Business Innovation in America Study Tour
Duration
- Approximately 6 weeks (including approximately 2 weeks on tour)
Contact hours
- Pre and post departure seminars and tour
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
Prerequisites
50 credit points
Aims and objectives
pre 2020 unit code INB70004
This unit provides a concrete appreciation and understanding of America and the approaches towards doing business and innovation in America. The aim of the tour is to familiarise students with the actual issues, debates touch points of business in America, along with the tolerance for risk and failure and the role of social impact in the US. The tour visits Silicon Beach and Silicon Valley and exposes students to innovation through start-ups, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs and addresses the challenges faced in getting funding and scaling up in business in America.
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Demonstrate advanced and coherent knowledge of the contemporary issues discussed and debated between America and Australia
2. Apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to identify and provide innovative solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence
3. Critically analyse the commercial and political relationships between Australia and America
4. Reflect on and take responsibility for their own learning and self-management processes
5. Communicate proficiently and in a professional manner to a variety of audiences and operate as a member or leader of a diverse team
Further Information
To learn more about the America Study Tour and how to apply, please visit the Faculty Lead Tours page here
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
There are NO timetabled classes for this unit.
Preparatory seminars and participation in briefings pre-departure. Research, presentations and assessment before, during, and after the tour.
Student workload
For all teaching and learning structures (both face to face and online), students are expected to spend an average of 150 hours per unit in total over the duration of the study period
This includes all:
- Scheduled teaching and learning events and activities (contact hours timetabled in a face-to-face teaching space) and scheduled online learning events (contact hours scheduled in an online teaching space), and
- Non-scheduled learning events and activities (including directed online learning activities, assessments, independent study, student group meetings, and research)
To be successful, students should:
- Read all prescribed materials and/or view videos in preparation for each class
- Attend and engage in all scheduled classes (face to face or online)
- Start assessment tasks well ahead of the due date, and submit assessments promptly
- Read / listen to all feedback carefully, and consider it for future assessment
- Engage with fellow students and teaching staff (don’t hesitate to ask questions)
Assessment
Presentations (Individual) 10-20%
Presentations (Group) 10-20%
Assignment (Individual) 25-35%
Project (Individual) 35-55%
General skills outcomes
- Teamwork skills
- Analysis skills
- Problem solving skills
- Communication skills
- Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems
- Ability to work independently
Content
- Innovation in business practices
- Cross cultural business practices
- Foundations of business in the US
- Understanding of trade between Australia and the US
- Understanding of global business practices
- Analysis of future business practices
Study resources
- Reading materials.
Reading materials
Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.