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Business Studies with Systems Practice

I. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The BA Degree in Business Studies [B.A.(Hons)] has been deveIoped and wiII be deIivered by
AOU. It has been vaIidated through a process of externaI peer review by UKOU as being of an
appropriate standard and quaIity to Iead to the Open University vaIidated award of:B.A. (Hons)
BS (OUVA).
The Degree comprises 128 -135 credit hours (as per local accreditation requirements) which can be
completed over a four-year period of full-time study. The breakdown of credit hours, courses needed to
complete the program, as well as the graduation plan for Business Studies are presented below.
No Category Cred|t nours
1 MandaLory Ceneral unlverslLy 8equlremenLs 18
2 laculLy 8equlremenLs and unlverslLy LlecLlves 1421
3 Core rogram Speclallzed Courses 96
@ota| 12813S
. Mandatory GeneraI University Requirements ( credit hours)
The following courses comprise the Mandatory General University Requirements.
Course
Number
Course @|t|e Cred|t hours rerequ|s|tes
8111 rablc CommunlcaLlon Skllls (l) 3

8112 rablc CommunlcaLlon Skllls (ll) 3 8111
LL111 Lngllsh CommunlcaLlon Skllls (l) 3

LL112 Lngllsh CommunlcaLlon Skllls (ll) 3 LL111
C8101 lndependenL SLudy Skllls 3

1u170 Learnlng CnLlne 3

@ota| 18

. FacuIty Requirements andUniversity EIectives ( credit hours)
minimum of 14 and a maximum of 21 credits (as per local accreditation requirements) are to be taken
from the following list.
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Course
Number
Course @|t|e
Cred|t
nours
rerequ|s|tes kemarks
C8111 rab lslamlc ClvlllzaLlon 3

C8112 lssues of uevelopmenL ln Lhe rab world 3

C8131 8ranch 8equlremenL 3

8L200 MarkeLlng ManagemenL 3

CbllgaLory laculLy
8equlremenL for Lhe
MarkeLlng 1rack
8L201 Consumer 8ehavlor 3

8L300 MarkeLlng 8esearch 3 8L 201
8L210 llnanclal ccounLlng 3

CbllgaLory laculLy
8equlremenL for Lhe
ccounLlng 1rack
8L211 Managerlal ccounLlng 3 8L210
8L310 CosL ccounLlng 3 8L210
8L220 Money and 8anklng 3

8L230 llnanclal lnsLlLuLlons 3

8L231 llnanclal ManagemenL 3

8L320 lslamlc llnance 3

8L321 1axaLlon 3

8L322 Small 8uslness ManagemenL 3

8u130 Managlng ln Lhe workplace 8

M130 uaLa CompuLlng and lnformaLlon (l) 4

M1308 uaLa CompuLlng and lnformaLlon (ll) 4 M130

otes:
1- Obligatory courses in a certain track can be taken as elective courses in other tracks.
2- BE stands for "Business Essentials".
. Core Program (SpeciaIized) Courses (6 credit hours):
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BA (HONS) BUSINESS STUDIES WITH SYSTEMS PRACTICE
AII tracks have a common core of speciaIized courses totaIing 6 credit hours as in the foIIowing
tabIe:
Course Number Course @|t|e
Cred|t
nours
rerequ|s|te
8120
Studies Business to Introduction An
8 LL111
L8160 8uslness Lngllsh CommunlcaLlon 8 LL111
8200
undersLandlng 8uslness 8ehavlor 8uslness LnvlronmenLs and
MarkeLs(l)
8 8120
82008
undersLandlng 8uslness 8ehavlor 8uslness rocesses and
CrganlzaLlons(ll)
8 8200
8202
Functions(I) Business Understanding
8 8120
82028
Functions(II) Business Understanding
8 8202
8300 8uslness 8ehavlor ln a Changlng World(l) 8 8120
83008 8uslness 8ehavlor ln a Changlng World(ll) 8 8300
@ota| 64

