Business Courses
Faculty have chosen topics about which they are especially passionate and informed. That sense of urgency and excitement ignites instructor-student interaction and results in profound learning experiences. Individual course topics will vary, but all will involve students in critical thinking about the intersection of business, ethics, world societies, and the environment. In the process, students learn to discuss and use basic business concepts and trends. Prerequisites: (concurrent RHET 106 or concurrent RHET 108 ) or TOEFL Total Score Paper with a minimum score of 587 or TOEFL Total Score Internet with a minimum score of 94 or IELTS Overall Score with a minimum score of 7.0 or SAT Read HI + SAT Write HI with a minimum score of 400 or ACT Engl HI + ACT Read HI with a minimum score of 22
This course is designed for newly declared Hospitality Industry Management majors/minors to begin their progression process through the Hospitality Industry Management Program. The focus of this course is career preparation in Hospitality Management so done by developing one's career portfolio, identifying industry-related areas of interest through a series of professional skills assessments administered by USF Career Services, and developing an action plan to launch their 800-hour industry-related work experience requirement for graduation in this major.
This course reviews family business basics and family dynamics. Understand family business as a social and economic entity and as a career option. Develop career planning skills and design a personalized career success plan that extends through and beyond college. Learn about family businesses and their growth and development.
Preparation of financial statements, use of financial information for investment-related decisions. Accounting for cash, receivables and payables, inventory, plant assets, intangibles, liabilities, debt, and owners' equity. Analysis of financial statements. Prerequisites: concurrent BUS 100 or concurrent BUS 195 or concurrent BUS 181 or RHET 250 or RHET 310 or RHET 295 or COMS 195
Preparation and use of accounting information for management decision making. Internal accounting systems and procedures. Managerial accounting reports: budgets, profit performance reports, costing systems, control reports, analytical reports. Prerequisites: MATH 106 and BUS 201
Data analysis and modeling using spreadsheet software to support management decision making, including: simple and multiple regression models; forecasting; business simulation models; decision analysis; and optimization models for resource allocation. Prerequisites: MATH 106 and (concurrent BUS 100 or concurrent BUS 195 or concurrent BUS 181 or RHET 250 or RHET 310 ) or RHET 295 or COMS 195
A selection of topics that will critically analyze the contributions of the social sciences to the understanding of the human condition. These topics will share a common introduction to the methodology of the social sciences and teach social science skills. The range of possible social problems to be focused on includes distribution of wealth, family, relations, education, health, war and peace, crime and ecology. Prerequisites: MATH 101 or MATH 106
A survey course to introduce the students to the various components of and issues relating to management of hospitality services. Topics that will be covered are food service, lodging, and tourism. The focus of this course will be on learning about careers in the industry, making connections with industry professionals, and exposing students to the possibilities and problems in this dynamic and ever-changing industry. Prerequisite: BUS 181
This course will survey the variety of events and process of bringing innovative conference and event ideas to reality. Learning activities include: event project life cycle, project management process, work breakdown structure, corporate event documents, venue selection, event proposal preparation process, decision tree analysis, risk analysis process, contract management process, web event technology and event financial analysis. Prerequisites: BUS 181 and BUS 283
Data analysis and modeling using spreadsheet software to support management decision making, including: simple and multiple regression models; forecasting; business simulation models; decision analysis; and optimization models for resource allocation. Prerequisites: MATH 106 and BUS 100 or BUS 195 or BUS 181 or RHET 250 or RHET 310
A survey of the cases and statutes that influence business and impact managerial decision-making. Topical focus is on legal systems, constitutional law, business crimes and torts, real, personal and intellectual property, with a major emphasis on contract law. Prerequisites: RCOM 110 or RCOM 130 or RCOM 210 or RCOM 310 or RCOM 120 or RHET 195 or RCOM 220 or RCOM 250 or RCOM 125 or RCOM 126 or RHET 125 or RHET 126 or SII 120 or RHET 110 or RHET 130 or RHET 310 or RHET 120 or RHET 250 or RCOM 131 or RHET 131 or RCOM 140 or RHET 140 or RHET 195 or SII 110 or RHET 295 or COMS 195
This course introduces fundamental marketing concepts and theories, and demonstrates their applications and practices. Topics include market and competitive analysis, market segmentation and targeting, product positioning, brand and product management, pricing issues, advertising and promotion campaigns, and channels of distribution. Cases, presentations and assignments are used to highlight these topics, illustrate marketing concepts and theories in practices, and allow students to apply them in real and simulated company situations. Prerequisites: (ECON 101 or ECON 111 ) and (ECON 102 or ECON 112 ) and MATH 106 and (BUS 201 and BUS 202 ) or ADVT 341 or COMS 341
Covers the theory and practice of management and organizational dynamics with emphasis on meeting the challenges of a changing work place environment. Topics include: the managerial functions of planning, organizing, staffing, leading and controlling and the study of personal and group behavior in organizations. Course themes are: diversity in the work place, globalization, ethics and social responsiveness, changing technology and effective management of these challenges. Prerequisites: RCOM 120 or RCOM 250 or RCOM 131 or RCOM 310 or RCOM 220 or RCOM 126 or RHET 126 or RHET 195 or SII 120 or RHET 120 or RHET 250 or RHET 131 or RHET 310 or RCOM 140 or RHET 140 or RHET 295 or COMS 195
Description of the role of finance in the organization and operation of the firm, including an overview of the global economic and financial environment. The focus of the course will be on value: addressing value creation, real asset and financial asset valuation, and sources of financing. Students will analyze financial statement information, cash flow forecasts, and financing projections to recommend value-creating decisions. Prerequisites: (ECON 101 or ECON 111 ) and (ECON 102 or ECON 112 ) and MATH 106 and BUS 201
