Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description ENI1012 comprises two components: Business 101 (delivered in the first two weeks of term) and Learning Innovation for Enterprise (LIFE) (from Week 3 onwards). Business 101 is an immersive, interdisciplinary introductory experience for all first-year DCU Business School students (750+). Delivered in the first two weeks of term, it uses experiential learning, such as live case studies with actors, VR-based team challenges, and innovative assessment, to move students beyond rote learning toward higher-order thinking, while also supporting early socialisation and their transition to university. Following this, Learning Innovation for Enterprise (LIFE) is a year-long, 10-credit module taken by all first-year DCU Business School students. Beginning in Week 3 of Semester One, LIFE builds on the foundations established in Business 101 by introducing students to how different types of enterprises operate and innovate. The module develops students’ enterprise skills and knowledge through a dynamic mix of lectures, entrepreneurial challenges, teamwork, hackathons, applied projects and guest presentations from industry professionals. Through LIFE, students gain practical insights into the realities of business by examining a wide range of organisational forms, including large corporate enterprises, family businesses, start-up ventures, and social enterprises. They also explore the critical role of innovation, learning how new ideas are developed and transformed into real-world business solutions. The module has received multiple national and international awards for its innovative teaching approach, including the 2022 ECIE Innovation & Entrepreneurship Teaching Excellence Award, shortlisting in the 2022 HE Innovate Awards, the 2020 European Consortium of Innovative Universities Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, the 2020 AACSB Innovations that Inspire Award, and the 2020 DCU President’s Award for Excellence in Team Teaching and Learning. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Explain core business concepts - including revenue, costs and profit - and interpret basic indicators of business performance. 2. Describe key business functions, including marketing, strategy, human resource management, governance, and ESG functions. 3. Explain how businesses are financed, including debt and equity implications. 4. Understand various types of enterprise including corporate enterprise, small-medium sized enterprise, family business, entrepreneurship and start-ups, and social enterprise and reflect on personal career aspirations. 5. Evaluate emerging trends shaping the future of work including AI and technological change. 6. Apply innovation, market-research and idea-generation techniques including design thinking and responsible use of AI tools to solve enterprise challenges and real-world client briefs. 7. Demonstrate effective teamwork and collaboration in group settings. 8. Reflect critically on experiential learning activities including live case studies, hackathon events and entrepreneurship challenges. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Business What is business; the purpose of business; short history of business; different economic systems. Entrepreneurship and key business terms Nature and purpose of entrepreneurship, costs, profits and risks in business. Management The role and objective of managers and human resource management in business; how are employees motivated; recognising employee stress and managing trade unions; how human resource management impacts on business performance. Marketing What is marketing; how is the function of marketing linked with the accounting function; how can a business connect with its customers. Accounting, Finance and Economics What is accounting; difference between financial accounting and management accounting; what do the profit and loss statements, balance sheet and cashflow statements tell the reader. Difference between debt and equity. Teams What are high performing teams, what are virtual teams. Optimising team creativity, communication, and decision making. Future of work and technology What is the future of work and technology. Business 101 Business 101 is an immersive, interdisciplinary introductory experience for all first-year DCU Business School students. Learning Innovation for Enterprise Understand various types of enterprise including corporate enterprise, small-medium sized enterprise, family business, entrepreneurship and start-ups, and social enterprise and reflect on personal career aspirations. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles:
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