Arab Open University Faculty of Business Studies. Degree Programme In B.A. (Hons) in Business Studies. FBS-Student Handbook

Transcription

1 Arab Open University Faculty of Business Studies Degree Programme In B.A. (Hons) in Business Studies NEW STUDY PLAN FBS-Student Handbook 2008/2009 1

2 Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (AOU) Introduction The B.A. in Business Studies is an undergraduate learning program under the supervision of the Faculty of Business Studies at the Arab Open University. The Faculty of Business Studies assumes the responsibility of preparing, organizing, supervising and monitoring the Business Studies Program. It is also responsible for the changing, adapting and modernizing of the program and its courses, and for recruiting professors, staff tutors and tutors for program implementation purposes. The Business Studies Program aims at preparing professionals to be more effective in the demanding world of modern business. The candidates students and managerial employees will receive education and training in management and in decision-making. Business professionals will be prepared to improve their use of tools needed to make them more efficient and to make their corporations and businesses more productive and competitive domestically and internationally. Objectives and Educational Aims of the Program o To provide its students with high quality distance learning in business, management and decision-making. o To provide its students with the right environment to develop theoretical, analytical and practical competencies that will help them become effective and efficient in the world of Business. To improve the communicative and managerial skills and knowledge of its students to be productive and competitive domestically and internationally. 2

3 Program learning Outcome Knowledge and understanding Economic, Managerial and Concept theories. Sound understanding of business behavior functions in a changing World. Analyze and evaluate changes in the global and domestic economies and how changes can effect business. Describe and analyze economic behavior of households, firms and markets. Teaching, learning and assessment Methods. 1. Teaching and learning: These are informed by the use of written texts, audio-visual materials, Computer & Internet access and TV programmers. Emphasis in teaching is on tutorials, which allow students to "engage in dialogue", develop and negotiate conclusions with others, which is a key component in the acquisition of both subject matter and transferable skills." 2. Assessment TMAs with emphasis on written essays. Projects. Quizzes & Examinations Cognitive Skills-be able to Show a sound understanding of business behavior and functions in a changing world. Use systems thinking to create new systems according to management's needs. Modify and improve existing systems to fit the emerging needs of management. Employ the systems approach to solve and manage complexity Teaching, learning and assessment methods. 1. Teaching and learning Home assignments and activities Tutorials Workshops 2. Assessment TMAs Projects Final exam 3

4 Key skills-be able to Read and study business texts closely and critically. Articulate and understand recent business practices & theories. Exhibit knowledge of a broad range of business courses. Apply research techniques with appropriate literature review, methodology, and data analysis Teaching, learning and assessment methods. 3. Teaching and learning Home assignments and activities Tutorials Workshops 4. Assessment TMAs Projects Final Exam Practical and/or professional skills-be able to: Access electronic data. Plan and present conclusions effectively. Handle information and argument in a self-reflective manner. Study business critically. Provide creative analysis of different business functions. Contribute to the state of knowledge in the specialization by conducting and publishing thorough business research techniques. Teaching, learning and assessment methods. 1. Teaching and learning Tutorial Workshops Practice sessions 2. Assessment Oral Business Assessment Written examinations Written Business repots 4

5 Arab Open University Bahrain Branch BA. IN BASINESS ADMINSTRATION SYSTEM COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Requirement Courses AR111 - Arabic Communication Skills I- 3 Credit Hours - General Course This course aims at consolidating the student's skills and competence in listening comprehension, reading comprehension and writing. It also aims at introducing the students to the basics of Arabic syntax, and literary appreciation. AR112 - Arabic Communication Skills II-3 Credit Hours - General Course This course builds on and extends the knowledge and skills developed in Arabic 111, and introduces the students to different aspects of Arab culture as reflected in the writings of leading figures both old and new. It also trains the students in research methodology, and report writing. EL111 - English Communication Skills I-3 Credit Hours - General Course This is a theme-based integrated skills course which aims to upgrade the student's proficiency level to the extent that he/she can communicate with ease and confidence and utilize English in pursuing his/her university education. EL112 - English Communication Skills II-3 Credit Hours - General Course This course complements and builds upon English 111. It particularly seeks to develop the reading, writing, listening, and study skills which students need in order to meet the demands of distance learning university education. TU170 Learning on line: Computing with Confidence-- Credit Hours - General Course This is a 12-week course that provides an introduction to computing and the on-line world. Students learn about software applications such as word processing, databases and electronic mail. They take part in on-line discussions, search the web and author simple web pages using HTML. This course is taught entirely on-line. The total teaching and assessment material is published on the course web site, to which only registered students have access. Students work both individually and in groups with fellow students on collaborative projects, supported by a personal tutor. GR101 Independent Study Skills-3 Credit Hours - General Course This course aims at helping students develop a wide range of effective study techniques and strategies necessary to help them succeed in their university studies. It focuses on note-taking and making use of different study media, writing reports, using study resource materials and references and preparing for examinations. 5