A study of production systems in organizations. Integration of human, technical, and information systems as parts of the process of the creation and distribution of goods and services. Supply chain management, process design, project management, quality control, information and work force management. Prerequisites: MATH 106 and BUS 201 and BUS 202 and (BUS 204 or BUS 294 )
A continuation of analysis of the cases and statutes that affect the business enterprise. Topics include agency, partnerships, corporations, securities, commercial transactions, franchises, international business transactions, professional liability, and the law of wills, trusts and estates. Prerequisites: BUS 301 or BUS 491
This course offers an introduction to the study of business and organizational ethics at the upper-division level. Although the material will focus on contemporary literature in business and organizational ethics, a key objective of the course will be to encourage personal engagement with, and independent critical thinking about, topics in business and organizational ethics through a living dialogue with themes from the venerable philosophical and theological traditions of ethics that students encounter in their other courses in the university's core curriculum.
This course provides a managerial perspective on legal aspects of employment relationships not subject to collective bargaining agreements. The emphasis is upon the managerial implications of legal standards that set the boundaries for the employment relationship. Topics include employment discrimination by race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status and disability, employment at-will, wrongful termination, and pre-employment recruitment, screening and selection.
A practical and applied course, designed to cover a wide variety of legal topics pertinent to everyday life; topics including small claims, personal injury, consumer law, criminal law, bankruptcy, landlord-tenant law, copyright and patent law, and malpractice. Objectives include familiarizing students with the laws and court system so that they can function more effectively in their chosen professions and become more informed and legally wise citizens.
An exposition of the practical aspects of real estate brokerages including licensing standards, professional ethics, property evaluation, marketing and client services. Field trip and practicum experiences in the current real estate industry.
Basic legal, financial, and tax aspects of real estate transactions, including cash flow, equity, leverage, appraisal, contract drafting, negotiations, acquisition, record keeping, tax- deferred exchanges, and residence sales.
Theory and practice underlying income measurement and the determination of financial position of business entities. Principles of accounting applicable to working capital, plant assets and long-term liabilities. Prerequisites: BUS 201 and BUS 202
Theory and principles underlying accounting for stockholders' equity, income taxes, pensions and leases, analysis of earnings per share and statement of cash flows. Prerequisite: BUS 320
The study of product cost flows, accounting for labor, materials and overhead; job-order and process cost accounting; the budgeting process, and standard cost accounting. Prerequisites: BUS 201 and BUS 202
Detailed study of the Federal income tax law and regulations, tax implications of business transactions, tax planning, and the preparation of income tax returns. Prerequisites: BUS 201 and BUS 202
Study of selected accounting topics. Subject matter will vary with instructor. Offered intermittently.
The analysis and design of accounting systems with an emphasis on internal controls. Includes lab work in financial accounting systems applications, pro forma financial planning spreadsheet models, and data base applications in a microcomputer/mainframe environment. Prerequisites: BUS 201 and BUS 202
The determinants of investment decisions for institutional as well as individual investors are analyzed and different assets such as money market accounts, bonds, and common stocks are evaluated. Multi-asset portfolio management: selection of securities, monitoring and performance represents a significant portion of this course. Prerequisites: BUS 305 or BUS 495
A continuation of managerial finance, with emphasis on problem solving and case-study methodology. Topics include working capital management, capital budgeting, cost of capital, dividend policy, and capital structure. Prerequisites: BUS 305 or BUS 495
Examines the nature and regulatory structure of key financial institutions and markets. Principal focus is on US financial institutions, including commercial and investment banks, venture capital firms, insurance companies, pension plans and mutual funds. Course explores the global nature of debt and equity markets, financial derivative instruments and markets, and the regulatory role of government, including the central bank. Prerequisites: BUS 305 or BUS 495
Analysis of financial statements, and how this information is used to support loan applications, public offering prospectuses, industry analysis, and market analysis. Special emphasis is placed on valuation, forecasting, financial leverage, profitability analysis, and working capital topics. Case studies are used to illustrate key concepts and applications Prerequisites: BUS 305 or BUS 495
BA 334 is offered to students who wish to develop his/her ability to understand and apply modern statistical methods. Spreadsheets and statistics software are used to eliminate number grinding while rigorously emphasizing the conceptual understanding of the course materials. Real databases that include U.S. financial housing market costs, United Nations health data by country, as well as the latest performance and salary data from professional sports organizations of the NFL, NBA, and MLB are employed throughout the course. Prerequisite: BUS 204
Specialized topics in finance. Topical areas provide in-depth coverage of special and/or current interest which give the student a better insight into the broad field of finance. Examples include Insurance and Risk Management; Options and Futures; Investments in the Pacific Rim. Prerequisite: BUS 305
Principles and techniques of the development and maintenance of sound personnel relations; selection; placement; general morale; comparative analysis of various wage systems. Prerequisites: BUS 304 or BUS 494
BA 334 is offered to students who wish to develop his/her ability to understand and apply modern statistical methods. Spreadsheets and statistics software are used to eliminate number grinding while rigorously emphasizing the conceptual understanding of the course materials. Real databases that include U.S. financial housing market costs, United Nations health data by country, as well as the latest performance and salary data from professional sports organizations of the NFL, NBA, and MLB are employed throughout the course.
