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AC109: Introduction to Business
Module code: AC109
Module provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting; Henley Business School
Credits: 20
Level: 4
When you'll be taught: Semester 2
Module convenor: Dr Maggie Cooper, email: maggie.cooper@henley.ac.uk
Pre-requisite module(s):
Co-requisite module(s):
Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):
Module(s) excluded:
Placement information: na
Academic year: 2024/5
Available to visiting students: Yes
Talis reading list: Yes
Last updated: 19 November 2024
Overview
Module aims and purpose
This module introduces students to the study of international businesses focusing on their management and analysis of strategy. It explores different types of organisations and stakeholders as well as the broad environment within which these operate. The course includes study of key concepts, theories and models to enable students to grow their understanding of and ability to analyse contemporary businesses. The use of examples, case studies and a focus on current events ensures that students also develop commercial awareness.
The module is structured to facilitate skill development including critical thinking, different writing styles, feedback literacy, personal reflection, research and team working.
This module introduces students to key concepts, theories and models related to the study and conduct of business. As a core first year module it helps students to understand key terms and ideas that they will see elsewhere on their accounting degree programme and to develop confidence and competence in academic and professional skills.
The module lead at the °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼ Malaysia is Lee Pei Ling.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Identify, discuss and evaluate business concepts, theories and models
- Evidence competence in academic skills including academic essay writing
- Evidence competence in a range of professional skills (for example, the ability to work effectively in a team, take conduct research and analysis and think critically)
- Evidence self-awareness and the ability to reflect honestly on personal performance
Module content
- Business strategy Â
- Business in context – the environment
- Business and the role of government
- Internal analysis of business
- Business in context – globalisation
- Sustainability and business ethics
- Finance, financial management and financial markets
Structure
Teaching and learning methods
The module is taught with a combination of lectures and workshops. The larger group lectures, whilst interactive, will focus on providing content and explanation of the course material. The workshops will consist of smaller groups of students where they will work together to actively discuss and apply the lecture material.
Material will be provided on Blackboard before lectures to introduce the concepts and ideas prior to the lecture. This material will be a mixture of readings and other digital content.
Students will work in teams on their team assignment and time will be allocated in the workshops for them to apply the learning from the course material in an interactive manner.
This module may be taught in a different semester if you are studying at our campus in Malaysia.
For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Quality Agency (MQA).
Study hours
At least 36 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.
 Scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Lectures | 18 | ||
Seminars | 18 | ||
Tutorials | |||
Project Supervision | |||
Demonstrations | |||
Practical classes and workshops | |||
Supervised time in studio / workshop | |||
Scheduled revision sessions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Fieldwork | |||
External visits | |||
Work-based learning | |||
 Self-scheduled teaching and learning activities |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Directed viewing of video materials/screencasts | 30 | ||
Participation in discussion boards/other discussions | |||
Feedback meetings with staff | |||
Other | |||
Other (details) | |||
 Placement and study abroad |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Placement | |||
Study abroad | |||
 Independent study hours |  Semester 1 |  Semester 2 | Ìý³§³Ü³¾³¾±ð°ù |
---|---|---|---|
Independent study hours | 134 |
Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.
Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.
Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.
Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.
Assessment
Requirements for a pass
Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.
Summative assessment
Type of assessment | Detail of assessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of assessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Personal Reflection | 30 | 750 words | Semester 2, Assessment Week 3 | Essay |
Written coursework assignment | Team Assignment | 40 | 2,000 words | Semester 2, Teaching Week 12 | Essay |
Written coursework assignment | Individual Essay | 30 | 750 words | Semester 2, Teaching Week 8 |
Penalties for late submission of summative assessment
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:
Assessments with numerical marks
- 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 three working days;
- the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
- where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.
Assessments marked Pass/Fail
- where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
- where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.
The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.
Formative assessment
Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.
Students submit a first, purely formative essay and receive general feedback. They then submit a draft of the summative essay, with general class level feedback provided, enabling them to re-draft before final submission.
Students submit a formative personal reflection towards the start of the semester and receive general feedback.
Reassessment
Type of reassessment | Detail of reassessment | % contribution towards module mark | Size of reassessment | Submission date | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written coursework assignment | Individual Essay | 100 | 2,000 words | During the University resit period |
Additional costs
Item | Additional information | Cost |
---|---|---|
Computers and devices with a particular specification | ||
Printing and binding | ||
Required textbooks | £50 | |
Specialist clothing, footwear, or headgear | ||
Specialist equipment or materials | ||
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence |
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MODULE DESCRIPTION DOES NOT FORM ANY PART OF A STUDENT'S CONTRACT.