Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2009-2010 (archived)

Module BUSI5C915: ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Department: Economics, Finance and Business (Business)

BUSI5C915: ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Type Open Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2009/10 Module Cap

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide students with a critical appreciation of the core of what is entrepreneurship, with reference to an applied context, and with extensive use of examples and case studies.
  • The course is designed to assist students in preparation for a career in entrepreneurship or working in consulting activities.

Content

  • What is entrepreneurial behaviour and who are entrepreneurs?
  • Different avenues where entrepreneurship takes place, in terms of business ownership, and in social entrepreneurial settings.
  • Factors influencing the entrepreneurial decision.
  • The implications of cognitive and occupational psychology theory.
  • Attitudes to entrepreneurship in different societies.
  • Entrepreneurial behaviour and learning.
  • Regulatory environments and their influence upon entrepreneurial activities.
  • The key actors and structures within the entrepreneurial community.
  • The role of networks in entrepreneurship.
  • The stakeholders and boundaries of the entrepreneur.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • A critical appreciation of the diversity in entrepreneurial behaviour and who are entrepreneurs, with reference to examples and case studies.
  • A critical appreciation of the different outlets of entrepreneurship in both the private and public sectors.
  • Critical insight into the decision to become an entrepreneur.
  • An advanced knowledge and understanding of the support mechanisms available to assist entrepreneurs, both formal and informal.
  • An advanced knowledge and understanding of who are the stakeholders and what are the boundaries of the entrepreneur.
Subject-specific Skills:
    Key Skills:

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

      • Through a combination of lectures, case studies and guided reading.
      • The assessment of the module, by written assignment, is designed to : Test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge.
      • Test skills of application and interpretation of entrepreneurial behaviour.

      Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

      Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
      Lectures 11 2 hours 22
      Preparation & Reading 128
      Total 150

      Summative Assessment

      Component: Essay Component Weighting: 100%
      Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
      Essay 3,000 words (max.). 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