Many writers begin with the short story. Through writing short stories they are able to experiment, learn the fundamentals of narrative composition, and have the satisfaction of completing something to a high standard in a relatively short period of time. The short story form can be the most flexible and satisfying to work with. Shena Mackay likened the short story to a magic box, Hermione Lee described it as being like a polished pebble, and Helen Simpson said that it is like a gin and tonic. What did these writers mean? On this module you will gain an understanding of the appeal of short stories to readers and writers, and the limits and possibilities inherent in the form. The module is designed to introduce you to the work of a range of short story writers, whilst helping you to develop your skills in crafting short fiction. You will be asked to study particular stories each week, but you will also be expected to pursue your own interests in reading. You will be encouraged to “read like a writer” and to reflect on that reading in critical commentaries to accompany your finished work. The skills required for writing short stories are also key to working in other forms, so this module will help you to develop as a writer whatever your plans and ambitions may be.
This module challenges you to critically apply sustainable improvement within a dynamic fashion industry. Emphasizing both traditional and digital processes, the module encourages experimentation to reimagine garment design sustainably, promoting fashion technology and innovation, treasured heritage practices, reduced environmental impact and ethical production. Skills-based workshops and sessions supporting creative design, research and industry insight will prepare you to embrace sustainability to shape the future of the fashion industry.
The Synoptic Examination is intended to allow students to display a broad understanding of the first and second year courses they have already studied and to encourage synthesis between these courses, as well as broad ranging problem solving skills. Students’ studies will be supported by revision lectures - each week one of the lecturers of the core first and second year courses will lead the session. Problem solving sessions will also be included. The course work involves setting your own Synoptic exam questions which will hopefully give new insights into the material taught and the examination process.
The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of consumer behaviour and how knowledge of consumers contribute to organisational strategy.
This module will provide an overview of how to build a digital health intervention for behaviour change.
London is one of the most well-known cities in the world. It has a fascinating history, growing from a relatively small development along the river Thames into the sprawling metropolis we know today. In this module we will explore the history of the city through an examination of some of its most iconic buildings. We will start in 1666, after the Great Fire of London, and journey through the developing city to the present day, ending with the opening of the Olympic Park in 2012. Each week we will focus on a particular building or geographic site, considering its physical location within the capital, the context of its design and construction – why it was built, how it was built, who and/or what it was built for – and then use the building to explore culture and society of the time of its development. We will use maps of London to enable us to situate the buildings, both geographically and historically; examine contemporary reactions to the buildings to gauge the meanings invested in them by specific individuals and groups; and consider visual materials, including prints, paintings, plans and photographs, as a means of interrogating the changing cityscape and the attitudes of contemporaries towards it.
In today's era of "big data", business analytics has become a key part of management decision making. Modern managers must now routinely understand the use and value of both qualitative and quantitative data in order to manage risk more effectively. This module provides an overview of the key analytical tools and techniques to improve decision-making in an uncertain business environment.
Programming is a structured way of giving a computer unambiguous instructions to perform specific tasks. Knowledge and experience of programming not only improves your employability but it also teaches you analytical skills such as breaking down a problem into smaller parts and recognising and reusing previously solved problems. The purpose of this module is to equip you with the knowledge and skills for writing structured computer programs. Although these fundamentals can be achieved using any high level programming language, e.g. Java and Python, the module introduces Visual Basic for Application (VBA) as the introductory language. VBA is a very versatile, event-driven programming language. Programmers predominantly use VBA algorithms to build customized applications and solutions for Microsoft office applications such as MS-Excel, MS-Word and MS-Access to enhance the capabilities of those applications. For example, you can build a VBA algorithm to automate the repetitive task of forecasting future demand for a product upon updating current sales data in Excel. Although the module assumes no prior programming experience, its analytics orientation best suits students who are highly interested in problem solving, have strong analytical skills and are highly numerate. MANG1019 or MANG1007 is a pre-requisite for this module, with a mark of at least 65% being achieved.
This course provides part of the essential knowledge and skills required for conducting the Final Project module in the final year. SAS (Statistical Analysis System) is the leading data analytics software package. This module will cover the fundamentals of SAS base programming. On successful completion of this module, you will be able to use SAS software to read data, access, manage and manipulate ‘big’ data, solve problems, save programs and datasets, use conditional logic, combine files, produce tables and listings of data, and use data analysis techniques. The module will also help prepare you for the SAS Base programming certification.
Programming is a structured way of giving a computer unambiguous instructions to perform specific tasks. Knowledge and experience of programming not only improves your employability but it also teaches you analytical skills such as breaking down a problem into smaller parts and recognising and reusing previously solved problems. The purpose of this module is to equip you with the knowledge and skills for writing structured computer programs. Although these fundamentals can be achieved using any high level programming language, e.g. Java and Python, the module introduces Visual Basic for Application (VBA) as the introductory language. VBA is a very versatile, event-driven programming language. Programmers predominantly use VBA algorithms to build customized applications and solutions for Microsoft office applications such as MS-Excel, MS-Word and MS-Access to enhance the capabilities of those applications. For example, you can build a VBA algorithm to automate the repetitive task of forecasting future demand for a product upon updating current sales data in Excel. The module will also briefly introduce the Python language and illustrate how to transfer VBA programming skills to Python by highlighting differences and similarities between the two languages. Although the module assumes no prior programming experience, its analytics orientation best suits students who are highly interested in problem solving, have strong analytical skills and are highly numerate. MANG1019 or MANG1007 is a pre-requisite for this module, with a mark of at least 65% being achieved.
