Aims

This module is to introduce students to a range of current commercial agribusiness and rural business systems in practical and theoretical contexts. To develop analytical skills for evaluating merits and deficiencies of successful agribusiness and rural systems. To enable students to make further progress in the development of their studies in agribusiness and rural management. To require students to undertake an analytical and problem solving approach to business investigation. To provide students with the fundamental communication skills (written and oral) that satisfies the minimum criteria for succeeding in higher education and commercial environments.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics to be covered in the rural and agribusiness context: financial management, business strategy, human resource management, the commercial marketing environment, public sector/not-for-profit sector management. Business analysis, consultation and business report presentation

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures and compulsory field visits will provide a learning environment for developing a range of theoretical and practical knowledge & understanding to undergraduate, stage-1 students (related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2). Staff will utilise a variety of teaching methods to ensure that students are actively engaged and participating in lectures and field trips. Group presentations of existing commercial agribusinesses will provide students with the opportunity to further explore the topics and cases covered in the lectures (Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2,3,4,5,6). This in-depth analysis of various commercial rural businesses and agribusinesses will expose students to the current market environment in which they operate as consumers and will enter into as professional graduates (Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2,3,4,5,6).

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

1. During the computer assessment, students will show their overall knowledge of rural and agribusiness management functions, demonstrate their knowledge of specific aspects of rural and agribusiness management (e.g. agribusiness management’s contribution to corporate strategy) and demonstrate their ability to analyse specific rural and agribusiness functions. Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2.
2. For the group presentations, students will work in small groups to develop their team work, organisation and presentation skills. Knowledge gained from critically analysing current commercial agribusinesses will be shared with class members. Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2 & Intended Skills Outcome #3,4,5.
3. Written submission of combined field trip reports, including the first two reports for a formative purpose, and group presentation findings will allow students to develop their skills in writing, referencing, note-taking and formal presentation of report-style communications. Related to Intended Knowledge Outcome #1,2,3 & Intended Skills Outcome #1,2,3.