BA (Hons) Business Management and International Relations (with Foundation Year)

In this module, you’ll be actively engaged with the study of Business and Management, through exploring essential characteristics of organisations in a global context, while assessing the role of management within this. You’ll explore the functions of business and the impact of the external environment on business choices. You’ll also use a variety of media including simulation and published accounts of decisions being enacted by businesses and managers today.

This will equip you with the core concepts required to analyse and research business and management issues. You’ll also develop your academic and employability skills, such as critical thinking, evidenced based decision-making and collaboration.

This module is designed to provide an introduction to the ideas of personal corporate responsibility, sustainability, diversity and criticality that will underpin your professional career. You’ll also practise argument construction and debate in order to use wider thinking.

Upon successful completion of this module, you’ll be able to critically analyse evidence, demonstrate critical awareness to the complexity of diverse global perspectives and construct an argument to an audience.

To give you an understanding of the complex and dynamic challenges of contemporary global labour markets, you’ll explore contemporary issues about work, employment and global labour markets throughout this module. You’ll also investigate the changing nature and organisation of work, inequalities at work, migration and labour mobility, identity at work, and the digital economy. These issues will be examined using a variety of institutional, organisational and individual theoretical perspectives.

From exploring post-industrial work and society within different institutional contexts, you’ll gain a key understanding of issues of diversity and inclusion at work, while gaining the intellectual skills required to critically research and review literature.

In this module you will start to develop the personal and professional skills and mindsets to help you transition into your studies and life at Oxford Brookes. Through this module you will join and help build a student community and together you will review and understand the key topics required for you all to become critical thinkers and to thrive as independent learners.

In this module, you’ll dive into International Relations and its key theories. You’ll explore how International Relations emerges from specific cultural and historic concerns. You’ll gain core analytical skills, as you interpret historical events such as the First World War, decolonisation and the ‘War on Terror’, and use them to explore pressing debates in International Relations.

You’ll learn how International Relations has been shaped as a Western discipline, and how to challenge this by learning about aspects of international relations that have been erased or forgotten, such as colonialism and imperialism. You’ll learn to see International Relations as a rich array of competing stories about our world and what’s possible within it.

In this module, you’ll explore the leading issues of current world politics.

You’ll investigate the key figures, structures and processes in world politics - like states, political economies and multinational societies.

You’ll also analyse concepts such as:

• anarchy
• order
• sovereignty
• conflict and cooperation among states, and non-state figures.

You’ll also investigate the chronic issues of world politics, including:

• gender
• migration
• human rights
• humanitarian intervention
• energy resources and the environment
• development, inequality and poverty.

You’ll explore how different nations manage these issues and what this tells us about international governance.

This discipline-based Module is the first of three action-oriented experiential modules that form a spine of Supportive Challenge learning opportunities which run throughout the programme of study. Through the close analysis of IR and Politics in the media (hence, headlines), you'll learn to link consumption of media to broader global political issues. This first module further supports you in transitioning into university life, developing deeper foundational understanding and application of the subject gained across your first year of study. It importantly enables students to explore their own motivations, aspirations, strengths and strategies for success, resulting in a personal plan of action to maximise the opportunities in and beyond the curriculum.

The module covers various non-profit organisations such as charities and social enterprises, and emphasises the unique aspects of the third sector, which relies heavily on a volunteer workforce. By taking this module, you will gain valuable insights into the day-to-day operations of non-profits and learn how to address strategic issues that these organisations face. Additionally, the module will help you develop both conceptual and practical skills that are essential for non-profit placements, independent study modules, or dissertations.

Overall, you will have a broad understanding of the third sector, its similarities and differences from the private and public sectors, and the opportunities and challenges that come with working in the non-profit sector. By acquiring this knowledge, you can pursue a career in non-profit organisations or become an informed citizen who can contribute to the sector in various ways.

