

The Business Department offers courses in Accounting, Business Administration, Management, and Marketing.
In this course, students explore major ethical issues arising in the practice of business and learn to apply various methods of ethics in solving these problems. Whistle-blowing, inside trading, employees' rights, multinational corporations and other topics are discussed. Course offered as BUS2110 and PHL 2110.
The application of statistics to problems in business and economics, encompassing the gathering, organization, analysis, and presentation of data. Topics include descriptive statistics in tabular and graphical forms; the common measures of central tendency and dispersion; samplng and probability distributions; construction of confidence intervals and hypotesis testing; and correlation analysis. This course is offered as BUS 2340 or ECN 2340.
The course will examine all aspects of company formation, looking first at the strategic planning and research to organize the business, financing the plan, investing in the resources, and operating the business. Specifically, the basic accounting equation, journalizing accounting transactions using debits and credits, financial statement analysis, cost terms, concepts and behavior, cost-volume-profit relationships, profit planning, and capital budgeting will be covered. NOTE: This course does not satisfy any requirements for Accounting or Management majors.
An analysis of accounting, the language of business. Introduction to basic accounting theory, concepts, and practices emphasizing income measurement; study of the accounting cycle; and preparation of basic financial statements.
This course focuses on the use of accounting as an analytic business tool within a business organization. This includes understanding cost behavior and using this knowledge to make important management decisions. It includes developing the costs of providing products and/or services to the organization's customers and developing budgets or plans for the organization's operations. Finally, it includes measuring performance against those plans for purposes of taking corrective action and rewarding performance. Emphasis will be placed on current innovations in managerial accounting resulting from changes in the global manufacturing environment. Analytical skills and written and oral communication skills will be emphasized, partly through the medium of case studies that model real-world situations.
This course focuses on the information developed and used internally within a business organization to effectively manage its operation. It deals with using information about the behavior of its costs to make good management decisions. It covers the development of a profit plan for the organization's operations and the use of that same information to develop product/service costs. It includes analytical approaches to measuring performance and taking corrective action, as well as alternative approaches to valuing work-in-process inventory. The course also incorporates the theory of constraints where appropriate. Case studies that model real-world situations are used to develop students' analytical skills and to provide practice in written and oral expression.
This course focuses on the compilation and analysis of accounting information and the procedures involved in determining the cost of various cost objects, such as the products or services sold to customers, and the importance and relevance of this information in making the short-term and long-term decisions involved in managing an entity. Students cannot receive credit for this course and ACC 2040 (204).
A comprehensive, in-depth, analytical, and interpretive study of alternative accounting procedures for communicating financial and economic information, supported by critical evaluations of current issues and reporting practices. Students conduct a separate analysis of each of the major items appearing in corporate financial statements, with emphasis on theory and the logic involved in selecting one accounting or financial reporting approach over another.
A comprehensive, in-depth, analytical, and interpretive study of alternative accounting procedures for communicating financial and economic information, supported by critical evaluations of current issues and reporting practices. Students conduct a separate analysis of each of the major items appearing in corporate financial statements, with an emphasis on theory and the logic involved in selecting one accounting or financial reporting approach over another.
A study of federal income taxation of individuals focused on tax theory and policy, laws, and related authoritative sources. Practical applications of tax laws are stressed through computerized preparation of frequently encountered forms and schedules and use of research materials applied to tax-planning scenarios.
A study of federal income taxation of business entities focused on tax theory and policy, laws, and related authoritative sources. Practical applications of tax laws are stressed through preparation of frequently encountered forms and use of research materials applied to tax-planning scenarios. Taxation of gifts, estates and trusts is also covered.
Theoretical analysis and problem-solving approach to current issues in accounting theory and practice; accounting for mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, bankruptcy and liquidations, consolidations, and parent company and subsidiary relationships; preparation of consolidated accounting statements; and use of accounting procedures to prepare accounting reports for management, investors, and governmental agencies.
Principles, standards, and procedures involved in the independent examination and analysis of financial statements prepared for management and the general public. Concepts of ethical and social responsibilities are explored. Special emphasis is given to the proper reporting and communication of financial and economic information to the general public and to various governmental agencies.
An introduction to personal and organizational information technology. Through readings, hands-on applications, and cases students will study current topics and trends relating to business while developing personal technology skills for problem-solving, communication, research, analysis, and presentation. Spring/Fall.
A survey of the mathematical models of Management Science and Operations Research (such as linear programming, queuing theory, decision analysis, and simulation) applied to managerial decision making.
A study of managerial roles, functions, and skills; covers planning, organizing, controlling, leading, staffing, decision-making, and problem-solving in contemporary organizations (public, private, and not-for-profit); reviews foundations of management thought and managerial processes that lead to organizational effectiveness.
A survey of major management systems and quantitative techniques used in manufacturing and service operations. Subject matter will address Operations Strategy, Product/Process Design, Quality Management, Inventory Management (including MRP and JIT), Project Management, and other related topics.
An examination of significant behavioral research influencing human resource management. General survey of personnel administration functions and management-labor relations.
