BUSINESS SCHOOL

Unit of Study Outline

Unit Code BUSS1001
Unit Title Understanding Business
Semester 1, 2015
Pre-requisite Units:
Co-requisite Units:
Prohibited Units: ECOF1003
Assumed Knowledge and/or Skills:
Unit Coordinator: Marcus O'Connor
Address: Room 213, Storie Dixson Wing(H10), The University of Sydney NSW 2006
Email: marcus.oconnor@sydney.edu.au Phone: 9351 6452
Consultation Hours: Wednesdays 10.30am - 11.30am
Class Day(s): Please go to Blackboard for class times and locations
Required Text / Resources:
Bovee, C. and Thill, J. 2015, Business in Action, 7th edition, Pearson, New York.
This unit of study outline MUST be read in conjunction with
The Business School Unit of Study Common Policy and implementation information that applies to every unit of study offered by the
Business School (http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/policy). All assessment rules, such as standards used, penalties etc, are
covered.
The Business School Student Administration Manual - for information about all processes such as illness, appeals etc (
http://sydney.edu.au/business/currentstudents/student_information/student_administration_manual) When deciding applications and
appeals relating to these matters it will be assumed that every student has taken the time to familiarise themselves with these key policies
and procedures.
The Business School seeks feedback from students and staff in order to continually improve all units offered. For information on previously
collected feedback and innovations made in response to this feedback, please see
http://sydney.edu.au/business/learning/planning_and_quality/feedback/student

1. Unit of Study Information

This unit of study is the first of two junior core units aimed at introducing students to the internal and external
contexts in which business operates in the twenty-first century. It also aims to lay the foundations for effective
communication (written and oral), critical analysis, problem solving, and team work skills, which are essential to
achieving program learning goals. In this unit, students will build an understanding of the dynamics of business
through the lens of the company and its stakeholders. Business ethics is also introduced as key learning goal.

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2. Program Learning Outcomes and Unit Learning Outcomes

The Program Learning Outcomes for this Program are located at
http://sydney.edu.au/business/about/accreditations-and-quality-assurance/AoL/outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes
On the successful completion of the Unit you should be able to:
Apply knowledge of the internal environment of business through the lens
of the major stakeholders of the business.
Apply the argument/counter-argument/rebuttal technique in analysis of
research and business cases.
Apply techniques for analysing business cases and undertaking business
development.
Communicate in an effective manner, both in written form (through an
assignment based on a case study, and through an essay) and orally
(through presentation in tutorials).
Identify and discuss contemporary issues relating to business ethics and
corporate social responsibility.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Business Knowledge
2. Critical Thinking
3. Business Analysis and
Problem-Solving
4. Communication

6. Ethical and Social

Responsibility

3. Assessment
Assessment
Name

Individual/ Assessment
Group
Conditions

Program
Learning
Outcomes
Assessed

Case Study

Individual

Compulsory

1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Essay

Individual

Compulsory

1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Compulsory

1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Compulsory

1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Tutorial
Participation
Individual
including Business
Exercises
Final Exam in
Individual
Exam Period
Academic Honesty

Weight

Due
Time

Due Date

Closing Date

20%

16:00

01-May-2015

11-May-2015

15%

16:00

29 May 2015

09-Jun-2015

N/A

15%

16:00

N/A

N/A

2000
words

50%

Final Exam
Period
Week 4

Final Exam
Period

Length
2000
words
1500
words

For the meaning and operation of this table, see policy information in the box on the front page or click here

Assessment details
Case Study

Task Description
Students are required to write a report on the financial strategic options available for the Healthy Potion case.
The Case Study question will be released on Blackboard.

Assessment Criteria
1. Conforming with instructions (e.g. word length, font, other instructions)
2. Presentation, communication & style (written)
3. Clarity of expression (incl. accuracy, spelling, grammar, punctuation)
4. Referencing
5. Use of literature/ Knowledge of theory
6. Conclusions
7. Analysis

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8. Rationale
9. Critical reasoning / critical thinking

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment
Feedback will be given in accordance with assessment criteria. Written comments will be provided on
Blackboard within 2 weeks of the submission of the Case Study. Proactive response to these comments will
enable students to improve their future ability to analyse and write reports on case studies for the academic
environment.

