MSc in International Marketing Course Handbook 2015/16 2015 Entry Table of Contents Introduction... 2 Course Outline... 2 Modules and Convenors... 3 Syllabus... 3 Full-time Syllabus... 3 Part-time Syllabus (2-year)... 4 Course Aims... 5 Learning Outcomes... 7 Assessment and Academic Progress... 8 Formal Documentation... 9 Library... 9 PG Assessment Criteria... 10 Transferring to a Different Course... 12 Contact... 12 Student Life Centre... 12 Information in this handbook may be subject to change. This version correct as of September 2015 1
Introduction This handbook summarises the most important aspects of practice and procedure in the management of the Department of Business and Management s postgraduate taught courses, and is designed to provide you with: A clear outline of what you should expect in the management of your degree course; A clear indication of what is expected of you during your time in Business and Management; A convenient source of information about the mechanics of some of the more common administrative procedures used during a student s progress from admission to examination. Message from the Head of Department Welcome to the University of Sussex. I hope that you will enjoy studying with us and that you will learn a lot that will be of use to you moving forward. The modules that you will be taking will be taught by nationally and internationally recognised scholars from around the world and by our network of successful local practitioners. This will enable you to learn about both the theory and practice of your chosen area of study. You should find your studies challenging at Sussex but hopefully also rewarding as they prepare you to make an impact in whatever you choose to do after you complete your degree. You will also be studying with students from different backgrounds and there is a wealth of opportunity to interact with other students on the Sussex campus. I hope that you will take the opportunity to interact with people who are different to yourself and so develop your social skills, so important in global businesses today. I wish you every success in your studies in the Department of Business and Management at Sussex. Prof Sue Newell Head of Department Course Outline The MSc International Marketing contains 150 credits of core modules, and these are: Accounting for Decision Makers (15 credits) Buyer Behaviour (15 credits) Marketing Management (15 credits) Marketing Research (15 credits) Global Marketing (15 credits) Marketing Strategy (15 credits) Research Methods (15 credits) 2
International Marketing Communications (15 credits) Research Project (International Marketing) (30 credits) In addition, you will be able to choose 30 credits (2 modules) from the following list of electives: Change and Leadership (15 credits) Global Business (15 credits) Management, Innovation and Organisational Performance (15 credits) Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility (15 credits) Information Systems and Management (15 credits) International Entrepreneurship (15 credits) International Human Resource Management (15 credits) Strategic Management (15 credits) Business Context in Emerging Economies (15 credits) Business Context in East Asia (15 credits) Business Context in Europe (15 credits) E-Marketing (15 credits) Modules and Convenors You will study five modules in the first term, five modules in the second term and work on your Research Project through the third term. Each module carries 15 or 30 credits; therefore you will study a total of 180 credits through the year. Each module is organised by a module convenor a member of faculty who designs and delivers the module, and manages the assessments. Module material (including a handbook and lecture slides) is provided by the convenor on the Study Direct site. Assessments are held in the same teaching block in which the modules is delivered for coursework, but in the formal assessment block before the start of the next term, for exams. Syllabus The MSc course is taught across the autumn, spring and summer terms as below: Full-time Syllabus Term Status Modules Credits Core Marketing Management (883N1) 15 Autumn Core Buyer Behaviour (888N1) 15 Core Marketing Research (884N1) 15 3
Core Accounting for Decision Makers (733N1) 15 Change and Leadership (715N1) 15 1 of these options Global Business (734N1) 15 Management, Innovation and Organisational Performance (713N1) 15 Core Research Methods (International Management) (742N1) 15 Core Global Marketing (736N1) 15 Core Marketing Strategy (887N1) 15 Core International Marketing Communications (886N1) 15 Strategic Management (730N1) 15 Spring International Entrepreneurship (721N1) 15 1 of these Options Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility (875N1) 15 International Human Resource Management (739N1) 15 Business Context in Emerging Economies (741N1) 15 Information Systems and Management (935N1) 15 Business Context in East Asia (897N1) 15 Business Context in Europe (898N1) 15 E-Marketing (772N1) 15 Sum mer Core Research Project International Management (727N1) 30 Part-time Syllabus (2-year) Term Status Modules Credits YEAR 1 Core Marketing Management (883N1) 15 Autumn Spring Core Buyer Behaviour (888N1) 15 Core Accounting for Decision Makers (733N1) Core Marketing Strategy (887N1) 15 Core International Marketing Communications (886N1) 15 4
