Seminar in Business Economics
Study Board of Business Economics
Teaching language: English
EKA: B100092112, B100092102
Censorship: Second examiner: None
Grading: Approved/Not approved, 7-point grading scale
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Autumn
Level: Bachelor
Course ID: B100092101
ECTS value: 10
Date of Approval: 20-03-2018
Duration: 1 semester
Course ID
Course Title
Teaching language
ECTS value
Responsible study board
Date of Approval
Course Responsible
Offered in
Level
Offered in
Duration
Mandatory prerequisites
Recommended prerequisites
Knowledge of basic models and theories within the subject area(s) of economics and business administration which is in focus in the seminar.
Aim and purpose
The purpose of the seminar is to give the student an opportunity to test and develop his or her competences within one or more key disciplines within business economics. At the same time, it is the aim that the student through the work on the seminar report trains the skills that are important for writing an academic report and thereby develop his or her competences in this area.
The seminar process has two components - a written seminar report and a seminar series. The aim of the written seminar report is to give the student an opportunity to test and further develop his or her skills in one or more of the key disciplines in business economics. At the same time the aim is that the student through the work of the seminar report builds the skills that are important to be able to write an academic report in order to improve his or her competence to do so.
The seminar series consists of four workshops where the students give each other feedback on selected parts of their written material for the seminar report, and a final seminar session where students defend their own seminar and perform a critical evaluation of one of the other seminar reports in the series. The seminar series supports the student in obtaining skills in writing an academic report and trains the student in assessing academic reports prepared by others. Furthermore, it is the aim of the seminar series that students develop their skills in discussion and meeting technique.
The seminar process is a good preparation for the student's later work with the bachelor project. Therefore, it is recommended that students choose the seminar in business economics as an elective activity in the semester before the bachelor project.
Content
The Academic Study Board offers a number of topics within each of the disciplines in business economics. It is also possible for the student to come up with a proposal of a topic. The topic can be the type that entails carrying out a literature review and / or an empirical study based on study of scientific literature. Based on the chosen topic, the specific content and methodology is decided by the student in cooperation with the supervisor.
Learning goals
The aim of the seminar in business economics is that the student in a written seminar report demonstrates the ability to:
- argue for the relevance of, clarify and structure a problem that lies within one or more disciplines in business economics or business administration.
- independently identify and select a theoretical basis which either expands the knowledge acquired earlier in the study programme or is applied to solve a practice related problem.
- describe, explain and analyze key elements of the selected theory and relate these to each other as well as to the specific problem.
- explain and argue for the method used for the collection and analysis of material - be it literature and / or empirical data.
- conclude and put the results into perspective on the basis of the above, including a discussion of theoretical and practical implications
- prepare a written report which in the form and content appears structured, balanced and meaningful to the reader.
Moreover, in connection to the seminar series the student should be able to:
- actively participate in a series of meetings.
- in a good tone participate in a professional and objective dialogue, both in the role of opponent and in defense of his or her own seminar report.
- schedule a meeting where the agenda sets the framework for discussion of significant issues.
- chair a meeting where the significant issues are discussed within the allotted time, so that all relevant parties are given a voice and conclusions are drawn from the discussion.
- assess and discuss their own and others' texts and presentations in a convincing manner.
- evaluate their own and others' analysis, findings and conclusions and, if appropriate, provide alternative options.
Literature
Depends on the chosen problem. Students are expected to search for and, if relevant, make use of scientific literature in addition to the syllabus for the study programme.
Teaching Method
The seminar process has two components: A written part consisting of a written seminar report and an oral part. In both the written and the oral part, students work in groups of min./max. 2-3 people.
The oral part consists of a seminar series that includes four workshops and ends with a seminar meeting during which the student with his group defends his or her seminar to which a group of fellow students (opponents) perform a critical evaluation. In the seminar meeting, the students also have to perform critical evaluation towards a group of fellow students' seminar. Further, they must participate actively in the part of the meeting in which other groups perform critique and defense.
