Business Courses
BUSN 130: Applied Statistics
This course covers three standard topics in statistics at the introductory level: probability theory, statistical inference, and regression analysis. Among the individual topics covered are descriptive statistics, probability rules, discrete probability distribution functions including the bivariate and binomial distributions, continuous density functions including the Normal and t distributions, sampling, hypothesis testing, test statistics, p-values, correlation versus causation, and an introduction to multivariate linear regression analysis. All topics are applied to techniques important to analyze economic, business, and financial behavior. Students who have taken this course will not receive credit for MATH 150. (This course satisfies Quantitative Reasoning.)
cross listed: ECON 130, FIN 130
BUSN 210: Managerial Economics
Application of economic analysis to business decisions. It covers economic tools with applications to demand analysis, pricing policies, competitive strategy, cost analysis, and decision making. Prerequisites: ECON 110 and either MATH 108, MATH 110, or MATH 160, all with a grade of C- or better
BUSN 220: Fundraising & Sales
Central to the class experience is the essential question: How can mastering the skill of asking improve every aspect of our lives? In this course, in addition to learning how to ask, students gain an understanding of how asking is an essential tool to identify and solve problems. Through hands-on exercises, students focus on developing the leadership traits that make successful salespeople and fundraisers with an emphasis on resilience and empathy. The course highlights the differences between fundraising for nonprofit entities and selling in corporate and entrepreneurial environments. Prerequisite: ENTP 110 and Sophomore standing.
cross listed: ENTP 220
BUSN 225: Principles of Marketing
This course focuses on the analysis of how marketing concepts impact an organization through the development of the marketing mix (product, price, place and promotion). Building upon these concepts, students develop an understanding of how marketing managers develop specific strategies in order to gain competitive advantage in a global economy. No prerequisites.
BUSN 230: Financial Accounting
Methods, practices, and concepts underlying the communication of relevant financial information to external parties. Development of the accounting model, measurement processes, data terminology and classification, internal control, interpretation and uses of financial statements. No prerequisites.
BUSN 245: Principles of Management
This course introduces important organizational and management concepts and applications, and their relevance to individual and organizational goal attainment. The course revolves around the main functions of managers: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The emphasis is on real-world application through experiential learning. No prerequisites.
BUSN 250: Business Information Systems
Business Information Systems introduces students to commonly used business software programs, including Excel, SQL, Tableau, and Power BI. Students use the software to frame, analyze, and communicate decision-relevant information. Students employ business information systems to design graphs, develop data relationships, develop best strategies, understand opportunity costs, and communicate strategies to deliver on the needs of an organization. The course emphasizes data analytics and analysis (descriptive, diagnostic, predictive and prescriptive) within the capabilities of each of the software programs. Prerequisites: COLL 150, ECON/BUSN/FIN 130, must have declared a major in Business, Finance, or Economics, and junior or senior standing or approval by instructor. (This course satisfies Technology Intensive.)
cross listed: FIN 250
BUSN 310: Marketing Research
This course focuses on managing the marketing research process, which provides information to drive business decision-making. It emphasizes an understanding of the theoretical foundations and applications of research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques. Learning experiences involve planning and implementing quantitative and qualitative primary research, case study analysis, and team presentations based on data collection experiences. Prerequisite: BUSN 225 with a grade of C- or better and COLL 150
BUSN 315: Operations Management
The course covers subjects related to the management process in a production system. The following topics are covered: design of products and services, quality control systems, capacity planning, process design, work analysis and measurement, facility location, and production scheduling. The inventory control system unit will discuss the relationship between inventory systems and other functions in an organization. Prerequisite: BUSN 230.
BUSN 325: Digital Marketing & Analytics
[i]How can being consumer-focused and data-driven improve results?[/i] Entrepreneurs, social leaders, professionals, and individuals need digital brand-building skills and marketing acumen to sell themselves and their ideas, products, and services. This course takes a human-centered approach to teaching how end users and their buying decisions are influenced by digital media. The course teaches design thinking, digital tools, web analytics, and growth hacking frameworks through a combination of exposure to industry professionals, readings, and client projects. Prerequisite: ENTP 110 or BUSN 225.
cross listed: ENTP 325
BUSN 328: Accounting for Nonprofit Entities
This course introduces students to the accounting practices of not-for-profit entities, including governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as hospitals, universities, and voluntary health and welfare organizations. Students gain an understanding of governmental and not-for-profit GAAP standards and learn how to prepare financial statements for nonprofits. The course covers government fund and non-fund accounts, proprietary funds, fiduciary funds, and the relationship between FASB and GASP. Prerequisite: BUSN 230 or permission of instructor
BUSN 330: Intermediate Accounting
Accounting concepts, principles, and theory with an emphasis on the special problems that arise in applying these concepts to external reporting. This course is typically offered every fall semester. Prerequisite: Business 230 with a grade of C- or better and COLL 150 or instructor permission.
