Faculty of Social Sciences

School of Business:

Social Work:

School of Business

The School of Business offers a three-year program in Economics and Business Administration (main instruction language Norwegian), which leads up to the Bachelor degree. Most of the subjects taught in English are offered during the third year, and students should therefore have basic knowledge of Economics and Business Administration corresponding to two years of business studies. Students who are not native speakers of English must also document their proficiency in English by taking either the TOEFL (min. score 170, paperbased) or the IELTS-test (min. score 6.0) or an English test developed by the School of Business, OsloUniversityCollege.

Grades are awarded according to a letter grade system, where A is the best grade and E the lowest passing grade.

Strategic Analysis

ECTS credits: 10

Level: Undergraduate (Intermediate)

Prerequisites: A basic course in Strategic Management

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: Written exam (60%); Portfolio assessment (hand-ins, presentations, individual participation) (40%)

Aims and contents: This course will enable students to understand and analyse strategic competitive positions as well as strategy processes. One area of priority is to gain a deeper understanding of the strategy process, content and context. The purpose is to develop individuals that can hold staff positions or consultants within the areas of strategic analysis, planning and strategy process design. This course will be practical and useful in organizations where organizational change and strategy implementation is a part of the challenge.

Among the subjects treated will be strategic thinking, strategy formation, strategic change, business level strategy, corporate level strategy, network level strategy, the industry context, the organizational context, the international context.

Required reading: De Wit, Bob and Meyer, Ron: Strategy. Process, Content and Context

International Economics

ECTS credits: 10

Level: Undergraduate (Intermediate)

Prerequisites:Basic courses in Economics (micro and macro)

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: 4-hour written exam in December.

Aims and contents: The course provides an insight into the significance that international trade and international economic co-operation have for world economic development. In particular, gains from trade and welfare effects of protectionism are discussed. Economic integration is also covered in some depth, with special reference to Europe. Among the subjects treated will be the classical theory of international trade, modern theories of international trade, trade policy, political economy of protectionism, trade and economic development, economic integration in Europe, theories of the multinational enterprise, international organisations.

Required reading: Salvatore, Dominick: International Economics.

Baldwin, Richard and Wyplosz, Charles: The Economics of European Integration.

Organisation Development and Project Management

ECTS credits: 5

Level: Undergraduate (Intermediate)

Prerequisites: See introduction above

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: A 3-hour written exam in December (50%), term paper (50%).

Aims and contents: The aim of the course is to enable the student to identify needs for change in the public and private sector. Whether the resources are human or material, students will learn to apply techniques and problem solving methods for better development and efficiency. Main themes will be: organisational culture and change, and the concept of cultural mix; the process of innovation, its issues and value creation (productivity); organisational understanding and design; methods and techniques for analysis and problem solving.

Required reading: Frame, Davidson J.: Managing projects in organizations.

International Legal Relations

ECTS credits: 10

Level: Undergraduate (Intermediate)

Prerequisites: See introduction above

Semester: Spring

Assessment: Individual 4-hour written exam in May

Aims and contents: The students will achieve knowledge about the European Union, the European Economic Area and some international business law.

Required reading: Hanlin, James: European Community Law.

International Marketing

ECTS credits: 10

Level: Undergraduate (Intermediate)

Prerequisites: Basic course in Marketing

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: Three-hour individual written exam (60%)

Case analyses (written report and presentation) (40%)

Aims and contents: The course will concentrate on the essentials of international marketing management and focus on subjects like international/regional market environment, internationalisation theories, market selection, information systems and market research, choice of entry mode, strategic alliances, establishment of distribution channels, pricing, organisation of international marketing activities.

Required reading: Albaum, Gerald, Strandskov and Duerr: International Marketing and Export Management.

International Finance

ECTS credits: 10

Level: Undergraduate (Intermediate)

Prerequisites:10-credit basic course in Finance

Semester: Spring

Assessment: A 4-hour written exam in May (75%), term paper (25%)

Aims and contents: The objective of the course is to study and understand how corporate financial management is affected by, and can take advantage of, constantly changing international economic environments. Main themes will be: the international financial environment, theories of exchange rate determination, exchange rate behaviour, exchange rate risk management, short-term asset and liability management and the international monetary system.

Required reading: Madura Jeff: International Corporate Finance

Negotiations and Influencing

ECTS credits: 10

Level: Undergraduate (Intermediate)

Prerequisites: A basic course in Organisation.

Semester: Spring

Assessment: A 4-hour written exam at the end of the course

Aims and contents: The course aims at providing a thorough grounding in the science and practice of negotiation. Students will learn about different types of negotiations and the negotiation techniques to be used in different situations.

