Module: BMA4000-20 The Business Environment 

Level: 4

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Victoria Opara

Module Tutor Contact Details: v.opara@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module examines the interactions between the external business environment and the business. It aims to provide you with an introduction to the external influences in the business environment. You will be able to identify the key features of the political, economic, social, technological, legal, ecological and competitive forces affecting organisations. You will also gain an understanding of the range of businesses and organisations and how they interact within the various business sectors.

In this module, you will be able to demonstrate the following Graduate Attributes: Internationally networked, by studying alongside students from overseas;

Critical thinkers, able to express their ideas in written and oral form, and possessing information literacy.

2.Outline syllabus:

The module comprises two main sections: The external business environment and types of business organisations and sectors of business. Throughout the module you will engage with case study work, independent research and in-class debate. You will be required to undertake exercises that will challenge you to consider the business in relation to the external (macro) environment and the range of businesses and organisations.

3.Teaching and learning activities:

 Teaching on the module will consist of a 1-hour lecture and a 3-hour seminar each week. The purpose of the lecture is to provide you with a broad overview of the key topics covered within the module. Within lectures you will be expected to take notes and engage, by way of asking and/or answering questions. The learning from lectures will be embedded into seminars. The seminars will be very participative in nature, and we will use a variety of different teaching methods to enable a deeper understanding of all module topic areas.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Group Presentation

• % Weighting: 60%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Reflective Business Performance Report - 1500 words

• % Weighting: 40%