Course Descriptions

GRADUATE CORE COURSES

GB 6010 Managerial Accounting for Decision Makers  A study of interpretation and the use of accounting data for management planning, decision making and control. Topics include product costing, cost allocation, budgeting, variance analysis and performance evaluation methods.

GB 6020 Advanced Computer Applications  Applications of computer technology to business problems. Advanced applications with statistical software packages, spreadsheets, database management. Topics include programming languages, algorithm development and societal impact. The course will fully integrate the use of statistical software with statistical analysis.

GB 6030 Financial Management  Examine the fundamental principles of corporate financial management and capitol markets. Topics include asset pricing methods, risk management, equity financing, debt financing, dividend policy and the relationship of finance with other functions within the firm, including practical and theoretical methods of financial analysis as part of a system of management decision.

GB 6040 Marketing Management  A study on business to business buyer behavior, marketing segmentation and selection, product planning, pricing, distribution, promotion, buyer-seller interaction, negotiations, competitive bidding, and ethical issues.

GB 6050 Managerial Economics  Examine the influence of government and other factors on the business environment. Study models of aggregate supply and demand theories of consumption and investment, money supply and demand, inflation, rational expectations, stabilization policy, financial markets and international finance.

GB 6060 Human Resources Management  This course identifies the role of the human resource manager. The course examines, from a strategic approach, how the human resource functions interact with the EEO laws, job analysis, competency models, recruiting, selection, training, performance appraisal and management, job design, compensation, benefits, and labor relations. The intent of this course is to enable the student to apply human resources management techniques to the business industry.

GB 6070 Operations Management  A study of the theory and practices of the operations function and its application to productivity in the business areas. Focus is on the quantitative techniques for problem solving and decision making in a variety of strategic and tactical areas of operations management, including total quality management; process design and control, capacity planning, location strategy, materials requirement planning, inventory control, and project management.

GENERAL BUSINESS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GB 6110 Strategic Management of Business Enterprises  This course explores the integration of the functional areas of business at the corporate level. Heavy emphasis is on environmental analysis, goal setting, assessing core competencies, choosing a strategic direction, and organizational implementation and control in the context of a respective business operation.

GB 6210 Contemporary Business Issues  This course is designed to provide a forum for decision, reflection, and examination of contemporary business issues. Global business, legal systems, and social issues, quality, and the internet are a few examples of the topical areas that are covered in this course.

GB 7110 Executive Capstone Seminar  Critical analysis of case studies in strategic management with an emphasis on integrative decision-making. Focuses on strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation and control in today's organization.

GB 6211 Business Ethics  This course is to explore the ethical grey areas of contemporary business practices and to develop skills in moral judgment dialogical framework for ethical decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on the students' self assessment of core values, experiences and assumptions.

GB 6214 Graduate Study Tour  The course offers an in depth, inter-country examination of major business centers and industries throughout the world including the United States. The study tour includes numerous corporate and institutional visits allowing first hand exploration of business issues. Cultural, political, legal, regulatory, and social issues are also examined. The study tour travel component is one week.

GB 6213 International Business and Economics  International Business and Economics reflects the changes in trade law, including the international aspects of intellectual property, and other new cases reflecting the ongoing evolution of the world economy. This course includes new U.S. case law, and discusses new international regimes such as the anti-bribery convention and the Financial Action Task Force. Additionally, coverage of the emerging jurisprudence of NAFTA and the WTO is included.

GB 6212 Leadership  Leadership is influencing people by providing purpose, direction and motivation, while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization. The goal of this course is to help students develop their own leadership skills. This course examines the role of leaders, leadership, and management, power and influence, leadership styles, cultural dimensions of leadership, and leadership and strategic effectiveness.

FOOD & AGRIBUSINESS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GB 6110 Strategic Management of Food & Agribusiness Enterprises  This course explores the integration of the functional areas of business at the corporate level. Heavy emphasis is on environmental analysis, goal setting, assessing core competencies, choosing a strategic direction, and organizational implementation and control in the context of a respective business operation.

GB 6111 Current Issues in Food & Agribusiness  Analysis of current critical practice and research issues in food and agribusiness, agri-food systems, food systems, global, competitiveness, sustainable agriculture, agribusiness ethics, new food and agribusiness ventures, cooperatives, farm management firms, agribusiness multinationals, innovation change, etc. The course will use case study analysis and problem solving to analyze the efforts of critical practices on the food and agribusiness industry.

