Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2023-2024 (archived)

Module BUSI4H915: Advanced Seminars in Management and Marketing

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4H915: Advanced Seminars in Management and Marketing

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Not available in 2023/24 Module Cap None.
Tied to N2I101
Tied to N5I101

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The module takes the form of a series of intensive seminars covering advanced theories in the management and marketing traditions of business studies. The aim is to develop a deep critical understanding of a series of key and relevant theories across these disciplines. This will require intense reading and preparation by students. The module aims to facilitate in-depth debate and discussion as its primary mode of learning.

Content

  • Formal organisation theory
  • Organisation ecology
  • Neo-institutionalism
  • Resource-based view of the firm
  • Operations Management and Supply Chain Network Theory: Overview of Networks of Relevance to Supply Chains, Supply Chain Network Theory and its Applications
  • Consumer Culture Theory
  • Theories in international marketing and international business (e.g., Contingency theory, Institutional theory, and TCA)
  • Theories of leadership
  • Social exchange and social identity theory
  • Employment relationship and group behaviour

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Have advanced knowledge of fundamental theories in the management and marketing disciplines of business studies;
  • Have advanced knowledge of the applicability, uses, criticisms and extensions of fundamental theories in the management and marketing disciplines of business studies.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Have an enhanced ability to use theories to contextualise relevant problems in management and marketing.
  • Have a comprehensive understanding of how to assess and apply theories in management and marketing research to study a problem of interest.
Key Skills:
  • The ability to carefully and critically evaluate the scope and usefulness of theories for a research study;
  • The ability to carefully use theories to frame and conceptualise new theoretical frameworks and hypotheses for research.

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

  • The module will be delivered in a series of 10 three-hour seminars over term one.
  • By commenting on each other’s work and suggestions students will acquire both the capability to critically evaluate and improve their research.
  • Learning will also occur through tutor-supported classrooms and through self-support learning groups, thus enabling students to develop their own effective research strategies and critical evaluation skills.
  • The formative assessment of the module is by a 1,000 word document outlining aspects of a particular problem of interest and the relative usefulness of particular theories to study that problem.
  • The summative assessment of the module is by a 3,000 word written assignment deploying relevant theories to contextualise a problem in a field relevant to the student.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars 10 Weekly 3 hours 30
Self-supported learning groups (students are expected to form their own discussion groups to reflect on and share their learning about the issues raised in the module) 10 Weekly 1.5 hours 15
Independent study, preparation and reading 105
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Written Assignment Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual written assignment 3,000 words 100% same

Formative Assessment:

Students will be required to submit a 1,000 word document outlining aspects of a particular problem of interest and the relative usefulness of particular theories to study that problem.


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