This is an introductory, general survey course of American legal principles and their application to the business world. Students will develop an understanding of the legal system, the litigation process and the ethical considerations attendant to making important business decisions. Areas of study will include contracts, torts, property, business organization, employment law, discrimination, crimes, the Constitution and the regulatory process. Oral and written analysis of case law will be utilized to help students appreciate, understand and explain multiple points of view regarding the legal environment of business.
An overview of legal concepts covered on the CPA exam including: the Uniform Commercial Code; agency relationships; property and bailments; wills, trusts, and estates; sales and lease of goods; title, risk and insurable loss; secured transactions; bankruptcy; negotiable instruments; transfer of liability; electronic funds transfers; liability of accountants; and accounting ethics. Students cannot receive credit for this course and MGT 3650.
This course will provide students majoring in accounting with an overview of the legal concepts necessary to successfully complete the CPA exam. This course will focus on the Uniform Commercial Code, contracts, negotiable instruments, sales and secured transactions, agency relationships, business organization and formation, bankruptcy, professional liability and accounting ethics. Students will be expected to analyze legal cases involving business law matters through both oral and written communication. At the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the American legal system, an ability to recognize and address ethical issues attendant to making important business decisions and an ability to analyze complex legal concepts associated with the accounting process.
A study of management in an international environment, its evolution, and its position in today's society. Students also study the control and decision-making process for management of a worldwide organization, including the financial, marketing, human resource, political and ethical implications of the worldwide organization in local markets and in the international community.
A survey of various legal systems including common law, civil law, and Islamic law. Students will be introduced to a variety of concepts, including the sources of international law, the distinction between private and public law, and the concept of sovereign nations. The implications of sovereignty as they relate to international business activity are a central theme of the course. Original source materials, case studies, and legal opinions are used. Special schedule.
Students will select a topic or problem in consultation with the course instructor and conduct research on that issue. These projects could be general current events in business or specific problems faced on local business.
An interpretive, analytical study of classic and modern day valuation techniques. Additional attention shall be given to professional trading methodology and strategy. Special topics of discussion will include risk management metrics, spread/pairs trading, modern hedging techniques, security appraisal, and modern portfolio theory.
Labor and Employment Law is the comprehensive study of labor relations law, including the development of American labor unions, as well as the National Labor Relations Act, unfair labor practices, and other rights and responsibilities of management and unions. Students will also study equal employment opportunity and related employment law issues including Title VII, EEO legislation, and common law employment issues. This course will be facilitated by the case study method. Significant writing and speaking will be expected of all students.
Business Policies Seminar is a capstone course for seniors majoring in business administration. It is designed to allow students to integrate their knowledge from other business department curriculum and apply those insights to profit and loss management of a business operation. This is accomplished through use of a computer simulated business environment that allows for dynamic competitive interactions between several firms. Additionally, under supervision, all students will complete a Senior Thesis/Project fulfilling both the seminar requirement and the general college requirement. Senior Thesis/Project choices are determined by each student, presented to the instructor in a learning proposal, and completed over the course of the scheduled term.
A survey of current marketing theory and practices to familiarize the student with the role of marketing in the free enterprise system. Cases and/or simulation will be used to demonstrate applications.
This introductory class focuses on both personal selling and sales force management. This course provides knowledge and understanding of the principles, concepts and procedures underlying personal selling and sales management. Lectures, role playing exercises, simulations, class exercises and case studies are used to reinforce the text. Topics include recruitment, training, motivation, compensation, leadership and evaluation of the sales force; making sales presentation and sales calls; handling objections and closing deals.
This course focuses on the theory and practice of designing and implementing an integrated marketing communications program for maximum impact on cutomers and constituents. Class lectures and applied activities are designed to foster analytical and critical thinking skills in campaign design and development; strategic planning; research and assessment of target markets; media buying strategy; and national, global, and ethical issues. Recent developments in marketing communications are also addressed.
This course focuses on the development of critical thinking and analytical skills in the design of marketing strategy and tactics using databases. Database marketing refers to a company's use of databases to gain a better understanding of customers, and accomplish marketing objectives, by delivering higher levels of customer satisfaction. Topics and applications in this class focus on market segmentation, customer relationship management, trend analysis, and accountability of marketing actions. For-profit and not-for-profit situations are addressed.
This course focuses on the unique characteristics of the Business-to-Business customer in the context of an increasingly complex, competitive and global marketplace. The course exposes students to a wide range of industrial products and services. Lectures, role playing exercises and case studies are used to reinforce the text. Topics include: organizational buying behavior, segmenting, supply chain management, customer relationship management, pricing, product development, and ecommerce.
This course focuses on the development of successful marketing strategies based on an understanding of consumer behavior and current marketing research practices and procedures. Frameworks of consumer decision-making and overt behavior will include perspectives based on psychology, sociology, behavioral economics, and cultural anthropology. Research projects will incorporate both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Erik Guenther, '99, has a passion for justice. In 2008, that passion took Mr. Guenther to war-torn Afghanistan. Read more.