GB 7110 Executive Capstone Seminar  Critical analysis of case studies in strategic management with an emphasis on integrative decision-making. Focuses on strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation and control in today's organization.

GB 6112 Food & Agribusiness Marketing  An analysis of agricultural marketing systems focusing on their structure, pricing and coordination mechanisms, and performance. Case studies will be used involving decision making, using marketing tools from previous courses.

GB 6114 Food & Agribusiness Price Analysis  A study of the applications of price and demand theories to agricultural market analysis. Topics include agricultural product supply and input demand, uncertainty and risk, expectations, and supply dynamics.

GB 6115 Topics of International Food & Agribusiness  An analysis of government policies and programs which develop agriculture, conserve agricultural resources, address consumer food concerns, stabilize prices and increase income levels. The influence of macro-policy, world economy and international trade on U. S. agriculture is also discussed.

GB 6113 Management of Food & Agribusiness Delivery Systems  This course will deal with the economically efficient distribution of goods and services from their points of creation to the customers. Topics will include strategic decisions such as aggregate distribution plans and warehouse location, as well as operational decisions including the delivery routes and dispatching.

ACCOUNTING COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GB 6310 Auditing  The objectives of this course are to provide the student with detailed concepts and the current practice of financial statement auditing, and to improve analytical and communication skills through a variety of in-class activities and a comprehensive auditing case project environment.

GB 6320 Commercial Law for Accountants  This course emphasizes the most current commercial law topics required for accountants in both practice and preparation for advanced licensing. Topics include: common law contracts; Article 2 of the UCC Sales; Article 9 of the UCC Secured Transactions; federal securities law and basic debtor creditor law.

GB 6330 Financial Reporting and Analysis  This course emphasizes both the process of financial reporting and the analysis of financial statements. The student should be able to read, use and interpret the statements and, most importantly, understand why managers can utilize the flexibility in GAAP to manipulate the numbers for their own purposes. The student will develop these skills throughout a variety of in-class activities, within a case project environment.

GB 6340 Advanced Accounting Theory  The primary objective of this course is to develop an understanding of the theoretical foundation of GAAP as it relates to business combinations and to become proficient in the worksheet techniques involving consolidated financial statements. Topics include partnerships, segments, government accounting and foreign currency transactions. Students will study the theory and apply it to contemporary practices within organizations.

GLOBAL EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GB 6211 Business Ethics  This course explores the ethical grey areas of contemporary business practices and develops skills in moral judgment dialogical framework for ethical decision-making. Emphasis will be placed on the students' self assessment of core values, experiences and assumptions.

GB 6215 Corporate Governance  Corporate Governance as a subject matter recognizes that good governance practices are essential in raising capital in the competitive global environment. This course focuses on understanding how differences in capital markets, ownership structures, and legal traditions affect the optimal design of financial contracts. Moreover, this course will examine potential conflicts between shareholders and other corporate constituents.

This course will explore and evaluate the legal, economic, and financial framework of corporate governance. The design of this course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the current role and responsibilities of corporate directors, officers, and managers in the wake of recent legislation designed to provide the public with a more "transparent" view of how corporations conduct business. Additionally, this course will investigate the changing nature of the relationships between the various constituencies that compose the corporate environment. Finally, this course will expose students to international corporate governance and discuss the reasons for the recent failures of corporate governance.

GB 6216 Global Executive Leadership  This course uses strategy as its unifying theme to explore the global economy and the impact of managerial decisions. By examining comparative management issues thoroughly, this course discusses the strengths and weaknesses of competitors and how to adapt organizational practices. Also covered are the key topics of formation and implementation of strategies in the global environment, the building of strategic alliances, negotiation and cross-cultural communication, international human resource management, and business ethics.

GB 7110 Executive Capstone Seminar  Critical analysis of case studies in strategic management with an emphasis on integrative decision-making. Focuses on strategy formulation, implementation, and evaluation and control in today's organization.

FINANCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GB-6277 Mergers and Acquisitions  An analysis of the acquisition by one firm of all or some of the assets of another firm and its impact on both the companies involved and on society. Topics include a discussion of the types of combinations, the motivations of the participants, the financial analysis required to carry out merger or acquisition activities, negotiation strategies, and the tax and accounting options that are available to the parties.