The written part of the seminar course implies that the students, on the basis of a chosen problem within the field of business economics and business administration, independently prepare a seminar report. To support the independent work, guidance is provided. To ensure the viability of the seminar process, the topic for the written seminar report must be approved by a supervisor. Offered items are pre-approved.
The seminar series proceeds as follows:
In mid-September the first workshop takes place in the form of a kick-off meeting where the seminar series instructor informs about the plan for the seminar series and together with the students align expectations. Information about the meeting will appear in the course page in Blackboard.
The second workshop takes place in early October. At this workshop, the students present their problem formulation to the other participants in the seminar series and explain their reflections on the structure of the report, theory and methodology. The seminar series other participants provide feedback. After the workshop, the student thinks about the criticisms advanced and, after consultation with the supervisor, adjusts the structure, theories and method choices.
The student then works on the seminar report until the third workshop which takes place at the end of October. Prior to this workshop, the students select max. 10 pages of text from its preliminary work on the report and upload this in Blackboard for the other participants in the seminar series together with a cover letter explicating possible discussion points. The texts may come from all parts of the product; introduction, method, theoretical background, discussion and so on. At the third workshop, the students typically are at the beginning of the writing process. They therefore can upload text that will probably not be included in the final product or text that is not yet finalized. In the cover letter the students specifies to the other workshop participants what it is in the text that they want feedback on. After the workshop, the student reflects on the feedback and if relevant adapts the text after consultation with the supervisor.
In mid-November the fourth workshop in the seminar series takes place. Prior to this workshop, the students select 10-15 pages of text from their work with the report and circulate this together with a cover letter to the other participants in seminar series. The texts for this meeting will typically be parts of the seminar report's key chapters, such the theory section, the method and analysis parts or the discussion of these. After the workshop, the students reflect on the feedback and if relevant adjust the seminar report and finishes it, so it is ready for delivery end of November.
In mid-December a final seminar meeting attended by all students at the same seminar series takes place (see detailed description below exam form).
The supervisor is assigned by the relevant institute. In order for this to happen, students must fill out a topic selection form per group before the deadline set. The form and deadline information can be found on the education website.
Workload
Scheduled classes:
4 workshops of 2 hours taught by an instructor and a final seminar meeting where the supervisor is present, a total of approximately 10 hours.
In addition, individual guidance conducted by the supervisor. In total 3 hours per seminar group, including preparation and mail correspondence.
Regardless whether the first attempt takes place at the time set for submission for the ordinary examination or at the time set for submission for the reexamination, guidance is given exclusively before the date fixed for submission for the ordinary examination.
____
For an average student it is expected that the workload is distributed as follows:
Independently structured project work: 200 hours.
Guidance (preparation, participation and follow-up): 10 hours.
Seminar Series (preparation, participation and follow-up): 40 hours.
Seminar defense and critical evaluation (preparation and participation): 20 hours.
Total: 270 hours.
Examination regulations
Exam condition - Supervisor agreement
Name
Exam condition - Supervisor agreement
Timing
Supervisor agreement / contract with the working title / problem formulation must be submitted to the supervisor no later than 1 October.
The agreement / contract is approved via the digital agreement form (available at the study programme page on www.sdu.dk under "Seminar in Business Economics".).
The agreement / contract is approved via the digital agreement form (available at the study programme page on www.sdu.dk under "Seminar in Business Economics".).
Tests
Exam condition - Supervisor agreement
Name
Exam condition - Supervisor agreement
Form of examination
Compulsory assignment
Censorship
Second examiner: None
Grading
Approved/Not approved
Identification
Student Identification Card - Date of birth
Language
English
Duration
-
ECTS value
0
Additional information
-
EKA
B100092112
Exam - Seminar report with oral defense and critical evaluation
Name
Exam - Seminar report with oral defense and critical evaluation
Timing
Exam: The seminar report must be submitted no later than Tuesday in week 48 no later than 12:00 (noon).
Final seminar meeting held in weeks 49 - 51.
Final seminar meeting held in weeks 49 - 51.