BUSN 331: Managerial Accounting
This course examines the use of accounting information for evaluation of planning and control decisions, including budgeting, cost-volume analysis, product costing, and standards for planning, control, and performance measurement. This course is typically offered every fall semester. Prerequisite: Business 230 with a grade of C- or better and COLL 150 or permission of instructor
BUSN 332: Auditing
This course explores issues related to internal and external auditing, such as: auditing standards (Generally Accepted Auditing Standards), fraud detection, professional ethics, and recent changes to regulations (including US Securities laws). This course is typically offered the spring semester of odd numbered years. Prerequisite: BUSNÂ 230 with grade C- or better and COLL 150.
BUSN 333: Cost Accounting
This course considers advanced topics in cost and managerial accounting, including: cost accumulation, cost behavior, break-even analysis, capital budgeting, management control systems, cost allocation methods and performance measurement. This class is typically offered in the spring semester of even numbered years. Prerequisites: BUSNÂ 331.
BUSN 334: Financial Accounting w/QuickBooks
Students in the course develop an understanding of how to use general ledger software utilizing QuickBooks. This includes company setup, setup and use of chart of accounts, recording and recognizing transactions, managing lists, generating customized reports, and preparing financial statements. Prerequisite:Â BUSNÂ 230 with a grade of C-minus or better and COLL 150. This course is primarily offered during summer.
BUSN 335: Intermediate Accounting II
This is the second course in the professional intermediate accounting sequence. This course emphasizes elements of balance sheet, specifically the components of long-term liabilities and equity, and the related elements in the income statement. This class is typically offered in the spring semester. Prerequisite:Â BUSNÂ 330.
BUSN 342: African Culture & Business Develop
(African Culture and Business Development.) While globalization can potentially enhance economic development and improve the quality of life, many nations, especially those in Africa, do not receive these benefits. Course emphasis will be on an analysis of efforts by businesses, community organizations, and government agencies to serve African societies plagued by poverty and other social concerns. Instructional resources will include: readings from sources with varied points of view; speakers representing countries and cultural groups; and field research visits to cultural exhibits and retail enterprises. Instructional experiences will include: (1) interviews with people familiar with various African cultures and business activities; (2) student team projects to analyze global cases for improvement of food production, water purification, health delivery, telecommunications, and educational programs and; (3) promotional activities to expand awareness of efforts to enhance economic development and quality of life in Africa. Prerequisite: Junior standing, or permission of instructor.
cross listed: IREL 312
BUSN 343: Diversity in Organizations
The focus of the course is to help students develop an ability to understand, respect, and value diversity. Through readings, discussions, and assignments students explore the application and implication of diversity to management activities. Issues related to discrimination, affirmative action, career development, socialization, and social change policies are explored. Historical, psychological, sociological, legal, and managerial viewpoints are highlighted. Prerequisite: BUSN 245 with a grade of C- or better. (This course satisfies Domestic Pluralism.)
BUSN 344: Human Resource Management
This course adopts a strategic approach to human resource management by focusing on how organizations can align their human resource management practices to their strategy to gain a competitive advantage. Specifically, students learn about recruitment, selection, training, performance management, reward systems, and other employment relations practices, and how organizations can design them to attract, motivate, and retain the best talent. Students acquire critical skills for career development that will help them stand out from their peers. The course also covers current trends and legal issues that impact human resource management. Prerequisite: BUSN 245 with a grade of C- or better, and COLL 150.