GB-6239 Portfolio Management  Focuses on current practice and recent theoretical developments. Deals with characteristics of individual securities and portfolios, criteria and models for alternative portfolio composition, criteria for evaluation and measurement of performance, and the impact of government regulation. Evaluation of current theory, its significance for financial management decision making, and consideration of relevant empirical evidence are covered.

GB-6330 Financial Reporting and Analysis  This course adopts a user's perspective of financial statements rather than a preparer's perspective. Financial statement data will be analyzed and then used in decision making situations such as equity valuation, credit extension, and maximation of shareholders' wealth. This course serves as a bridge between accounting and finance, integrating the concepts of these disciplines. This course is designed to provide the student with : 1) the ability to analyze financial statements, 2) an understanding of the incentives of companies to "manage" earnings through their choices of accounting methods, which are somewhat flexible within GAAP, 3) an understanding of the limitations to the usefulness of financial statements, and 4) despite these limitations, an understanding of the value of financial statements in decision making situations such as stock price evaluation, loan approvals, and maximizing shareholder wealth. We accomplish this through a body of knowledge developed by research in finance, accounting, and economics.

GB-6345 International Finance  An overview of current financial theory and practice as it applies to the multinational enterprise. Topics include foreign exchange markets and forecasting, foreign exchange risk management, the international debt crisis, multinational working capital management, and capital budgeting. Eurocurrencies and foreign security markets are also discussed.

GB-6425 Speculative Markets  This course introduces the student to the world of speculative markets. Toward this end, students will study the key issues in options and futures pricing and learn how to employ these assets to maximize investor utility. An examination of controversial issues in this area will be conducted. Students will write a research note on an important issue in the speculative markets field.

GB-6411 Financial Markets  This course will serve as an introduction to the financial system and its relationship to the financing of domestic and international business activity. Financial market components and phenomena such as financial instruments, institutions, flow of funds, market efficiency, interest rate determination and term structure, exchange rates, and the balance of payments are analyzed. The governmental impact on financial markets, manifested through monetary and fiscal policy and regulation, is also covered. An introduction is given to the concept of financial assest valuation and the time value of money. The emphasis is on the significance of these elements for conducting the financial affairs of businesses.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GB-6122 Entrepreneurship  This course examines the nature of entrepreneurship. This course will focus on all the aspects of starting a new business. Topics include attributes of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial careers, evaluating opportunities, writing business plans and financing the new venture.

GB-6219 Entrepreneurial Finance  This course will inform the students of the relevant matters in the creation and financing of an entrepreneurial venture. The course will focus on all financial aspects facing the entrepreneur in today's economic environment. Topics include attributes and sources of capital to finance entrepreneurial ventures ranging from "friends, family & fools," angel investors, venture capital, debt financing and grant funding.

GB-7120 Entrepreneurship Capstone  Intended as an all-encompassing business course from the entrepreneurial perspective. Integration of business background acquired from accounting, marketing, strategic planning and implementation. Discussion will practically apply or simulate business situations.

GB-6231 International Business for Entrepreneurs  Entrepreneurship in the 21st century is evolving. Because of global changes in technology, communications, and capital markets, today's innovative startups are building successful companies in countries around the globe, in many instances with investors, vendors, customers, and employees located thousands of miles away. The challenges these leading-edge companies face, particularly in emerging markets, are some of the most sophisticated issues both for businesses and governments alike.

GB-6230 Family as Entrepreneurs  The objective of the course is to familiarize students with some of the unique issues faced by owners of entrepreneurial and family businesses. Example of topics covered includes selection of business form, tax planning, financing and cash flow planning. Special problems of family businesses include integrating family members into the business, motiviating and retaining non-family employees, and business succession strategies. These issues will be viewed from a multi-disciplinary perspective that includes legal, tax and behavioral considerations.

GB-6299 Social Entrepreneurship  Social Entrepreneurship involves recognizing opportunities, combining and mobilizing resources, triggering positive changes in various domains, and building sustainability. It aims at social impact but does not exclude economic wealth creation. Social Entrepreneurship is about using entrepreneurial skills to craft innovative responses to social problems.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GB-6108 Compensation and Benefits  Application of compensation principles to organizations' strategies. Focus on managing employee compensation in contemporary organizations. The major objectives are to examine the current state of compensation decision making, to examine how recent theoretical and research inform compensation decisions and to offer an opportunity to develop competencies in making compensation decisions.

GB-6161 Global Human Resources and Diversity  This course is intended to familiarize the students with the latest global trends and human resource management and multinational corporations with differing cultures, HR systems and policies. Management across borders requires global managerial staffing and cross-cultural decision making.