Essay

Task Description
The Essay will focus on the effectiveness of pay, performance and incentive structures and strategies in
business. It will use a Case Study entitled "Engstrom Auto Mirror Plant: Motivating in Good and Bad Times" as
a fulcrum on which to base ideas and discussion within the essay.
The specific question, the Case Study and further details will be provided on Blackboard.

Assessment Criteria
1. Conforming with instructions (e.g. word length, font, other instructions)
2. Presentation, communication & style (written)
3. Referencing
4. Use of literature/ Knowledge of theory
5. Conclusions
6. Analysis
7. Problem solving
8. Critical reasoning / critical thinking

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment
Feedback will be given in accordance with assessment criteria. Written comments will be provided on
Blackboard within 2 weeks of the submission of the Essay. Proactive response to these comments will enable
students to improve their ability to write essays in the future.

Tutorial Participation including Business Exercises

Task Description
You are required to participate actively in tutorials. Simply attending does not equate to participation and a
mark of zero is possible, despite attendance at all tutorials. You must come ready to be actively involved in
discussion and activities, having completed assigned readings and assignments and having attended the
lecture. The tutorial participation mark will also include 5 marks toward completion of the Business Exercises (NB. all five Business Exercises need to be thoughtfully and satisfactorily completed).

Assessment Criteria
The tutorial assessment criteria will be:
a demonstration of depth of understanding and application of key concepts in a business context,
pre-class preparation for the tutorials,
quality of contribution to tutorial discussion,

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a demonstration of respect for others' points of view, listening to and including others in discussion.
completion of the Business Exercises.

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment
Participation marks will be available on Blackboard within 2 weeks of the end of semester.

Final Exam in Exam Period

Task Description
There will be a three hour final exam during the examination period. The exam will test your knowledge of the
unit content as well as your ability to apply this knowledge to real-world business problems. It will comprise
essay and short-answer questions. Further details will be provided at the end of the teaching period.

Assessment Criteria
The assessment criteria for the exam will be:
well written, structured and argued responses,
summary and synthesis of new knowledge about business that you have gained, including research where
appropriate,
application of key concepts and frameworks in the analysis of the contemporary business environment,
and
an understanding of ethical and social considerations, including tasks completed in during the semester
that relate to ethics.

Feedback - What, when and how feedback will be provided for this assessment
The exam mark will be available on Blackboard within 2 weeks of the conduct of the exam. Students wishing
to receive verbal feedback on their performance will be advised via Blackboard as to the necessary
arrangements for scheduling of feedback.

4. Other Resources for Students

All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available within Blackboard for student use. Please note the
Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every
class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.
Pass Program
Peer Assisted Study Sessions. This program helps to improve students' academic performance providing extra
free learning opportunities with trained student facilitators, including problem solving practice where relevant, in
areas directly related to understanding the unit concepts more thoroughly. Students register for PASS online at:
http://sydney.edu.au/business/learning/students/pass Email all enquiries about the PASS program to:
business.pass@sydney.edu.au

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5. Unit Schedule
Week

List of Topics

Assessments Due

1
2 Mar 2015
2
9 Mar 2015
3
16 Mar 2015
4
23 Mar 2015
5
30 Mar 2015

Introduction to Unit.
Roles and duties in business and management.
Business Systems and Processes
Ownership structures and Entrepreneurship

Business Exercises 1 (March 20 at 4pm)

Business Strategy
Management, Structures and Forecasting

Business Exercises 2 (April 2 at 4pm)

Common week 6 Apr to 12 Apr

6
13 Apr 2015
7
20 Apr 2015
8
27 Apr 2015
9
4 May 2015
10
11 May 2015
11
18 May 2015
12
25 May 2015
13
1 Jun 2015

Accounting, Finance and Banking.

Business Exercises 3 (April 17 at 4pm)

Production and Supply Chain Management.

Employee Motivation and Culture.

CASE STUDY (May 1 at 4pm)

Human Resources and Labour Relations

Business Exercises 4 (May 8 at 4pm)

Marketing - Product and Price

Marketing - Place and Promotion.

Business Exercises 5 (May 22 at 4pm)

Business Ethics

ESSAY (May 29 at 4pm)

Unit review.
Exam preparation.

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