Reexam: Hand in Tuesday, week 5, no later than 12.00 (noon).
The form for the re-exam can be changed by the study board.
Tests
Exam - Seminar report with oral defense and critical evaluation
Name
Exam - Seminar report with oral defense and critical evaluation
Form of examination
Project report with oral defence
Censorship
Second examiner: None
Grading
7-point grading scale
Identification
Student Identification Card - Date of birth
Language
English
Duration
Ongoing throughout the term.
Deadline for submission: see under Timing.
Deadline for submission: see under Timing.
Length
2 students: Max. 25 pages excluding table of contents, possible summary and appendices.
3 students: Max. 30 pages excluding table of contents, possible summary and appendices.
Assignment handover
Not applicable.
Assignment handin
In SDU assignment in the course page in Blackboard.
ECTS value
10
Additional information
Location: Home assignment / attendance at the university in connection with the final seminar meeting.
Internet Access: Required.
The seminar should be written in groups of 2-3 students. Students who have not found a group will be administratively assigned to a group, to the extent possible within the chosen subject area.
To pass the exam the student must participate in all four workshops and receive the grade 02 or more for the seminar report. The course responsible can decide deviations from attendance at the workshops regarding this requirement based on reasonable cause.
The report must meet the requirements stated in the "Formalities for written assignments in economics and business administration" - available at the study programme page on www.sdu.dk under "Exam".
Supplemental information for the form of examination:
The exam consists of two parts:
Ordinary exam:
1) The written seminar report and workshop attendance.
Ordinary exam:
1) The written seminar report and workshop attendance.
2) Oral defence and critical evaluation:
For the oral defence 30 minutes is for reports prepared in groups of 2 (and in special cases, by a single student) and a further 10 minutes for each additional student. In addition to defending their own seminar, students must take on the role as opponent towards a group of fellow students' seminar. Other participants in the seminars participate in the discussion. The seminar meeting is controlled by the opponent and aims to ensure that problem, analysis and conclusion presented in the seminar are discussed in an objective and professional manner. No later than 24 hours before the seminar defense, the opponent group must upload an opponent paper of 2-3 pages to the course page in Blackboard. The opponent paper must take the form of a notice of meeting and must ensure that the essential problem areas in the seminar report will be discussed at the meeting. Defender's supervisor participates in the session where the seminar is defended.
The overall assessment includes the following elements:
Written seminar report
oral defense
critical evaluation of another seminar report
The grade will be based on extent to which the individual student meets the goals listed under "goals description".
Supplemental information on reexam in same exam term:
Re-examination based on previously filed report in the ordinary examination and attendance at all four workshops in connection with ordinary exam takes places as submission of a revised report, followed by an oral exam in which the student explains the changes made in the report. There is no guidance available for the revision.
Re-examination without prior participation in the ordinary examination and/or insufficient attendance at the workshop is in the form of a written report followed by an oral examination in the same way as for ordinary examination. The length of the report should be 35 pages for a report written by two students and 40 pages for a report written by 3 students. There is no supervision beyond the deadline for submission of the report for the ordinary examination. If only a single student participates in the re-examination, the oral examination will be conducted by the supervisor.
Prerequisites
| Type | Prerequisite name | Prerequisite course |
|---|---|---|
| Exam | B100092112, Exam condition - Supervisor agreement | B100092101, Seminar in Business Economics |
EKA
B100092102
External comment
NOTE - This course is identical with the former course 8210701 Seminar in Business Economics - 10 ECTS.
Used examination attempts in the former identical course will be transferred.
Courses that are identical with former courses that are passed according to applied rules cannot be retaken.
Students who have enrolled for, participated in and/or passed Seminar in Business Economics - 5 ECTS are not allowed to register for / take this course.
The student is automatically registered for the first examination attempt when the student is registered for a course or course element with which one or more examinations are associated. Withdrawal of registration is not possible, and students who fail to participate in an examination have used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.
If a student does not meet the established university prerequisites for taking the exam, he or she has used one examination attempt, unless the University has made an exemption due to special circumstances.