4. Core Track (Specialized) Courses (32 credit hours each track as in the table below):
Course No @racks and Course @|t|es Cred|t nours rerequ|s|te
8 (Pons) 8uslness SLudles wlLh SysLems racLlce
1203 SysLems 1hlnklng 1heory and racLlce (l) 8 8120
12038 SysLems 1hlnklng 1heory racLlce (ll) 8 1203
1306 Managlng ComplexlLy SysLems pproach (l) 8 8120
13068 Managlng ComplexlLy SysLems pproach (ll) 8 1306
Tagged under
O Tracks


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Course Description

B: An Introduction to Business Studies
The course has a number of themes, which include the following. The students will:Explore some
common characteristics of businesses and what makes them different from one another; develop an
understanding of the sociological, technological, economic, environmental and political forces that
influence businesses; explain how organisational cultures emerge and their links to the types of
structures and structures within businesses; analyse the importance of business ethics; gain some
insights into motivation at work; explore some theories about motivation at work and the concepts of
work design; review issues and methods involved in recruitment, selection, induction and socialisation of
employees; analyse way in which individual performance can be assessed, monitored and developed at
work; learn about some of the main theories underpinning these HRM issues; gain an understanding of
the fundamental terms, concepts and concerns of accounting and finance in business; develop an
insight into the key components of accounting in business, such as basic accounting budgets and
statements, using spread sheets; explore the role of marketing in a business; explain various aspects of
marketing strategy and management; analyse how marketing can help to identify stakeholders and
explore the ethical implications; discuss aspects of consumer behaviour and its implications for a
consumer society; explore the critical view of business in terms of its alternative perspective, which
challenges many of the 'taken-for-granted' assumptions about managing and controlling businesses;
learn how to appreciate the cultural and international context in which modern businesses operate;
explore the relationship between business and power at the levels of individual, group, business and
society; challenge their own thinking and develop study skills to enable them to prepare for further study.
LB6ProfessionaI communication skiIIs for business studies
This course is for students of business studies who want to develop specialised reading and writing
skills for business study purposes. On the course, you will study a range of business related material
that has been especially designed to develop your knowledge and your reading and writing skills. Topics
include areas of human resource management; finance and accounting; marketing and a number of
business analysis methods. Some of the study materials are authentic texts from the business world,
others have been adapted or designed for the course. Different styles of writing from business studies
and business are introduced. Through examining successful examples of student writing and work-
related documents, and reflecting on what makes these texts successful, you'll learn to write case
studies, essays and reports.
This is a practical skills development course with numerous activities aimed at practising reading and
writing for business studies and business. The focus of the course is on written English. Online
communication is an important component of the course, enabling you to discuss the materials,
contribute writing for comment from other students, and read and comment on fellow students' work,
exchanging ideas and experience. You can submit drafts of your work by email and receive feedback on
your writing from your tutor. For each of the three maj or types of writing, there is an assignment in which
to apply the skills and use the knowledge you develop during the course.
BA: Understanding Business Behaviour
B200 is a level 2 business studies course and is compulsory for all students enrolled in all tracks of
the Business Studies program. Studying this course is a prerequisite for B200 B. This course builds on
the knowledge and understanding of the business concepts gained in B120 and provides the necessary
knowledge and skills required in the subsequent courses of the Business Studies program, particularly
B202 and B and B300 and B...
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This course opens with a case study of the training-shoes industry. This case studyintroduces the
business issues discussed in the rest of the course and is intended to show that businesses are highly
complex. t represents a good example of how making and selling a popular product works, what affects
it, and what it itself influences, so this case is used to introduce some course themes and the business
skills students will develop throughout the course. The course consists of two main
modules: Environment and Markets.
The Environment Module defines and analyzes the main forces that make up the business environment
and assesses their effects on business behaviour. study guide, together with the course reader,
examines different ways in which the current state of the business world is interpreted.
The Markets Module gives an insight into how markets and market economies function. The module
emphasizes the historical, socio-economic and institutional nature of market activity and examines the
behavior of consumers, firms and governments as economic agents. t investigates the nature of
consumer demand, and then explores the organizational and production behaviour of firms. fter
examining the nature of market competition and market power, it discusses market failure. The
international aspect of economic activity is explored in the context of international trade and investment
issues. The module concludes by emphasizing the diversity of today's capitalisms and market systems.
