AC109-Introduction to Business

Module Provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Maggie Cooper
Email: maggie.cooper@henley.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module introduces students to different aspects of 'business' and aims to develop academic and professional skills that will be applied at university and in the workplace.

This module is delivered at the University of Reading, the University of Reading Malaysia and Beijing Institute of Technology.

Aims:

This module aims to introduce students to key concepts, theories and models in business. It also helps students to understand key terms and ideas that they will see elsewhere on their degree programme and to develop confidence and competence in academic and professional skills.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that students will be able to:

Skills in research & enquiry

		Programme level learning outcomes
Module Learning Outcomes		Mastery of Discipline	Personal effective-ness & self-awareness	Global engagement & multi-cultural awareness	Employability
1	Identify, discuss and evaluate business concepts, theories and models.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
2	Evidence competence in academic skills including academic essay writing		1,2
3	Evidence competence in a range of professional skills (for example, the ability to work effectively in a team, take personal responsibility, an d give feedback to others)			1,2,3	1	1
4	Evidence self-awareness and the ability to reflect honestly on personal performance			1,2.3	1	1

 

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

Please note that this is indicative content only and is subject to change or amendment

- Individual strengths and effective teams

- Academic skills

- Organisations and structures

- Business in context – the environment

- Business in context – globalisation

- Ethics and CSR

- Finance and financial markets

- Business strategy

- Business processes and functions

- Financial management and accounting

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module delivery will consist of a mixture of lectures and facilitated team work sessions. A core component of the module will be team work on a case study and / or business simulation.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8	10
Seminars	8	10
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (directed)	20	20
Preparation for seminars	8	10
Completion of formative assessment tasks	8	30
Essay preparation	20	31
Reflection	3	10	4
Total hours by term	75	121	4
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Set exercise	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

No Examination

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Team based assignment (30%) incorporating individual peer feedback (10%) to be submitted in the first week of the summer term.

Academic essay writing (30%) Personal reflective writing (30%).

Submission dates for academic essays and personal reflections are in the autumn and spring terms.

Formative assessment methods:

Formative feedback is provided for academic essays and personal reflections (generic feedback) Guided team work in workshops also facilitates the team based assignment.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A minimum mark of 40% is required for a University pass.

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment is through academic essay and personal reflection, submission in August of the same year.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Required text books: £50

Last updated: 8 April 2021