Strategic Management (730N1) 15 The Business Context in East Asia (897N1) 15 The Business Context in Europe (898N1) 15 International Entrepreneurship (721N1) 15 1 of these Options Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility (875N1) 15 International Human Resource Management (739N1) 15 Business Context in Emerging Economies (741N1) 15 Information Systems Management (935N1) 15 E-Marketing (772N1) 15 Summer No Modules YEAR 2 Core Marketing Research (884N1) 15 Autumn 1 of these Options Change and Leadership (715N1) 15 Global Business (734N1) 15 Management, Innovation and Organisational Performance (713N1) 15 Spring Core Research Methods (International Management) (742N1) 15 Core Global Marketing Management (736N1) 15 Summer Core Research Project (727N1) 30 Course Aims MSc International Marketing is aimed at postgraduate students who wish to gain a contemporary and forward-looking perspective on approaches to international marketing. Managers need a skillset to enable them to react to the changing world and a vision to interpret the next step for their organisation. In preparing for these challenges, our intensive course is designed to provide students with a profound understanding of marketing within its organisational and international context. It will also help students to build practical marketing and market research skills. The course allows students to specialise in specific marketing fields and other related disciplines. The overall purpose is to provide a vocationally relevant and academically challenging programme in international marketing. 5
The course seeks to: Provide graduates with the knowledge and personal skills appropriate for a career in international marketing, and related areas; Develop specialist skills and knowledge in international marketing and the management of this activity to assist recent graduates, and those already in employment, in embarking or progressing successfully, on their chosen careers. Develop research skills to enable the completion of a Masters project (Research Report) on a topic associated with international marketing. Enable a critical examination of theory, including tools and models used in international marketing in different business, as well as not-for-profit, contexts. Provide students with an excellent learning experience that draws on the research and consultancy of Sussex academic staff, as well as utilising the university's links with business, professional and public sector organisations. Provide a course of study that meets the needs of local, national and international candidates, enabling them to learn by the exchange of experience as well as formal academic study. Provide students with opportunities to enhance their employability by developing life long learning and personal development skills. Produce well-qualified postgraduates who are equipped for and aspire to senior positions. Cause students to reflect upon and develop their own positions in relation to key challenges facing managers. Ensure relevance by utilising and strengthening the School's links with business, professional and non-profit and public sector organisations. 6
Learning Outcomes The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills and qualities in the following areas: Skills Area Learning Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the theories and underlying concepts, tools and models used in marketing practice and illustrate their relevance in a national and international context, and in different organisational settings. Demonstrate understanding of different facets of marketing and indepth knowledge of international marketing through the study of specialist modules and a major project. Show how strategic decision-making within organisations, as a whole, takes place. Intellectual Skills Demonstrate competence in critical reasoning and decision-making. Develop a high level of intellectual, analytical and research skills to make creative contributions to problem-solving in complex, uncertain and evolving contexts. Demonstrate an ability to assess and engage with business and management problem. Develop ability to critique, select and apply appropriate conceptual and performance measurement tools from a range of disciplines, in analysis and resolution of international marketing problems, and justification of strategic marketing decisions. Ability to effectively appraise, and account for, wider organisational management, including economic and financial impacts of marketing and international marketing decisions, which are key to raising marketing s influence and representation in the boardroom. Practical Skills Critically apply models, concepts and theories, in a systematic way, in order to make sound, professional judgements in the working environment. Demonstrate analytical knowledge and skills to critically assess international business environment. Use key analytical and decision-making techniques in marketing to develop and critically appraise marketing strategies and operations, and their resource and performance implications in a national and international context. 7
