BATH SPA UNIVERSITY Erasmus, exchange & study abroad MODULE CATALOGUE Business and management: semester 1 Modules at Bath Spa University are usually worth either 10, 20 or 40 credits. If you are using the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), you must always halve the Bath Spa University credits to get an accurate transfer to ECTS. E.g. 10 Bath Spa University Credits = 5 ECTS 20 Bath Spa University Credits = 10 ECTS 40 Bath Spa University Credits = 20 ECTS Please use the tables below to view modules and their credit worth. Students must always choose a minimum of 60 Bath Spa University credits (or 30 ECTS) when selecting modules per semester. Module Code: BM4001-40 Module Title: Organisations and the Business Environment Study Hours: 52 contact/ 148 independent BSU Credits: 20 ECTS: 10 Module description: This module examines the interactions between the external business environment and the business. It aims to provide you with an introduction to the external influences in the business environment. You will be able to identify the principle features of the political, economic, social, technological, legal, ecological and competitive forces affecting organisations. You will also gain an understanding of the internal environment of organisations their structure, culture and resources. You will appreciate the different roles and responsibilities of the key functions marketing, operations, human resources, finance and information systems. Weekly calendar: The module comprises three main sections: The external business environment, organisational behaviour and the main business functions. Throughout the module, you will engage with case study work, independent research and in-class debate. Teaching on the module will consist of a 1- hour lecture and a 3-hour seminar each week. Within lectures, you will be expected to take notes and engage, by way of asking and/or answering questions. The learning from lectures will be embedded into seminars. Assessment: Group Presentation & Reflection + Individual Report (1500 words)
Module Code: BM4002-20 Module Title: Economics and Globalisation Study Hours: 22 contact/63 independent BSU Credits: 10 ECTS: 5 Module description: This module is designed to provide an introduction to globalisation and to economics, with an emphasis on its applicability to the analysis of contemporary business problems. The module will introduce you to the fundamental principles of economics that are relevant to a modern day business, and how economists build and use models to analyse the economic development around us. The primary objective of the course is to guide you towards a better understanding of the economic environment and develop an appreciation of the opportunities available to, and limitations imposed upon, businesses in this environment. This semester focuses on the business environment and microeconomics. Weekly calendar: Teaching in the module will consist of 2-hours of lectures and 2-hours of seminars/workshops per week. Introduction to economics in particular microeconomics, covering international trade, demand supply and market equilibrium, opportunity cost, elasticity and production, managerial objectives, market structure, market failures and regulations. Assessment: Analysis Module Code: BM4003-20 Module Title: Managing Data Study Hours: 26 contact/ 74 independent BSU Credits: 20 ECTS: 10 Module description: This module is designed to provide an introduction to the use and interpretation of kind of numbers useful to business. As a result, it is of particular value to students of Business and Management; students taking other subjects that rely on quantitative data may also find this module beneficial. This introductory module assumes a basic level of maths as a starting point. Working with data is important in other year 1 modules, for example Organisations and the Business Environment, and Economics. The acquisition of advanced spreadsheet skills, which have direct applications in business, will be a feature of this module. Weekly calendar: Teaching will include a 1-hour lecture and a 1-hour workshop in A week and a 2-hours seminar in B week. Students will work both individually and in teams. The module will cover some of the most useful numeric tools used in business. These will include: collecting, presenting, and summarising data; probability and expected value models; the normal distribution and confidence intervals; financial models including interest, net present value, and IRR; linear programming; correlation and regression; time based forecasting models; and computer workshop sessions which will be used to teach you to use the power of computers to reach solutions to numeric problems, and extend and develop your ability in using Excel. Assessment: Assessed Seminars (Computer) + Multiple Choice (Exam)