The subjects treated will be: distributive bargaining, preparation for negotiation, debate in negotiation, a proposal is not a bargain, bargaining for an agreement, styles of negotiation, rational bargaining, streetwise manipulation, personality and power in negotiation, the need for influence, what is influencing?, building relationships, the currencies of influence, Game, influencing for results, power and influence.

Required reading: Kennedy, Gavin: Kennedy on Negotiation

Kennedy, Gavin: Influencing for Results

Leadership and Personnel Responsibilty

ECTS credits: 5

Level: Undergraduate (Intermediate)

Prerequisites: See introduction above

Semester: Spring

Assessment: 3-hour written exam in May (50%), term paper (50%)

Aims and contents: The objective of the course is to give knowledge about, and to stimulate reflection on, the responsibility of management and staff in private and public organisations. The responsibility to satisfy needs in the local community is also discussed. In addition, the course gives insight into and training in decision-making and in how to handle socio-psychological reactions.

The course will focus on the following subjects: forms of understanding in human interaction; the application of decision-making theories; theories of leadership, motivation and stress; group psychology and conflict resolution; roles and expectations and the understanding of real and “illusionary” changes in the duties of individuals.

English I

ECTS credits: 10

Level: Intermediate / Advanced

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: A 5-hour written exam (50%) and an 25 minute oral exam (50%).

Various written and oral assignments must be approved before the students are allowed to sit for the final exams.

Aims and contents: The main purpose of the course is to improve the students’ ability to communicate in English, both in writing and orally. It will develop the students’ competence in correct and idiomatic usage, and increase their general vocabulary as well as their economic/administrative vocabulary in English. The course will prepare the students to deal with real situations in the business world and challenge their analytical skills.

The study of American society will contribute to the students’ understanding of conditions in various political and social systems.

The course will focus on: communication/business language (case studies); business correspondence; practical language training/grammar; learning economic/administrative terminology; text study; essay writing; American society; oral practice including presentation technique; study of chosen British and /or American works of fiction (novels and/or drama).

Required reading:

Rodgers, D.: Business Communications: Cases 1, 3, 4, 6 & 7

MacKenzie, I.: English for Business Studies: Units 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 19, & 21

Press, Nye, D: Contemporary American Society

Two works of fiction

English I

ECTS credits: 10

Level: Intermediate / Advanced

Semester: Spring

Assessment: A 5-hour written exam (50%) and an 25 minute oral exam (50%).

Various written and oral assignments must be approved before the students are allowed to sit for the final exams.

Aims and contents: As for English I autumn semester, but British society will replace American society.

Required reading:

Rodgers, D.: Business Communications: Cases 2, 5, 6 & 9

MacKenzie, I.: English for Business Studies: Units 1, 2, 3, 7, 12, 14, 15, 16, 26

Sevaldsen, Vadmand, Mustad: Contemporary British Society

Two works of fiction

English II International Business Communication

ECTS Credits: 10

Level: Advanced

Prerequisites: The equivalent of the 10 credit course in English I

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: A 5-hour written exam (50%) and a 30 minute oral exam (50%).

Various written and oral assignments must be approved before the students are allowed to sit for the final exams.

Aims and contents: The purpose of the course is to further develop the students’ knowledge and skills in English so that they can use the language at an advanced level, especially with a view to international operations. In addition, the aim is to develop the students’ skills in communicating, discussing, negotiating, and presenting. The course will also provide an in-depth analysis of economic, political and cultural conditions in major European countries, in the U.S.A. and in Asia. Cross-cultural business communication is also a central topic. Finally, the course strives to provide an increased understanding of British and American fiction.

The contents of the course will be:

English economic and financial terminology, including annual reports and language employed in negotiations.

Translation from Norwegian into English at an advanced level.

Study of and commentaries on business texts.

Detailed study of the British, American, Japanese and Chinese economies and of UK/US foreign policy.

International relations: e.g. the European Union, NATO, WTO and relations between Europe and the U.S.A.

Globalisation and its effects.

Comparative analysis of various business cultures.

Essay writing about topics from international politics, economy and business cultures.

Study of three works of fiction in English.

Oral practice, for instance in connection with negotiations and other cases.

Individual and group presentations.

Required reading:

MacKenzie: English for Business Studies

Rodgers: Business Communications

Gesteland: Cross-Cultural Business Behavior

A compendium of Interntional Relations

Three works of fiction

French

ECTS Credits: 10

Level: Intermediate

Prerequisites: About 300 teaching hours of French or equivalent

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: Written exam

Various written and oral assignments must be approved before the students are allowed to sit for the final exams.