GB-7125 Strategic Human Resource Management (Capstone)  This course examines strategic human resource (HR) management and HR planning. Applicable theories and methods of strategic, operational, and tactical planning and their relationship to HR management are covered, as well as the multiple roles HR plays in assisting organizations to gain and sustain competitive advantages in a fast-paced environment.

GB-6324 Executive Compensation  We now live in a "winner take all" economic environment where the dispersion of pay and other rewards between the "winners," who have marketable skills, and the others, whose skills are not in demand, is growing farther apart. Executives, managers, technologists and others with rare and hard to replace skills are being rewarded like "one of a kind" athletes and media stars in the labor market. This trend of high pay for high potential employees is the most developed in the United States, but other countries who compete with the US for talent are also adjusting their pay policies to cope with this world-wide phenomenon. This course will explore this trend from economic, management, ethical and legal perspectives.

GB-6360 Legal Issues in Human Resource Management  One of the human resource professional's roles is to help ensure the organization's compliance with labor and employment laws and to recognize when the organization needs advice from legal counsel. This course will hellp you recognize legal issues and recommend policies and procedures that can minimize exposure to lawsuits. It will help the student become better informed about how his/her role and responsibilites can impact the organization's bottom line.

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

GB-6225 Supply Chain Management  This course is an introduction to the supply chain concept and will explore the management of supply chains to improve an organization's overall supply efficiency. Topics covered include core logistics functions, cost integration, and relationships with suppliers, customers, and other firm functions such as manufacturing and finance.

GB-6227 Global Supply Chain Management  As companies are beginning to recognize that managing their businesses through functional silos is inappropriate in a challenging and complex global marketplace, there is an urgent need for a decision-making framework. This course attempts to provide such a framework by integrating operations and supply chain concepts to address the critical issue of managing flow of products, services, and information. This course will provide an overview of the concepts and decision processes in effectively managing the flow of goods, services and information in a global environment.

GB-Supply Chain Capstone  This course covers the major issues both domestically and globally in supply chain management including definition of a supply chain, the role of inventory, advanced production-inventory models, supply contracts, bullwhip effect and information sharing, vendor-managed inventories and other distribution strategies, third-party logistics providers, managing product variety, information technology and supply chain management, international issues.

GB-6217 Transportation and Distribution  This course will offer a broad overview of transportation and distribution systems including the activities of transportation and supply chain systems, such as transportation network design, scheduling, routing, contracting, and pricing.

GB-6244 Strategic Procurement  Competition is no longer company versus company; it is supply chain versus supply chain. More and more, companies are counting on their suppliers to lower costs, improve quality, and develop innovations. The success of a firm and its ability to satisfy customer expectations are influenced greatly by the capabilities and performance of its suppliers. The objectives of this course are to understand the relationship between suppliers and customer, determine which elements in the relationship are critical, examine how relationships vary among industries and products, and develop and implement effective supplier relationships. The course should help firms identify ways to categorize and organize suppliers, build and retain good supplier relationships and ensure that suppliers meet quality and delivery requirements. This should lead to a better understanding of supplier relationships so that better strategic sourcing decisions can be made. Using this approach, companies can reduce enterprise spending, consolidate and prioritize suppliers, reduce supplier risk, and align procurement strategies with corporate goals.

GB-6309 Management Information Systems in Supply Chain Management  A comprehensive study of the concepts, processes, and strategies used in the development and management of global supply chains. Supply-chain management (SCM) is a systems approach to managing the entire flow of information, materials, and services from raw material suppliers through factories and warehouses to the final end-customer. Specific topics include global supply chain management, procurement, electronic commerce, information technologies, and logistics activities. SCM represents a philosophy of doing business that stresses processes and integration. This course will be taught through the use of textbook materials, outside readings, and case analysis.

GB-6341 Law and Ethics for Supply Chain Management  This course exposes graduate students to fundamental issues and current best practices in managing legal/ethical compliance and corporate social responsibility in the supply chain process. Course topics cover both domestic and international business issues, including child labor, environmental sustainability, anti-corruption, and human rights. Special attention is given to preparing law and management students to understand and manage the demands on US and international corporations making complex business decisions in the face of increasing expectations for transparency and accountability. Structured around real-world cases that simulate the challenges of today's domestic and global markets, the course equips students to manage and integrate the differing perspectives.