Module Code: BM5004-20 Module Title: Financial Accounting Module description: Business needs managers who can understand and interpret basic accounting information. The aims of financial accounting are to convey a wide range of qualitative and quantitative financial data to the end users from managers and shareholders to governments and potential investors. In order to record, process and report accounting and financial information, it is vital for this module to focus on essential financial statements such as income statement and statement of financial position, and the implementation of the International Financial Accounting Standards (IFAS) in real life situations. The purpose of this module is to develop basic accounting literacy among business and management students. Weekly calendar: The teaching will be centred round the key financial statements: statement of financial position and income statement. It will also cover business entity, key accounting concepts, financial tools such as horizontal and ratio analyses, and explore the controversial issues related to ethical dilemmas that management of multinational corporations often face in real life using video clips and case studies. Teaching will take place via lectures, workshop, and Minerva. Assessment: Report/briefing document on the critical evaluation of accounting and financial data Module Code: BM5002-20 Module Title: The Marketing Business Module description: This module introduces students to the process of marketing. It develops their understanding of the key concepts of the marketing business and investigates how they can be applied effectively in a range of different business contexts. The marketing framework is therefore explored from the perspective of the brand owner and the consumer and is applied to a variety of organisations. The module also evaluates whether marketing always has a positive impact on society and debates whether it is possible for organisations to be socially responsible when marketing their goods and services. Weekly calendar: The module is delivered by a 2-hour lecture / workshop in A week, introducing the core module concepts in the context of topical marketing applications, plus a 2-hour seminar in B week devoted to directed study, case studies, research activities and student-led discussions. Both lecture / workshop and seminar formats provide opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of the key concepts and apply them to marketing challenges in different contexts. The module has four key sections: 1. The identification of customer needs 2. Strategies for meeting and satisfying customer needs 3. Marketing and business strategy 4. Critical assessment of marketing on society and the natural environment The core concepts of customer value, buyer behaviour, segmentation, targeting, differentiation and positioning are introduced in the first half of the module, and marketing framework strategies are developed in the second half of the module. Assessment: Individual Pitch Proposal (1000 words) (40%) + Reflection (10%)
Module Code: BM5003-20 Module Title: Human Resource Management Module description: The management of people or the human resources within an organisation are one of the key factors in determining the success or failure of a business. As a result, the study of how human resources can be managed is a vital component of furthering your understanding of the business world. For aspiring managers, this module will give you a broad introduction into the challenges and activities that are involved in the management of people. Weekly calendar: There will be a 2-hours lecture in A week followed by a 2-hours seminar in B week. The module is divided into a number of topics; Resourcing and Talent Planning (which includes recruitment, selection and employee engagement); Reward Management (which includes financial and non-financial reward and Performance Management); Human Resource Development (which includes coaching and mentoring, e-learning, training and new developments in learning) and contemporary developments in Employee Relations (which includes Employment Law). Assessment: Initial Report (30%) + Reflection (20%) Module Code: BM5015-20 Module Title: Operations and Project Management Module description: This module looks at how firms achieve competitive success through improving the processes involved in delivering goods and services (Operations Management) and delivering complex and unique outcomes for stakeholders Project management. It will cover operations strategy, process development, planning and control, project management, quality, supply chain management, and improving how the product/service is delivered. Weekly calendar: The module is delivered by a 1-hour lecture, a 1-hour workshop and 2-hours seminar. The module is divided into three areas; 1. Process design Planning and control - including goods /service demands, process and job design, capacity, layout and flow, supply networks and quality 2. Project management - including time and activity planning, stakeholder management and change management 3. Strategic or thematic approaches (e.g. TQM, Lean, Category Management) Assessment: Individual Report: Case based report
Module Code: BM5012-20 Module Title: Destination Management Module description: The aim of this core pathway module is to develop an understanding of the key principles of tourism and the management of destinations. Students learn about different approaches to tourism planning, explore the interplay between various stakeholders in the tourism planning process and consider the importance of effective tourism planning to destination development. The module assumes no previous engagement with tourism studies and thus takes tourism principles, themes and concepts ab initio. The module examines the restructuring of established tourist regions and resorts, the challenges inherent in tourism planning, decision-making and the role of sustainability. Weekly calendar: Content is delivered via a 2-hour lecture in A week introducing key learning themes and concepts. A 2-hours seminar in B week will develop themes and further engage in individual student tasks, group working activities and sessions from guest / industry speakersthe syllabus is based on three key themes: Tourism principles; tourism impacts; tourism destination management / planning. The syllabus includes: Contemporary tourism