Within this module you will evaluate the future of Business Marketing for Fashion. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge Business and Marketing strategies. The module is designed to propel you into the forefront of the industry, this module provides a deep dive into essential Business and Marketing theories and principles, infused with the latest trends and innovations shaping the fashion world. Existing theory will be explored, examined and applied as well as new disruptive models that are impacting the fashion sector. The module will investigate Equitable, Diverse, Inclusive and Sustainable frameworks and examine how fashion’s unique position in the global economy is transforming,
This module exposes students to the idea that firms are organisations embedded in societies, thus helping students contextualise the nature, goals, actions, and impact of the organisations of the business world. As such, it helps students build an interdisciplinary intellectual foundation to business as a field of inquiry by drawing on fundamental ideas, theories, and critical debates from the whole social science spectrum (economics, sociology, politics, management, and psychology). In particular, the module explores developments in human thought in relation to the nature of the firm, business behaviour, societal institutions, entrepreneurship, people management, the world of work, and social stratification. It examines debates about the importance of institutions and the state for economic growth and development, and also explores geographical dimensions of institutional and policy diversity. It therefore examines important historical and geographical processes necessary for business operations and economic prosperity. By the end of the module students will have a powerful set of interdisciplinary thinking tools by which to interpret events of the past, the present, and visions of the future. The overarching aim of the module is to establish business management as an intellectually stimulating and liberal subject which affords students a powerful and enlightening understanding of how businesses affect and are affected by society, its people, and its institutions.
Employers appreciate the skills and knowledge that graduates bring to organisations from academic study. However, employers increasingly value graduates who have undertaken a substantial placement as part of their degree. A structured placement provides you with the opportunity to develop your business skills and to gain valuable work experience in your degree, which ensures that upon graduating with a placement you are better prepared for work beyond the University. This module not only provides opportunities for a placement, but it prepares your employability skills and professional profile ready for the application process and the practical experience. It also provides support with a dedicated Placement Advisor, and ensures that you consider your future professional development needs and career pathways.
This module has a very practical focus on the development of effective business plans. The taught content will address what is required in a business plan, including variations that occur across sectors or industries. At the end of the course, learners will be able to write a business plan and deliver a business pitch to potential investors.
The Business Project module forms the third part of the MBA (Mastering Business) and allows students to demonstrate their mastery of business management and leadership in a 'capstone' project for an organisation or business sector. It is an individual and independent project in which students can bring together all their learning on the programme to help solve a chosen business problem or challenge. The Business Project is undertaken in an area chosen by the student and is supervised by a member of Faculty. There is a series of workshops to prepare students for the Business Project, which cover research methods and associated skills such as client management and business planning. The Business Project involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 12,000 word business project describing your work. Essentially, the Business Project is a test of your ability to create and investigate, on your own initiative, a text which demonstrates a Masters level understanding of a particular subject issue. The Business Project acts as a mechanism for you to synthesize your previous learning and ability to conduct an independent piece of work. The module introduces students to business research methods and requires the initial development of a proposal for the Business Project. Once approved, you can then start the Business Project. Completing a Business Project gives you a unique opportunity to undertake an extended piece of personal research on a topic of your own choosing. You will be allocated a supervisor - if possible we will aim to match your research interests with those of the staff within the Business School. Business Projects can take a number of forms, for example: - Empirical work involving quantitative analysis of collected data. - A case study of a particular firm or industry. - Study of a particular problem in an organisation or industry. - A survey of business practice in a particular context. - A business plan which can be used for a new business venture. The Business Project should not exceed 12,000 words overall and includes the following two pieces of assessed work: - Proposal (2,000 words) - Main Project (10,000 words, incl. 1,000 word reflection) The Proposal must be completed and approved before progressing onto the Main Project. As a full-time student, you are expected to complete the taught element of the programme over the course of 9 months. You will work on the Business Project during the summer and it will be submitted during September.
Organisations exist in dynamic environments, which mean that frequent changes need to be made to remain competitive. This requires managers to make important decisions which can ‘make or break’ an organisation. These decisions need to be based on sound evidence and critical analysis in order to ensure that the changes are appropriate and are likely to contribute to an organisation’s success. Subsequently, the need to design, execute and understand the outcomes of research projects is crucial to managers and their organisations. Using a portfolio of innovative content, including online theoretical and practical lectures, supporting workshops, and input from leaders in consultancy and business research, students will become acutely aware of the importance of undertaking research in business, how to design research projects, collect data and undertake analysis. This module will also prepare students with the skills necessary to design and successfully complete their own research project, which will take the form of a dissertation in the final year. Students attending an Erasmus exchange in Part 2, Semester 2 of a programme where this module is compulsory to the programme, are required to study this module during their exchange
Business can be understood narrowly as the part of life in which we exchange services and goods. But in contemporary society, many of us spend a large part of our lives conducting business—either working within firms or for ourselves—and all of us engage in, or are affected by, such exchanges. As business activity shapes our lives in this pervasive way, the ethical questions that that activity raises are relevant to, and important for, us all. These questions take many forms. For example, what are the proper aims of the management of firms? Is it only to maximise returns to their shareholders? Or is it for firms to address broader ethical issues that society faces? Can anything and everything be bought and sold? If not, what restrictions should be imposed? This module will explore some of these questions.
