Courses

An introductory study of business including organizational forms, the function of production, finance, marketing and human resources. Additional topics will be environmental factors which impact business such as government business ethics and current business issues.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Identify the challenges that businesses face in today’s global environment.
2. Explain why ethical behavior is important to businesses.
3. Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of the various forms of business organization.
4. Explain the importance of entrepreneurship to the US economy.
5. Describe characteristics of successful entrepreneurs.
6. Explain the four basic management functions.
7. Discuss theories on how managers motivate employees.
8. Identify key tasks involved in designing a production process.
9. Discuss the four elements of the marketing mix.
10. Discuss how users of financial information analyze financial statements.
11. Discuss key economic concepts such as scarcity, supply or demand.
12. Explain the role of human resource management in modern organizational settings.

First of two small business courses designed for those interested in learning how to start and manage a small business. It begins by defining and explaining the nature of small business in today's economy and entrepreneurs in the context of the free enterprise system. The topics include small business opportunities, legal forms of ownership, franchising, starting a new venture, sources of financing, developing marketing strategies and human resource management. Students will also learn the key components of a business plan, review case studies, and undertake a major project.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Assess one's own entrepreneurial potential.
2. Identify career opportunities for entrepreneurs.
3. Identify the critical factors that are used to assess business start-up ideas.
4. Justify the best start-up method to fit personal entrepreneurial objectives.
5. Choose the appropriate form of legal organization for a business which may be based on decreasing risk, managing tax liabilities, decreasing costs, or increasing long-term profitability.
6. Develop a “blue print” for a small business by analyzing the planning process.
7. Identify financing sources for a small business.
8. Develop a marketing plan for a small business.

This course is designed to teach supervisors the concepts and skills they need to manage work and lead people in a diverse workforce. Its emphasis is on planning, problem-solving, communication, decision making, and employee motivation skills through the practical application of these concepts. It includes practice in hiring, training, performance appraisal, meetings, time management, and compliance with government regulations for equal opportunity, safety, and health.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Use effective communication skills to resolve common workplace issues from a supervisory perspective.
2. Identify the skills needed to be an effective supervisor.
3. Apply various methods supervisors use to motivate employees.
4. Apply the principles of quality control to a business operation.
5. Apply effective conflict resolution strategies.
6. Explain the challenges of effectively supervising a diverse workforce.
7. Apply management tools to solve problems common to first line supervisors.
8. Explain the importance of having a customer focus for first line supervisors.

A study of legal principles applied to business transactions. Topics covered include: contracts, criminal law and business, business torts, court systems, and commercial paper. This course is required for A.S. students in Business Administration and A.S. students in International Business.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Define and describe the legal principles applied to business transactions covered in the course including contracts, criminal law and business, torts, court systems, and commercial paper.
2. Apply the legal principles to practical business situations.
3. Describe how to foresee and avoid legal difficulties in the business world and in personal dealings.
4. Recognize when individuals may handle legal situations on their own and when they should seek the advice and guidance of an attorney.

A study of the theories and practices that are used in the organization and management of profit and non-profit business and institutions. Topics will include planning, decision making, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling.

Prerequisite: BUS 104 with a grade of C or higher

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Apply traditional management theories to current management problems.
2. Discuss the fundamentals of planning and strategy.
3. Explain the strategic management process.
4. Formulate appropriate organizational structures using the seven elements of organizations.
5. Explain how to motivate employees using motivational theories.
6. Discuss the dynamics of teams in organizations.
7. Apply leadership theories to different organizational situations.
8. Describe the managerial control process.
9. Discuss ways to improve communication within organizations.
10. Describe barriers to decision making.
11. Discuss the role of human resource management in organizations.
12. Discuss individual differences among individuals, which may include values, attitudes, personality, perception, or diversity.
13. Discuss an organization's obligations to society, which may include ethics, social responsibility or sustainability.

An introduction to the principles, practices, and techniques used in the development and implementation of an effective Human Resources/Personnel Management program. The course includes a discussion of employment, training, compensation, labor relations, health and safety and federal laws governing human resource management.