BB: Understanding Business Behaviour
B200 B is a level 2 business studies course and is compulsory for all students enrolled in all tracks of
the Business program. Studying this course is a prerequisite for B300 . This course builds on the
knowledge and understanding of business concepts gained in B120 and B200 and provides the
necessary knowledge and skills required in the subsequent courses of the Business Studies program,
particularly B202 and B and B300 and B.
This course includes two main modules: Processes and Organizations. The !rocesses Module moves
on to the organization itself encouraging thought about what organizations actually do and introducing
the main activities that they undertake. These are characterized as a series of processes, each requiring
appropriate resources to produce the desired outputs. How far organizations can achieve their
objectives is likely to be closely related to their ability to manage their business processes appropriately;
all organizations aim to add value while minimizing costs. The course illustrates these principles with
examples of organizational activities in processing customers, material and information.
The Organizations Module shows how and why organizations are important, and discuss why they take
the forms and structures they do. t ensures that students understand and can use different approaches
to the study of organizations, are aware of their core elements - structures, cultures and so on - and are
in a position to assess programs of organizational change. The topics include what organizations are;
organizational design and how it varies; theories of organizations; organizational cultures; and key
issues within organizations, including change.
BA: Understanding Business Functions
B202- is a level 2 business studies course and is compulsory for all students enrolled in all tracks of
the Business Studies program. This course builds on the knowledge, skills and understanding of
business concepts and theories gained in B120
B202 follows a theme-based approach and comprises three blocks (Modules). The first
block, usiness Functions Context,describes the key characteristics, origins and roles of human
resources, marketing, accounting, and information and operations management and to explain the
theories about how these five functions are related. Moreover, these blocks discuss how business
functions are affected by organizational and environmental contexts, including social, political,
economic, technological and physical. The second block, Relationships and Communications, focuses
on the nature and importance of the relationships of organizations with their employees and customers.
t also discusses the role of communication in building and maintaining employee- and customer-
organization relationships. Central to this block is the ways in which employment relationships are
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changing and the impact of these changes on employees. Finally, the main focus of the third
block, nformation, is on the importance of information for business organizations; that is, it looks at how
and why specific forms of information are required by each of the five business functions. Block three
discusses the main ways in which information could be managed and how people interpret information.
Moreover, it provides examples of information used by managers and stakeholders, discusses the
relationship between planning and budgeting processes and the information they generate. t should be
emphasized that this block makes a clear distinction between 'information' and 'information
management;' the former recognizes information as an organizational resource across all functions
whereas the latter is a characteristic of the management of the information environment.
BB: Understanding Business Functions
B202-B is a core business studies course at level 2. t is a one semester course. This course builds on
the knowledge, skills and understanding of business concepts and theories gained in B120 and B202-.
B202-B adopts a theme-based approach and comprises three blocks (Modules). The blocks help
students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the ways that organizations work through the
contributions and integration of five key functions: marketing, operations management, human resource
management, accounting and finance, and information management. The block texts are the core
course materials, not only linking the other materials together but containing substantial amounts of
original content not provided elsewhere. Each block carries a theme and directs the students to relevant
readings or chapters in textbooks. By the end of the course the students should have read all chapters
deemed essential by the functional specialists on the course team. Students are advised when to
undertake activities that is found in the textbooks.
n order to avoid excessive compartmentalization of the business functions, the course is organized into
3 blocks on two main themes that are important in today's business. The first Block, 'innovation',
introduces the students to the concept of innovation and how it relates to functional activities within
organizations, including the use of technology, organizational innovation & technological innovation. t
also explains the significance of innovation to the business functions and practices. The second Block is
a long block in terms weeks. t is also the point in the course at which many topics and functional
activities converge. The Block provides the student with generic concepts pertaining to the theme of
'!erformance', reveals the interaction even conflicts- between the organization functions, the role of the
functional specialists & stakeholders in the measurement & management of performance . The third
Block is a general 'Review' of the course. t helps the student through taking stock of the material
covered in this course & in B202-. n this Block the student will return to the critical appraisal and the
