Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2020-2021 (archived)

Module BUSI1131: MARKETING PRINCIPLES

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI1131: MARKETING PRINCIPLES

Type Tied Level 1 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2020/21 Module Cap Location Durham
Tied to N201
Tied to N203
Tied to N207
Tied to N509
Tied to N510
Tied to N511
Tied to L103
Tied to L104
Tied to L105
Tied to LMV0
Tied to CFG0
Tied to FGC0
Tied to CFG1
Tied to CFG2
Tied to LA01
Tied to LA02
Tied to LMVA

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • •This module is designed to enable students to understand the key principles of marketing theory and its application in both commercial and non-commercial sectors.
  • This module also aims to provide an introduction to marketing practices, where students will begin to appreciate a critical engagement with relevant academic research and case study material. We will go beyond the sole interest of developing knowledge that enables marketing practitioners to maximise the sales of products and services. Students will critically assess marketing principles and concepts in order to develop critcial thinking in Marketing and a deeper engagement with Marketing studies. As such the module will provide a foundation for further study, and expose students to marketing concepts through the application of case studies as well as up-to-date academic research and practice.
  • The module also aims to provide students with an understanding of how marketing works in practice, taking into account the context (domestic or international), culture, market characteristics and trends.

Content

  • An introduction to the study and practice of marketing
  • Consumer behaviour and decision-making
  • Managing marketing: marketing strategy and planning; segmentation, targetting and positioning; the development of marketing - both academically and professionally; branding; the marketing of products, services and experiences.
  • Distribution and retail
  • Marketing communications: Communications Theory; integrated marketing communications campaigns.
  • Pricing
  • Sustainability and ethics in marketing
  • Market Research

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of core marketing concepts and principles
  • Analyse market opportunities and select and justify appropriate marketing approaches
  • Describe and evaluate marketing tools and analysis
  • Discuss and evaluate the role marketing plays in supporting a brand’s marketing objectives
  • Gain knowledge and understanding of the relationship between marketing and consumer behaviour and evaluate how these are affected by new technology
  • Gain knowledge and understanding of planning aspects of marketing and evaluate the effects of various contexts
  • Gain knowledge and understanding of the link between Marketing and other corporate activities
  • Identify and analyse social and ethical issues relating to marketing policies, procedures and practices
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Have developed expertise in understanding the key marketing concepts and principles
  • Be able to apply marketing concepts and strategies in a dynamic, global, diverse and fragmented business landscape
  • Apply knowledge of the marketing principles in the context of the development of global brands
  • Be able to take a critical perspective towards standard marketing concepts and principles to reappraise their effectiveness and relevance in the light of contemporary marketing issues, including the digitisation of communications technology, the difficulty of enforcing global intellectual property rights, the fragmentation of consumer markets, the cross-border nature of branding, and, especially, the increasingly consumer-driven character of digital marketing activity
Key Skills:
  • Effective written and oral communication skills
  • Planning, organising and time management skills
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • The ability to use initiative
  • Advanced skills in the interpretation of data
  • Advanced computer literacy skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures (L) are used to underpin the knowledge requirements of the module providing students with a sound conceptual and empirical base for further study and will follow a pre-planned syllabus.
  • Seminars (S) will allow students to experience a broader range of thinking on a topic, and to interact with associated subject experts. They will provide an opportunity for smaller-group discussion and exploration of selected topics in greater depth. They may include case studies and presentations and are intended to develop students’ discursive and interpersonal skills. They will also be used as a focus for student-led material to be provided to the module cohort.
  • Independent study (IS), research and analysis underpin students’ written and presented work and develop their ability to think independently, discriminate and use judgment, and assess the relevance and validity of others’ views.
  • Structured reading (SR), in conjunction with lectures, underpins the knowledge requirements of the programme.
  • Case studies (CS) provide students with an opportunity to consider and apply what they have learnt in the context of a particular example. They are intended to develop students’ analytical skills.
  • Reports (R) (whether in written examinations or as assessed coursework) develop students’ ability to communicate clearly, in writing, a coherent argument based on relevant subject-specific knowledge under constraints of length and/or time and (in the case of written examinations) without access to study aids.
  • Group presentations (GP) provide students with an opportunity to consider and apply what they have learnt in the context of a particular issue or problem. They are intended to develop students’ analytical, presentational and interpersonal skills, including working with others.
  • The summative assessment is in two parts; an individual assignment of 1500 words, and a written examination.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 21 1 per week 1 hour 21
Seminars 8 Fortnightly 1 hour 8
Preparation and Reading 171
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group (recorded) presentation 10-12 minutes 100% Individual written assignment 1000 words (same topic as group presentation)
Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual Assignment 2,500 words max 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

Seminar exercises will be used to give students an opportunity to explore, discuss, critique and apply the key marketing concepts, strategies and principles in practice. The main aim of formative assessment is to begin to understand the application of marketing material, to consolidate your knowledge and further develop relevant skills for academic work. Participation in seminars provides an opportunity for formative feedback throughout the module. Students will undertake one formative group presentation assignment during the year, as well as a range of other formative work, which could include self-assessed, online tests, written essays and in-class presentations.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University