Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2018-2019 (archived)

Module BUSI47H15: Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurial Process

Department: Business School (Business)

BUSI47H15: Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurial Process

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2018/19
Tied to N2P309

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To introduce students to the field of entrepreneurship, including the role it plays in modern economies, the different types of activity contained within the definition, and the main theoretical and analytical approaches used to achieve understanding of the concept and related processes.

Content

  • Entrepreneurship and the economy
  • Entrepreneurial process overview
  • Economic perspectives
  • Entrepreneurial business
  • Sociological perspectives and types of entrepreneur
  • Personality perspectives
  • Cognitive perspectives
  • Organisation context – knowledge and technology-based firms
  • Organisational context – corporate entrepreneurship
  • Organisational context – family firms
  • Organisational context - social entrepreneurship
  • Outcomes – firm and entrepreneur performance

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students should have an advanced knowledge and critical appreciation of:
  • the varying and pervasive role of entrepreneurship within the economy;
  • the different contexts in which entrepreneurs operate, and the characteristics of their activities in each;
  • the approaches developed by researchers in attempting to understand the entrepreneurial process, the decision to engage in it, and the associated outcomes.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module, students should have:
  • a firm academic and empirical understanding of the dimensions and role of entrepreneurship in a modern economy;
  • the ability to interpret and contextualise commentary and analysis relating to the field.
Key Skills:
  • Written communication;
  • practical planning processes;
  • organising and time management;
  • identification/analysis of relevant information resources;
  • group working skills;
  • computer literacy.

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

  • Learning outcomes will be met through a combination of taught input, groupwork and discussion, supported by guided reading.
  • The summative assessment of the module, by group work combined with individual written assignment, is designed to test the acquisition and articulation of knowledge and critical understanding, and skills of application and interpretation within the management context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 8 Weekly 3 hours 24
Preparation and reading 126
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Individual Written Assignment Component Weighting: 75%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Exercise based upon interpretation of practical case study material or question relating to an academic or practitioner debate 2000 words 100% Same
Component: Group Essay Component Weighting: 25%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Group essay on a case study or question relating to an academic or practitioner debate. 1000 words 100% Individual reflective essay (750 words)

Formative Assessment:

Individual written assignment (1500 words). Students also receive feedback on their contributions in class and on a group presentation.


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