EPOKA UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ECONOMICS AND ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
COURSE SYLLABUS
2024-2025 ACADEMIC YEAR
COURSE INFORMATIONCourse Title: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE |
| Code | Course Type | Regular Semester | Theory | Practice | Lab | Credits | ECTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BUS 309 | D | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) | Prof.Dr. Osman Köroğlu okoroglu@epoka.edu.al |
| Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | Prof.Dr. Osman Köroğlu okoroglu@epoka.edu.al , https://calendar.app.google/ExYQ9rUfC2FsZ9UF6 |
| Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Language: | English |
| Compulsory/Elective: | Compulsory |
| Study program: (the study for which this course is offered) | Bachelor in Business Informatics (3 years) |
| Classroom and Meeting Time: | - |
| Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: | NA |
| Code of Ethics: |
Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline" |
| Attendance Requirement: | - |
| Course Description: | This course envisions the use of knowledge gained in theoretical courses in a practical and professional context.2. In order to meet the anticipated requirements, students should develop practice in one or several institutions / organizations / companies.3. During the internship period, student must use and include theoretical and practical knowledge gained to build the future career paths. |
| Course Objectives: | The main objective of professional practice is to integrate the theoretical knowledge gained with practical knowledge and create opportunities for further employment. It also creates opportunities such as: a. to expanding and deepening the theoretical knowledge gained during the learning process and creating practical professional skills relevant to further research; b. to get acquainted with companies, organizations, institutions; c. to build sustainable relationships and start creating network for further full-time positions; d. to show ability and skills on the company / organization / institution where the practice is conducted; e. FEAS serves as an innovative and entrepreneurial center that monitors the market to build and develop new programs and to update curricula. On this basis, professional practice should be considered as a period when the student actively coordinates practice in the company / organization / institution selected by students as a start point of his/her career or other projects where he/she may be involved voluntarily; f. Helping students to establish, and enlarge their professional network; g. Grow their competitive capabilities and become ready for job marketplace. |
|
BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE
|
| 1 | Professional Networking: Building and maintaining professional relationships that can support career development and provide business opportunities during and after the internship. |
| 2 | Risk Management: Identifying potential risks in business operations and learning strategies to mitigate them during the internship. |
| 3 | Communication Skills: Enhancing the ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal forms within a business context. |
| 4 | Project Management: Applying project management principles to plan, execute, and oversee projects within the internship setting. |
| 5 | Financial Acumen: Gaining practical experience in understanding financial statements, budgeting, and financial decision-making. |
| 6 | Strategic Planning: Learning to create and implement long-term goals and strategies for business success during the internship. |
| 7 | Leadership Skills: Developing the ability to lead and inspire teams effectively within a professional environment. |
| 8 | Stakeholder Management: Identifying, analyzing, and managing the expectations and needs of all parties involved in or affected by a business project. |
| 9 | Corporate Governance: Understanding the framework of rules and practices by which a company is directed and controlled, including the roles of boards and stakeholders. |
| 10 | Ethical Decision-Making: The process of making choices in a professional setting that align with ethical standards and principles. |
|
COURSE OUTLINE
|
| Week | Topics |
| 1 | Introduction to professional practice course |
| 2 | Company/Organization meeting and job description |
| 3 | Report delivery on job practice at the Company/Organization |
| 4 | Consulting session |
| 5 | Consulting session |
| 6 | Consulting session |
| 7 | Consulting session |
| 8 | Report Delivery: on job specifics and activities |
| 9 | Consulting session |
| 10 | Consulting session |
| 11 | Consulting session |
| 12 | Consulting session |
| 13 | Presentation of the report in front of audience |
| 14 | Final Report Delivery |
| Prerequisite(s): | - |
| Textbook(s): | Ries, E. (2017). The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses. Crown Business. Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. (2017). Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant (Expanded ed.). Harvard Business Review Press. Spodek, J. (2017). Leadership Step by Step: Become the Person Others Follow. AMACOM. Koch, R. (2017). The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less (Updated 20th Anniversary ed.). Currency. Rosling, H., Rosling, O., & Rönnlund, A. R. (2018). Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World–and Why Things Are Better Than You Think. Flatiron Books. Scott, K. (2017). Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity. St. Martin’s Press. Lafley, A. G., & Martin, R. L. (2013). Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works. Harvard Business Review Press. Christensen, C. M. (2016). The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail (Revised ed.). Harvard Business Review Press. Hsieh, T. (2010). Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose. Grand Central Publishing. Thiel, P., & Masters, B. (2014). Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future. Crown Business. |