Sustainable businesses seek to balance the necessity of economic achievement with environmental quality and social justice. This elective is designed for students who are interested in learning about the business strategies, management tools, and systems of measurement that emerge when companies embrace sustainable principles.
Specialized topics in business. Topical areas provide in-depth coverage of special and/or current interest which give the student a better insight into the many aspects of business. Prerequisites: (BUS 302 or BUS 492 ) and (BUS 304 or BUS 494 )
The economic, political, and legal environment of international business and how firms must adapt their strategies and operations as they internationalize. Emphasis is on the financial, production, and marketing challenges of multinational firms Prerequisites: (BUS 302 or BUS 492 ) and (BUS 304 or BUS 494 )
Students will understand the economic, historical and sociological underpinnings of Japanese business. The cross-disciplinary approach will give provide a variety of insights into the world's second largest economy. Students will learn about the differences between Western and Japanese business culture and the impact it has on successful interaction with Japanese clients. Prerequisite: BUS 304
Topical areas will be developed including international policy; global alliances; specialization in geographic areas; international economic studies. Prerequisites: BUS 305 or BUS 495 or BUS 350
Introduction to the role of marketing research in various marketing decisions. Identification of information needed, types of research designs, methods of data collection, interpretation of findings, evaluation of research, and relationship to marketing concerns and actions. Prerequisites: MATH 106 and (BUS 302 or BUS 492 )
Developing a strong advertising and promotion strategy is integral to the success of any company. However, these basic functions are undergoing dramatic change due to the rapid rate of innovation in technology and communication, particularly on the Internet. This course delves into this shifting landscape and explores the fundamentals of advertising and promotion from the marketing manager's perspective. Topics include: setting objectives and budgets, developing an integrated communications plan, creative development, media planning and buying, sales promotion, PR, direct and interactive marketing, measuring effectiveness, and more. Prerequisites: BUS 302 or BUS 492
Marketing elective) This course focuses on applying marketing principles to multicultural consumer segments in the United States. Hispanic American, African American, and Asian American populations have grown over five times faster than non-ethnic consumers in the past decade. This course is designed to help students develop an understanding of various multicultural consumers in the US and learn how to effectively reach them through various marketing tools. It explores what commonalities among these various cultures make synergistic marketing campaigns feasible and how marketers can connect a general marketing campaign with multicultural consumers Prerequisites: BUS 302 or BUS 492
A study of individual and group buying behavior with an emphasis on the consumer as the focal point of the economic system. An interdisciplinary approach drawing on insight from the behavioral sciences. Includes application to practical marketing situations. Prerequisites: BUS 302 or BUS 492
Retailing includes all activities used to sell goods or services directly to final consumers. After reviewing the different types of retailers and the new retail landscape, this course examines the key decisions required for successful retail management; setting the retail strategy, merchandising, trade area analysis, personnel management, financing, pricing, promotion, and the legal environment. Prerequisites: BUS 302 or BUS 492
(Marketing elective) Course examines the role of marketing in our economics systems, consumer behavior, research, marketing functions and policy. Emphasis on identifying and meeting customer needs, developing effective marketing strategies, ensuring quality of service, and achieving and sustaining competitive advantage for high-technology products and services. Learn fundamental marketing concepts such as segmentation, targeting, and positioning. Be able to change strategies for the key marketplace tools, referred to as the 4Ps (product, price, promotion, place) in light of the fast-changing high technology arena. Explore the latest thinking on strategic marketing with Porter Analysis methodology applied to relevant Harvard Case Studies. Prerequisites: BUS 302 or BUS 492
Customer Satisfaction focuses on the organization and its ability to create satisfied and loyal customers. Customer satisfaction is typically seen as a key performance indicator for businesses with strategies and programs developed around this goal. Efforts often focus on improving the links among operations, human resources and marketing functions and their impact on organization structure and customer satisfaction. Prerequisites: BUS 302 or BUS 492
(Marketing Elective) This course explores the theory and practice of responsible marketing, addressing the interrelated areas of corporate social responsibility and marketing ethics and the emergent area of social marketing. It examines the impact of established marketing techniques and practices on the promotion of social well-being and behavioural change. You will identify key ethical issues involved in marketing decision-making and the responsibilities of organizations to their stakeholders, including the wider community. Elements of marketing management (such as communications, research and planning) are examined within this wider framework at both a domestic and international level.
