Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module BUSI4Y715: ENTREPRENEURSHIP (EBS)

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI4Y715: ENTREPRENEURSHIP (EBS)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2007/08 Module Cap None.

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with a critical knowledge and understanding of the concept and practice of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial behaviour in modern society, organisations and individual behaviour.

Content

  • Theories of entrepreneurship.
  • Who becomes an entrepreneur: characteristics and psychology.
  • The economic impact and configuration of entrepreneurship: regional, macroeconomic, and cross-country comparisons.
  • Finance: Banks, venture capital, and other sources of finance.
  • Venture creation and nascent entrepreneurship.
  • Alternative forms of entrepreneurship: corporate venturing and franchising.
  • Growth, performance and survival of entrepreneurial ventures: who succeeds and why.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students will:
  • have a critical understanding of what entrepreneurship is, and what are the characteristics of entrepreneurs;
  • have a critical appreciation of the importance of opportunity recognition, and how successful entrepreneurs recognise opportunities in practice;
  • have a critical understanding of key aspects of new venture financing, in terms of debt, equity, personal finance and other sources of informal finance;
  • have a critical understanding of market failures caused by asymmetric information;
  • be equipped with the specialised knowledge needed to manage and develop enterprises, and know about several problems entailed in business development;
  • have a critical understanding of the economic implications of entrepreneurship, including for survival, growth and harvesting of new ventures.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module, students will:
  • have mastered the key principles of marketing new ventures;
  • be aware of the key considerations in writing business plans for launching new enterprises.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication; planning, organising and time management; problem solving and analysis; using initiative; computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading. The written assignment will test students' understanding of relevant concepts and their ability to apply and interpret what they have learned to the analysis of a particular issue in depth.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of lectures, groupwork, case studies and discussion) 24
Preparation and Reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Written Assignment 4,000 words maximum 100%

Formative Assessment:

None.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University