BUSN 345: Organizational Behavior
This course includes theory, research, and practical application of Organizational Behavior. Organizational Behavior is the study of how individuals, groups, and workplace contexts impact behavior within an organization. The goal of this course is to help students understand what predicts and influences employee attitudes and behavior in order to improve organizational effectiveness. Topics include: personality differences, work motivation, leadership, influence processes, and group dynamics.Prerequisite: BUSN 245 with a grade of C- or better and COLL 150 or permission of instructor
BUSN 348: Performance and Compensation
How do you get employees to do what the firm wants and needs them to do? This is a central puzzle of organizations that has bedevilled managers ever since the birth of organizations. A variety of solutions have been attempted over the years, with varying degrees of success. This course introduces students to the concepts, principles, and practices of compensation and performance management that are critical to create a competitive advantage. Prerequisite: BUSN 344.
BUSN 349: Leadership in Organizations
The emphasis of the course is on developing skills to be effective in leadership roles in organizations. This course serves as an overview of selected aspects of human behavior in general and employee behavior in particular as it applies to organizations. We discuss a variety of selected topics pertaining to the beginnings of the modern organization and organizational behavior, motivation, leadership in organization, teamwork, and learning. We focus more specifically on leadership and related soft skills. Students develop an appreciation of such areas of soft skills through discussions of readings, films, and cases, in-class activities, lectures, assignments and interactions in class and outside of class. Students have an opportunity to share their knowledge and experience during discussions in class. They also have the opportunity to engage in activities that will help them to better recognize the difference between management and leadership and understand different approaches to leadership. Moreover, students develop a more systematic knowledge of the field by learning more about guiding frameworks and blending theory with practice. ECON 110 with a grade of C- or better, and at least sophomore standing.
BUSN 355: Consumer Behavior
To be successful, all businesses need individual consumers to decide to purchase their products. Consumer Behavior is an interdisciplinary course that examines how internal, external, situational, and social influences impact purchase behavior. While all of us are consumers, our intuitions about our own behavior as well as that of others are often inaccurate. Drawing on research from behavioral economics, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and academic marketing, this course enhances students' understanding of how and why people choose, use, and evaluate goods and services as they do. Through class discussions, cases studies, and projects, students learn why understanding consumer behavior is critical to creating successful marketing strategies. Prerequisite: BUSN 225 with a grade of C- or better, and COLL 150.
BUSN 357: Marketing Strategy
This course helps students develop strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities. Using a hands-on approach that emphasizes student interactions and critical thinking, students learn to identify, analyze, and address marketing problems and opportunities to make more effective decisions for competitive advantage. Through lectures, case analyses, and virtual experiences, students apply theoretical frameworks to various strategic issues commonly encountered as marketing managers and in consulting positions. Prerequisite: BUSN 225 and COLL 150 or instructor permission.
BUSN 360: Global Social Entrepreneurship
How does social entrepreneurship affect local and global economics and culture? Social entrepreneurs identify problems that negatively impact a specific demographic and mobilize the resources to solve the problem. The process ofsocial entrepreneurship involves taking direct action and measuring the impact of the solution against a stated mission. Thiscourse uses case studies, readings, and lectures to analyze the impact of social ventures while identifying social andenvironmental problems that are still in need of better solutions. Prerequisite: Any of the following: ENTP 110, ENTP 120, ECON 110, SOAN 110, POLS 110, POLS 120, RELG 118, or permission of instructor. Cross-listed as: ENTP 360, IREL 316 (This course satisfies Global Perspective.)
cross listed: ENTP 360, IREL 316
BUSN 380: Intrapreneurship: Innov in Organiz
(Intrapreneurship: Innovation in Existing Organizations) Innovative corporations, institutions, and social organizations require entrepreneurial-minded teams who can identify and create new opportunities, new products, greater value, and more meaningful relationships with their customers. Operationalizing innovation within organizations requires substantial challenges including navigating bureaucracy, risk aversion, political conflicts, intolerance of failure, and lack of leadership support. Through hands-on group exercises, case studies, and real-world experience, students learn to apply Design Thinking and Value Proposition Design frameworks to develop, test, and create value within existing organizations, and learn how to do so in a team-based environment. Prerequisite: One of the following four courses--ENTP 220, ENTP 250, BUSN 225, or BUSN 245. (This course satisfies Experiential Learning.)
cross listed: ENTP 350
BUSN 410: Markets, Public Policy, and Society
This course explores the role of public policy in addressing market inefficiencies and analyzes the social costs and benefits of government intervention. Particular emphasis will be given to understanding how public policies affect firms and employees. Topics may include minimum wages, social security, immigration, taxation, education, and the affordable care act. Prerequisite: ECON 210 or BUSN 210. (This course satisfies Speaking Intensive.)
cross listed: ECON 410
BUSN 430: Federal Tax Accounting
Advanced discussion of tax issues relating to individual and corporate income taxation. Concepts for individual taxation include gross income, exclusions, deductions, exemptions, credits, as well as property transactions. Concepts for corporate income taxation include differing tax aspects of corporations and partnerships such as formation, operations and distributions. Prerequisite: BUSN 230 with a grade of C- or better, Junior or Senior standing, and declared Accounting Concentration or permission of instructor.
