Business Studies Syllabus PDF

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Business syllabus, used for various things...

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Business Studies

Stage 6 Syllabus

June 2010

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Contents 1

The Higher School Certificate program of study ................................................................... 4

2

Rationale for Business Studies in the Stage 6 curriculum ..................................................... 5

3

Continuum of learning for Business Studies Stage 6 students ............................................... 6

4

Aim ......................................................................................................................................... 7

5

Objectives ............................................................................................................................... 7

6

Course structure...................................................................................................................... 8

7

Objectives and outcomes ........................................................................................................ 9 7.1

Table of objectives and outcomes ............................................................................ 9

7.2

Key competencies .................................................................................................. 11

8

Content: Business Studies Stage 6 ....................................................................................... 12

9

Content: Business Studies Preliminary course ..................................................................... 13 9.1

Preliminary topic: Nature of business .................................................................... 13

9.2

Preliminary topic: Business management .............................................................. 15

9.3

Preliminary topic: Business planning..................................................................... 17

10 Content: Business Studies HSC course ............................................................................... 19 10.1

HSC topic: Operations ........................................................................................... 19

10.2

HSC topic: Marketing ............................................................................................ 21

10.3

HSC topic: Finance ................................................................................................ 23

10.4

HSC topic: Human resources ................................................................................. 25

11 Course requirements............................................................................................................ 27 12 Post-school opportunities .................................................................................................... 28 13 Assessment and reporting ................................................................................................... 29

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

1

The Higher School Certificate program of study

The purpose of the Higher School Certificate program of study is to:  

provide a curriculum structure which encourages students to complete secondary education foster the intellectual, social and moral development of students, in particular developing their: – knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes in the fields of study they choose – capacity to manage their own learning – desire to continue learning in formal or informal settings after school – capacity to work together with others – respect for the cultural diversity of Australian society



provide a flexible structure within which students can prepare for: – further education and training – employment – full and active participation as citizens provide formal assessment and certification of students’ achievements provide a context within which schools also have the opportunity to foster students’ physical and spiritual development.

 

4

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

2

Rationale for Business Studies in the Stage 6 curriculum

Business activity is a feature of everyone’s life. Throughout the world people engage in a web of business activities to design, produce, market, deliver and support a range of goods and services. In addition, investors, consumers and employees depend on the business sector for much of their quality of life. As a course, Business Studies is distinctive in that it encompasses the theoretical and practical aspects of business in contexts which students will encounter throughout their lives. Conceptually, it offers learning from the planning of a small business to the management of operations, marketing, finance and human resources in large businesses. Through the analysis of contemporary business strategies the course also provides rigour and depth and lays an excellent foundation for students either in tertiary study or in future employment. Contemporary business issues and case studies are embedded in the course to provide a stimulating and relevant framework for students to apply to problems encountered in the business environment. Students also investigate business planning and use a range of information to assess and evaluate business performance. The role of incentives, personal motivation and entrepreneurship, especially in small business, is recognised as a powerful influence in business success. By completing this course students will develop general and specific skills, including research, analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, critical thinking and communication. These skills enhance their confidence and ability to participate effectively, not only as members of the business world, but also as citizens dealing with issues emanating from business activity. Business Studies fosters intellectual, social and moral development by assisting students to think critically about the role of business and its ethical responsibilities to society. In addition, a significant feature of Business Studies is its relevance to the full range of HSC students, as it provides useful knowledge and competencies for life.

5

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

3

Continuum of learning for Business Studies Stage 6 students

6

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

4

Aim

Business Studies aims to develop knowledge, understanding, skills and values which enable students to make judgements about the performance of businesses in a dynamic business environment.

5

Objectives

Through Business Studies, students will develop: knowledge and understanding about:    

the nature, role and structure of business internal and external influences on business the functions and processes of business activity management strategies and their effectiveness

skills to:   

investigate, synthesise and evaluate contemporary business issues and hypothetical and actual business situations communicate business information and issues using appropriate formats apply mathematical concepts appropriate to business situations

values and attitudes about:   

responsible participation in business activity ethical business behaviour corporate social responsibility.

7

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

6

Course structure

The ordering of the topics in the Preliminary and Higher School Certificate courses is not prescriptive and in practice may be influenced by students’ needs, interests and access to case studies and other resources.