This module focuses on contemporary debates in the field of organisational studies, enhancing your ability to understand and apply organisational behaviour concepts to real-world problems. The module covers core topics, and you will distinguish between individual, group and organisational levels to analyse complex organisational issues. You will also develop an awareness of diverse perspectives, cultures, and values. Additionally, the module facilitates learning in adaptive and collaborative environments, helping you develop independent and self-motivated learning strategies.

After completing the module, you will be well-equipped with the skills and knowledge required to analyse evidence critically and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the field of organisational behaviour and management.

In this module, you’ll get to know the global economy. You’ll investigate how economics and politics shape world affairs in both trivial and profound ways.

In part 1, you’ll gain a strong knowledge of the history of the world economy. You’ll develop key analytical skills, as you explore competing explanations of how it functions. You’ll gain the tools you need to understand the economy’s recent changes.

In part 2, you’ll dig into key debates on how the global economy functions today, including:

• Finance
• Global production
• Trade and international development
• The relationship between the global economy and the environment.

You'll look at the development, application and realities of different research methods in the social sciences. You'll equip yourself with the understanding and skills required to analyse research methods, design, processes and research outcomes. You'll study the methods that social scientists use to gather and analyse ‘data’ or evidence, and evaluate and compare these methods. You'll study the ways that research methods are applied in practice, by drawing upon existing examples of research in social sciences.

You'll also learn how to design their own research project, in preparation for your third-year extended project work. In so doing you'll carefully explore what is appropriate and achievable for your undergraduate research project.

The module covers various non-profit organisations such as charities and social enterprises, and emphasises the unique aspects of the third sector, which relies heavily on a volunteer workforce. By taking this module, you will gain valuable insights into the day-to-day operations of non-profits and learn how to address strategic issues that these organisations face. Additionally, the module will help you develop both conceptual and practical skills that are essential for non-profit placements, independent study modules, or dissertations.

Overall, you will have a broad understanding of the third sector, its similarities and differences from the private and public sectors, and the opportunities and challenges that come with working in the non-profit sector. By acquiring this knowledge, you can pursue a career in non-profit organisations or become an informed citizen who can contribute to the sector in various ways.

This module is designed to provide practical guidance and support in undertaking a placement search, preparing for the placement experience, and succeeding in the modern workplace. Throughout the module, you will develop critical self-awareness and personal literacy skills, enabling you to self-reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses and target your placement search effectively. Additionally, you will also explore methods of effective and targeted placement search, increasing your chances of securing a placement.

In summary, this module is an essential component of your employability journey. By integrating with co-curricular activities, the module provides a holistic approach to employability, ensuring that students have a broad range of skills and experiences to draw upon in their future careers.

Why should we study International Relations? In this module, you’ll get the grip of what International Relations is (IR). You’ll examine the ‘great debates’ in IR - like who is IR for? What is it meant to do? And how do we know when it is successful? Is IR theory a way of looking at diverse societies across the world? Or has it changed? And how have events like 9/11, decolonisation and the dawn of the Nuclear Age challenged our understanding of IR?

You’ll examine why IR theory is a key to understanding international relations. You’ll ask whether International Relations is just about explaining facts. And you’ll explore whether our subjective moods and feelings influence IR. You’ll gain valuable critical skills, as you consider the relationship between theory and practice.

Supply chain management is concerned with managing and controlling the activities along a chain of supply, from procuring materials to delivering finished goods that satisfy customer orders.

This module will help you study, in a global context, the processes necessary to strategically manage the flow of materials and products in order to achieve a competitive advantage. You’ll examine how effective logistics and purchasing systems can become key business enablers. You’ll also look at how the management of international supply chains must form a significant element of the strategy of any organisation operating on a global basis. By the end of the module, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the various threads in a supply chain and that an improved supply chain can be of a significant benefit for a whole business.

This module will help you develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for making effective career decisions and managing your future career development, including transitions into graduate employment, self-employment or further study (including professional training courses) whether in the UK or overseas. In the context of the Business School commitment to responsible management education (PRME), this module will support you in taking an informed and critical view of the current and future world of work and consider your future role and responsibility, not only to yourself but also to others. This module will raise your awareness of the services and support offered by the Careers Service and OBBS WAVES (Work and Voluntary Employment) team. The aim is to encourage you to further develop your career by engaging in placements, internships, volunteering and other extracurricular activities offered by the University.

