Understanding Entrepreneurship (Online)

Pre-requisites for enrolment

None

Special Information

In order to participate in this online course, students will need access to a computer with a speaker or headphones and an internet connection.

Content of Course

The course is divided into four parts. In the first part, students will explore the foundations of entrepreneurship, including definitions and characteristics of entrepreneurship, entrepreneurial networks, and the context in which they operate. It will also introduce fundamental concepts, such as the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The second part focuses on start-up planning and will introduce several methodological tools such as the Business Model Canvas, bricolage and effectuation. The third part will cover entrepreneurial finance, marketing and intellectual property. The fourth part will provide an overview of processes occurring beyond the start-up phase, such as entrepreneurial growth and exit.

Teaching method(s)

Through lectures and tutorials which connect theory and practice, students will develop a holistic view of entrepreneurship. They will learn to use varied approaches to business model planning to build a simple start-up proposition. These approaches allow students to contextualise the start-up journey within a broader context, identifying other factors influencing the development and financial sustainability survival of a start-up. The tutorials will provide an opportunity for students to work in groups, sharing and learning from their peers in a supportive environment.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Distinguish the different dimensions of the entrepreneurship phenomenon.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of basic concepts of entrepreneurship and their practical implications.
3. Assess the application of varied approaches to business model planning to develop a simple start-up proposition.
4. Demonstrate familiarity with related concepts such as entrepreneurial finance, marketing and intellectual property.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• Ferrier, M., & Mays, E., 2017. Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Rebus Community / Open Textbook Library [Open Access eBook]. Available at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/507 
• Gielnik, M., Cardon, M. and Frese, M., 2021. The Psychology of Entrepreneurship. Routledge [Open Access eBook]. Available at https://openresearchlibrary.org/content/3647b596-39fa-452a-ae96-8b52c85f5f8c 
• Laverty M., & Littel, C., 2020. Entrepreneurship. Houston, TX: OpenStax [Open Access eBook]. Available at: https://openstax.org/details/books/entrepreneurship
• Soltanifar, M., Hughes, M., Göcke, L., 2021. Digital Entrepreneurship: Impact on Business and Society. Springer Nature [Open Access eBook]. Available at https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/47272

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.