Understanding Business Module Study Guide, Learning Outcomes, and Assessment Tasks

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

Introduction
Welcome to the module Understanding Business. On behalf of the teaching team, we hope that you enjoy the module. The Module Study Guide (MSG) is designed to support your teaching, learning and assessment. It is a valuable document so please do not lose it. Try to bring it with you to every learning session.

Please read this guide carefully. It contains information about the module and begins with some factual detail about the module. Note the title of the module –Understanding Business, and the module code MS40047E, which is also given on the front cover of this MSG. You will need this
when submitting work to Turnitin. If there is something you do not understand in the MSG, please feel free to discuss this with the module leader. The module leader will be happy to help you. 

The title of the module is Understanding Business and as such, you will be introduced to basic concepts in business studies, and explore the nature, structure and ways contemporary business organisations operate. This module will prepare you to become sensitive to the wide variety of issues and topics encountered in business transactions from the perspective of a business professional.

Teaching, learning and assessment on this module will be based on an hour-long lecture and one seminar of 2 hours. You are required to attend all teaching sessions and/or any external visits arranged for you. 

Please note that you will be required to attend these sessions without exception, unless otherwise stated. Failure to do this or to contribute to the module as required in this MSG may result in you being unsuccessful in completing the module. 

For most teaching sessions, you will be required to contribute something to the session based on any tasks that are handed out in class.
The main aims of the module are:
• To explore the nature, structure, and ways of operating businesses
• To introduce students to basic finance mechanics
• To provide an overview and understanding on the main topic issues in human resources management, accounting and finance and marketing
• To relate business functions to the external environment

Learning outcomes to be assessed

1. Describe the inter-relationships between business organisations and the environments in which they operate
2. Analyse how the main business functions operate in practice
3. Identify challenges facing today’s businesses, both small and large 

Assessment task: Essay
Select one organisation listed on the London Stock Exchange FTSE250 index and write an essay which analyses the core functions of a business and describes their importance in the context of the organisation current inter-relationship with its external environment

Assessment task: Case study 
Choose a business organisation and having conducted a SWOT analysis on it write a case study report on your findings. Include a critical evaluation of how the SWOT analysis might be used by the organisation’s senior management. 

This assessment element is to be submitted to Turnitin. You will find a link to the Turnitin Assignment from the Assessments area of the Blackboard course menu. 

You will need to ensure that your assessment is uploaded as a single document, and in the correct format (e.g. a Word document or PDF – the acceptable file formats are displayed on screen when you come to submit via Turnitin). 

When submitting, please enter your student ID number in the “submission title” box. The document itself should contain your student ID number in a header or footer; your name should not be visible on the work. 

Turnitin generates an Originality Report, and you are encouraged to make use of this facility as a support tool to help you ensure the source material in your assignment is correctly referenced before final submission. 

You will be able to submit revised drafts of your work up until the assignment due date. Only the final version will be marked by your tutor.

At the due date and time, no further submissions or changes are possible. Whatever is in the Turnitin inbox at this time will be regarded as your final submission.

Students with an agreed extension or submitting under the 5 Day Rule, should also submit to this assignment inbox.