Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2025-2026

Module BUSI2401: Advanced Topics in Technologies Driving Business

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI2401: Advanced Topics in Technologies Driving Business

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2025/2026 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to N201
Tied to N203
Tied to N207

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • The aim is to prepare students for the most fundamental challenges in the digital economy, including organisational and societal implications of emerging and disruptive technologies, and equip them with business skills for management roles, that can help them identify and address management and business problems through technology-focused propositions and functions.

Content

  • The list below is indicative and subject to change depending on emerging trends in the digital landscape: -
  • Digital Transformation & Business Analytics: Equip students with the knowledge and skills to navigate the rapid pace of digital transformation across various industries.
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Explore the potential of AI and ML to drive innovation and solve complex business problems.
  • Metaverse: Explore the potential of the metaverse to revolutionize social interaction, business, and entertainment.
  • Quantum Computing: Learn about the principles of quantum computing and its potential impact on various industries, such as finance, healthcare, and materials science.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Demonstrate a detailed understanding of emerging technologies and their benefits for management and marketing functions, including the underpinning theories that explain these benefits.
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge relating to key contemporary issues related to emerging technologies
  • Critical understanding of key trends and developments in the adoption and use of emerging technologies by business and organisations.
  • Understanding the interactions between different emerging technologies and issues within organisations, business and society.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Apply critical thinking to emerging technologies
  • Appreciate alternative interpretations and approaches, and the implications of emerging technologies
  • Assess critically the positive and negative implications and the challenges of emerging technologies for organisations, business and society in a global context.
Key Skills:
  • Effective verbal and written communication, including impactful business reporting
  • Undertake independent and collaborative study and research planning.
  • Build and defend a sound argument both in written form and orally.
  • Ability to work and interact with others, formally and informally
  • Critical thinking and analysis
  • Time management, teamwork, and decision-making skills

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

  • The module is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminars, group and individual assessments, where every two weeks these will be focused on a different emerging digital technology. The lectures are delivered by DUBS academics and invited speakers. The seminars consist of taught input, group work, and discussion around case study analysis.
  • Students will engage in guided and independent study, personal reflection, and collaboration with their group members. During the seminars, students will be receiving feedback.
  • The summative assessment consists of two components: -
  • Component 1 is a group report based on group work and focuses on the case analysis of an emerging technology proposed for solving a defined business problem. The group report will then need to be presented (recorded for the benefit of the External Examiners). This component addresses both learning objectives where the students will need to show awareness of what functions their proposed technology may support and what opportunities it might offer. The format of the assessment also supports students in learning how to write effective business reports.
  • Component 2 is an individual assessment (individual reflective piece) which aims at engaging students in reflecting on their collaboration and their contribution toward the group report and on the strengths and weaknesses of the solution they proposed as a group and the actual report.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 10 Weekly 2 20
Seminars 4 Fortnightly 2 8
Preparation and Reading 1 172
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Group Report and Recorded Presentation Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Report 2500 words 80% Individual Report (2500 words)
Presentation 15 minutes 20% Individual Recorded Presentation (15 minutes)
Component: Individual Reflective Piece Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Assignment 1000 words 100%

Formative Assessment:

Attendance and participation in all lectures and seminars are mandatory. Students will receive formative feedback during the seminars, where they will be focused on case study analysis in groups to build up their critical analysis skills in real-world situations. These exercises will help them develop their collaboration skills, analytical skills and building up and defending their arguments.


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