Business and Strategy

Course No: BUS 300
Course Title: Entrepreneurship
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

Examines historic evolution, economic, and societal impact of the entrepreneurship process from conception to implementation of a new venture. Focus is on attributes of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial teams, and their search for and assessment of various resources to convert opportunities into profitable businesses.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Have a robust idea of what it means to be an entrepreneur.

2. Identify the critical success factors to launch a new idea, product or service.

3. Develop the language required to compete in today’s start-up world.

4. Build a contemporary business plan that is “business-plan competition” viable.

5. Leverage his or her leadership skills appropriately in any organization.

6. Master the right technologies to support the right vision and plan execution.

Course No: BUS 303
Course Title: International Business
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

An overview of the environment in which international businesses compete, this course introduces the student to the impact of culture and political economy on business decision making, the economics and politics of international trade and investment, the nature of the international monetary system, the strategies and structures that characterize successful international enterprises, and the Special role that each business function plays within a firm operating globally.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Understand the forces that influence companies and their operations in a global marketplace.

2. Explore the essential characteristics of a successful global organization.

3. Develop an understanding of major global business problems, with particular emphasis on issues of economic and political risk facing corporations in the management of their international operations.

4. Be familiar with ethical issues that occur when conducting international business. 

5. Assess global business opportunities and competitive challenges from a variety of perspectives.  Understand how regional and local events may present important challenges and opportunities to multinational corporations.

6. Understand the global integration/local responsiveness paradox and be able to make insightful business decisions within that context.

7. Assess the usefulness to international companies of different organization and human resource management approaches.

8. Assess the issues and concerns that arise from cross-border strategic alliances.

9. Understand the perspective of home and host country governments as variables in the operations of the global firm.

10. Understand issues of global social responsibility as they apply to the operation of global companies.

11. Explain the importance of international trade and foreign direct investment to companies, customers, and societies.

12. Explain differences in doing business in global markets versus domestic markets.

13. Develop an understanding of the cultural, historical and institutional factors that influence management practices, focusing on key regions.

Course No: BUS 320
Course Title: Organizational Behavior
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

A comprehensive investigation into the dynamics of behavior in organizations. Examines individual and group behavior, motivation, leadership styles, conflict, organizational culture and the process of change in organizations. Through case studies and group exercises, the course emphasizes an analytical approach. Satisfies the Individual and Society General Education requirement.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic fundamentals of Industrial Psychology.

2. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic fundamentals of Organizational Psychology.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the real world implications of Industrial Organizational (IO) Psychology. 

4. Distinguish between the many facets of psychology in the world of business. 

5. Discuss how behavior and emotions affect organizations, industries, and workers. 

Course No: BUS 325
Course Title: Operations Management
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

An introduction to operations and production management, this course examines the evolution of the modern operations function, the design of systems and scheduling, the management of materials, and the provision of services in contemporary businesses. All facets of an enterprise, including employees, processes, customers, and suppliers are looked at as a system.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the key elements of business and operations management through readings, videos, classroom discussion, written assignments, book reading and group collaboration.

2. Understand project management and Six Sigma techniques and methodologies.

3. Evaluate and analyze the operations management strengths and weaknesses of businesses. 

4. Solve operations and supply chain management related problems from service, manufacturing and logistics areas.

5. Demonstrate an understanding of current events in operations through research and analysis.

Course No: BUS 328
Course Title: Sales Management
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

This course examines the elements of an effective sales force as a key component of an organization’s total marketing effort. The course addresses understanding the sales process, the relationship between sales and marketing, sales force structure, customer relationship management (CRM), use of technology to improve sales force effectiveness, and issues related to recruiting, selecting, training, motivating, compensating and retaining effective salespeople.

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the sales process including prospecting and forecasting.

