Course

Business Development for Self-Employment

Faculty
Applied Community Studies
Department
Vocational Education and Skills Training
Course code
LIST 0130
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
12
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course is designed to provide students who experience barriers to education and employment with both theoretical and practical skills in establishing self-employment. Students learn to assess a proposed business idea and to develop a business plan. The focus of the course is to support students in establishing self-employment such as a micro-business.
Course content

Topics to be explored include:

  • Concepts of business models and marketing
  • Market research and competitor analysis
  • Business operations
  • Marketing skills
Learning activities
  • Lecture
  • Lab
  • Role-plays
  • Audiovisual media
Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. An evaluation schedule is presented at the beginning of the course. This is a mastery-graded course.

Typical means of evaluation would include a combination of:

  • Mid-point and final self-assessments
  • Demonstration of skills
  • Regular attendance and participation in class activities

 

Instructors may use a student's record of attendance and/or level of active participation as part of the student's graded performance. Expectations and grade calculations regarding class attendance and participation will be clearly defined in the instructor’s course outline/syllabus.

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course, a successful student will be able to:

  1. Identify business models and develop a marketing plan.
  2. Employ market research and competitor analysis.
  3. Define insurance, taxation and other business operational needs.
  4. Identify and apply marketing and sales skills.
  5. Define and use work-related terminology.
  6. Define gross/net pay and deductions.
  7. Apply work-place related numeracy skills.
  8. Use digital technology safely.
  9. Access online job search.
  10. Access and apply workplace information.
  11. Demonstrate behaviours that maintain positive workplace relationships.
  12. Use strategies to problem-solve.
  13. Identify barriers and strategies to employment.
  14. Develop and practice self-management skills for work.
  15. Exhibit initiative and independence.
Textbook materials

Relevant material will be provided throughout the course.

Requisites

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for LIST 0130
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Fall 2026

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
12
Currently enrolled
0
Remaining seats:
12
On waitlist
0
Building
New Westminster - South Bldg.
Room
S1640
Times:
Start Time
9:00
-
End Time
12:50