Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2012-2013 (archived)

Module BUSI44Z15: Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurial Process (Block Taught)

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI44Z15: Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurial Process (Block Taught)

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2012/13 Module Cap None.
Tied to N1KY07

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurial Process (Distance Learning)

Aims

  • To introduce students to the field of entrepreneurship, including the role it plays in modern economies, the different types of activity contained within the definition, and the main theoretical and analytical approaches used to achieve understanding of the concept and related processes.

Content

  • Entrepreneurship and the economy
  • Entrepreneurial process overview
  • Economic perspectives
  • Entrepreneurial business
  • Sociological perspectives and types of entrepreneur
  • Personality perspectives
  • Cognitive perspectives
  • Organisation context – knowledge and technology-based firms
  • Organisational context – corporate entrepreneurship
  • Organisational context – family firms
  • Organisational context - social entrepreneurship
  • Outcomes – firm and entrepreneur performance

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students should have a critical appreciation of:
  • the role of entrepreneurship within the economy;
  • the different contexts in which entrepreneurs operate, and the characteristics of their activities in each;
  • the various approaches taken by researchers in attempting to understand the entrepreneurial process, decision-making with regard to engagement in it, and the associated outcomes.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module, students should have:
  • a firm academic and empirical understanding of the dimensions and role of entrepreneurship in a modern economy;
  • the ability to interpret and contextualise commentary and analysis relating to the field.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication;
  • practical planning processes;
  • organising and time management;
  • identification/analysis of relevant information resources;
  • computer literacy;
  • networking skills.

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 taught input, groupwork and discussion, supported by guided reading.
  • The summative assessment of the module, by written assignment, is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of application and interpretation within the management context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Workshops (a combination of taught input, groupwork, exercises and discussion), timetabled in blocks 24
Preparation and reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Exercise based upon interpretation of practical case study material or question relating to an academic or practitioner debate 3000 words 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Students receive feedback on their contributions in the workshops.


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