You’ll look at the environmental sustainability challenges facing society and businesses. You’ll discuss key environmental issues such as:

• global warming
• pollution
• biodiversity loss
• freshwater depletion.

You'll also look at the role of business in causing, as well as responding to, such issues.

You’ll explore macro (economic, policy, governance) as well as micro (organisational and individual) perspectives. You’ll also be introduced to a variety of stakeholder perspectives and frameworks for evaluating business responses. Through the module you’ll develop your key competencies for sustainability that are endorsed by UNESCO (2017) and the QAA/Advance HE (2021). The competencies are:

• systems thinking
• anticipatory thinking
• normative competency
• strategic thinking
• collaborative competency
• critical thinking
• self-awareness
• integrated problem-solving competency.

In this module, you’ll consider the different exchange rate regimes, both in theory and in practice. You’ll also explore theory of international trade, the costs and benefits of protectionism, and national and international measures to encourage competition. You’ll also be able to understand how to prevent anti-competitive behaviour and their rationale, and study the international organisations that control and regulate free trade.

You’ll be able to analyse international data from a variety of sources, and explain international trade patterns including trading blocks and the role of MNCs and FDI.

This module concentrates on developing an understanding of the wider strategic and tactical aspects of analysing corporate performance. In teams, you’ll use a range of IT systems to develop a business intelligence system. And you’ll also explore the nature of decision making in business, from strategic to transaction based decision making, and the role of IT in supporting it.

Upon completion of this module, you’ll develop the necessary skills to analyse both quantitative and qualitative data, while being adept for management decision making.You’ll also have the ability to evaluate appropriate frameworks used for developing business intelligence solutions.

What is security? How can we achieve it? And who should provide it? In this module, you’ll dive into key debates on security, and its definitions. You’ll join policy makers, academics and civil servants as you discuss fundamental issues of security. You’ll explore the different ways we look at security, and the things it protects, for example:

• The nation-state
• The environment
• The economy
• A ‘way of life’.

You’ll also look at the implications of security on peace and current global conflicts, as well as everyday violence and exclusion.

In this module, you’ll have the chance to carry out a work placement closely linked to your International Relations course. You’ll be supported by your module leader to find a placement that meets your needs, and which will support your learning. With a carefully chosen placement, you’ll build on the skills and knowledge you’ve already gained in Year 1, and you’ll also strengthen vital skills for the workplace, like time management, communication and team-working.

Students have found placements in organisations like:

• Asylum Welcome, working with asylum seekers in Oxford
• Viva, an international children’s charity
• Depaul, working with homeless people and immigrants in Paris.

During and after your placement, you’ll:

• create a placement portfolio, recording what you’ve done and achieved
• craft a CV showing your experience
• give a presentation on your placement.

How do we govern the world, when it’s no longer dominated by states and national governments? How do different types of migration shape the movement of people across the world? In this module, you’ll get to understand the key part of international relations - borders and solidarities (groups with a common identity or interest). You’ll explore the various forms of borders and solidarities, including:

• movements across national boundaries
• regional organisations
• trade agreements.

You’ll link them to key forces and events, such as:

• NGOs
• corporations
• colonisation
• refugee movements
• the migrant ‘crisis’.

You’ll gain valuable practical and professional knowledge, as you explore major issues today, and how global governance or migration shape our lives.

In this module, you will explore the history and details of British politics, covering the major events and themes of contemporary British politics.

Examine the complex institutions that make up the British political system and how these have changed over time, including the evolution of political parties and how policy is made by the executive and implemented by the civil service.

You’ll look at political and economic factors side-by-side in how the British state is constituted and how decisions are made. You’ll also cover topics like;

• the changing nature of the British political system
• conceptual approaches to British politics
• the post-war consensus and its end in electoral politics
• declinism
• Britain’s foreign relations and its relationship with Europe.

