Business Management and Spanish & Latin American Studies, _MA

Year 1

Compulsory Courses

Academic Writing for Language & Literature (AW1008)

This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve. It is completed on-line via MyAberdeen with clear instructions to guide you through it. If you pass the evaluation at the first assessment it will not take much of your time. If you do not, you will be provided with resources to help you improve. This evaluation does not carry credits but if you do not complete it this will be recorded on your degree transcript.

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Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)

This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students (and articulating students who are in their first year at the University), is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.

Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.

Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.

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The Economics of Business and Society (EC1006)

15 Credit Points

This course is an introductory course in microeconomics where we study the decision making of individual actors (consumers, employees, firms, governments, etc.) in an economy. Actors must make decisions about behaviours because they face scarce resources, but often they find that trading with other actors in markets can increase the wellbeing of all parties. This course models and examines the nature of these interactions, highlighting when they work well and when they fail to increase wellbeing and what might be the solution to these failures.

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Accounting and Entrepreneurship (AC1515)

15 Credit Points

This is an introduction to accounting which aims to provide an understanding of how organisations – particularly small and medium sized businesses – capture, create and use accounting information both to guide their activities internally within the management function and to communicate their financial performance and position to external users of the accounts. This course allows students to develop practical and analytical skills through a problem-solving approach to accounting-related aspects of business performance reporting and control, particularly in relation to bookkeeping, accounts preparation, budgeting and management accounting.

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Managing Organizations (MS1009)

15 Credit Points

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the fundamentals of management, the internal structure and processes of organisations. Students will understand the main functions of management, what management is, what managers do and the factors that influence behaviour and performance of managers and other employees within an organisation.

The course will introduce a range of theories, research and real-life illustrations of a diverse range of management practices and organisational behaviour. The course will cover areas of: Staffing, Groups and Teams, Leadership and Management, Human Resource Management, Organisational Structure, Culture and Change, Communication, Marketing, Branding and Organisational Processes.

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Optional Courses

Select one of the following options:

Beginner

• Spanish Language 1 (SP1027)
• Spanish Language 2 (SP1528)

Intermediate

• Spanish Language 2 (SP1028)
• Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)

Advanced

• Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)

All options will also select:

• Encountering the Other in Iberia and the Americas (SP1038) AND/OR Latin America: A Cultural History (SP1536)

Plus select further credit points from courses of choice to reach 120 credit points.

Spanish Language 1 (SP1027)

15 Credit Points

This is a fast-paced and intensive language course for students with very little or no previous knowledge of Spanish who have been allocated onto this course by our diagnostic test. It is aimed at students intending to pursue an honours (single or joint) degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies but is also suitable for students on other degree programmes.

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Spanish Language 2 (SP1528)

15 Credit Points

This is a fast-paced language course for students with some previous knowledge of Spanish who have been allocated onto this course by our diagnostic test. It is aimed at students intending to pursue an honours (single or joint) degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies but is also suitable for students on other degree programmes.

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Spanish Language 2 (SP1028)

15 Credit Points

This is a fast-paced language course for students with some previous knowledge of Spanish who have been allocated onto this course by our diagnostic test. It is aimed at students intending to pursue an honours (single or joint) degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies but is also suitable for students on other degree programmes.

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Spanish Language 3 (SP2525)

15 Credit Points

This course follows Spanish Language 2 or can be taken by students who have the required level of Spanish as determined by the diagnostic test (see below).

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Encountering the Other in Iberia and the Americas (SP1038)

15 Credit Points

The course introduces students to colonial encounters ranging from Muslim Iberia to the pre-conquest Americas and continuing into the period of the Spanish Empire. From the nineteenth century, conquest and colonial encounters continued as newly-independent Spanish American states seized indigenous territories, while colonial mentalities re-surfaced in contexts as diverse as the Spanish Civil War and Southern Cone dirty wars. These examples show how colonial encounters helped shape contemporary Spain and Spanish America.

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Latin America: A Cultural History (SP1536)

15 Credit Points

This course will introduce students to Latin American history, culture and society from the pre-Hispanic period to the present through a selection of archaeology, historical and contemporary writings, visual culture and music. All texts studied will be available in English translation.

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Year 2

Compulsory Courses

Marketing (MS2006)

15 Credit Points

This course provides students with an overview of the underpinning concepts of marketing, and the requirements for the development of a market oriented organisation. Specifically introduces the basic concepts of buyer behaviour, market research, the marketing mix and the strategic context of marketing. The linkages between marketing and other key functional areas of management, notably operations and human resource management are highlighted by this course, encouraging the adoption of a systems perspective.

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Operations Management (MS2511)

15 Credit Points

Operations is the part of management that considers processes rather than people and focuses on the organisation rather than its environment.