(Marketing Elective) This course explores the theory and practice of responsible marketing, addressing the interrelated areas of corporate social responsibility and marketing ethics and the emergent area of social marketing. It examines the impact of established marketing techniques and practices on the promotion of social well-being and behavioural change. You will identify key ethical issues involved in marketing decision-making and the responsibilities of organizations to their stakeholders, including the wider community. Elements of marketing management (such as communications, research and planning) are examined within this wider framework at both a domestic and international level. Prerequisites: (BUS 302 or BUS 492 )
Use of internet-based services, web platforms, and open source software to support business processes, exchange information, and collaborate. Use of web services, content management, collaboration tools, payments, search, keyword advertising, interfaces with e-commerce exchanges, basic security and analytics. Evaluation of business benefits. For general management student; assumes no more technical background that BADM 308 (Systems in Organizations).
In a forum which allows those aspiring to leadership roles in the use of technology in business to meet with the future users of that technology, the course will seek to develop: 1) sophistication about technology and its use; 2) build practical context for evolutionary use of technology, and 3) practice in the personal and organizational use of technology. The focus of the course will be on technological tools for the future which are available now in the telecommunications, computing and multimedia domains.
Learning Objective: To introduce students to the personal implications and practical aspects of being an entrepreneur - actually identifying, starting, and running a business. The phrase, "Eyes on the Sky, Feet on the Ground," represents the class theme that combines the ambition and vision of the entrepreneur with the realistic business skills that turn a vision into a business reality. Course Overview: A BROAD SURVEY of the requirements and realities of entrepreneurship including: idea creation, basic analytical skills in making business decisions, and the concrete actions to turn a plan into a successful company. Topics include: -Understanding the personal implications and impacts of being an entrepreneur -Idea creation -Strategic management: analyzing markets and competitors with the goal of identifying business opportunities -Forming the business in light of legal and financial / tax factors -The nuts and bolts of building a start-up: financing the venture, hiring and managing employees, real estate, sales and marketing The course will use a combination of: lecture, discussion, case analysis, quantitative problem solving, role-play, student presentations, and guest speakers.
This course reviews family business basics and family dynamics. Understand family business as a social and economic entity and as a career option. Develop career planning skills and design a personalized career success plan that extends through and beyond college. Learn about family businesses and their growth and development.
Digital Media in Business is a special topics course about making and sharing digital media to help understand technology that impacts businesses today. The student will be introduced to digital media that affects marketing, branding, and the corporate image. Expected topics include: digital media using Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, flickr, blogs, Google maps, online video, Yelp, Google docs, and Wikipedia. Readings and discussions about digital media theory and how it affects businesses will accompany the production of media. A digital semester project is expected.
This course is structured as a foundation course for the Hospitality Management student. It provides the student with a survey of the major food groups, the skills to analyze restaurant concepts and an overview of the management functions in a restaurant. Prerequisites: BUS 181 and BUS 283
Study of foodservice operations including site selection, market analysis, menu development, competition analysis, equipment selection, staffing requirements, financial analysis, and promotion and advertising through a semester-long entrepreneurial restaurant development project. Methods of cooking and food preparation techniques and systems. Prerequisite: BUS 381
The purpose of this course is to make you aware of how tourism can affect, both positively and negatively, our environment, and what we can do to minimize the negative effects. The course will start with the topic of ecotourism, how it is defined and how it impacts local people and their environment. The course will then narrow in focus by studying the greening of our industry. What does it mean to be green? That question will be answered by specifically studying different sectors of the tourism industry (hotels, airlines, cruises, food and beverage, meetings and events, car rental companies, tour companies and golf courses), how they can impact the environment and what actions we can take to minimize those impacts that are harmful to our environment. It is argued that our impact on the environment is causing global climate change. We will discuss and explore this idea as an important factor in explaining why, or why not, our industry should be concerned with being green. Prerequisites: BUS 181 and BUS 283
Analysis of hotel operations, including: sales and marketing, human resources, accounting and finance, food and beverage, and rooms management. Study of systems and procedures necessary for successful hotel operations. Prerequisites: BUS 283 and BUS 181 and BUS 181
Student must be 21 years of age or older. Study of beverage management in hotels and restaurants. Controls to insure responsibility in marketing, managing and serving alcoholic beverages. Study of the production and quality assessment of alcoholic beverages. Health and social issues relating to alcoholic beverage consumption. Prerequisite: BUS 382
This is an advanced course relating to the fundamental methods and theories that are the foundation of modern culinary skills with a hands-on application of cooking techniques. This is also a team menu course which will provide culinary situations that mirror workplace challenges. In the kitchen, team groups will prepare and serve several courses from specific menus. Students will learn about cooking skills and teamwork. They will understand how their work styles impact other team members. Focus will be on productivity and improved workplace dynamics. Students will approach situations with greater confidence, clarity and professionalism and will be motivated to embrace positive life skills. Topics of study will include knife skills, stock production, soup preparation, salad making, sauces, vegetables, main courses, dessert and palate development. Emphasis will be placed on preparations and selection of healthy, sustainable choices in ingredients and products. Prerequisite: BUS 381
This course is the introductory course in the Business Minor sequence. It is intended to give the student a solid background in Management, and Leadership Theory. The course will develop concepts in social responsibility, law, ethics, and the roles that individuals play in organizations. It will identify the characteristics of successful organizations while outlining basic management strategy, leadership and motivation techniques, the influence of organizational culture, effective communication techniques, and the impact of law and regulation on organizations.
