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PL11035: The business environment in Germany

[Page last updated: 02 August 2022]

Academic Year: 2022/23
Owning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Credits: 12 [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 240
Level: Certificate (FHEQ level 4)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: ES 50%, EX 50%
Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (ES 50%)
  • Examination (EX 50%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
* demonstrate understanding of historical developments in the West German economy both before 1989/90 and since;
* show an understanding of the fundamental principles and structures of the social market economy and key shifts and changes over time in German history;
* appreciate the impact of unification on the German economy and discuss its significance in relation to pressures brought to bear by European enlargement and integration and by globalisation.
* demonstrate understanding of key developments in the German legal environment pertaining to business;
* show an understanding of the role of the state in the German economy and explain the relationship between the state and its citizens and between the state and industry;
* explain and discuss specific aspects of the German legal environment in the business context in both written and spoken German.

Aims: To introduce students to the economic and legal contexts in which firms operate in Germany, to analyse key areas and aspects of change in the economic and industrial environment of German business, to familiarise students with relevant concept and language of German business environment.

Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, teamwork, and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit.

Content: Post-war economic reconstruction in West Germany, the social market economy, the West German economic miracle, impact of oil crises, German unification and its impact, economic integration post 1989/90, the role of the 'Treuhand', the impact of the combined forces of unification, European integration and enlargement and globalisation on the German economy, the constitutional framework of business, the German business environment in the context of federalism, key areas and aspects of change in the legal environment of German business.

Programme availability:

PL11035 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UXXX-AYB04 : BSc(Hons) International Management and Modern Languages (German) with Year Abroad (Year 1)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2022/23 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2023/24 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2022/23.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.