- Offered for Year: 2022/23
- Module Leader(s): Mr Simon Parker
- Lecturer: Dr Jeremy Robert Franks
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
|
Semester 1 Credit Value:
|
10
|
|
Semester 2 Credit Value:
|
10
|
|
ECTS Credits:
|
10.0
|
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 Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category |
Activity |
Number |
Length |
Student Hours |
Comment |
|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 10:00 | 10:00 | Online Quiz and Preparation |
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 14 | 1:00 | 14:00 | The lectures to be shared between teaching staff (Simon Parker & Jeremy Franks) – 7 hours each |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Preparation for formative group presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Production of consultant's report |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 55:00 | 55:00 | Reading around module topics |
| Guided Independent Study | Skills practice | 40 | 1:00 | 40:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Semester 2 Only: pre-cursor to each field visit to discuss purpose and methodology |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | feedback from each report used to inform the next |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 3 | 5:00 | 15:00 | Sem 2 Only: Each group to visit 3 businesses in semester 2 to undertake consultant assessment |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Group presentation (10 mins) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 10 | 0:30 | 5:00 | Weekly drop in session - Simon Parker leading |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 25:00 | 25:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | Synchronous online module talk |
| Total | | | | 200:00 | |
Jointly Taught With
| Code |
Title |
|---|
| ACE1033 | Introduction to Business Management |
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 Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description |
Length |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| PC Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 50 | Computer-based, multiple-choice, unseen examination |
Other Assessment
| Description |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 50 | Ipsative assessment allows the student to undertake a consultants report and then to improve the next iteration using feedback |
Formative Assessments
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.
Reading Lists
Timetable
