Module FOUD0421: Foundations of Business

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0421: Foundations of Business

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• To develop a critical understanding of organisations and the markets they serve, taking into account the internal workings and management of organisations.
• To raise awareness of the diversity of perspectives on business behaviour (customer, manager, creditor, owner, employee, etc).
• To outline some of the economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, social and technological issues surrounding business activity.
• To explore the current structure of business and business practice.
• To acquire a range of key skills, including decision making and problem-solving.

Content

• Marketing: market analysis; marketing strategy; marketing planning; consumer behaviour;
• People and Operations Management: management structure and organisation; leadership; motivation; human resource management; training; communication and information systems; group processes within the organisation; organisational culture; career development and stress
• External Influences: economic; governmental; social and other
• Objectives and Strategy: starting a small firm; business objectives; business strategy
• Consumer and Employee Rights

Learning Outcomes

• By the end of the course students will be able to:
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of marketing(SSK 1), management and leadership (SSK 2), human resources and related functions (SSK 3), organisational structure (SSK 4), interactive human relations within the business environment (SSK 5), business/legal environment (SSK 6), and business strategy(SSK 7).

• By the end of the course students will have acquired the skills to be able to:
• Understand marketing in an integrated context within the organisation (SSS 1).
• Appreciate the contributions of selected management and leadership theories to an understanding of motivation and leadership (SSS 2).
• Comprehend the significance of various management and organisational structures, including the extensive role of Human Resources (SSS 3).
• Recognise the opportunities and constraints created by the business/legal environment (SSS 4).
• Explain the interactive nature of the business world (SSS 5).
• Articulate the strategic importance of clear objectives (SSS 6).
• Value the complex nature of human relations within the work environment (SSS 7).

• By the end of the module students will:
• Analyse problems, issues and situations (KS 1).
• Demonstrate an ability to work with others (KS 2).
• Be able to organise relevant information clearly and coherently (KS 3).
• Research Essay assess' Key skills: 1,2 and 3 SSK: 2,3,4, 6 and 7 SSS: 2,3,4,5 and 6
• END OF MODULE TEST Key skills: 1 and 3 SSK*: 1-7 SSS*: 1-7

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

• All teaching will take the form of seminars with a view to encouraging the active participation of students.
• Much of the learning, understanding and consolidation will take place through the use of structured exercises, group work, class discussions and library assignments during sessions and students' own time.
• Knowledge and understanding of concepts and content will be assessed by a research essay and a multiple choice end of module test.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Stimulus Response Assignment. Throughout the course exercises, reading and library research will be undertaken by groups or individuals. Informal presentations will also be made in class. Comments are fed back to individuals and the group.

■ 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