BUS 104 with a grade of C or higher

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe human resource management’s role in business organizations.
2. Explain the impact of employment laws on human resource management in areas which may include recruiting, hiring, compensation, evaluation or promotion.
3. Develop a job analysis that follows acceptable design principles.
4. Explain the components of a job description.
5. Develop job specification requirements.
6. Analyze a job for its motivating potential.
7. Develop a training plan which may include needs assessment, objectives, training methods, or evaluation systems.
8. Describe the methods used in performance management which may include counseling, discipline or performance evaluation.
9. Explain how components of compensation systems can be used to motivate employees.
10. Describe how labor relations affect organizations.

Organizational behavior provides a conceptual and experiential basis for motivating and coordinating people to manage change in organizations. This course is intended for those who want to develop the tools for understanding, analyzing and changing the work behaviors of individuals and groups in an increasingly diverse workforce. It will use a combination of exercises, self-assessment techniques, cases and role plays to develop insights that facilitate self-knowledge and teamwork in a dynamic global environment.

Prerequisite: BUS 104 with a C or higher

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe specific theories that affect organizational behavior, which may include perception, learning, motivation, leadership, job satisfaction, teamwork, communication or organizational change.
2. Explain the importance of ethics for modern organizations.
3. Evaluate methods of motivating individuals or groups within a business organization.
4. Evaluate methods of rewarding individuals or groups within a business organization.
5. Explain how job design impacts employee motivation.
6. Explain why the rational choice decision model is seldom used in organizations.
7. Discuss the impact of individual differences (which may include engagement, personality, emotions, stress, attitudes, or values) on organizational behavior.
8. Discuss the uses of power and influence in organizational settings.
9. Discuss how organizational culture affects employee behavior.

Second of two courses designed for those interested in learning how to start and manage a small business. It builds on the preceding course concerning the establishment of the small business and deals with management of the on-going venture. This course takes a functional approach to managing the small business through a discussion of more advanced topics including entrepreneurial characteristics, financial planning and control, business operations, risk management, regulations, business valuation and succession issues, and other current topics. Students will develop a business plan.

Prerequisite: BUS 110 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of the instructor.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain how to improve business operations by utilizing effective purchasing procedures, inventory control systems or quality control procedures.
2. Create performance standards to analyze business operations.
3. Use performance standards to analyze business situations.
4. Analyze the financial structure of a business.
5. Use the tools of tax planning to develop a profitability plan for a business.
6. Utilize various management tools to decrease a business's risk exposure.
7. Create an effective business plan.

This seminar has been designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the processes, procedures and challenges that arise in conducting business across national borders. Representatives from business or government involved in international trade will be invited to present information and conduct a discussion in various areas of international business expertise. This course is intended for students who are in the last semester of the degree program.

Prerequisites: BUS 104, MAR 200, ECO 111, ECO 112, ACC 101, ENG 101, Three credits of foreign language, SOC 150 and GEG 211 or permission of instructor. SOC 150 and GEG 211 can be taken concurrently. Students in business programs other than International Business are not required to have the foreign language, SOC 150 and GEG 211 prerequisites for this course. Please contact the course instructor or department chair before registering for the course to discuss course expectations..

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss how the management functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling are utilized in a global business enterprise.
2. Describe the issues and skills necessary to manage a successful multicultural workforce and market in a global economy.
3. Analyze how the global trade and investment environment can affect the success and profitability of a company’s global strategy.
4. Choose the most effective market entry strategy to pursue global business opportunities.

This experiential education course provides the student with an opportunity to apply their academic learning in an appropriate co-op or internship experience. Students work a minimum of 90* hours throughout the semester in a career-related position, while also participating in coursework intended to support the job experience. Students may contact the Chairperson of the Business and Economics Department to help them secure a suitable position. This course is for students in the Accounting, Entrepreneurial Studies, and Computer Information Systems A.A.S. degree programs and is intended to be taken during the student’s final semester before graduation.

*The work hour requirement is current as of publication of this catalog.

Prerequisite(s): A minimum of 45 credit hours earned toward an Accounting, Entrepreneurial Studies, or Computer Information Systems A.A.S. degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher AND a review of job placement by the Business and Economics Department. The student’s enrollment into the course for all degrees is processed and approved by the Chairperson of the Business and Economics Department.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Apply basic standards of professional behavior in the workplace.
2. Develop co-op learning outcomes with a supervisor.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in co-op learning outcomes.
4. Assess personal inventories in areas which may include time management, values, personality, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, job satisfaction, needs, or leadership style.

See the Department Chairperson.

Check if course is offered:
Fall Semester 2024
Spring Semester 2024
Summer Session 2024