Sixth Form Course Booklet 2013 - Bromsgrove School

SUBJECT GROUP 3: INDIVIDUALS AND SOCIETIES
Business and Management, SL
The course does not expect or require any previous academic study in the subject. It seeks to develop the abilities to
analyse and evaluate the way individuals and groups interact in dynamic business environments. The focus is on how
business decisions are made and how these decisions impact upon internal and external environments. International
relationships and social responsibilities are increasingly important topics in business and management. Students will
be required to link together the areas of study to encourage them to become better decision makers. The course is, by
necessity, one that focuses on the interdependent world that students live in. Students will need to consider the ethical
impact of any decision made concerning a wide range of stakeholders.
Students must be able to make and analyse business decisions and they will need to develop competence in problem
solving by selecting and interpreting data from a variety of sources, applying appropriate analytical tools, and
recommending solutions by evaluating their quantitative and qualitative implications.
A wide range of texts and materials will be used. There is not a ‘set text’ with several sources being used and
developed. The dynamic nature of the subject material requires updated material. Most of the case relevant material
will be up to date, taken and developed from current topics. Newspapers, magazines, websites, TV etc will all provide
material for further research and study.
Assessment throughout the course will consist of a variety of tasks. Most of the written work will focus on getting
students to analyse and evaluate business situations. This will prepare students for Paper 1 of the external assessment
(40% of the overall assessment). Students will also prepare for the data response elements by making presentations
and discussing business situations. The students are also required to present a 1500 word report based on a real life
business situation. This will allow them to demonstrate their skills and apply them to a business that interests them.
Directed research projects will be set to include Internet searches. Prep tasks will be set on a regular basis to monitor
progress and develop the full range of business and management skills.
Studying the financial and corporate mechanisms of society can lead on to a variety of ToK style discussions and
approaches such as: How can you “know” people? Can you predict human behaviour? Is this true throughout the
world? What relationship should the business world have with ethics and morality? Who should, or does, make those
decisions? How do we know we are doing the right thing?
External Assessment (80%) – written papers
Paper 1 1½ hours (40%)
Four compulsory questions based on a pre-issued case study
Paper 2 1½ hours (40%)
Five data response questions, each based on one or more of the four modules of the syllabus. Three questions are
answered.
Internal Assessment (20%)
A Written Assignment, 1000 - 1500 words, to be internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the
IBO. The Written Assignment must demonstrate the application of tools, techniques and theory to a real business
situation or problem.
For more information contact Mr J M Wingfield
22