on people in organisations which examines basic management principles. The course concludes with a section on marketing which includes such topics as market analysis, market research, marketing strategy, marketing plans and budgets.
Module aims
- to ensure that students obtain a broad understanding of basic business concepts and terminology
- to enable students to express these business concepts in a report and to be able give a basic level of explanation and justification to support the content of this report
- to enable students to describe, explain and analyse at the entry level these fundamental business concepts in an exam situation
- to familiarise students with the method of instruction at the University.
Learning outcomes - coursework
On successful completion of the module a student will demonstrate:
- the ability to absorb large quantities of information rapidly over a short period of time
- an ability to develop the necessary skills to express complex concepts using accurate terminology in an appropriate academic style
- an ability to improve on current level of performance by responding appropriately to feedback over the period of the academic year
- awareness of sources of information
- understanding of the nature and process of management and the theory that explains management processes
- knowledge of fundamental accounting concepts and principles
- the ability to synthesise and interpret information from a range of sources - lectures, classes, textbooks, the Web etc.
- the ability to take notes and organise material from lectures and reading in a systematic form
- the ability to present accounting and management ideas and arguments coherently at an introductory level in writing
- an ability to work with a group of fellow students and to contribute to a class/tutorial.
Learning outcomes - examination
On successful completion of the module a student will demonstrate:
- the ability to work to a satisfactory standard under examination conditions
- effective time management skills
- the ability to express complex concepts intelligibly without immediate recourse to source material
- the ability to work autonomously during revision periods
- the ability to absorb and retain knowledge of the nature and process of management and the theory that explains management processes
- the ability to absorb and retain knowledge of fundamental accounting concepts and principles
- the ability to demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the nature and process of management and the theory that explains management processes by clearly communicating ideas in writing
- the ability to demonstrate understanding and knowledge of fundamental accounting concepts by clearly communicating ideas in writing.
Syllabus
The syllabus will cover the following sections:
Autumn Term
1. Forms of Business Organisations
2. Business start ups, Business Planning, Handling Rapid growth
3. Multinationals and Changes in ownership, Corporate aims & goals, Strategic planning
4. Government policies, Business Law, Business ethics and environmental issues
5. Motivation in Theory and Practice
6. Leadership, Communication, Organisational Structure
7. Employee Participation & Teams, Human resource Management
8. Change Management, Organisational culture
9. Marketing - introduction, Marketing Planning
Spring Term
1. Marketing objectives, analysis and research
2. Product life cycle, Niche markets, Market Segmentation, Marketing Strategy
3. Marketing Mix
4. Introduction to finance and accounts, Profit and Loss, Income statements
5. Balance sheets
6. Ratio analysis
7. Revenue, costs and profit, Breakeven analysis
8. Course review
Summer Term
The syllabus in term three will consist of three weeks of revision. This revision will include reviewing past exam papers and one to one tutorials with students, as required.
Assessment
Coursework is comprised of:
One in-class test in week 6 (25%). Feedback provided in week 9.
One 1,000 word assignment (25%). Titles will be available in week 4. Assignment handed in during week 11. Feedback provided in week 15.
One 1,000 word report (25%). Titles will be available in week 4. Assignment handed in during week 19. Feedback provided in week 22.
One in-class test in week 25 (25%). Feedback provided in week 28.
End-of-year three-hour exam.
Learning & Teaching Methods
Students are expected to attend four hours of teaching per week for 23 weeks (including three weeks of revision).
Each week's instruction consists of a lecture, a class session and a tutorial. The lecture will run for 2 hours. Seminars and tutorials will be 60 minutes each and during these sessions students will discuss the content of the lecture in more detail.
Lecture: The two-hour lecture introduces several of the units from the course textbook in outline and identifies the key points of the subjects under discussion.
Class: Students will be placed in a class with 10-12 other students. In these sessions students will be given the opportunity to discuss any problems relating to the course material and will work together in small groups on a range of class exercises.
Tutorial: Students will have tutorial sessions with up to 4-6 other students; during these sessions exam questions/case studies will be addressed.
Summarised lecture material is provided using PowerPoint presentations, which are e-mailed/given to students as lecture notes. All lecture notes include chapter references for the textbook. Students will be given exam type questions/case studies to work on in tutorials and all such work will be submitted to the tutor for assessment. Marks will be awarded for this work, but will not contribute towards the final assessment. Students will also take part in group work discussions and may need to report back in their group to their tutor during the tutorial/class. This group work will be informally assessed and feedback given to students. Completed group work may also need to be submitted for assessment. Group discussions will be monitored by tutors, so that any problems which arise can be identified. Any problems that do arise during tutorials can be addressed directly with the student or can be addressed on a feedback form when the group work/case studies/exam type questions are returned to students. Discussion and debate on relevant topics will be encouraged. Solutions to tests and past exam papers will also be discussed in tutorials and classes. If problems arise, students have the option of attending one to one tutorials. The emphasis of the course is on developing an understanding of business, familiarity with related vocabulary and the method of instruction in a British university. The course begins slowly to allow students to become acquainted with learning in a foreign language, gradually gathering pace and intensity as the year progresses.
Assessment
50 per cent Coursework Mark, 50 per cent Exam Mark
Exam Duration and Period
3:00 hour exam during Summer Examination period.
Bibliography
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Required course textbook:
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Marcousé, I. et al (2003) Business Studies. 2nd ed. Hodder and Stoughton.
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Suggested additional readings:
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Hall, D (1999) Business Studies. (2nd ed) Causeway Press.
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Lines, D, Marcousé I and Martin, B (2000) Complete A-Z Business Studies Handbook. (3rd ed) Hodder and Stoughton.
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Pettinger, R (2002) Introduction to Management. Palgrave Macmillan.
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Surridge, M (2003) AS/A level Business Studies Essential Word Dictionary. London: Phillip Allan.
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Walton, S and Huey, J (1993) Sam Walton: Made in America. Bantam Press.
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www.ft.com
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www.telegraph.co.uk
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