Module Information
Module Identifier
IC02030
Module Title
Keys to Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Completion of the IFC Block 1 modules, or an IELTS score of at least 5.0 with no more than 1 score below 5.0, and no score below 4.5
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Presentation Seminar Presentation (10 minutes) | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Essay Essay (2,000 words) | 45% |
| Semester Assessment | Exam Exam (2 hours) | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay Essay (2,000 words) | 45% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Exam Exam (2 hours) | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Presentation Seminar Presentation (10 minutes) | 15% |
Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate, through oral discussion and in written work, an understanding of key concepts and debates in the subject areas covered in the module
Be able to relate the interdependence of the subject areas covered
Utilise case studies and other examples to relate the concepts developed to the 'real world'.
Demonstrate critical engagement with, and understanding of, key contemporary issues in Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting.
Demonstrate an ability to meet the required academic standards in relation to the preparation and presentation of assessed work.
Brief description
The module introduces students to key concepts found in each of the subject areas covered. In this respect, the module aims to familiarise students with the language of Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting. Key areas include the internal and external Business environment, the operation of markets, sources of finance and introduction to accounting methods. The module concludes by considering some of the key contemporary challenges faced by businesses.
Aims
1. To develop student understandings of key concepts in the areas of Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting
2. To introduce students to key theoretical issues and debates
3. To enable students, through case studies and other examples to relate theories to the 'real world'.
4. To develop student engagement with the key contemporary challenges in subject areas covered.
5. To develop independent study skills in research, academic writing, group work and effective note-taking
2. To introduce students to key theoretical issues and debates
3. To enable students, through case studies and other examples to relate theories to the 'real world'.
4. To develop student engagement with the key contemporary challenges in subject areas covered.
5. To develop independent study skills in research, academic writing, group work and effective note-taking
Content
Week 1. How are the subject areas covered in this module related??
Week 2. Introduction to the business environment
Week 3. The internal business environment
Week 4. The internal structure and organization of firms
Week 5. The external environment
Week 6. Markets and their role in Society
Week 7. Demand supply and market equilibrium
Week 8. Elasticity of supply and demand
Week 9. Essay Planning and Writing
Week 10. Basic building blocks of the macro economy
Week 11. The sources of funds and finance
Week 12. Recording business transactions 1–Income statements
Week 13. Recording business transactions 2–Balance sheets
Week 14. Assessment
Week 15. Assessment feedback and re-sit option
Week 2. Introduction to the business environment
Week 3. The internal business environment
Week 4. The internal structure and organization of firms
Week 5. The external environment
Week 6. Markets and their role in Society
Week 7. Demand supply and market equilibrium
Week 8. Elasticity of supply and demand
Week 9. Essay Planning and Writing
Week 10. Basic building blocks of the macro economy
Week 11. The sources of funds and finance
Week 12. Recording business transactions 1–Income statements
Week 13. Recording business transactions 2–Balance sheets
Week 14. Assessment
Week 15. Assessment feedback and re-sit option
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Students will be required to carry out some basic calculations and to use statistical material to support and/or present and argument |
| Communication | Students will learn how to present their ideas both verbally and in writing, and present their arguments most effectively. They will learn the importance of information and clear communication and how to exploit these. They will know how to use the many sources of information available and how to use the most appropriate form of communication to best advantage. They will learn to be clear in their writing and speaking and to be direct about aims and objectives. They will learn to consider only that which is relevant to the topic, focus and objectives of their argument or discussion. This module will particularly test aural and oral communication skills as it involves assessed seminar performance. Students will also be required to submit their essays in word-processed format and the presentation of work should reflect effective expression of ideas and good use of language skills in order to ensure clarity, coherence and effective communication. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | The module aims to promote self-management but within a context in which support and assistance is available from both the convenor and fellow students alike. Students will be expected to improve their own learning and performance by undertaking their own research and exercising their own initiative, including searching for sources and deciding (under guidance) the direction of their coursework and presentation topics. The need to prepare for assessed seminar participation and to meet coursework deadlines will focus students’ attention on the need to manage their time. |
| Information Technology | Students will be expected to submit their work in word-processed format. Also, students will be encouraged to search for sources of information on the web, as well as seeking sources through electronic information sources. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | This module is designed to hone and test skills of use to students in their working lives, particularly in speaking to small groups, listening, thinking and responding to the statement of others. Moreover, writing clearly and concisely as well as using quantitative material is expected in the workplace. Students will be encouraged throughout to reflect on their performance and to consider lessons for future application. |
| Problem solving | Independent work to solve problems is a central goal of the module; the submission of an essay and preparation for seminar discussions will require that students develop independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to: examine case studies; organize data and estimate an answer to the problem; construct alternative solutions; reason logically; construct and apply theoretical models; consider similar cases; look for patterns; divide issues into smaller problems. |
| Research skills | Independent work to solve problems will be one central goal of the module; the submission of an essay and preparation for seminar discussions will require that students develop independent research skills as well as problem solving skills. The ability of students to solve problems will be developed and assessed by asking them to: adopt differing points of view; organize data and estimate an answer to the problem; consider extreme cases; reason logically; construct theoretical models; consider similar cases; look for patterns; divide issues into smaller problems. |
| Subject Specific Skills | |
| Team work | Students will undertake group exercises in the seminars. For many of the topics of this module, seminars will consist of small-group discussions where students will be asked to discuss as a group the core issues related to the seminar topic. These class discussions and debates form a significant part of the module, and will allow students to approach and examine a given topic through team work. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 3