We study processes and process types: when we produce goods or provide services through projects, jobs, batches or by mass production or mass services. We study layout–how facilities are arranged–, capacity and inventory–how much we can make and when to store–, supply chains, project management, quality and improvement.

The course considers theories such as lean and just-in-time but also practice. You will need a calculator besides the ability to write reports.

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Understanding Statistics (PO2508)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of statistical concepts and methods relevant to accounting, management, finance, real estate and economics. The course is intended to enable students

i) To understand the principles of descriptive statistics, index construction, statistical inference, correlation, regression and time series analysis

ii) To apply statistical techniques to the analysis of accounting, business and economic issues and interpret findings

iii) To identify important sources of data in accounting, business and economics

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Spanish Language 4 (SP2526)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to prepare intending Honours students of Spanish and Latin American Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

The course will develop further Spanish language skills, both receptive and productive. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of audio-visual study and grammatical reinforcement study.

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Optional Courses

Select one of the following options:

Beginner

• Spanish Language 3 (SP2025)
• Spanish Language 4 (SP2526)

Intermediate/Advanced

• Spanish Language 4 (SP2026)
• Spanish Language 5 (SP2531)

Both options will select:

• Spain: Texts and Contexts (SP2538) AND/OR Latin America: Texts and Contexts (SP2036)

Plus select further credit points to a total of 120 credits.

Spanish Language 3 (SP2025)

15 Credit Points

This course follows Spanish Language 2 or can be taken by students who have the required level of Spanish as determined by the diagnostic test (see below).

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Spanish Language 4 (SP2526)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to prepare intending Honours students of Spanish and Latin American Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

The course will develop further Spanish language skills, both receptive and productive. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of audio-visual study and grammatical reinforcement study.

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Spanish Language 4 (SP2026)

15 Credit Points

This course aims to prepare intending Honours students of Spanish and Latin American Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

The course will develop further Spanish language skills, both receptive and productive. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of audio-visual study and grammatical reinforcement study.

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Spanish Language 5 (SP2531)

15 Credit Points

This course follows Spanish Language 4 and aims to prepare non beginners intending Honours students of Spanish and Latin American Studies for their compulsory period abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

The course will develop further Spanish language skills, expanding on the vocabulary and introducing formal documents and letters. Classes on grammatical and linguistic analysis will contribute to the development of both sets of skills. In addition students will complete a structured self learning programme of vocabulary and grammatical reinforcement study.

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Spain: Texts and Contexts (SP2538)

15 Credit Points

This course takes a broad look at different texts spanning from the late 15th century to the present day. We will study these texts in the original language but with the help of English translations, providing a smooth introduction into reading Spanish language literature. The first half of the course concentrates on the late medieval and early modern eras, through two highly entertaining texts: Celestina and Life Is Dream. The second half concentrates on the 20th century through a combination of poetry, short fiction and film.

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Latin America: Texts and Contexts (SP2036)

15 Credit Points

This course uses texts, which can include plays, films, novels, music, letters and an etiquette guide, to understand issues, concerns and themes in Latin American history. The course is organised chronologically and each week classes focus on texts from a particular country as a means to discuss bigger questions, such as how to make a new nation after three hundred years of colonial rule and a decade of warfare, how to demonstrate your honourability in an anonymous city and what cultural models are the best source of inspiration. The course also focuses on 'context' shared throughout Latin America.

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Year 3

Compulsory Courses

This degree is offered as a 5-year option with an integrated year abroad consisting of study or work abroad (Mode A), or a 4-year option, in which students spend their fourth semester on a university exchange abroad (Mode B).

NOTE: If you intend to take your dissertation in Business Management in level 4 you must take MS 3553 Research Methods for Business in level 3.

Spanish Language 6 (SP30A3)

15 Credit Points

This is a core prescribed course open only to Junior Honours Spanish and Latin American Studies students and a selected range of other programmes at the appropriate level. This course aims to enable you to identify and use, accurately, fluently, and with an appropriate level of sophistication, a range of vocabulary and linguistic registers at advanced level.

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Optional Courses

Select further credit points from the level 3 course(s) in Business Management provided below to gain a total of 60 credits in the discipline.

Also, select 45 credits of level 3 courses in Spanish and Latin American Studies.

Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (MS3056)

30 Credit Points

What is Business Ethics and why should we care? There is an impression amongst many that Business and Ethics are opposed ideas. This course seeks to address these issues. Exploring Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, tracing its historical origins through to current practice within organizations and the impact on the wider world. The course covers the fundamental question of what ethics is, granting a context for wider discussion. It looks at why ethics is relevant in the business world today and does so through traditional lectures and interactive learning such as the debates that have proven popular with students.