Focuses on financial and accounting skills for evaluating business results and making financial decisions. Students will learn to read financial and accounting reports as well as understand balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
This course focuses on the impact of globalization and the macroeconomic forces driving the world's economies, including offshoring, sustainable business, and other current issues. Students investigate the strategies by which businesses remain sustainable and competitive in a local and global economy.
Students visit selected corporations and organizations, and complete research project studies with emphasis in management, marketing, finance or international business. Students also complete coursework requirements prior to, and upon completion of the tour.
Individual student project, working directly with a faculty member intended to facilitate the research and study of topics not normally taught within the framework of the regular curriculum.
Senior capstone course, which studies how organizations analyze and respond to changing external environmental condition, challenges, opportunities, and threats that are brought about by these changes. How organizations change direction and modify their resources to compete effectively in a constantly changing dynamic environment. Prerequisites: BUS 301 and BUS 302 and BUS 304 and BUS 305 and (RCOM 220 or RCOM 120 or RCOM 131 or RCOM 250 or RCOM 310 or RCOM 126 or RHET 126 or RHET 195 or SII 120 or RHET 120 or RHET 131 or RHET 250 or RHET 310 or RHET 140 or RCOM 140 or RHET 195 ) or RHET 295 or COMS 195
The goal of this course is to provide the student with a general understanding of the rationale, methodology and benefits of operating plans, as opposed to strategic plans which are studied in the Strategic Management course. This course integrates subjects previously learned throughout the business curriculum and requires the students to develop realistic cases of business plans. Examples of start-ups, small or medium sized firms and particular ventures within corporations (e.g., export/import project) will be adopted in this course to foster integration of business themes. Prerequisites: BUS 301 and BUS 302 and BUS 304 and BUS 305 and (RCOM 220 or RCOM 120 or RCOM 131 or RCOM 250 or RCOM 310 or RCOM 126 or RHET 126 or RHET 195 or SII 120 or RHET 120 or RHET 131 or RHET 250 or RHET 310 or RCOM 140 or RHET 140 or RHET 195 ) or (BUS 491 and BUS 492 and BUS 494 and BUS 495 ) or RHET 295 or COMS 195
Prerequisite: BUS 220
Objectives and responsibilities of the independent accountant in the examination of financial statements. Includes the audit process, legal and ethical issues in auditing, planning the audit, the study and evaluation of internal controls, designing audit programs, and preparing the audit report. Prerequisites: BUS 320 and BUS 321
Income tax problems of partnerships, corporations, estates and trusts; formation and dissolution of partnerships and corporations; a study of the tax problems inherent in various contractual relationships. Prerequisite: BUS 323
The study of uses of fund accounting and the budgetary process in governmental entities. Financial reporting entity, elements of financial statements, and conceptual reporting issues for state and local governments. Accounting and financial reporting for both governmental and non-governmental not-for-profit organizations, including hospitals, colleges and universities, and voluntary health and welfare organizations. Prerequisite: BUS 320
Evaluation and analysis of financial statements. Students will evaluate a series of case studies working in small groups. Organizing, problem-solving, and presentation skills will be addressed. Current issues facing the accounting profession will also be covered Prerequisite: BUS 321
The international financial markets and financial decision-making in multinational firms. Study of capital budgeting and analysis of foreign investments, international capital markets and instruments, international investment, foreign currency hedging, working capital management, accounting, tax, and financial control systems in the multinational firm. Prerequisites: (BUS 305 or BUS 495 ) and (BUS 350 or BUS 330 or BUS 331 or BUS 332 or BUS 333 )
The primary objective is to develop a framework for analyzing the international macroeconomic environment, focusing on factors which influence fluctuations in GDP growth, interest rates, unemployment, inflation, and foreign exchange valuation. Using this framework, an in-depth analysis of current business conditions in selected regions of the global economy will be performed. Prerequisites: BUS 305 or BUS 495
Entrepreneurial Finance focuses on the financing options and strategies that are available for entrepreneurs and managers who are focused on growing their business. While capital is a necessary element of launching a venture the types of capital, the terms of financing, valuation of the enterprise, and follow-up financing alternatives can vary widely. This course will explore the various financing options and enable student entrepreneurs to decide upon which type of financing is most appropriate for their venture, the amount of financing necessary, financial forecasting and milestone planning, and the structuring of the financing contract. Prerequisite: or BUS 294 )