Preliminary course structure (120 indicative hours) Topic

Indicative hours

% of course time

Nature of business

24

20

Business management

48

40

Business planning

48

40

Indicative hours

% of course time

Operations

30

25

Marketing

30

25

Finance

30

25

Human resources

30

25

HSC course structure (120 indicative hours) Topic

8

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

7

Objectives and outcomes

7.1

Table of objectives and outcomes

Objectives

Preliminary outcomes

HSC outcomes

The student develops knowledge and understanding about:

The student:

The student:

The nature, role and structure of business

P1 discusses the nature of business, its role in society and types of business structure

H1 critically analyses the role of business in Australia and globally

Internal and external influences on business

P2 explains the internal and external influences on businesses

H2 evaluates management strategies in response to changes in internal and external influences

P3 describes the factors contributing to the success or failure of small to medium enterprises

H3 discusses the social and ethical responsibilities of management

The functions and processes of business activity

P4 assesses the processes and interdependence of key business functions

H4 analyses business functions and processes in large and global businesses

Management strategies and their effectiveness

P5 examines the application of management theories and strategies

H5 explains management strategies and their impact on businesses

P6 analyses the responsibilities of business to internal and external stakeholders

H6 evaluates the effectiveness of management in the performance of businesses

9

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus The student develops skills to:

The student:

The student:

investigate, synthesise and evaluate contemporary business issues and hypothetical and actual business situations

P7 plans and conducts investigations into contemporary business issues

H7 plans and conducts investigations into contemporary business issues

P8 evaluates information for actual and hypothetical business situations

H8 organises and evaluates information for actual and hypothetical business situations

communicate business information and issues using appropriate formats

P9 communicates business information and issues in appropriate formats

H9 communicates business information, issues and concepts in appropriate formats

apply mathematical concepts appropriate to business situations

P10 applies mathematical concepts appropriately in business situations

H10 applies mathematical concepts appropriately in business situations

10

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

7.2

Key competencies

Business Studies Stage 6 provides a powerful context within which to develop general competencies considered essential for the acquisition of effective, higher order thinking skills necessary for further education, work and everyday life. Key competencies are embedded in the Business Studies syllabus to enhance student learning. The key competencies of collecting, analysing and organising information and communicating ideas and information, reflect core processes of business research and case studies and are explicit in the objectives and outcomes of the syllabus. The principal focus of Business Studies is the development of students’ ability to analyse situations, assess the key problems and propose solutions. This clearly encompasses the key competency of solving problems. Other key competencies are developed through the methodologies of the syllabus and through classroom pedagogy. Students work as individuals and as members of groups to conduct business investigations, and through this, the key competencies planning and organising activities and working with others and in teams are developed. When students analyse statistical evidence, investigate aspects of financial statements and calculate and interpret financial ratios they are developing the key competency using mathematical ideas and techniques. During investigations, students will need to use appropriate information technologies and so develop the key competency of using technology.

11

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

8

Content: Business Studies Stage 6

Structure of the content Each topic in the Business Studies syllabus addresses the knowledge and understanding objectives:    

the nature, role and structure of business internal and external influences on business the functions and processes of business activity management strategies and their effectiveness.

Students address the skills objectives by investigating the following issues:     

competitive strategy coordinating key business functions and resources globalisation role of government corporate social responsibility.

In the Students learn to content students are required to examine contemporary business issues and investigate aspects of business using hypothetical situations and actual business case studies when addressing the Students learn about content. The Preliminary course examines the above with a focus on small to medium enterprises whereas in the Higher School Certificate course the focus is large businesses, many of which operate at a global scale.

12

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

9

Content: Business Studies Preliminary course

9.1

Preliminary topic: Nature of business 20% of indicative time

The focus of this topic is the role and nature of business in a changing business environment.

Outcomes The student: P1 P2 P6 P7 P8

discusses the nature of business, its role in society and types of business structure explains the internal and external influences on businesses analyses the responsibilities of business to internal and external stakeholders plans and conducts investigations into contemporary business issues evaluates information for actual and hypothetical business situations

Content Students learn to: examine contemporary business issues to:    

discuss the global expansion of one Australian business discuss the expansion into Australia of one global business explain how changes in external influences have contributed to the growth of the tertiary, quaternary and quinary industries in Australia identify problems that arise for stakeholders when companies go into liquidation

investigate aspects of business using hypothetical situations and actual business case studies to:   

distinguish between the different types of businesses identify actual businesses at different stages in the business life cycle outline possible business strategies appropriate for different stages in the business life cycle

13

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus Students learn about: role of business  the nature of a business – producing goods and services – profit, employment, incomes, choice, innovation, entrepreneurship and risk, wealth and quality of life types of businesses 



classification of business – size – small to medium enterprises (SMEs), large – local, national, global – industry – primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, quinary – legal structure – sole trader, partnership, private company, public company, government enterprise factors influencing choice of legal structure – size, ownership, finance

influences in the business environment   

external influences – economic, financial, geographic, social, legal, political, institutional, technological, competitive situation, markets internal influences – products, location, resources, management and business culture stakeholders

business growth and decline 

stages of the business life cycle – establishment – growth – maturity – post-maturity

  

responding to challenges at each stage of the business life cycle factors that can contribute to business decline voluntary and involuntary cessation – liquidation

14

Business Studies Stage 6 Syllabus

9.2

Preliminary topic: Business management 40% of indicative time

The focus of this topic is the nature and responsibilities of management in the business environment.

Outcomes The student: P2 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10

explains the internal and external influences on businesses assesses the processes and interdependence of key business functions examines the application of management theories and strategies analyses the responsibilities of business to internal and...