contributions of business functions to modern organizations in different contexts. Students will also
revisit the different block themes as well as the general themes such as stakeholders, environments and
structures.
BA: Business Behaviour in a Changing WorId
B300 is a level 3 business studies course and is compulsory for all students enrolled in all tracks of
the Business Studies program. This course builds on the knowledge, skills and understanding of
business concepts and theories gained in B120, B200 and B and B202 and B.
B300 builds on aspects of business behaviour studied in B120, B200 and B and B202 and B by
asking students to reflect on how these different kinds of behaviour are altered in a complex and
changing environment. For example, in a world undergoing rapid technological change and
globalization, it is very important that students understand the different new forms of decision making
processes and strategic behaviour are required. This course opens with a specially written case study
and accompanying video that examine how the BBC is responding to the rapid changes in their
environment. The subsequent modules cover two areas: decision making processes and some key
aspects of strategy definitions and industry- and firm-level perspectives. Each module explicitly
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differentiates between a theoretical and a descriptive treatment of the subject matter, so that students
learn to analyze concrete examples from different theoretical perspectives. The study guides carefully
build students' critical thinking skills, since they may have had little experience of abstract analysis.
lthough students will be asked to read some articles for the innovative ideas they offer in their fields,
many of the readings have been chosen for their clarity and breadth. The treatment of the subject matter
often moves between a micro and a macro perspective. Students will be asked to reflect on how the
processes of decision making and strategy differ in different phases of capitalism (e.g. technological
progress), different kinds of industry and different international contexts. Various elements of the course
use information technology.
The ecision Making Module is divided into four sections, each with a set of readings (16 Chapters in
total). Section 1 consists of four chapters concerned with specific questions such as how do people in
business organizations make decisions and what forces and dynamics affect these processes. This
section puts great emphasis on the rational choice model of decision making and on its limitations.
Section 2 stresses the political nature of decision making and the ways in which decision making
processes deviate from the rational model. Section 3 focuses on providing explanations for the nature of
decision making within organizations, particularly to decision making criteria, objectives and rationalities
to shared ways of thinking within organizations. The final section emphasizes the relationships between
organizations and the wider society. t identifies a set of widely accepted standards of rationality in
organizations and shows their location in and dependence on a cognitive political and social context.
The Strategy Module is divided into two sections each of which has its assigned set of readings (Six
Chapters in total). Section 1 focuses on the different of views of strategy. t tackles issues such as what
factors render a business decision as a strategic one and discusses the main assumptions of the
different perspectives on strategy in regard to rationality, human nature and the relationship between the
individual and the environment. Moreover, Section 1 pays attention to explaining how the theories of
strategy view the relationship between a business organization and its environment and that explanation
determines whether a theory of strategy can be classified as static or dynamic. Section 2 assesses the
effect of industry-specific factors on business strategy and emphasizes the industry structure as an
explanatory factor of the inter-firm differences through the concept of imperfect markets. This section
also examines how the market structure can reflect the underlying patterns of innovation and entry. s
an introduction to B300 B, it establishes the firm-level perspective.
BB: Business Behaviour in a Changing WorId
B300 B is a level 3 business studies course and is compulsory for all students enrolled in all tracks of
the Business Studies program. This course builds on the knowledge, skills and understanding of
business concepts and theories gained in B120, B200 and B, B202 and B and B300 .
B300 B builds on aspects of business behaviour studied in B300 , B200 and B and B202 and B
and B120 by asking students to reflect on how these different kinds of behaviour are altered in a
complex and changing environment. This course covers two areas: strategy and policy making in
business organizations. Each module explicitly differentiates between a theoretical and a descriptive
treatment of the subject matter, so that students learn to analyze concrete examples from different
theoretical perspectives. The study guides of the course carefully build students' critical thinking skills,
since they may have had little experience of abstract analysis. The treatment of the subj ect matter often
moves between a micro and a macro perspective. Various elements of the course use information
technology.
The Strategy Module represents a continuation of what has been presented in B300 . This module
consists of four sections with a total reading of 12 chapters. The first section focuses on the role of the
firm's resources, capabilities and competences on its business strategy. The second section addresses
the issue of the innovation process within the framework of firm strategy. t focuses on determining the
industry-specific and firm-specific factors that make a firm a successful innovator. t also looks the