Examines the fundamentals of income property finance and investment. Develops a framework for assessing, evaluating and structuring investments based upon the characteristics and risk profile of the real estate. Analyzes office, industrial, retail and multi-family investments, with an emphasis on financing issues. Explores traditional financing sources, as well as innovations in the real estate capital markets such as securitization, collateral mortgage obligations and real estate investment trusts. Prerequisites: BUS 305 or BUS 495
Bank financial management focuses on analyzing, understanding, and decision making as they relate to the key factors that affect commercial bank financial performance and profitability. These major areas include: asset/liability management; yield, cost of funds, and spread management; interest rate risk management; and investment portfolio management. Course uses computer simulations to evaluate and provide feedback on bank management decisions. This simulation has been used throughout the world to train professional bank managers in financial bank management. Prerequisites: BUS 305 or BUS 495
This course covers forwards, futures, swaps, and options. By the end of the course, students will have good knowledge of how these products work, how they are used, how they are priced, and how financial institutions hedge their risks when they trade the products. Prerequisite: BUS 305
Strategic Business Modeling: Introduces students to the tools of industrial economics, industry analysis, and competitive positioning in order to design, and prescribe solutions for, optimal business profitability. Introduces cutting-edge strategies for corporate and entrepreneurial business models, including those now unfolding in networked competitive environments. Students will emerge from this course equipped to address the following: What forces instigate competitive change, and can these be effectively predicted so as to improve the business modeling process? What are the determinants of effective business models in both incumbent and entrepreneurial environments? What factors shape an industry's profitability, and how do these influence the design and deployment of business models? How does business modeling shape the design and implementation of the strategic planning process? How does a firm build effective business models based on transitions in competitive determinants? How do firms position themselves to optimize profitability, market share and the aggregation of customer bases? How does a firm audit its internal assets and exploit these for the development of its business model? How do firms enhance the value of their business models through networked-based platforms? Prerequisites: BUS 302 and BUS 304 and BUS 301 and BUS 305
Stages in a person's financial lifetime; the Age Matrix; avoiding common financial problems; FICO scores; student loans; first job compensation considerations - benefits, 401(k) accounts, etc.; Big Ticket items, home, auto, etc.; personal tax basics; insurance; personal vs. institutional investing; online calculators and other resources. Prerequisites: BUS 330 or BUS 331 or BUS 332 or BUS 333
Presents the theory and practice of communication in an organizational setting with a focus on understanding the complexity of communication content, process, context, and outcomes through the lenses of history, culture, critical theory, technology and ethics. Prerequisite: BUS 304
Prerequisites: BUS 304 or BUS 494 or BUS 494
Focuses on understanding group goals, roles and norms; identifying characteristics of effective groups; diagnosing dysfunctional group behavior; and applying communication and problem-solving models and techniques to improve group decision-making performance. Emphasis is placed on experiential learning through group service learning projects. Prerequisite: BUS 304
Specialized topics in management. Topical areas provide in-depth coverage of special and/or current interest which give the student a better insight into the broad field of management. Prerequisites: BUS 304 or BUS 494
Basics of international trade and investment. Identification and evaluation of markets; refinement or development of products or services for international markets. Approaches to market entry including export, agents or distributors, licensing and franchising, joint ventures and wholly owned operations. Identification of overseas strategic partners. Financial aspects of international operations and transactions. Prerequisites: BUS 350 or BUS 302
Comparative analysis of business environments and practices in different countries and regions of the world. Study of socio-cultural, organization, communication and human resource systems and how these affect business decisions with an emphasis on global firms. Prerequisites: (BUS 304 or BUS 494 ) and (RCOM 220 or RCOM 120 or RCOM 131 or RCOM 250 or RCOM 310 or RCOM 126 or RHET 195 or RHET 126 or SII 120 or RHET 120 or RHET 131 or RHET 250 or RHET 310 or RCOM 140 or RHET 140 or RHET 195 )
(International Business elective) This course is designed for students who wish to prepare themselves for negotiating with people from other cultures. In the contemporary global business environment, negotiators who understand how culture affects negotiating processes and outcomes have a distinct advantage at the bargaining table. The purpose of this course is to help you understand the theory and the process of negotiation in the context of international business negotiations. You will study other cultures, as well as your own, and explore how cultural differences impact interests, norms, communication styles, and business expectations at the bargaining table. In this course, you will become skilled at identifying cultural variables relevant to negotiation and will develop intercultural effectiveness in negotiations.
