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BA (Honours) Business Studies With International Development - Learning Outcomes

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Educational aims

The aim of this strand allows you to combine the study of business with international development. The international development component aims to:

  • introduce you to the key concerns and tools of study in contemporary international development and the international system, with a particular emphasis on the ways in which these can be informed by an interdisciplinary perspective (drawing especially on development studies, economics, and politics and international relations)
  • increase and develop your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issues, processes and institutions operating in contemporary international development and the international system in such fields as development, international economics, world politics, the cultural and moral orders, and the field of technology and technological innovation
  • enable you to develop the skills and confidence necessary to make critical, informed evaluations and judgements about questions of international policy
  • provide you with the materials, support, guidance and opportunities you need to develop as an independent learner.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this degree, you will have knowledge and understanding of:

  • the contributions made by the disciplines of development studies, economics, and politics and international relations to the study of international development and the international system
  • key concepts, models, theories and debates involved in the study of international development and the contemporary international system, including the contested nature of such knowledge and understanding
  • a range of agencies, processes, institutions and areas of interaction in international development
  • relevant aspects of current research and scholarship in international development.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

  • define and use key concepts, models and theories from a range of disciplines in order to study international development and the international system
  • interpret, use and present different kinds of evidence to evaluate ideas and arguments
  • compare and evaluate competing ideas and arguments about international development and the international system
  • analyse complex situations, synthesise information, construct reasoned arguments and exercise judgement using concepts, models, theories and evidence appropriately.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of the degree, you will be able to:

  • transfer and use relevant key skills in your workplace and daily life
  • use your knowledge and understanding of international development and the international system in a range of professional, social and public settings
  • make informed, reasoned choices and judgements in matters relating to issues of public action with respect to international development and the international system.

Key skills

On completion of this degree, you will be able to:

  • select, read, summarise and synthesise information from a range of sources, and keep records or notes appropriately
  • express ideas and arguments succinctly and clearly in written form in a coherent and organised manner, with sources referenced appropriately
  • perform basic numerical operations
  • interpret, manipulate and present numerical and statistical information in tables, graphs and diagrams
  • conduct independent research and study to investigate a question or problem
  • analyse tasks and make plans for tackling them that use your time effectively
  • identify and use sources of support and feedback to reflect upon your learning and practice skills.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

Knowledge and understanding are acquired through distance learning materials, including module-specific text materials, study guides, assignment and project guides; by a range of multimedia materials; through work on information sourced outside study materials (whether electronically or otherwise); and through correspondence tuition.

Assessment is by means of tutor-marked assignments and exams. Assessment at Level 3 also includes independent work beyond the provided study materials.

The teaching and learning of cognitive skills is embedded in the content of both modules, where it takes place both within the compulsory modules, and between levels, with the Level 3 module building on the skills developed at Level 2. Assessment is closely linked to skills development. At Level 2, cognitive skills are assessed through tutor-marked assignments and exams and at Level 3 by tutor-marked assignments as well as by means of an end-of-module essay.

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