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effects of firm size on innovation. The third section is concerned with the role of organizational structure
in allowing business organizations to learn and benefit from technological opportunities. special
emphasis is given to the firm size and how knowledge is created and thus differs from information. The
final section of this module discusses the major implication of the recent changes in the global economy,
specifically the nformation Technology and the rise of the T economy.
The !olicy Module comprises six sections with a total of 18 readings (Chapters 1 to 18). Section 1
provides a rationale for the significance of policy for business organizations. t builds on the views of
renowned experts to show how powerful the implications of business policies can be for the entire nation
and the globe. Further, this section provides explanation for why business-related policy is necessary in
a market economy and shows the importance of paying attention to the assumptions underlying
economic theory. Section 2 is concerned with competition policy. t presents discussions of the positions
of the neo-classical and the ustrian School approaches in regard to the nature of market competition,
domestically and internationally. Section 3 focuses on the relationships between science, technology
and innovation and examines the role that policy can play in facilitating progress in these interrelated
areas. The focus of Section 4 is on international trade and investment policy. t examines policy issues
related to the international dimensions of economic activities and to foreign direct investment and global
finance. The last two sections of this module explore the regional and environmental policies with the
main focus on the importance of proximity in geographic space and sustainable development to the
explanation of economic activity within developed and developing nations.
TA / T A: Systems Thinking
T214 is a level 2 business studies course and is compulsory for all students enrolled in Systems track
of the Business Studies program. This course builds on the knowledge and understanding of business
concepts gained in B120 and provides the necessary knowledge and skills required in the subsequent
courses of the Business Studies program, particularly B300 and B. T214 course replaces the phased
out T205 course.
The aim of the course is to help students to make sense of complex situations, and develop their skills in
understanding them. They'll learn simple techniques and ways of looking at things that will help them to
understand complex issues, and to communicate their understanding to others.
T214 demonstrates how systems ideas provide a useful way of understanding some aspects of the
modern world. t involves a good deal of personal exploration of the internet and a modeling program
called et Logo (on the CD-ROM) that enables students to experiment with different scenarios for
network growth and development. The course emphasizes the use of concepts and techniques from
cybernetics and system dynamics to explore how ecological systems function, from individuals in their
environment to human ecological systems, such as organisations.
TB / TB: Systems Thinking
T214Bis a level 2 business studies course and is compulsory for all students enrolled in Systems track
of the Business Studies program. This course builds on the knowledge and understanding of business
concepts gained in B120 & T214 , and provides the necessary knowledge and skills required in the
subsequent courses of the Business Studies program, particularly B300 and B. T214 course replaces
the phased out T205 course.
The aim of the course is to help students to make sense of complex situations, and develop their skills in
understanding them. They'll learn simple techniques and ways of looking at things that will help them to
understand complex issues, and to communicate their understanding to others.
T214 B demonstrates how systems ideas provide a useful way of understanding some aspects of the
modern world. t involves a good deal of personal exploration of the internet and a modeling program
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called et Logo (on the CD-ROM) that enables students to experiment with different scenarios for
network growth and development. The course emphasizes "Social systems focusing on understanding
how multiple perspectives affect how groups of people organise themselves, and the use of concepts
and techniques from Criminal justice systems focusing on understanding how to apply systems ideas to
complex situations.
T6A: Managing CompIexity
T306- is a level business studies course and it is compulsory for all students enrolled in the System
Practice Track of the Business Studies program. This course builds on the knowledge, skills and
understanding of business concepts and theories gained in B120
T306 comprises three blocks. Block 1 is entitled, ' Juggling with complexity: searching for system' and it
covers the following main topics: Understanding complexities, need for managing complexities, eed of
diagramming in complexity management, BECM: Being, Engaging, Contextualizing and Managing.
Block 2 is entitled, ' Managing and Learning with information systems', and it covers the following main
topics: nformation systems, Using Hard Systems methods for managing nformation systems, Using
Hard Systems methods for managing nformation systems. Block 3 is entitled, 'Respecting utonomy to
manage complexity' and it covers the following main topics: Viable systems and autonomy, supporting
people in creating viable systems, Reflective viable systems practice
T6B: Managing CompIexity
T306-B is a level business studies course and is compulsory for all students enrolled in the System
Practice Track of the Business Studies program. This course builds on the knowledge, skills and
understanding of business concepts and theories gained in T306-
T306 comprises two blocks. Block 1 is entitled,'Managing sustainable development: Learning with