2. Discuss the importance of knowing what buyers want and need.

3. Identify the role of selling and the sales person in the market.

4. Elucidate the issues involved managing the sales process and sales force.

Course No: BUS 348
Course Title: Sales Management
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

This course will examine how data analytics (big data) informs business decisions and processes. Students will acquire an understanding of the terminology, concepts and potential tools and solutions of data analytics. Regression methods including linear, non-linear, and Bayesian will be discussed. Emphasis will be placed on the retrieval, cleaning, and manipulation of data, and the process for identifying the relevant data elements for a given audience. Prerequisites: MTH126.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of business analytics and its applicability to various industries. 

2. Define and apply “Big Data” and other terminology that is used in the marketplace today. 

3. Execute Data Mining techniques. 

4. Utilize quantitative reasoning skills such as inductive vs deductive reasoning. 

5. Work with basic tools for descriptive analytics, e.g., Excel, as well as advanced tools visualization techniques.

Course No: BUS 365
Course Title: Human Resources Management
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

This course examines employee-employer relationships in the workplace. Policy areas covered are: job design, recruiting, employee selection, placement, job training and career development, performance evaluation, compensation strategies, incentives and benefits. There is also discussion of current economic situations as they impact the workplace today, including labor/management relations.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Explain how the effective management of human resources contributes to the success of an organization.

2. Summarize current trends in the workforce and in changing business practices and explain how they impact the management of human resources.

3. List the major federal and state laws that regulate the management of human resources and explain how they impact the day to day management of employees.

4. Summarize the steps involved in job design and job description preparation.

5. Explain how to successfully interview, recruit and select employees.

6. Describe how training and development programs impact both individual employee success and organizational performance.

7. Discuss the various methods organizations use to evaluate and improve employee performance.

8. Describe how organizations retain and motivate employees.

9. Summarize and explain the basic principles of compensation and benefits administration.

Course No: BUS 370
Course Title: Business Analysis and Research
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

Students will learn the research and analysis tools they need to be successful in the required senior courses: Thesis I and II. This course covers social scientific quantitative and qualitative research skills and forms used by communication scholars. A prerequisite for the Semester Internship, focus is on translating a business problem into a research project. Includes approaches to industry and internal analysis, ways to identify relevant data and appropriate sources, primary and secondary data collection, methods of data analysis and effective interpretation and presentation of findings. Examples of published research in business will be analyzed to provide a foundation for the creation of an effective research design proposal for an actual business problem as the final deliverable in the course. Satisfies the Writing Designated core requirement.  Prerequisites: INT200, BUS121, BUS270, junior class status or permission of instructor.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Identify and clearly articulate a business problem.

2. Develop specific research questions from a business problem.

3. Create a robust and feasible research design and an implementation plan.

4. Utilize social networking skills to facilitate access to information.

5. Identify relevant and targeted secondary information sources.

6. Gather primary information through observation, interviews, and questionnaires.

7. Synthesize findings and draw conclusions.

8. Develop written summaries (reports) of their research and prepare and deliver effective oral presentations.

Course No: BUS 415
Course Title: Business Negotiation
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

Provides students with techniques for becoming skillful negotiators in a wide range of settings. The framework and fundamental steps of negotiating, including how to develop an effective negotiating action plan are examined. Students will be introduced to current theory surrounding the negotiation process.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Analyze negotiation situations.

2. Describe the importance of information for negotiating efficiently. 

3. Summarize common negotiating mistakes. 

4. Develop a strategic plan for effective negotiation.

5. Gain an intellectual understanding of negotiator behavior.

6. Use trust, body language, and psychology for better negotiations. 

7. Understand the difference between integrative and distributive negotiation.

8. Understand and be able to use win/win negotiation strategies. 

9. Be familiar with negotiation ethics.

Course No: BUS 450
Course Title: Dynamics of Leadership
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

An extensive look at the nature of leadership and the dilemmas facing leaders of people at work. In-depth analysis of the forces motivating the behavior of people working in ongoing and temporary groups. Includes problems of roles and norms, initiation of change, and dealing with resistance. Recognition of women’s and men’s parity in leadership opportunities as a major consideration.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Distinguish the concept of leadership from the concept of management. 

2. Compare and contrast the major theories of leadership. 

3. Analyze the influence of leadership styles on individual performance.

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of culture, ethics, legal and corporate social responsibility issues on leadership.

