Course description

Title of the Teaching Unit

Management

Code of the Teaching Unit

11UGE52

Academic year

2026 - 2027

Cycle

Number of credits

Number of hours

Quarter

Weighting

Site

Montgomery

Teaching language

English

Teacher in charge

CLAEYE Frederik

Objectives and contribution to the program

The general objectives of this course will be:
1. Global Understanding of the Manager's Role
Objectives:
• To provide a global approach to the company in its economic and social environment, recognizing the importance of the manager's key roles within the organization.
• To encourage students to stay informed about current business news and develop the ability to critically analyze and interpret economic press.

2. Developing a Professional and Societal Awareness
Objectives:
• To acquire a general culture that enables students to better understand the professional and societal environment in which they will evolve, act, and interact.
• To foster students' ability to become informed, rigorous, critical, and creative players in the business world.

Prerequisites and corequisites

• Have good mastery of English so as to be able to understand the subtleties of the management function (written - oral). Being comfortable with a B2 Level of the European Common Framework of Reference (CECR) is a pre-requisite.
• In terms of know-how, the skills acquired during secondary school must suffice (the ability to analyse and synthesise is essential).
• Keeping abreast of economic and business news through readings (Harvard Business Review, The Economist, McKinsey Quarterly, The Conversation, Al Jazeera, BBC, the Financial Times, DeTijd/l'Echo, le Monde Diplomatique, etc ...).

Content

This course offers a broad introduction to the principles and practice of management. Working through the four core functions — planning, organizing, leading, and controlling — it situates the manager's role within the wider economic, social, and ethical environment of the organization. Across topics from the history of management to decision-making, strategy, diversity, change, and innovation, the emphasis is on thinking critically about management ideas and models, and on understanding what responsible, well-founded managerial decisions look like. Students are encouraged to follow current business affairs and to read the economic press with a critical eye.

Teaching methods

Lectures and in-class exercices

Assessment method

Formative: During the course, students may be invited to do some exercises or to spontaneously bring in examples, especially from current events. These exercises will enable them to raise their awareness for the final evaluation.

Summative evaluation: Written exam.

References

Students will be required to take notes during class sessions. The course materials (slides) are freely inspired by several books, including:

Laasch, O. (2024). Principles of business & management: Practicing ethics, responsibility, sustainability (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Lussier, R. N. (2021). Management fundamentals: Concepts, applications, and skill development (9th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Robbins, S., Coulter, M., DeCenzo, D., & Né, I. (2020). Management : L’essentiel des concepts et pratiques (11e ed.). Pearson.

Feel free to reread the relevant chapters in these reference works.