Essentials of Business Course Descriptions
Essentials of Business
In this introduction to the goals, processes and operations of business enterprises, you gain a foundation in business knowledge and an effective overview of how business is conducted in the United States. Your focus is on the functions that a company—whether a multinational corporation or a corner grocery store—must manage effectively to be successful. These functions include accounting, finance, human resources management, marketing, operations management and strategic planning. You also study the legal environment in which businesses operate and the importance of business ethics and corporate citizenship. Expect to:
- learn the fundamental concepts of business management,
- understand and appreciate the component parts of a business and how they interact,
- pursue further studies in specialized business topics.
Global Business Communication: Writing and Speaking
Strengthen written and oral communications skills for the global business environment. In addition to exploring the foundations of communication theory, you fine-tune your ability to craft polished business documents, from email messages to formal proposals. You also practice planning strategies and interpersonal communication techniques to give effective oral presentations. Specifically, you learn to:
- utilize a three-step writing process to craft excellent business documents,
- edit business correspondence and proposals for conciseness and clarity,
- communicate persuasively while anticipating opposition in both written and oral formats,
- design and deliver strong oral presentations.
Applied Economics for Business
Welcome to the study of microeconomics, including the theory of supply and demand and the use of that theory to explain market functions. Get an introduction to different market structures and their relationship to market performance and efficiency. You also explore topics such as public policy's effects on markets, international trade and finance, and limitations of the market system. At the end of this course, you are able to:
- understand the science of economics,
- explain how demand is determined and how a firm's costs are categorized,
- identify the true costs associated with making economic decisions,
- describe how firms make decisions on pricing and production levels in both idealized and realistic market structures,
- discuss the role of government in regulating markets,
- identify ways in which firms customize their production processes,
- describe how the price system is limited and how to solve those limitations,
- discuss economic decision making and the making of public policy in regard to the international marketplace.
Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Explore ethical issues with a business perspective, focusing on social, political and legal topics. Examine the role of business in formulating social conscience, and learn how to recognize and address ethical questions. On successful completion, you are able to:
- understand ethical theory and contemporary business ethics, including social responsibility, environmental protection, privacy, individual rights, occupational safety and health, product liability and equality of opportunity;
- discuss whether corporate managers have responsibilities beyond seeking to maximize shareholder wealth;
- deal with many variables and situational risk factors, weigh the pros and cons of a particular course of action and perform a risk assessment;
- comprehend social theory and the corporation's role in creating the "good society."
Business Negotiating
Study a practical, positive approach to effectively negotiating all kinds of real-life situations, with an emphasis on business negotiations. By applying the concepts learned, you can facilitate strategically planned negotiations, improved working relationships with coworkers and superiors, enhanced organizational effectiveness, positive outcomes for yourself and other parties, effective group and interpersonal conflict management, and successful international and multicultural negotiations. By taking this course, you:
- receive a basic understanding of the objectives, principles, concepts, terms and procedures in a negotiation process;
- learn the fundamentals involved in successful conflict resolution;
- complete exercises utilizing persuasion, bargaining and negotiation;
- analyze the reasons negotiations succeed and fail and develop the skills to ensure success;
- discover the differences inherent in domestic and international negotiations;
- understand that negotiations are a way to build long-lasting relationships based on mutually beneficial solutions.
Corporate Financial Management
Understand how finance can help you make good business decisions using financial concepts, even if you don’t want to make finance your career. Examine two fundamental issues: what investments firms should make and where should they find the cash for those investments. The emphasis throughout the course is on the practical application of financial concepts to common business decisions. By taking this course, you learn to:
- interpret the principal financial statements found in a company’s annual report
- assess a company’s financial health
- forecast the financing needs of a company
- finance a firm’s operations using an optimal mix of debt and equity
- measure the value an investment creates for shareholders
- manage a company to create value for shareholders
Effective Marketing Essentials
Gain knowledge of basic marketing concepts and tools and their application in the business world. Study key marketing concepts including consumer behavior, product development, pricing, communication, advertising, sales and the use of current social media. Regardless of the field you ultimately choose to pursue, you gain a strong grounding in the marketing discipline in this course. Upon completion, you are able to:
- understand what marketing is, and what role it plays in the economy and within the organization
- identify the key issues that marketers face within various decision areas
- select and apply the key tools that marketers use to leverage business opportunities
- apply creative and critical thinking skills, and improve your presentation skills
- gain an appreciation of how a marketing perspective affects your professional development
Emotional Intelligence and Leadership for Cross-Cultural Contexts
This foundation course introduces the concepts, application, practice and strategies involved in understanding and developing key leadership capabilities. You study current leadership models including emotional intelligence, stewardship, and collaborative and facilitative leadership. You learn to gauge your own leadership skills and capabilities, along with your strengths and weaknesses, and identify a course of action for your personal growth and development. You pay particular attention to developing a leadership style that is effective in a cross-cultural and multigenerational environment. You also examine strategies for identifying and resolving conflicts in the workplace. Gain the confidence, knowledge and practical experience you need to lead successful and productive teams in diverse working environments. On successful completion of this course, you:
- understand current leadership models
- understand and develop your emotional intelligence
- identify your personal leadership style; outline a plan for your development as a leader
- learn how to adapt your style to the needs of the organization and their staff
- learn how to develop a high performing team in a cross-cultural setting
- learn how to manage conflict and apply fruitful friction
- understand how to manage cultural and individual differences
- learn decision making strategies
- learn how to create and manage team and organization culture