Aims and contents: The course will strengthen the students’ ability to understand and employ oral and written French, both in everyday situations and in working life. The course will focus on grammar and oral/written exercises and text reading.

Master courses (graduate level) offered at the School of Business:

Please note that OUC does not offer a full Masters degree in Business Administration. For further information, please refer to our webpage (http://www.hio.no/content/view/full/33244)

Strategy Formation

ECTS Credits: 10

Level: Graduate

Prerequisites: In-depth knowledge of strategic management from Bachelor degree or equivalent

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: Term paper (60%) and portfolio assessment (40%)

Aims and contents: The course will be focused around some key challenges in strategic management. Some of the main questions will be: How is strategy developed? How can strategy formation be improved in various firms? How does strategy formation influence resource allocation, organization and leadership issues? Other topics for discussion will be in connection with planning or emergence, macro or micro strategy orientation, symbolism or value chains, portfolio strategies or small decisions in our daily lives and where strategy as research area will move in the future.

One of the main focuses of the course will be to discuss how we can create more effective strategies. An introductory part will be devoted to discussing various forms of strategies, how they take form, their strengths and weaknesses as well as their potential.

The course will also be directed towards capturing the development within strategy process research. The learning focus will be to develop research-based insight that can be applied in various positions, from line manager, support staff to top management. Also, the ambition will be to motivate for future research in the field of strategic management. Thus, the aim of the course is both to provide better understanding of the theoretical foundations and dilemmas in strategy formation and to give insight into the practitioner’s world.

Internationalization of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

ECTS credits: 10

Level: Graduate

Prerequisites: Bachelor degree in Business Administration or equivalent

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: Written exam at the end of the course. Written case analyses, literature reviews and oral presentations must be approved by the course instructor before the student is allowed to sit for the exam.

Aims and contents: This course aims at providing the students with a more in-depth understanding of the processes by which firms go international, with a special focus on international new ventures. The background is that companies that operate internationally, from an early stage in their development are emerging in substantial numbers worldwide. They have come of age during the current era of globalization and advanced technologies. The smaller size typical of young firms appears to confer a sort of flexibility that provides key benefits for succeeding in foreign markets.

The course will focus on the internationalization process and the effects of the increased global environment. It will introduce the main internationalization theories, e.g. transaction cost theory, eclectic theory, process theories and the network theory.

Required reading: Zimmerer, Scarborough: Essentials of entrepreneurship and small business management

School of Social work:

Child Welfare and Creative Methods in Social Work

ECTS credits: 20

Level: Undergraduate

Prerequisites: Students must be enrolled in a Bachelor degree programme in one of the following studies; social science, applied social science, social work, child welfare, child welfare pedagogy, education, social or cultural studies, or any other closely related Bachelor degree study programme. Students must have successfully fulfilled at least one year of the aforementioned programme.

Semester: Autumn

Assessment: The examination will, in part, consist of a written group project report and the group presentation of the project to an audience. In addition, an individually written reflective paper connected to working in project groups will be required and will constitute part of the examination. Grades range from A (the highest grade) to F, which is a failing grade.

Aims and contents: The programme will encompass themes within multicultural societies, legal and social policy frameworks, non-violent communication, and child welfare work. In particular, creative ways to work with children and youths in order to promote their growth, development and emotional well-being, will be in focus.The creative methods include workshops in mask-making and doll-making, story-telling techniques, and drama. The mask-making workshop incorporates aspects of the ethics of dialogue.

Master Programme in International Social Welfare and Health Policy

ECTS credits: 90

Level: Graduate

Prerequisites:Completion of three years of college or university level education in social work, child care and welfare, political science, sociology or related social sciences, in nursing, physiotherapy or some other related and equivalent education. In addition, applicants should have two years work experience from social welfare or health-related jobs.

Semester: Students are enrolled in the autumn semester. Duration: 3 semesters (summer semester included)

Assessment: Assessment is based on written exams, written essays and the final thesis. The final assessment is graded A to F.

Aims and contents: The objective of the programme is to qualify candidates for positions in social and health services that require the knowledge and ability to undertake the systematic documentation and evaluation of social and health service programmes, and the knowledge of international and comparative studies within health and social welfare.

The programme will be built on courses of 10 credits each, on a combination of required and elected courses, and on the preparation of a supervised Master thesis. The elected courses will provide students with the opportunity to pursue themes that are particularly relevant for the positions they plan to have in their careers.

The students are expected to:

· gain knowledge about research design and be able to apply research methods in a reflective manner and appropriately choose methods that are relevant for different kinds of research questions

Depending on their choice of elected courses students should:

Oppdatert: 03. august 2007
Redigert av: Tore Vogt