landscapes, tourists and tourist motivation, tourism marketing, the role of events in destination development, tourism impacts (economic, social, political, environmental), destination development theory and concepts, Planning for tourism, information needs in the tourism planning and decision-making process, stakeholder analysis, research activities in a tourist destination, tourism management issues, analysis and interpretation. Assessment: Destination Management Plan (DMP) evaluation (2000 words) Module Code: BM5020-20 Module Title: International Business Module description: International business affects the daily life of many people on this world. Globalisation is one of the key challenges in today s business environment, domestically and internationally. A growing number of companies are going global. On the international stage, businesses encounter a wide variety of opportunities and challenges that arise from their position as (initial) outsider to a local context different than their home country. As a result, it is becoming more and more important that business students possess the knowledge, the competences and the skills to do business across borders as well as to enhance career aspirations. Weekly calendar: This module is delivered in a 2-hour lecture in A weeks and a 2-hour seminar in B weeks. The module syllabus will commence with an introduction to the international business environment and globalisation; an understanding to business ethics in the international context; and will progress to developing international strategies, which include entry strategies; international marketing strategies; international HR strategies and international operations strategies, etc. Appreciation of cultural differences and practice on inter-cultural communication are embedded in each of the topics above Assessment: Individual Report
Module Code: BM5013-20 Module Title: Entrepreneurship Module description: The focus of this module enables you to gain an overview of the entrepreneurial mindset. You will refine your knowledge of the approaches used by Entrepreneurs to leverage latent potential from the business environment by applying a range of business assessment models to your own ideas. This module is also designed to give you the opportunity to understand what it is to be entrepreneurial by asking you to move to action and will also provide opportunities for your CV development. This module aims to develop your creative capacity and help you to improve your business skills. You will also become critically aware of the most highly regarded talents in business today. The course also encourages you to collaborate with other students to build on strengths and to reflect on, analyse and learn from shared entrepreneurial experiences. Weekly calendar: 1 x 1hr lecture, plus 1 x 1hr workshop in A week followed by a 2hrs seminar in B week. Entrepreneurial goals and context, recognising the opportunity, finding the resources, developing the venture, creating value. Assessment: Individual Report: Business Assessment of Entrepreneurship Case. Module Code: BM5014-20 Module Title: Festivals and Events Management Module description: This module aims to develop students understanding of the key principles and practices of managing festivals and events as well as assessing their impacts on economy, society, culture and the environment. Festivals and Events Management focuses on the events industry which is an important, dynamic and growing part of the leisure and tourism industry, and as a result, the larger economy. Weekly calendar: Content is delivered via a 2-hour lecture in A week. Lectures will introduce key learning themes, concepts and frameworks. A 2 2-hour seminar in B week will develop themes further, engage students in individual tasks and group working activities. Seminars will also provide the opportunity for sessions from guest / industry speakers. An overview of the Festival and Events Industry; Festivals and events in popular culture; Themes, theory, concepts and the economics of festivals and events; Impacts, sustainability and Impact Management; Stakeholder Management; Issues in Health and Safety; Site and Production Management; Project and Operations Management; Marketing and public relations; festivals, events and the law; working with sponsors / Sponsorship Management; Festival and Event creation / Creativity Management; Strategic planning for events. Assessment: Event Risk and Impact Assessment Report (2000 words) (40%) + Reflection (10%)
Module Code: BM6024-20 Module Title: Organisational Strategy Study Hours: 19.5 contact/ 80.5 independent BSU Credits: 10 ECTS: 5 Module description: In this module students will be looking at the process of creating, evaluating and developing strategy. Students investigate how individuals and organisations understand their position, choices and actions to bring coherence to their long-term direction. This covers traditional and contemporary approaches to encourage students to develop a critical understanding of how strategy is researched and carried out in practice. Fundamentally, students will assess the applicability and usefulness of strategy concepts in different contexts. In this module, there are three over-arching strategy themes: organisational setting, organisational growth, and organisational evaluation. Under these themes the following topics are covered: organisational environments, organisational resources, organisational position, business and corporate growth, strategy through inter-organisational relations, monitoring and evaluating strategy performance, traditional and contemporary strategy application. Weekly calendar: Theoretical and practitioner perspectives are covered In a 1-hour lecture in A weeks. Students are expected to clarify, assess and challenge concepts and practices during the lecture and through individual and group discussions. A 2-hour seminar in B weeks provides an opportunity for student-led discussions to examine concepts and case studies in different contexts. Assessment: Individual Assignment (40%) + Exam- Case study based (60%)