stakeholders' and it covers the following main topics: Engaging with sustainable development,
discovering and contextualizing sustainable development beliefs and values, systems practice for
managing sustainable development, designing learning systems for purposeful action in the domain of
sustainable development. Block 2 is entitled, 'The systemic practitioner: being reflective, becoming
aware' and it covers the following main topics: Systems practice and the systems practitioner, reflective
systems practitioner, Ethics and the system practitioner.
DDA: Economics and Economic Change
DD202 is a core business studies course at level 2. t is studied after B120: n introduction to Business
Studies. t is a compulsory course for Economic Track students at OU. Studying part- of DD202 is a
prerequisite for part b of DD202.
This course starts by introducing the range of activities that constitutes economics: formulating theories,
modelling, debate and persuasion, analysis of data, analysing the behaviour of economic institutions
such as companies and households, making policy. t examines the behaviour of firms within markets
and the different forms that competition can take, such as competition on price and competition through
innovation. Theory is combined with lots of practical cases and examples, and there is a case study on
Microsoft. The block introduces data analysis, to give students some practice in exploring economic
relationships. The course explores issues to do with the well-being of the people who make economics
work, as producers and consumers. Do flexible labour markets provide good jobs? Why is the intensity
of work effort increasing? The block critically examines material wealth, happiness and sustainability as
different interpretations of well-being. How is the role of government changing in furthering people's
well-being? The course concludes with an application of economic theory to health and health care.
DDB: Economics and Economic Change
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DD202 B is a level 2 course and is compulsory for Economic Track students in the Business Studies
program. Studying this course is a prerequisite for D319 .
This course consists of 3 Blocks (Modules). The first Block explores factors that determine the
performance of a national economy and how should it be managed and presents a model of a national
economy to be used in analysing the roles of consumer spending, investment, government taxes and
spending and imports and exports. Moreover, in this block, the roles of money, banks, interest rates and
financial markets in macroeconomic fluctuations are discussed. The second block focuses on issues
such whether a national economy can be managed at all and provides some of the tools for analysing a
national economy in a global world. n addition, this block examines issues such as whether an
economic policy is an international problem or a matter for national governments, whether poor nations
gain from trade, and how changing patterns of international trade can be understood. The last block of
this course uses short-term policy issues to show how these issues influence long-term macroeconomic
outcomes. nother main focus of this block is to tackle important issues such as, how can policy seek to
stabilize the economy and keep unemployment and inflation low? How do short-term policy measures
interact with structural factors in the long term? n examining why economies fluctuate and what can be
done about it, students are guided through more data analysis in relation to economic forecasting in an
uncertain world. The final theme of this course is concerned with how economic growth be sustained
without destroying the environment.
DA: Understanding Economic Behaviour
D319- is a core business studies course at level 3. t is a compulsory course for Economic Track
students at OU. The course is studied after B120: n introduction to Business Studies, DD202 Parts
and B. t is expected that in most cases students will undertake, B200, B202 and B300 before studying
D319 as specialisation selection.
D319 courses show students what economics can deliver in explaining the behaviour of people within
households, firms and markets. t presents students with alternative economic explanations stemming
from different fields and conceptual frameworks, and they will be able to make their own critical
judgements of which alternative serves which purpose best.
DB; Understanding Economic Behaviour
D319-B is a core business studies course at level 3. t is a compulsory course for Economic Track
students at OU. The course is studied after B120: n introduction to Business Studies, DD202 Parts
and B, and D319 . t is expected that in most cases students will undertake, B200, B202 and B300
before studying D319 as specialisation selection.
D319 courses show students what economics can deliver in explaining the behaviour of people within
households, firms and markets. The course also teaches students research methods that are
particularly suitable to address and test economic theories. Students conduct their own project, which
culminates with research methods and theoretical developments, on a subject they want to know more
about using CT tools and at the end students should have developed a more critical view of the socio-
economic and financial world they live in.
B6: Certificate in Accounting
This one-year course caters for students who have no degree but want a route into the accounting
profession as well as for anyone who needs fundamental accountancy skills in a management or other
role. Students will gain knowledge and understanding of basic financial, cost and management
accounting, computerised accounting, systems and spreadsheets as well as the role of accounting in
business organisations. They will also learn how to prepare accounts for audit and how to use
accounting information for decision-making. The course is accredited with a range of accounting bodies
11