Topical areas will be developed including international policy; global alliances; specialization in geographic areas; international economic studies. Spring 2011: Over the last 10 years, US businesses have continued to engage in "off shored" technology development services to improve cost and productivity. The next generation of innovation workers can expect to work for several international companies, with various parts of their organizations in India and China supporting this trend. As we start a new decade, it will be critical for students to gain an understanding of the dynamics driving technology collaboration and innovation with other countries and cultures. This understanding will enable students to better prepare and advance in their own careers ahead. Prerequisite: BUS 350
Sales management involves analyzing, planning, implementing and controlling sales force activities. It includes designing a sales force strategy and structure, as well as recruiting, selecting, training, compensating, supervising and evaluating the firm's salespeople. This course also explores the critical techniques of selling, such as persuasive selling, face-to-face communications and personal presentation. Prerequisites: BUS 302 or BUS 492
This is a capstone course for Marketing Majors. It examines the challenge of entering and operating effectively in foreign markets. By comparing and contrasting various countries in their economic, socio-cultural, political, and legal characteristics, this course reveals how such environmental factors influence consumers' preferences and their buying behavior. It then introduces proper ways to select foreign markets, and discusses alternative strategies to enter foreign markets. Applying concepts and principles developed in other marketing courses, this capstone course guides students to develop marketing programs that strike a balance between localization and globalization in product, promotion, pricing, and distribution, to meet the needs and expectations of the chosen foreign market Prerequisites: (BUS 302 or BUS 492 ) and (BUS 350 or BUS 360 or BUS 363 )
This course focuses on the development and implementation of marketing strategies that help firms achieve a sustainable competitive advantage. Topics include product development and repositioning, pricing, channels of distribution, sales force, advertising, and marketing research Prerequisites: (BUS 302 or BUS 492 ) and (BUS 361 or BUS 364 or BUS 366 or BUS 460 or BUS 465 or BUS 469 or BUS 363 or BUS 461 or BUS 360 or BUS 362 )
This course examines new marketing tools brought about by the Internet. The list includes, but is not limited to, online advertising and promotion, online retailing, online auctioning and related pricing mechanism, online social network and viral marketing, online marketing research, and digitization of certain physical products and personal services. Techniques of designing some of these tools are introduced. Strengths and weaknesses of these tools, in comparison with traditional marketing tools, are discussed. Finally, future developments are explored. Prerequisites: BUS 302 or BUS 492
The objective of this course is to explore consumer behavior and psychographics and develop marketing recommendations in the context of extreme consumption. Students will apply secondary research, netnography, hermeneutics, and qualitative research to understand consumer practices, devotion, and fanaticism in specific contexts considered unusual or extreme compared to societal norms. Examples of class discussion include Elvis fans, Harley bikers, X-Philers, Trekkies, and college football. The goal is to understand what causes this type of extreme, enduring, and perhaps obsessive devotion and consumption while applying marketing principles that best address consumer needs that supports (and not alienate) their loyalty. Prerequisite: BUS 302
Building on the principles learned in the Junior year core courses, students will study and develop information systems for ongoing organizations. Utilize hands-on experience with the tools and techniques of systems analysis and design including application of project planning and CASE tools. Prerequisites: BUS 308 or BUS 498
Using ongoing organizations as the context, students will use the appropriate technology to develop database management systems which take advantage of flat, integrated, relational, multiplatform and networked database technologies to manage the information of an organization. The discussion in this seminar will focus on the developing trends in database management systems from the desktop to the enterprise-wide level.
