SM4004 - Entrepreneurship - Context, Process and Practice

The module encompasses lectures, workshops, directed and independent study through which you will learn ‘for’ and ‘about’ entrepreneurship. Assimilation and critical reflection on knowledge, experience, and practice of entrepreneurship along with the development of entrepreneurial awareness, capability and mind-set through identifying and exploring your own idea underpins the learning and teaching philosophy on this module.

The taught element of the module will be provided through lectures and workshops delivered by staff with research interests in small business and entrepreneurship. This will be supplemented by guest speaker sessions delivered by practitioners who are either small business owners/entrepreneurs or experts in small business support. Lectures will be interactive in nature, drawing upon your own experiences and the directed learning you have undertaken. Throughout, the emphasis will be on high levels of active engagement and participation. Workshop sessions will have an experiential and reflective emphasis, you will engage in practical activities which encourage the application of theory to the real-life planning of your business idea, challenge your assumptions and promote further investigation and research. You will also be encouraged to demonstrate reflective practice and justify your decision-making processes. Learning will also be afforded in these sessions through the development of knowledge sharing dialogues with others on the module.

Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for interactive activities and use of e-learning platforms. Independent learning will centre upon you identifying and pursuing areas of interest in relation to the specialist subject area or by providing deeper/broader knowledge and understanding of the subject through a range of learning activities that might include extended reading, reflection, and research.

The module is supported by a Teaching and Learning plan which outlines the formal sessions, together with the tutor-directed study and independent reading.

You will be supported on this module by the academic staff delivering the timetabled lecture and workshop sessions. Within the workshop sessions on-going tutor-student interactions and discussions around the activities undertaken will support you in the planning of your business idea. Guidance will be given on the nature of work to be undertaken either through the Teaching and Learning Plan or through specific instruction related to a particular task.

The SM4004 eLP site will contain materials and aids related to the formal scheduled teaching sessions which will facilitate your independent study; this will include the recordings of lectures and materials needed in preparation for workshop sessions. The eLP will also signpost you to relevant extracurricular entrepreneurship-related activities which could support the planning of your business idea.

A comprehensive electronic reading list will be provided to support you academically. This list will contain relevant academic books, reports, journal articles and conference papers which will provide helpful guidance in the planning of your business idea as well as theory which will support your reflections.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:

Identify, apply and critically evaluate contemporary practical issues and challenges of starting up and operating a small business and being entrepreneurial. [MLO1]

Demonstrate an awareness of the nature, importance and requirements of the business planning process and the business plan as a work-in-progress to achieve start-up and on-going operations of a small business. [MLO2]

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Communicate the identification and investigation of a business idea and demonstrate the decision making which underpins this. [MLO3]

There are two components of assessment on this module. Both of these assessments are individually based.

Assessment 001 [40%]
Individual presentation. You are required to deliver a three-minute verbal pitch which outlines your initial venture idea. The pitch should be supported by a poster produced to visually depict your idea. This assessment addresses MLO1.

Written feedback on the clarity of the pitch and poster with respect to the communication of the initial idea will be provided. As this component will take place early in the module, the feedback can be used to develop the business idea.

Assessment 002 [60%]

Individual assignment. A 2500 word essay to be submitted at the end of the module and which documents and reflects upon your experience of planning your business idea. This reflective essay requires you to make links between your experience of the business planning process and relevant academic literature and theory. Evidence of the activities engaged in as part of the business planning process should be provided.
This assessment addresses MLO1,MLO2 and MLO3.

Electronic written feedback will be provided on individual work and released through the eLP. Feedback on cohort performance as a whole will also be released through the eLP.

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As a module ‘Entrepreneurship: Context, Process and Practice’ encourages you to learn not just about entrepreneurship but also for it. Blending theory and practice you will be supported to identify and explore your own business idea over the course of the module, practically applying the theories introduced in taught sessions and taking autonomy for planning your idea through research-based learning. Your experiences on this module will assist with the development of entrepreneurial capabilities and mind-set important for effectiveness within new venture creation and employment contexts beyond graduation.