Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module BUSI5A115: ENTREPRENEURSHIP (DL)

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI5A115: ENTREPRENEURSHIP (DL)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap
Tied to N1D317
Tied to N1D217
Tied to N1D314

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To equip all students with a critical knowledge and understanding of what entrepreneurship is; why it is important; and practical issues involved in becoming a successful entrepreneur.

Content

  • Global Change
  • Theoretical and Research Perspectives
  • What is Entrepreneurship?
  • Context and Applications
  • The Context of Entrepreneurship
  • Business Development
  • Task Environment
  • Fostering Entrepreneurship

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

  • The module is delivered in discrete Units. These are designed to enable the learning outcomes to be achieved through a combination of specially written material, directed reading, reflection through self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading. Module tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (by email, telephone, post or fax).
  • 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
D L Study Units (a combination of specially written material, directed reading, self-assessed assignments and guidance for further reading) 150
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:

1 Compulsory Tutor Assessed Assignment, (1,500 words).


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