Course description
Course Description
This Masters provides a critical perspective on the dilemmas of strategy, effective management and organisation in a changing and complex environment, also looking at governance and the idea of enterprise in the public and not for profit sectors.
Modules and Options
The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.
Stage 1
Compulsory: BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS
Compulsory: ENTREPRENEURSHIP POLICY, CULTURE, AND REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Compulsory: THE MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION
Compulsory: THEORIES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Core: DISSERTATION
Core: GOVERNANCE AND THE PUBLIC AND NON-PROFIT SECTORS
HEALTH ENTERPRISE
LEADERSHIP IN THE PUBLIC AND NON-PROFIT SECTORS
PUBLIC POLICY AN REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
TECHNOLOGY, CREATIVITY AND ENTERPRISE
Teaching and Assessment Methods
A: Knowledge and Understanding
Learning Outcomes
A1 : Ideas, theory and practice of new venture creation and entrepreneurship processes and their application in various organisational scenarios
A2 : The value of entrepreneurship research and application in different private, public and community contexts
A3 : In-depth and critical understanding of key issues including, ethics, entrepreneurship and economic development, the context of entrepreneurship
A4 : Epistemological considerations. In-depth study and critical understanding of the use of data, information and knowledge, and governance and ethical issues in public sector organisations
A5 : Critical understanding of application of theories of entrepreneurship and innovation in different economic contexts and organisational settings
A6 : In-depth understanding of research methods, processes and techniques, and their application for the investigation of new venture creation and growth
A7 : Critical understanding of the application of theoratical concepts in writing a masters level dissertation addressing key topic/issues underpinned by theoretical concepts, as appropriate
Teaching Methods
Directed pre-reading and writing tasks on different aspects of enterprise; lectures;
Discussions with tutors and supervisors on the values, principles and applications of enterprise theory and practice as they apply in the public and not-for-profit sectors;
Directed self-study, observation and reflection of practice; comparative case work in workshops and the classroom; consultation with library materials, projects with public and not-for-profit sector organisations and agencies; presentations of findings related to models, strategies and good practice; examination of critical topics
Informal assessment will be made through oral presentations. Related feedback, coupled with peer group interaction should enable students to explore and augment their understanding of the topics, and develop their presentation skills.
Re: Learning Outcome A7
Self directed study with dedicated supervision.
Assessment Methods
Formal assessment of (A1) to (A6) will take the form of course work assignments (individual assignment) and written examinations.
Re: Learning Outcome A7
Written dissertation proposal, full dissertation, and presentation to an assessment panel.
B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
Learning Outcomes
B1 : Identify, design, develop, create, codify, synthesize and critically review/analyse theoretical and practical arguments on entrepreneurial opportunities, strategies and tools for new venture strategies within the public sector arena, and public policy for new venture creation.
B2 : Identification, evaluation and use of critical theories of information and knowledge, governance and ethics, and its use in entrepreneurial public sector contexts, especially in relation to policy development.
B3 : Construction and use of appropriate methodologies and applied action/experiential learning methods in different entrepreneurial public and not-for-profit contexts, and in leadership roles.
B4 : Assimilation and acquisition of in-depth research based skills for understanding processes of governance.
B5 : Carrying out independent research and formulating coherent and cogent arguments
Teaching Methods
Lectures; workshop exercises, preparation of individual assignments, presentations of assignments to academic and practitioner panels; peer group work; final examination;
Project based work with public and not-for-profit organisations, focusing on innovation and enterprise;
Recommended reading, networking with external communities of practice, peer groups, practitioners; reference to public and private fora.
Development of learning logs from the beginning of the course
Dissertation
Informal assessment will constitute oral presentations Related feedback, coupled with peer group interaction, should enable students to explore and augment their understanding of the topics, and develop their presentation skills
Assessment Methods
Formal assessment of (1) and (3) will take the form of course work assignments and written examinations, with the dissertation providing a further opportunity to assess the range of skills highlighted in (2) and (4). The presentation will conform with the University's policy on oral assessment.
20% of the marks for the dissertation will be awarded for a presentation on the dissertation. This will be presented to the MSc group and the panel of external advisers.
The assessment of the traditional dissertation will encompass examination and evaluation off the student's knowledge of research philosophy and methods in exploring a specific topic. The comprehensive business plan will seek to examine a similar range of research skills as they apply to the development of a business proposition (e.g. the development of a new product, or a case study of the creation of a new organisation).
C: Practical Skills
Learning Outcomes
C1 : Compare and contrast different theoretical and practical approaches to public policy making and strategy development in the not-for-profit sectors, with particular reference to entrepreneurial activity and outcomes.
C2 : Critical comprehension of practical aspects of policy making and their effect on the wider community of end users.
C3 : Development of practical policy development plans affecting specific functions of public and not-for-profit organisations, such as health, social enterprise, economic regeneration and law; the harnessing and development of leadership skills related to the above.
C4 : Development of practical plans and skills for independent research in the form of a Dissertation
Teaching Methods
Directed reading, lectures; review with practitioner advisory group; networking with peers; reference to public and private fora;on-line discussions; formation of teams linked to public and not-for-profit sector organisations; workshops; discussions with tutors and supervisors; projects; opportunities will be provided for self-funded international visits (2-3 days duration);
Routine classroom, management of self-learning, group work and interactions with experts should provide a means for assessment of practical skills acquired by the students
Assessment Methods
Outcomes (1) (2) and (3) will be formally assessed by written assignments; presentations of individual work and written examinations. Learning outcome (4) is assessed by the completion of a dissertation.
D: Key Skills
Learning Outcomes
D1 : Oral and written communication to different audiences in a coherent, cogent and effective manner.
D2 : Use of information technologies including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, statistical and web-based packages to read, download, analyse and evaluate different types of data and information
D3 : Use and manipulate different types of numerical data, solve mathematically based problems, apply and interpret statistical data
D4 : Use and application of analytical, morphological and other creative problem skills
D5 : Understanding and appreciation of different communities of interest, good spoken and written communication skills, empathy and resolution of conflict.
D6 : Work as project management, including time management, critical task prioritisation, meeting deadlines, evaluating self- learning.
Teaching Methods
Public policy and not-for-profit sector strategy development, with respect to effective service delivery, transparent governance and ethical issues; critical understanding of people, organisations and the wider environment; application in international contexts.
Assessment Methods
Learning outcomes (1), (5) and (6) will be assessed by presentations of individual work.
A variety of written coursework assignments will assess (2), (3), (4) and (6)
Written examinations will assess (3) and (4).