Equip yourself with the knowledge and critical analytical skills to understand contemporary British politics.

In this module, you will compare and analyse the politics of Russia and Eastern Europe during the 20th Century. You will consider the key features of communist states in the region, with revolution being a major theme. You will understand the cause of revolution in these states, the nature of the Soviet system and it's satellites, and why communism failed here.

On this placement, you will be able to access a 40-52 week work-based learning or placement opportunity to help develop your employability and enterprise skills. You will gain first-hand knowledge and experience of making applications to, and working in, a placement role. You will set your own work-based targets and reflect upon your progress in the role you have on your placement. Halfway through your placement, you will make a presentation to your line manager and placement tutor which summarises your gained knowledge on your placement and the tasks you have/will complete in your placement role.

This is an opportunity for you to study Business topics abroad in order to experience a different national, educational and business culture and to build on your knowledge, understanding, skills and competencies you have acquired during the earlier part of your course. This will help you to develop those skills to a higher level and to acquire new skills. All the topics studied will be relevant to your degree.

You will undertake an international study exchange at a university outside the UK, arranged by the University’s exchanges office. This international study exchange lasts for one academic year and is taken after the conclusion of your second year of studies (Level 5).

This 24-week placement is your opportunity to develop your employability and enterprise skills, within the UK or Europe. You will gain first-hand knowledge and experience of making applications to, and working in, a placement role. You will set your work-based targets and reflect upon your success in your placement role. At the end of the placement, you will make a presentation to your line manager and placement tutor which summarises the knowledge and skills you have developed on your placement.

This module aims to begin to develop Pre-Master’s students’ academic reading, research and critical thinking skills in preparation for postgraduate study and to support the development of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) literacy skills.

The three main purposes of the module are to:

1. begin to develop academic reading skills to prepare for postgraduate study in the UK
2. to begin to develop skills in locating, evaluating and using appropriate sources with appropriate citation, and
3. to begin to develop the skill of responding critically to the content and context of reading.

This module is designed to provide you with a range of benefits to support your development as a successful corporate leader. Through the exploration of contemporary business themes and analysis of current cases, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the external drivers that shape organisational strategy, behaviour, and management. This understanding will enable you to recommend effective policies and strategies that align with stakeholder interests and wider societal responsibilities. Additionally, this module focuses on both national and international levels, which will help provide a global perspective on business themes and their impact on strategy.

By developing cognitive skills such as critical thinking, analysis, creative problem solving, and decision making, you will be better equipped to navigate complex business environments with confidence.

Why should businesses be socially responsible? Why is it our responsibility to make sure others don’t suffer as we make money? In this module, you’ll dive into the different corporate regimes which ensure that we hold businesses to account for their actions. .

Build your knowledge of the theory and practice of career management. You will demonstrate critical insight into your own knowledge, skills and experience and consider how this might allow you to manage your post-graduation career. You will also apply these ideas as you develop and run a learning activity for others.

The Independent Study Module gives you the opportunity to explore a legal topic in greater depth, working closely with an academic whose research interests align with your chosen area. It allows you to investigate issues that go beyond the taught curriculum and develop expertise in a subject that reflects your interests and future ambitions.

You'll build advanced research, analysis and academic writing skills as you engage with legal scholarship, case law and contemporary debates. Students on our named pathways complete their project within their area of specialism, providing an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and showcase their expertise.

Whether you're considering postgraduate study, legal practice or another professional path, the module enables you to pursue an area you're passionate about while developing the independent learning skills valued by employers and researchers alike.

This module is compulsory if studying one of the named pathways.

This module is designed to address our changing world that is facing social and environmental challenges. You’ll develop the capacity to make ethically defensible decisions as members of business organisations and of society in general. You’ll analyse and evaluate the ethical propositions of others. And you’ll evaluate the ethics of different systemic models of production, distribution and exchange.Upon completing this module you will be able to evaluate and apply ethical reasoning to local and global business dilemmas and economic systems, and you’ll be able to evaluate the significance of a range of western and non-western ethical perspectives.