6 Elective Courses GR111 Arab Islamic Civilization-3 Credit Hours - Elective Course This course introduces the Islamic culture, civilization and its history. It deals with the beginning of Islamic civilization and its development. How did the Islamic civilization grow with the time? What is importance of education in Islam? How does Islam stress on thinking and research? How does Islam encourage learning from nature and wandering on the land of Allah and looking into the nature. How does Islam encourage and support academic research and development in all fields of life? What is political system of Islam? What are the fundamental principles to run and manage a state in Islam? How is the concept of religion and religious life in Islam different from other thoughts? What are outstanding features of social life in an Islamic country and Muslim society? What are the economic philosophy and guidelines of Islam? How was Islamic art considered as the best in medieval period? GR131 Bahrain Branch Requirement-3 Credit Hours - Elective Course Highlight the role of the Kingdom of Bahrain in its local, regional and international levels, through various historical eras, beginning with the Old Ages, through the Islamic era, to the modern era. Also, light the activity of a tribe Alatob, Al-Khalifa and the participation of actor in the events in the history of the Arabian Gulf, which led to a political entity in Bahrain, and to highlight the wise in peace and war, administration and trade, the centre of the midst of international and regional conflicts. (BE 210 BE211 BE 200 ) the course description will be available soon. Compulsory Courses B200 understanding Business Behavior 16 Credit Hours Compulsory Course This course explains how businesses are structured, how they work, how their environments influence them, and how they try to control competitive market pressures. Understanding the complexities and uncertainties of all this is not easy, so the course discusses different approaches and ways of seeing organizations and markets. It enables students to evaluate and use information and theories, thus improving their capacity for rigorous assessment. Finally, the course defines and develops three groups of related business skills: study and presentation, IT, and numeracy. Much use is made of computer conferencing for learning and debate between students and dedicated conferencing tutors. Course tutors are expected to participate. B202- Understanding Business Functions 1 6 Credit Hours Compulsory Course This course develops an understanding of how organizations work through the contributions of five key business functions - human resources, information, marketing, operations, accounting and finance - and how those are integrated. Working with a selection of textbooks, you will look at the key practices of the 'traditional' business functions and the contributions they make to organizations, individually and collectively. Case studies and specially written texts enable you to see the origins, rationale, limitations and strengths of business functions from the perspectives of various stakeholders. You will develop skills in finding and organizing 6

7 information, preparing simple presentations, and using basic software packages and computer conferencing. The student will need a personal computer and access to the Internet. B300 Business Behavior in a Changing World- 16 Credit Hours Compulsory This course is designed to develop an understanding and knowledge of strategic organizational issues and how organizations respond to change in their environments. The course has three main teaching modules: decision-making, strategy and policy. Students look at how organizations make strategic decisions and consider rationality and routines, decision methods and decision processes. They analyze how organizations develop strategy, notions of core competence and strategic innovation. A range of policy and environmental concepts and cases that demonstrate the impact of the macro-environment on organizations are studied. Students are made aware of the boundaries of strategy in terms of relationships between strategy at the level of the firm, the industry, the nation, the region and globally. Three groups of related business skills are developed: study and presentation skills, IT and innumeracy skills, and computer conferencing for learning and debate. Course tutors are expected to participate. B120 An introduction to Business Studies- 8 Credit Hours - Compulsory Course This course will introduce you to the different internal and external elements of a business and help you to understand the context in which a business operates. You will explore the common aims and characteristics of business and what makes them different. Business structures, cultures and functions are identified and the political, social, economic, technological and ethical considerations affecting business are introduced. The course consists of five study books: What is a business?; An introduction to human resources in business; An introduction to marketing in business; An introduction to accounting and finance in business; Other ways of looking at business, plus a Study Companion to guide you through the course. LB160 Communication skills for Business - 8 Credit Hours - Compulsory Course This course is for students of business studies who want to develop specialized reading and writing skills for business study purposes. On the course, students will study a range of business related material that has been especially designed to develop their knowledge and their reading and writing skills. Topics include areas of human resource management; finance and accounting; marketing and a number of business analysis methods. Some of the course materials are authentic texts from the business world, others have been adapted or designed for the course. Different styles of writing from business studies and business are introduced. Through examining successful examples of student writing and work-related documents, and reflecting on what makes these texts successful, students will learn to write case studies, essays and reports. T205 - Systems Thinking : Principles and Practice - 30 points / 8 credit hours T205 helps students make headway with complex situations they meet at work or in the community: 'How could we explore this opportunity?' 'How can I make sense of this 7

8 situation?' 'How could I improve things?' Students learn to explore issues, identify components, analyze interrelationships, develop an overall understanding, and consider intervention possibilities. Cases include topical environmental, organizational and information technology issues to do with e-commerce, the environment, risk management and social support. T306 - Managing Complexity: A Systems Approach - 30 points / 8 credit hours This course is for anyone who wants to learn how to think differently and creatively about complex issues, and to manage them in ways that lead to improvement. We are confronted constantly by images of world as unknowable, random and complex, but are given no means of understanding the complexity or revolving the problems it creates. The systems approach was designed to deal with this. Building on the discontinued course T301 Complexity, management and change, this course applies the most recent and innovative developments in systems thinking to areas such as information systems, organizational change and learning, sustainable development and the environment, and professional practice. Back to Stu. HandBook BAS Program Plan 8