Transferable Skills Demonstrate creativity, self-direction and autonomy in planning and implementing marketing in the modern organisation. Develop IT and computing, report-writing, presentational, communication, interpersonal and team-working skills. Develop ability to use relevant statistical analyses, interpret and manipulate numerical data. Apply and integrate key skills and competencies by undertaking a major piece of research and writing a research (business analysis) report. Demonstrate creativity, self-direction and autonomy in planning and implementing marketing in contemporary organisations. Produce reports and justify marketing strategies and plans for discussion at Board level. Demonstrate a high level of awareness and sensitivity to different functional priorities, in relation to marketing decision-making. Develop cultural awareness and sensitivity to diversity, in order to work more effectively with counterparts from different countries and functional backgrounds. Assessment and Academic Progress An external examiner, who is a senior academic in another educational institution, reviews all assessed work that contributes to the degree award. Reports on all submitted and assessed work by the external examiner are presented to the meeting of the Progression and Award Board, usually in October or November each year. The external examiner for the International Marketing MSc is Dr Caroline Moraes, of Coventry University. Much information is available on the university website regarding how to study, how you will be assessed, and how your degree is classified and awarded. Writing well and avoiding academic misconduct Plagiarism, collusion, and cheating in exams are all forms of academic misconduct which the University takes very seriously. Every year, some students commit academic misconduct unintentionally because they did not know what was expected of them. The consequences for committing academic misconduct can be severe, so it is important that you familiarise yourself with what it is and how to avoid it. The University s S3 guide to study skills gives advice on writing well, including hints and tips on how to avoid making serious mistakes. You will also find helpful guides to referencing properly and improving your critical writing skills. Make use of the resources there. If you are dealing with difficult circumstances, such as illness or bereavement, do not try to rush your work or hand in something which may be in breach of the rules. Instead you should seek 8
confidential advice from the Student Life Centre. The full University rules on academic misconduct are set out in the Examination and Assessment Regulations Handbook. Formal Documentation The definitive source of information on regulatory matters associated with assessment and classification is published by the Academic Office, and is available here: Examination and Assessment Handbook for Postgraduate Students http://www.sussex.ac.uk/adqe/standards/examsandassessment This is a version of the handbook used by exam board members when making progression and classification decisions. It describes the regulations in formal terms. Library The library has a vast collection of books to support your study. It also gives you access to over 30,000 online journals and 50,000 e-books. To help you find what you need, we have a powerful discovery tool called Library Search. It will provide you with full-text access to our journals and e- books, as well as giving you shelfmarks for our print books and DVDs, to help you to locate them in the library. Our website will link you to Library Search, along with many other pieces of useful information: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/library/. As well as Library Search, the library also has a large number of databases and digital archives specific to Business and Management. To help you find these databases and other resources, we have listed them in our Subject Guide: http://guides.lib.sussex.ac.uk/business_management The library uses an online reading list system for your course materials. You will usually access your reading list from your Study Direct module page, but you can also search for your reading list here: http://liblists.sussex.ac.uk/. We run regular workshops and training sessions to help you find and use the library s resources, carry out effective literature searches and understand how to cite and reference your sources. We also offer online support through our InfoSuss tutorial, which takes you through searching techniques, as well as providing an easy referencing guide: www.sussex.ac.uk/library/infosuss. Support for a wide range of skills, including library and research skills, can be accessed via the Skills Hub. It brings together all the workshops, web resources and services at Sussex that can help you with your academic development: www.sussex.ac.uk/skillshub. 9
PG Assessment Criteria When grading all modes of assessment the marker will refer to the following generic criteria. More specific criteria may be provided for particular modules. Category Mark Check List Description High Distinction 80 + High level of reflective learning Advanced knowledge of subject area Critically reflects on established literature and theory Evidence of extensive or intensive and appropriate data collection and analysis Well researched, written and argued in a compelling manner Extensive research-level references New insights emerging from reading research or student s own experiences The work demonstrates a mastery of the subject that goes well beyond basic reading to critically explore alternative perspectives The argument presented is well developed, complete and coherent, and is written in a compelling manner Perhaps most importantly, an 80+ piece of work is characterised by a spark of creativity, or by new ideas and insights that emerge from the student s reading and experience Distinction 70 79 High level of reflective learning Excellent knowledge of subject area Extensive and appropriate use of literature Evidence of extensive or intensive and appropriate data collection and analysis Well argued Arrives at innovative understanding Merit 60 69 High level of reflective learning Good knowledge of subject area Uses a range of texts not just text books and including refereed journals Evidence of appropriate data collection and analysis Logically structured and argued Demonstrates learning from the project The work demonstrates excellent understanding of the subject that has been gained through a thorough critical analysis of themes and issues It draws effectively on the relevant literature and concepts to build a comprehensive and cohesive argument Work graded at 70 and above is characterised by persuasive reasoning backed up by appropriate illustrative examples The work demonstrates proficient understanding of the subject gained from working with key sources Major themes and debates in the extant literature are recognised and are at least referred to if not taken up completely throughout the project 10