(elective for Entrepreneurship major.) Prerequisites: (BUS 375 or concurrent BUS 377 )
Students will learn various dimensions of event planning and management through the actual hands-on management of the Annual USF Hospitality Industry Symposium (350+ attendees). Learning activities include strategic planning, registration, financial/accounting, marketing/PR, human resources, effective communications with student volunteers, attendees, speaker participants, off and on-site vendors and general event operations. They will establish team goals, negotiate a team contract, create a mission statement and develop the internal corporate culture. Prerequisite: BUS 284
Overview of human resource, legal requirements, and labor relations related to the hospitality industry. Addresses functions of the human resource department in planning, recruiting, selection, performance appraisal, information systems, labor management, and recent legal issues. Highlights practical application of human resource, legal requirements and labor relations to current, real-world situations. Prerequisites: BUS 301 or BUS 491
Marketing and management of hospitality firms provides an overview of managerial concepts and tools necessary to successfully operate and manage a hospitality service company. It introduces various managerial issues of service companies that need to be integrated, such as operations, marketing, strategy, information technology and people. It focuses on the application of service marketing and management principles in the hospitality industry context to help prepare students for management opportunities in service companies and to provide students with the foundation to start their own service business. Prerequisite: BUS 384
Organizing, marketing, financing, and operating a food service business. Course requires a project involving the planning, development and delivery of a major catered event, with attention to facilities, personnel, menu, decor and cost issues. Prerequisite: BUS 382
This course will provide students with the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to understand and implement hotel inventory distribution and revenue management tactics. The course will cover revenue management, electronic distribution, online marketing, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), online content management, and inventory management. The course will examine the role revenue management and electronic distribution play in hotel marketing and revenue generation. These disciplines are the primary engines for generating revenue, maintaining customer loyalty programs, and marketing to consumers. Through industry partnerships the course will incorporate state of the art software systems in combination with hotel market dynamics to reinforce theoretical understanding with practical real world applications. Teams will be formed to develop world hotel marketing and revenue management simulations. Each team will be assigned one hotel from JDV Hotel Management portfolio and implement promotions and yield strategies to address actual market conditions. Each team will need to share one laptop in class. Prerequisites: BUS 302 and BUS 384 and BUS 480
Survey of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Collections, Jurisdiction, Civil Procedure, Product Liability, Intellectual Property, Cyberspace Law, Constitutional Law, Torts, Crimes, Real, Personal, and Community Property, Consumer and Environmental Law, Landlord/Tenant Law, plus an extensive review of Contracts, using case study method, including numerous writing and presentation exercises. Prerequisites: RCOM 110 or RCOM 130 or RCOM 210 or RCOM 310 or RCOM 120 or RHET 195 or RCOM 220 or RCOM 250 or RCOM 125 or RCOM 126 or RHET 125 or RHET 126 or SII 120 or RHET 110 or RHET 130 or RHET 310 or RHET 120 or RHET 250 or RCOM 131 or RHET 131 or RCOM 140 or RHET 140 or RHET 195 or SII 110
Examines the broad socioeconomic, political, regulatory, ethical and technological environment of a firm from both a global context and from the firm's immediate environment of customers, partners and competitors. The course analyzes the business opportunities and the actions the firm can take in product design, pricing, promotion and distribution. Prerequisites: (ECON 101 or ECON 111 ) and (ECON 102 or ECON 112 ) and MATH 106 and BUS 201 and BUS 202
An introduction to the management process and examination of organizational behavior from a social science and behavioral perspective. Focus on understanding and analyzing individual and group behavior in organizations and how leaders implement strategy to impact people, policy and organizational culture. Students will learn to integrate theory and concepts with current business practices and management issues. Students will participate in a Service Learning Project, doing field work in a non-profit organization, applying the skills covered in the course. Prerequisites: RCOM 120 or RCOM 250 or RCOM 131 or RCOM 310 or RCOM 220 or RCOM 126 or RHET 126 or RHET 195 or SII 120 or RHET 120 or RHET 250 or RHET 131 or RHET 310 or RCOM 140 or RHET 140 or RHET 195
An honors introductory course in finance. Core topics covered include: time value of money, relationship between risk and return, financial environment, financial statements, stock and bond valuation, capital budgeting, and advanced concepts related to current topics in financial markets. Prerequisites: (ECON 101 or ECON 111 ) and (ECON 102 or ECON 112 ) and MATH 106 and BUS 201
Integrates core business knowledge in a culminating senior experience. Specifically the course focuses on strategy and managing performance to create successful organizations. Organizational change processes and the decision maker/leaders role in managing change is explored. Through case analysis, two comprehensive strategy simulations (computerized and experiential) and a semester long corporate consulting project, students develop skill sets in business strategy and analysis; hone critical thinking abilities; and, increase awareness of factors affecting strategy formulation and implementation to positively impact organizations in a business environment. Prerequisites: BUS 491 and BUS 492 and BUS 494 and BUS 495 and (RCOM 220 or RCOM 120 or RCOM 131 or RCOM 250 or RCOM 310 or RCOM 126 or RHET 126 or RHET 195 or SII 120 or RHET 120 or RHET 131 or RHET 250 or RHET 310 or RHET 140 or RCOM 140 or RHET 195 )
Develops skills in analyzing and improving business systems in order to create value for the customer. Topics include: work system and business process analysis, performance measures, lean production, operations management tools and issues, quality control, information model development, information flows, and use of IT and enterprise systems. Prerequisites: MATH 106 and BUS 201 and BUS 202 and BUS 204
This course is a team taught practicum designed to develop skills in coaching and mentoring teams and individual team members. In addition to training in facilitating team collaboration, you will be applying your skills as a mentor to teams of freshman enrolled in the Freshman Launch Program in the School of Management. During the semester you will also receive coaching in facilitating collaboration by Dr. Vicki Milledge, Principal Consultant, Project:Synchro. Professor Peggy Takahashi will be your academic mentor during the semester. Prerequisite: BUS 495