and the certificate will enable students to go straight into professional training, onto our Professional
Diploma in Management or they could count it towards a B (Hons) Business Studies degree.
This course uses an integrated mix of text and CD material and cannot be studied without the CDs.
Seventy per cent of the course is accounting and thirty per cent is management.
Students begin their study at the end of September with a four-week induction period that is supported
online by their tutor, and they begin studying the main course material at the start of ovember.
ssociate lecturers are also expected to support their students via an online forum.
B: Accounting for strategy impIementation
This course will help you to understand organisations. t will enable you to evaluate and interpret how
accounting concepts and applications, particularly those of a strategy-implementation nature like
organising for performance, using diagnostic and interactive control systems, achieving profit goals and
strategies figure in organisations. t will encourage independent and inquisitive learning and prepare
you for future study and lifelong learning more generally. You will be able to draw on the expertise of
accountants, and apply academic research and scholarship concepts.
ccounting for strategy implementation is an excellent means to improve your ability as an autonomous
learner. t can provide you with the confidence in a field of knowledge not only vital to your career but
that also contributes to your private persona. The course team wants you to pass with a top grade
reflecting the knowledge and understanding, cognitive abilities, key skills, and practical and professional
abilities you will acquire by learning in an unusually active way throughout the course period.
You will learn to interpret and evaluate how accounting concepts and applications, particularly those of a
strategy-implementation nature You will learn to demonstrate that you can approach case study and
'real life' situations inquisitively, laterally and critically; and to discuss and apply concepts and
applications of a strategy implementation nature to such a level that you may draw on the expertise of
academic research and scholarship. You will learn to gather, process and utilise quantitative and
qualitative data about organisational situations to improve performance in these situations; and to
demonstrate that you can continue to develop analytical, reflective and decision-making aptitudes alone
and through further study. You will learn to discuss and apply concepts and applications of a strategy-
implementation nature to such a level that you may draw on the expertise of accounting specialists.
M: AnaIysing data
This introduction to statistics emphasizes the practical side of the subj ect, but the theoretical principles
are also included. MTB and other software supplied with the course are used to analyse data and
develop your understanding of statistical concepts. The course covers exploratory methods for data
analysis, models for data, estimation, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, regression and two-
variable problems.
B: Investigating entrepreneuriaI opportunities
This course addresses the crucial first steps related to developing new business ideas, implementing
innovations and launching new ventures. t will develop business-planning capabilities, skills and
understanding, including market and competitor research and the use of important financial concepts
such as break-even and cash flow. t will lead you through a systematic process of testing your ideas
and experience to arrive at a business proposition with ambitious yet attainable objectives.
The course will help you to focus on your own capabilities and skills in project planning; business project
appraisal; report writing; and environmental and personal analysis.
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nvestigating entrepreneurial opportunities provides a well-structured and clear learning experience for
people who are drawn to the idea of starting their own venture. This could be a completely new
business, thecommercialisationof an innovation in a largerorganisation, or a new service in the social or
voluntary sectors where there is a need to take into account the rigours of competitive pressures. The
course will develop not only the necessary analytic skills but also a better understanding of the needs of
market-based competition and the confidence to address these needs successfully.
The course starts with a rigorous clarification of the basic business idea with respect to your own
capabilities, external environment (focused mainly on likely competitive pressures) and available
resources. fter a reasonably sound business idea has been established, the course moves up a gear
with a more rigorous examination of the proposed market, the marketing and information-gathering
implications, and concludes with a robust financial assessment. The course is arranged as two blocks,
each with its own workbook. The first block is Developing Entrepreneurial deas, which has five sections
the first three on different aspects of enterprise and innovation; the final two on market and resource
issues. The second block, nvestigating Enterprise Feasibility, has three sections scoping the
research, marketing research and financial viability.
B: Marketing and society
This course explores the theory and practice of responsible marketing, addressing the interrelated areas
of corporate social responsibility and marketing ethics and the emergent area of social marketing. t
examines the impact of established marketing techniques and practices on the promotion of social well-
being and behavioural change. You will identify key ethical issues involved in marketing decision-making
and the responsibilities of organisations to their stakeholders, including the wider community. Elements
of marketing management (such as communications, research and planning) are examined within this
wider framework at both a domestic and international level.
This course will develop your ability to synthesise arguments and assumptions from a variety of sources
and perspectives, critically evaluate them and apply relevant concepts in a range of contexts.
You'll learn to integrate and use information and/or data appropriately in complex contexts. You'll also
learn to recognise the limitations of knowledge in the area. The course will provide you with
opportunities to develop skills in effective communication of ideas and arguments to relevant audiences.
You'll be encouraged to manage your learning and reflect on your development as an independent
learner.

