BUS2011 : Business Enterprise
- Offered for Year: 2021/22
- Module Leader(s): Dr Victoria Mountford-Brown
- Lecturer: Ms Wendy Parvin
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
The module provides an experiential introduction to enterprise, entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship and focuses on the theoretical and practical exploration of concepts of creativity, innovation and value creation. Business Enterprise aims to provide students with:
• Experience of developing and validating a business idea to proof of concept/launch stage;
• Developed awareness of business and value creation;
• Knowledge of the value and utility of enterprising behaviours, skills and attributes in all graduate careers;
• Insights into personal and business growth strategies.
All students will have the opportunity engage in individual and team-based ideation activities and to develop a new concept for value creation.
In teams, students will develop effective working practises and work collaboratively to ideate and validate an idea throughout structured workshops and group project work and showcase the development of this concept through assessment activities.
This module requires students to develop an enterprising mindset and to engage effectively in the practical projects that this module involves, therefore we ask students selecting this module to bear this in mind as lack of attendance and disengagement in sessions will result in poor marks.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module provides students with an opportunity to work individually and as a team; and to learn how to develop ideas, test feasibility and validate solutions through a mix of structured session topics, interactive activities and independent research.
Sessions will cover topics such as:
• Entrepreneurial Mindset & Behaviours
• Global future trends
• Creating social value
• Creative Thinking & Problem Solving
• Ideation and Business Modelling
• Marketing & Selling Strategies
• Idea Validation & Market Research
• Funding & Finance
• Legal Issues & Intellectual Property
• Entrepreneurial & Digital Marketing
• CSR & Responsible Business Management
• Persuasive Business Pitching
Students will apply academic learning to practical projects and are expected to actively engage in group work; as well as reflect on their growth and leadership capabilities.
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | online recorded lecture materials |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 100 | 1:00 | 100:00 | Individual and Group assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Seminar groups (in person) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Intensive Ideation event (in person - whole cohort) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Semester 2 - Practical Lectures - In person - whole cohort |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Weekly 2-hour timetabled group project work activities in Semester 2 (unstaffed) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | Pre- and Post-Assessment support clinics + 2 x Q&A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 22 | 2:00 | 44:00 | Reading and consolidation of learning of weekly tasks (including reflection) |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The module synthesises different approaches to the study of entrepreneurship; in learning about, through and for entrepreneurship. This involves a combination of structured content in sessions and in research carried out by students around topics of interest; as well as active learning i.e. learning by doing.
Individuals are provided the opportunity to develop their entrepreneurial self and work on a new venture concept. In semester 2 only the best ideas are taken forward for development in teams.
The success of the group projects requires developing initiative, motivation and leadership skills that are essential to the contemporary and future workplace.
Small group sessions provide opportunities for assessment preparation; staff guidance; and skills development, particularly in relation to team work and the implementation of new knowledge in the development of a business idea. Further scheduled online contact-time similarly offers such support opportunities and the chance to outline needs and therefore guide support provision
The group projects in this module require active engagement from students to be successful and regular project development time is expected; these activities are designed to provide students with the means to drive successful growth for their business ideas as well as their personal goals and ambitions.
Sessions are facilitated by a combination of the core Module staff as well as external professionals and relevant staff from other student support services, such as START-UP. There is no expectation that the student group will actively launch and trade with their new venture; however the development of real business solutions is actively encouraged with support from relevant University professionals.
In addition to the reading list we recommend other material including ‘non-academic’ texts such as newspapers, television programmes, websites, blogs and so on – which will give students further insight into efficiently and effectively developing their business ventures, as well as themselves as developing professionals.
The module is based on understanding and developing relevant enterprising behaviours, attributes and skills for business and value creation. As such this module embeds Newcastle University Business School’s key themes of the Future of Work and Leading on Leadership.
Assessment Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 50 | INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT: Value Proposition presentation & Evaluation report |
| Portfolio | 2 | M | 50 | GROUP ASSESSMENT: Digital Business Plan & Evaluation Summary |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | Business Idea Feedback |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 2 | M | Business Development Health Check |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
All assignments will be explained in class in detail.
Complete guidelines about each assignment are uploaded in CANVAS - the Virtual Learning Environment for this module.
Assessments are related to the aims and intended learning outcomes of the module.
The Value Proposition assessment involves every student submitting a 5-minute digital Value Proposition Presentation and accompanying Evaluation summary.
A proportion of these ideas will be selected to be worked on further in a group format in semester 2.
Final assessment culminates the completion of the Venture Creation Project. Students will submit a fully considered venture creation concept and will produce a contemporary approach to the traditional 'business plan' as a portfolio, which will include a digital document and accompanying appendices or examples of evidence; as well as group meetings/developmental progression records.
As this final assessment is a group assessment, BuddyCheck Peer Assessment will also be used. Students are guided by module staff around the use of this measure.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BUS2011's Timetable