The module covers a multi-disciplinary approach to contemporary issues in entrepreneurship allowing you to develop a well-rounded skill set. Throughout the module, you will learn from experts in the field and gain practical insights into entrepreneurship. You will have the opportunity to engage in practical learning, including research and working within a community of like-minded individuals, enhancing your personal and professional growth. Moreover, emphasis is placed on interaction within a research community, providing you with valuable teamwork and communication skills.

Overall, this module offers you a unique learning experience that combines academic rigour with practical insights, giving you a competitive edge in the job market while developing essential research and self-development skills.

How can we respond to and solve global injustice and the ecological crisis without a world government? How can we resolve issues in international politics which are beyond the limit of individual countries? A global unified approach is critical for success.

In this module, you’ll gain knowledge of the theory and practice of global development, justice and sustainability, and build your analytical skills. You'll take a combined approach of looking at global development and the ecological crisis. You'll examine competing and contrasting perspectives that feature across these global issues. Helping you gain understanding in their global justice implications. Also you'll look at international policy responses and global governance initiatives.

The module aims to develop critical thinking in evaluating the application of change management theory and normative practices to challenges taking place in organisations and wider society. The literature used in the module draws on a breadth of sources including the mainstream and contemporary literature on change management. It aims to increase personal reflexivity and self-awareness.

After completing this module, you will have an understanding of the nature of change and key theories, frameworks, principles and practices relevant for the management and leadership of change. You'll be able to evaluate critically the actions taken by those leading change. You will be better prepared to lead and manage change in your own managerial careers and have an increased awareness of your own potential for ongoing personal development in leading and managing change.

You'll explore socially and environmentally responsible approaches to organisational leadership in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment. You'll be equipped to develop your own innovative leadership approaches based on an understanding of individual and global values, and you'll have opportunities to build on this understanding and create positive impact.

The module is underpinned by the United Nations Principles of Responsible Management Education (PRME) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The module is geared towards employability and career management. Through carbon literacy training accredited by The Carbon Literacy Project, it will equip you with the ‘green’ and ‘socially just’ knowledge for responsible leadership, layered with the skills to notice and build interconnections across organisational roles and functions.

In this module, you'll develop and utilise your research skills and take a deep dive into topics encountered in other elements of the programme through an extended project. You'll either work on a community project or a research dissertation. If you're studying a joint-honours course, you'll have the opportunity to undertake a discipline-specific project or an interdisciplinary project.

In this module you’ll explore practices of conflict management and peacebuilding in societies which experience violent conflict. You’ll cover three key areas;

• conceptualise peace and the causes and dynamics of contemporary conflict
• investigate models of peacemaking
• understand how building a sustainable peace can be achieved by societies emerging from war.

You’ll compare a variety of case studies to draw conclusions about these challenges and processes, alongside analysing current cases of violent conflict, critically evaluating peacebuilding processes and asking questions about the quality of peace that often emerges.

How can we respond to and solve global injustice and the ecological crisis without a world government? How can we resolve issues in international politics which are beyond the limit of individual countries? A global unified approach is critical for success.

In this module, you’ll gain knowledge of the theory and practice of global development, justice and sustainability. And build your analytical skills. You'll take a combined approach of looking at global development and the ecological crisis. You'll examine competing and contrasting perspectives that feature across these global issues. Helping you gain understanding in their global justice implications. Also you'll look at international policy responses and global governance initiatives.

You'll compare and contrast the shifting and different ways in which states respond to terrorism, and you'll critically engage with the idea of counter terrorism; what it is, and its relation to conceptions of the state, security and political violence.

You'll then examine particular moments of counter terrorism practice, going on to consider the similarities and differences in various countries' responses to terrorism. You'll conclude this module by considering how these various responses impact upon both human rights regimes and norms and citizenship rights, behaviours and practices.