Faculty Requirement Courses
BE - Marketing Management
The course focuses on formulating and implementing marketing management strategies and policies, a
task undertaken in most companies at the strategic business unit level. The marketing management
process is important at all levels of the organization, regardless of the title applied to the activity.
Typically, it is called corporate marketing, strategic marketing, or marketing management. For our
purposes they all involve essentially the same process, even though the actors and activities may differ.
The course provides students with a systematic framework for understanding marketing management
and strategy. The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding and appreciation
of marketing management. This is the capstone course for marketing majors. This course will
emphasize integrating various marketing tools and models that are useful in assisting the decision
making process of marketing managers.
BE - Consumer Behavior
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This course will explore the behavior (primarily decision-making) of consumers of services and products
in both retail and commercial applications. The role of the consumer in product/service marketplace will
be considered including the complex system of human needs, attitudes, motivation, decisions and
behavior.
BE - Marketing Research
This course explains the primary tool for exploring new opportunities in the marketplace. Emphasis will
be on how to specify information needs and design a research study to meet those needs; collect,
analyze and use marketing research data to make effective marketing decisions; communicate the
research findings and their implications to various publics. The primary emphasis is based on
methods and techniques used in planning, collection, processing and utilization of information. Topics
include research design, sources of information, questionnaire design, sampling, data collection and
data analysis.
BE - FinanciaI Accounting
This course introduces the student to the fundamental concepts of financial accounting that are critical
for understanding the financial condition of the enterprise. t emphasizes that accounting is not an end
but rather a mean to an end. t is a mean by which we measure and communicate economic events.
The final product of accounting information is the decision that is enhanced by the use of that
information, whether the decision is made by owners, management, creditors, governmental regulatory
bodies, labor unions, or the many groups that have an interest in the financial performance of an
enterprise.
BE - ManageriaI Accounting
Managerial accounting is the design and use of accounting information systems inside the company to
achieve the company's objectives. Whilst financial accounting is directed towards external & internal
users, managerial accounting is directed only towards internal users. Three principles govern how
management accounting systems are designed. First management accounting systems help to decide
who has decision making authority over company assets. Second accounting information produced by
or created from the management accounting system supports planning and decision making. Finally
management accounting reports provide a mean of monitoring, evaluating and rewarding performance.
BE - Cost Accounting
This course is an in-depth study of cost accounting focusing on its role in internal reporting and the
resulting decision-making processes. Students will evaluate the foundation, ethics and basic costing
systems employed in the management accounting profession; analyze budgeting, cost behavior, pricing
and profitability concepts and principles; determine how cost allocations, product quality, and investment
decisions are applied by management accountants; determine how current trends in various industries
impact cost accounting; and demonstrate knowledge that is in accordance with the educational
requirements for the Certified Management ccountant (CM) exam.