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AP1SB1-Introduction to Management

Module Provider: Agriculture
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: 4
Terms in which taught: Autumn
Module Convenor: MG Davies
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: m.g.davies@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
To develop students’ broad understanding of the economic, technological and social aspects of management, in the context of how different business operate. Students will be introduced to the environment of management, the management process, and techniques available to and used by managers to plan and operate as a business.

Assessable learning outcomes:
At the end of the module you should have developed the following management and core skills:
Management skills:

  • The management process – appreciate the relevance of basic business concepts (planning, organising, leadership and control), establish and compare alternative business objectives, understand how and why businesses plan and make decisions, apply the concepts of control, recognise the value of leadership and human resource management, and understand differences in organisational structures and behaviour.
  • Marketing – describe the functions of marketing management and its role in business management

    Core skills:
  • Report writing – developing both presentational and analytical skills
  • Analytical thinking – developing numeracy, literacy, reasoning and appraisal skills

    Additional outcomes:

    Outline content:
    Topics covered will include the following:

  • Introduction to management and the management process
  • The managers’ wider environment
  • Planning, setting objectives, and decision making
  • Strategic management
  • Organising, organisational structures and behaviour
  • Human resource management
  • Leadership and functions of leadership
  • Business control and financial management
  • Marketing management

    Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

  • Preparatory lectures – introducing key business concepts and basic techniques
  • Exercises – a series of in class exercises focusing on the students’ characteristics, personalities and business acumen
  • Directed learning – reflecting on your experiences, use will also be made of appropriate websites

    Lectures will include a series of exercises and discussion to reinforce and apply what has been learned. Students will be expected to present their thoughts on selected aspects of the module.

    Contact hours:

      Autumn Spring Summer
    Lectures 20    
    Tutorials/seminars 10    
    Practicals      
    Other contact (eg study visits)      
    Directed learning time (case study report) 50    
    Independent learning time (private study, revision, etc) 20    
    Total hours 100    
           
    Number of essays or assignments 1    
    Other (eg major seminar paper)      

    Assessment:
    Coursework:
    Case studies will be assigned based on the programme that the student is following. Students are expected to produce a written report (advisory guideline 5,000 words, students will not be penalised for exceeding this) (45%). To facilitate the case study work students are required to complete two short answer questions (reflective practice) at the end of each lecture (5%).
    Relative percentage of coursework: 50%
    Penalties for late submission:
    Standard University rule applies: 10% marks deducted for work submitted up to one week late. Work submitted more than one week late will be awarded a zero mark.
    Examinations:
    One hour examination paper in Summer term
    Relative percentage of examination: 50%
    Requirements for a pass:
    40% overall course mark
    Reassessment arrangements:
    By two hour examination in August/September

    Last updated: 23 November 2009

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