BUSN 460: Brand Management and Positioning
Designed for the marketing enthusiast, this course will dive deeply into the key marketing responsibilities necessary to build strong and profitable brands. Using both theory and practice, students will address the tasks that constitute modern marketing management, including: driving the company's mission, vision and strategic plan, capturing marketing insights and performance, connecting with customers, shaping marketing offerings, and delivering and communicating value. The course is designed to be highly interactive. Through case studies, presentations, problem-solving, and hands-on activities, students will have the opportunity to apply the concepts, ideas, and strategies presented in the text and in class in their weekly work. Prerequisite: BUSN 310, BUSN 355, BUSN 325 or BUSN 357 and Junior or Senior status, or permission of instructor.
BUSN 465: Poverty, Inequality, Discrimination
This course explores how the discipline of economics can explain and analyze the causes and effects of poverty, inequality and discrimination. It will examine how various populations (defined by race, age, gender, class, sexual orientation, etc.) experience these differently. Students will be introduced to (1) economic theories of poverty, inequality and discrimination, (2) ways to measure each and (3) public policies designed to mitigate poverty, inequality and discrimination in the US. Prerequisite: ECON 110 with a grade of C- or better. (Under the Forester Fundamental Curriculum, this course meets the Domestic Pluralism requirement. Under the old GEC, this course meets the Social Science and Cultural Diversity requirements.) (This course satisfies Senior Studies and Domestic Pluralism.)
cross listed: ECON 465, GSWS 465
BUSN 480: Happiness: Key to Workplace Success
Organizations are increasingly prioritizing the importance of creating more fulfilling, satisfying and meaningful work for their employees. This course explores the science behind happiness in the workplace - aiming to correct misconceptions people hold about the relationship between happiness, success, and productivity at work. Students explore the literature to define workplace happiness, discover outcomes associated with workplace happiness, identify challenges facing the achievement of happiness at work, and thoughtfully examine ways to increase happiness at the individual, team, and organizational levels. This course involves extensive discussions, debates, hands-on activities, interventions, and research to explore and apply the concepts, ideas, and strategies from the course in their own lives and work as individual contributors and future leaders. Prerequisite: BUSN 245 and one of the following: BUSN 344, BUSN 345, BUSN 348 or BUSN 349.
BUSN 489: Globalization and Its Impact
This course examines the impact of globalization and cross border trade on industrialized and emerging countries. We focus on areas where US multinational companies have created sweatshops and fostered worker exploitation and cultural disintegration, as they have in Latin America and Asia. We explore the economic impact of climate change, pandemics, and nationalism on poverty, immigration, and GDP growth using both microeconomics and macroeconomics. Student groups conduct a theoretical and analytical analysis of the economic progress of Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Venezuela, China, and India. Prerequisites: ECON/BUSN 130 (or ECON/BUSN 180), and either BUSN 210, ECON 210, or ECON 220. Cross listed: ECON 489 (This course satisfies Global Perspective and Speaking Intensive.)
cross listed: ECON 489
BUSN 490: Internship
Provides an opportunity to supplement academic training with work experience in the field of business and economics. Interested students must work with Career Services to develop a resume and register with the instructor by the following deadlines: by April 1 for a Fall internship; by November 1 for a Spring internship; and by the week following spring break for a Summer internship. Business and Economics internships may be done for either one or two credits. Internships need to be for different experiences therefore continuation of previous internships, part-time or summer jobs is not allowed. The department will not give credit for internships that do not build directly on prior course work. Students on academic probation are ineligible for this program. Contact the Internship Supervisor for Economics and Business regarding additional information and guidelines. (This course satisfies Experiential Learning.)
cross listed: ECON 490, FIN 490