Module Code: BM6009-20 Module Title: New Trends in Management Study Hours: 19.5 contact/ 80.5 independent BSU Credits: 10 ECTS: 5 Module description: This module will explore and evaluate the ways in which the contemporary business environment is changing and how some businesses are responding creatively and ingeniously to these transformations. The contemporary business environment is now global in its scope and its new developments are increasingly rapid, turbulent and unpredictable. Furthermore, knowledge and its effective management have become the critical resources for businesses in this shifting environment. Businesses have often responded to the challenges of this new world through adopting innovative and ground-breaking structures and practices, which include flat and leaderless organisations, collaborative working, the involvement of employees in decision making, the co-production of goods and services with consumers, the use of 3D printing and other novel manufacturing techniques. All of these innovations have, of course, been aided by the immense growth over the last three decades in the Internet and information technology. The module will take a critical and frequently sceptical stance towards the more fervent claims made by some about the benefits of these developments and it will therefore attempt to separate the hype from the reality. Weekly calendar: The teaching sessions will be 3-hour workshops in B weeks that will include short contributions from the tutor, student-led discussions, exercises, case studies and practical activities. The class will be using a wiki for assembling all contributions to the class. The module will have three main sections: (i) the emergence of the knowledge economy and other significant developments in the business environment; (ii) the practices adopted by businesses to respond creatively to the changes; and (iii) an assessment of the effectiveness of these practices. However, the module main themes will change from year to year in response to major shifts in the business environment. Assessment: A single contribution to the module s wiki (3,000 words) + Session coordination group exercise (1 hour)
Module Department: Code: Business BM6020-20 and Management Module Semester: Title: One Cross Cultural Management in International Business Study Module Hours: Code: 19.5 OM6005-20 contact/ 80.5 independent BSU Module Credits: Title: 10 Leadership and ECTS: Management 5 Study Hours: 19.5 contact/ 80.5 independent BSU Credits: 10 ECTS: 5 Module description: Management practices and processes frequently differ across national and regional boundaries. Module description: What may The be acceptable module introduces managerial students behaviour to the in theory one and culture practice may of be leadership, counterproductive with an or even emphasis unacceptable on business another. organisations As managers but covering increasingly leadership find challenges themselves and working opportunities across cultures, across a the range need to of contexts. understand Students these differences learn different has approaches become increasingly to understanding important. and analysing leadership, including both The popular purpose training of approaches this module and is more to examine cross-disciplinary why these perspectives, differences exist as well and as how practicing global leadership managers in can develop the classroom strategies context and and tactics developing to deal reflections with them. on This their course own styles also develops and experiences. students ability to apply their knowledge and understanding to complex management and business problems in order to improve business Weekly calendar: and management There is practice a 1-hour in lecture a global in context. A weeks on theory, and a 2-hour practice seminar in B weeks including individual and group work, including a requirement for each student to assume a Weekly leadership calendar: role in managing The module delivery will include of a group a mix output of tutor on input, a set task lectures, between case seminars. studies, group work, discussions Following an and introductory role-play. session, There will the be course a 1-hour comprises lecture in four A weeks components and a covering 2-hour seminar different in approaches B weeks. to The understanding course will leadership: commence individual with the introduction approaches, to situational global realities approaches, and management relational challenges, approaches, developing and global cross-cultural management dimensions. skills and The will course progress concludes to culture, with personal values and reflections worldviews. on leadership. It will include organisational culture and culture change. It will also include communication across cultures in the context of international Assessment: business. This module Production will also of A cover Guide management to Leadership patterns (3000 words) across + cultures, Group presentation organising frameworks (20 minutes) and with an introduction individual reflection to diversity (1200 management. words) Assessment: Group Project + Analytical report/essay