5. Assess the skills necessary to exert power and influence in a non-authoritative leadership role. 

6. Define leadership, ethics, and power and illustrate the link among these concepts.

7. Develop and apply knowledge of leadership in a variety of real world contexts.

8. Determine the role that power plays in leadership.

9. Explain the effects of leadership style on the organizational environment and its result on followers’ motivations.

10. Understand the complexities of leadership and the multidisciplinary nature of leadership theory.

Course No: BUS 475
Course Title: Business Strategy and Policy
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

A culminating course in the Business program, examines the challenge to top management presented by a new or expanding business. Students learn decision-making for an organization experiencing growth and change. Topics include organization planning and strategy in a competitive environment. The student is asked, from the point of view of the senior manager, to integrate and apply the knowledge learned in accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, etc., to develop a comprehensive strategy for a firm that can lead to competitive advantage and high-performance results.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Understand the forces that influence companies and their operations in a global marketplace.

2. Identify and explain the relationship between market structure and power.

3. Understand the nature of strategic competitiveness and develop the ability to analyze the competitive environment facing a firm. 

4. Develop business level strategies by defining the type of advantage sought, scope of operations, and activities required to deliver the chosen strategy. 

5. Understand how to assess the likely sustainability of firm strategies and competitive positions. 

6. Consider how the actions of competitors impact the firm’s ability to reach its strategic goals. 

7. Integrate knowledge and apply analytical techniques from various disciplines, including finance, accounting, marketing, operations, organization theory and organizational behavior. 

Course No: BUS 489
Course Title: Senior Thesis I
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

Senior Thesis I is the first phase of a two-semester thesis sequence through which students lay the groundwork in an area of interest for the original work they are expected to undertake in Senior Thesis II.  Students refine their topics, review and synthesize literature related to their areas of focus, conduct research, and develop research proposals or plans for creative projects.  The final course outcomes consist of both a literature review and a Senior Thesis II project proposal.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Identify, define, and provide context around a problem worthy of research; including industry analysis, situation analysis of internship organization, research methods and analysis of the results.  

2. Identify and describe generic business problems.

3. Develop the literature review of the studied field.

a) Identify, read, paraphrase, quote, and summarize sources.

b) Evaluate and critique source materials.

c) Find agreement and contradictions in the literature.

d) Identify key frameworks.

e) Organize their reasoning through outlining and thesis writing.

Course No: BUS 490
Course Title: Senior Thesis II
Credits: 3 US (6 ECTS)

Catalog Description

Senior Thesis II is the second phase of a two-semester thesis sequence through which students lay the groundwork in an area of interest for the original work they are expected to undertake in Senior Thesis II.  Students refine their topics, review and synthesize literature related to their areas of focus, conduct research, and develop research proposals or plans for creative projects.  The final course outcomes consist of both a literature review and a Senior Thesis II project proposal.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Thoroughly investigate a problem or issue which confronts the business researcher and has relevancy to personal experience or goals.  A successful Senior Thesis II research project will include:

a) Identification of a topic that is relevant to the business discipline studied.

b) Examination of theoretical and historical research related to the topic (literature review)

c) Development of the identified critical issue and research question that is based on review of literature, research collected, and personal involvement with the topic.

d) Design and execution of empirical research to collect ‘real world’ data that can be analyzed in relation to research questions.

e) Synthesis of research into conclusions and recommendations for action as a business professional.

2. Effectively communicate in a formal paper the critical issue and research question along with research findings, conclusions and recommendation(s).  

3. A successful Senior Thesis II written paper will include:

a) Grammar and syntax
Sentence and paragraph structure must be comprehensive and organized.  Grammar, spelling, tenses, and punctuation must be free from errors.

b) Content
All content must be coherent and must contain logical development of ideas with concrete and relevant supporting evidence. Such evidence must be cited properly. No generalizations or conclusions can be made without said evidence.

c) Format and style
Each thesis paper must include chapters with headings and sub-headings as indicated on the thesis outline. The appropriate citation format must be utilized.

d) Substance
The thesis paper must be a minimum of twenty five pages.