Master Syllabus

Course Number and Title:     BUS 489 Senior Seminar – Business Capstone

Department:                           Business

Credit hours:                          3

Prerequisites:                         Business major and senior status

Fees and charges:                  none

Effective catalog date for this master syllabus:  2006-2007

1. Catalog description:  This interdisciplinary course integrates content from a variety of disciplines, including business and economics.  Students will examine multiple objectives, synthesize concepts, identify problems, analyze and evaluate alternative solutions, and put knowledge into practice.

2. Course content:  This is a course in strategic planning.  Among topics to be covered are an overview of strategic planning and its importance, core concepts and analytical tools, crafting a strategy, and executing the strategy.

3. Student learning objectives:  Among student learning objectives are:
• to learn and apply strategic management concepts to business planning situations
• to develop skills in thinking strategically about a wide variety of business situations
• to integrate concepts and techniques in decision-making and problem-solving found in the various functional business disciplines with a view to practical applications
• to study the strategies of firms through cases that differentiate successful strategies from less successful ones
• to evaluate the industry in which a firm operates, its competitive situation, and the opportunities and threats present in its external environment
• to assess the strengths and weaknesses of companies in a wide variety of industries and situations and propose appropriate strategic actions
• to analyze diversification and globalization strategies
• to examine concepts and skills necessary for successful strategy implementation.

4. Student assessment criteria:  Student assessment criteria may include assignments, attendance and participation, case analyses, presentations, papers, exams, and quizzes.

5.  Additional information:

Suggested text is Strategy: Winning in the Marketplace, Thompson, Gamble & Strickland,  Boston: McGraw-Hill (most recent edition).

Teaching methodology will include case studies, collaborative learning activities, Socratic method, team assignments, presentations, experiential exercises, lecture and discussion.

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