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New Venture Development (MS3058)

30 Credit Points

Entrepreneurship skills are highly important to current economy and they are required to reach higher levels of economic growth and innovation. It is also widely believed that increased levels of entrepreneurship can be reached through, especially, entrepreneurship education. Therefore, this course help students build fundamental blocks that essential to embarking on an entrepreneurial venture.

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Understanding the Consumer (MS3551)

30 Credit Points

This theoretically informed and practical course aims to explore the key concepts and theories of consumer behaviour. Students will explore: the consumer as an individual (understanding motivations, psychographics, demographics and cognitive processes) and social and group aspects of consumer behaviour (the role of friends, family and reference groups). The course uses interactive lecture sessions and tutorial activities to encourage students to reflect both on theory and their own experiences as consumers. The course will be very useful for those interested in marketing and market research careers.

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Research Methods for Business (MS3553)

30 Credit Points

This course introduces students to what is involved in undertaking research into business phenomena. It introduces philosophical issues in the theory of knowledge, ethical issues in research conduct, and considers quantitative and qualitative methods in turn, addressing issues in sampling and design, details of specific approaches, and considerations in data analysis. The course is taught through weekly lectures and an extended two hour tutorial every fortnight, with two pieces of coursework and a two hour written exam. The emphasis throughout is on understanding the conceptual underpinning of different methods, and their strengths and limitations in research.

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Human Resource Management (MS3554)

30 Credit Points

This course provides an in-depth examination of key theories and concepts in Human Resource Management (HRM) and demonstrates how these concepts can be applied in practice, using relevant case studies. Key themes to be covered include important HRM issues like the link between strategy and HRM, organizational design, team and organizational performance, employee relations, the strategic aspect of compensation and other emerging trends in HRM (life-work balance; virtual organizations and teleworking)

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Year 4

Compulsory Courses

Spanish Language 7 (SP40A5)

30 Credit Points

This is the final Spanish language course within the degree that will provide students with advanced comprehension and writing skills in general and specialised registers.

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Optional Courses

Select one of the following dissertation course options:

• Dissertation in Hispanic Studies (SP4039) AND Business Strategy (MS4536)
• Dissertation in Management Studies (MS4540)

Plus, select further credit points from Honours course(s) in Business Management provided below and level 4 course(s) in Spanish and Latin American Studies to gain a total of 60 credits in each discipline.

Understanding and Managing Change (MS4048)

NOTE: You are required to gain a minimum of 90 credit points from level 4 courses.

Dissertation in Spanish (SP4039)

30 Credit Points

This year-long course unit combines dissertation research with research methods training. The dissertation is a piece of extended independent research (8,000-10,000 words long), structured as a critical evaluation, analysis or argument, about a topic germane to Spanish and Latin American Studies. The topic is chosen by the student, in conjunction with the dissertation coordinator and an individual Departmental supervisor, both of whom approve the topic. Students are encouraged to design their topic building on their previous studies, especially honours courses. The dissertation offers a chance for students to carry out in-depth independent study in Spanish and Latin American Studies, and to acquire and develop valuable research skills. The course begins, in the first half session, with workshops on diverse research methods and the creation of peer support groups. The second half session includes structured meetings with the dissertation supervisor and meetings with the peer support group, as well as independent research and writing.

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Business Strategy (MS4536)

30 Credit Points

This course is about business strategy and covers a broad range of topics that come under the general heading of “Business Strategy” or “Strategic Management”. The course has been designed to help you gain an understanding of the key areas of strategic management including an understanding of: what strategic management is and why it is important; the different types of strategic analysis tools available; the difference between corporate, business and functional strategy; the complex issues associated with the implementation of strategy; the concept of strategic fit; and the role for strategic leadership in shaping and implementing strategy.

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Dissertation in Management Studies (MS4540)

30 Credit Points

Students in this course conduct independent research under the guidance of a supervisor. They can select their own dissertation topic or choose one of a range of topics offered by staff within Management Studies. Students undertake a qualitative and/or quantitative piece of empirical research and produce a dissertation at the end of the process. This course provides them with an opportunity to develop a range of generic and research-specific skills including critical thinking, argumentation, writing, time management, review of literature, research design, and data analysis.

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Understanding and Managing Behaviour in Organisations (MS4053)

30 Credit Points

This course is concerned with managing and understanding organisational behaviour. Organisational behaviour is one of the most complex and perhaps least understood academic elements of modern general management but since it concerns the behaviour of people within organisations it is also one of the most central. This course designed to prepare students for what lies within organisations, thus avoiding the 'reality shock'. The emphasis will be on real-life rather than theoretical examples although wherever appropriate theory will be grounded in practical examples.

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