Category Mark Check List Description Pass 50 59 Achieves reflective learning Shows understanding of most of the issues relating to the subject Uses texts and some journals Evidence of appropriate data collection and analysis but these are at the most basic level The arguments developed in the project, the language used and the writing style are competent but are somewhat incomplete in places Marginal Fail 45 49 There is a credible, if poor, attempt at all components of the project Achieves reflective learning but does not grasp any wider perspective of the subject Has read some texts but not really understood the concepts Investigation and analysis falls short of pass standard, but could be raised to this standard if the student applies sufficient time and effort to revise their work The arguments developed in the project, the language used and the writing style are not competent or incomplete Fail 0 44 Fails to achieve reflective learning A major problem in one or more significant areas: literature, methodology, language, etc. Lack of sufficient reading Fails to extend beyond concepts and readings already taught and examined elsewhere Poorly designed and superficial analysis Argument is incoherent and/or inconsistent The work demonstrates a basic competence in the subject It draws on some relevant literature, but provides only a limited critical analysis of this material Examples are used, but without a critical, analytical context The arguments presented have some gaps Work of this grade is characterised by sufficient coverage of the subject, but unsophisticated understanding and analysis The work demonstrates only a limited degree of competence in the subject It has some sense of academic debate and/or rational argument There is a tendency towards reportage rather than any form of interpretation Work of this grade is characterised by just acceptable comprehension in all elements, but the work could be improved to achieve a pass grade if the student puts in sufficient effort The work demonstrates a lack of understanding of the subject There are significant gaps in the interpretation of literature and relevant concepts, and the reasoning presented is flawed, inconsistent, contradictory, or incoherent Unacceptable work is characterised by incompleteness and inadequate comprehension 11
Transferring to a Different Course We hope that you will be happy with your initial choice of degree, but a small minority of students will wish to transfer to another degree. If your chosen new degree is offered by another school then it is less likely that you will be able to transfer. However, if you wish to choose an alternative degree from amongst those offered by the Business and Management Department, then this may be possible, but the change must be completed by Friday 9th October 2015. If you wish to consider transferring to a new degree, please make an appointment with your academic advisor to discuss the options available, as soon as you can. Contact You should also keep in touch with your Academic Advisor, and contact the Student Life Centre for help with any personal issues you face. Your course convenor should be able to help you find an answer to any questions you have during your studies. Other useful contacts: Course Convenor Dr Marv Khammash M.Khammash@sussex.ac.uk ( 01273) 877293 Head of Department Prof. Sue Newell Sue.Newell@sussex.ac.uk (01273) 678266 Business and Management Postgraduate Course Co-ordinators Mr Austin Brown pg-bam@sussex.ac.uk (01273) 872984 Miss Rebecca Renvoize pg-bam@sussex.ac.uk (01273) 873524 Miss Susan Eamer-Tsoureas pg-bam@sussex.ac.uk Student Life Centre The Student Life Centre (SLC) offers information and advice to all Sussex students. Their aim is to help you to gain the best university experience you can, whatever your circumstances, by ensuring if you run into problems you get appropriate guidance and support. The SLC is based on the first floor of Bramber House and is open from 9.00 am 5.00 pm every weekday. You can drop in to see them, call (01273) 876767, email studentlifecentre@sussex.ac.uk or make an appointment just go onto your Sussex Direct site, click on your Study tab and then on Student Life Centre. Amongst the many issues the SLC can help you with are: Personal concerns affecting study progress or well-being; 12
Funding and finance including scholarships, bursaries and hardship funds; Sources of help to improve academic performance identifying obstacles to learning; Understanding university systems and regulations in relation to assessment, services, complaints, conduct, and discipline; Progression, intermission and withdrawal processes - discussion and support; Referrals to other professional services on campus; Mitigating evidence help. 13