| Additional Literature: | Drucker, P. (2014). Innovation and entrepreneurship. Routledge. Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, fast and slow. Macmillan. Porter, M. E. (2011). Competitive advantage of nations: creating and sustaining superior performance. Simon and Schuster. Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. A. (2014). Blue ocean strategy expanded edition: How to create uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant. Harvard business review Press. Levitt, T. (1960). Marketing myopia (pp. 45-56). Boston. Prahalad, Coimbatore K. "The role of core competencies in the corporation." Research-Technology Management 36, no. 6 (1993): 40-47. |
| Laboratory Work: | NA |
| Computer Usage: | NA |
| Others: | No |
|
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
|
| 1 | Apply Ethical Decision-Making: Students will be able to make informed and ethical decisions in professional settings. |
| 2 | Understand Corporate Governance: Students will gain knowledge of corporate governance structures and their importance in business operations. |
| 3 | Manage Stakeholder Relationships: Students will develop skills to identify and manage the needs and expectations of various stakeholders. |
| 4 | Demonstrate Leadership Skills: Students will exhibit the ability to lead and motivate teams effectively within a professional environment. |
| 5 | Develop Strategic Plans: Students will learn to create and implement strategic plans to achieve business goals. |
| 6 | Enhance Financial Acumen: Students will understand and apply financial principles to make sound business decisions. |
| 7 | Execute Project Management: Students will apply project management techniques to plan, execute, and oversee projects during their internships. |
| 8 | Communicate Effectively: Students will improve their ability to communicate clearly and professionally in both written and verbal forms. |
| 9 | Implement Risk Management Strategies: Students will identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them in a business context. |
| 10 | Build Professional Networks: Students will learn to build and maintain professional relationships that support career development and business opportunities. |
|
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution) |
| No | Program Competencies | Cont. |
| Bachelor in Business Informatics (3 years) Program | ||
| 1 | Identify activities, tasks, and skills in management, marketing, accounting, finance, and economics. | 5 |
| 2 | Apply key theories to practical problems within the global business context. | 5 |
| 3 | Demonstrate ethical, social, and legal responsibilities in organizations. | 5 |
| 4 | Develop an open minded-attitude through continuous learning and team-work. | 5 |
| 5 | Integrate different skills and approaches to be used in decision making and data management. | 5 |
| 6 | Combine computer skills with managerial skills, in the analysis of large amounts of data. | 5 |
| 7 | Provide solutions to complex information technology problems. | 5 |
| 8 | Recognize, analyze, and suggest various types of information-communication systems/services that are encountered in everyday life and in the business world. | 5 |
|
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
|
| Method | Quantity | Percentage |
| Project |
1
|
100
|
| Total Percent: | 100% |
|
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
|
| Activities | Quantity | Duration(Hours) | Total Workload(Hours) |
| Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) | 16 | 6 | 96 |
| Mid-terms | 0 | ||
| Assignments | 0 | ||
| Final examination | 0 | ||
| Other | 1 | 29 | 29 |
|
Total Work Load:
|
125 | ||
|
Total Work Load/25(h):
|
5 | ||
|
ECTS Credit of the Course:
|
5 | ||
|
CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER
|
|
This professional practice course has provided students with invaluable hands-on experience . The internship placements have allowed students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, fostering both professional and personal growth. Opinions and Recommendations: - The internship program has been highly beneficial, with students gaining practical skills and insights. - It is recommended to continue building partnerships with diverse organizations to offer a broader range of internship opportunities. Observations: - Students have shown remarkable adaptability and professionalism in their respective placements. - Feedback from host organizations has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the students' dedication and competence. Limitations and Reservations: - Some students faced challenges in securing placements due to market conditions and logistical constraints. - Future iterations of the course may benefit from enhanced support for placement processes and additional preparatory workshops. Code of Ethics: - The course has emphasized the importance of ethical conduct and professional integrity in all internship activities. - Students have been encouraged to uphold these values, reflecting positively on both the university and their host organizations. The professional practice course has been a significant step in preparing students for their future careers. The experiences and skills gained during their internships will undoubtedly contribute to their success in the professional world. |