Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice
MODULE CODE
CREDIT VALUE
Module Aims
Aim 1
This module is designed to provide an insight into the contradictions, paradoxes of entrepreneurship and to maximise the potential for stimulating students’ entrepreneurial mindsets.
Module Content
The module will use an integrated approach to developing the Entrepreneurial Person by providing students with the opportunity to explore the diverse phenomenon of entrepreneurship as well as by creating a stimulating environment for enhancing entrepreneurial attributes.
The content of the module will be divided into two parts. In the first part of the module students will be encouraged to engage in a variety of critical interrogations of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurialism in order to extend their understanding beyond the mainstream approach to entrepreneurship. These diverse theoretical underpinnings of entrepreneurship will further strengthen students’ understanding of the role of the responsible practitioner in various business and social contexts.
The second part of the module will focus on the practical applications of theoretical frameworks and the tools for equipping students for behaving entrepreneurially. In this part of the module the emphasis will be on developing the key entrepreneurial behaviours and skills and will include amongst others: knowledge, skills and abilities of entrepreneurs, matching entrepreneurial values which individual values, entrepreneurial behaviours in different (outside business) contexts awareness of opportunities and innovation (including creative thinking techniques), generation of credible business idea, managing entrepreneurially. This part of the module is based on the assumption that every student will demonstrate a mix of entrepreneurial potential and also by engaging in various methods of learning this capacity can by enhanced.
By structuring this module in two parts, the students will be able to link theories to practice, identify the relevance of the theories, and understand how the application of those theories will lead to enhanced entrepreneurship.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module, a student will be able to:
Teaching Methods
This module will make use of a range of teaching and learning strategies assisting students with developing their skills as the “Entrepreneurial Person”. Direct theoretical input from the tutor will be limited to the first part of the module in order to familiarise students with key controversies and debates addressing theories of entrepreneurship and innovation. A range of entrepreneurship theories will be presented to the students for critical analysis. The students will develop and enhance their understanding by reflecting on their own contexts and backgrounds; followed by practical application.
In addition, where relevant, case studies, documentary and video material may be used to enhance the learning process. For the remaining part of the module students will be expected to engage in discussions, group work and presentations aimed at enhancing their entrepreneurial attributes. Students’ learning will be supported through interactive workshops, case studies and reflective exercises enabling students to identify and reflect on their own entrepreneurial attributes.
Group work and discussions will be facilitated to encourage application of acquired / enhanced skills and students will have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on discussions and other exercises completed in class. This will enable students to prepare for their summative assessments consisting of a group presentation and an individual essay, each contributing 50% of the overall module grade.
Students will be expected to prepare for every class and the suggested reading materials will be indicated/ provided in advance via Blackboard. The learning from taught sessions will be supplemented by independent study involving reading suggested literature.
Assessment Methods
1. Exam: Weight 50%
2. Group presentation: Weight 50%
To pass this module you must achieve a mark of 50% or above, aggregated across all the assessments.