Course description

This course provides an introduction to information-communication literacy, system literacy, and business information technologies.  It emphasizes the relationship between Information Technology (IT) and business processes and the importance of aligning business information systems with business strategy.  By interacting with integrated enterprise system(s), this course helps students understand the modern IT-driven business value chain and business process integration (BPI). The role of IT in organizational change and business transformation, IT history, and IT cultural issues are discussed. Team/individual class projects are used throughout the course.  

Course Outcomes

After successfully completing this course, the student should be able to:

1. Explain and demonstrate information and communication technologies in
    business and its various functions and cross-functions.
2. Understand Information Systems (IS) driven business decision making.
3. Understand the role of IT in a modern business organization.
4. Recognize how an integrated enterprise system improves business process
    integration.
5. Recognize IT-related cultural values and concerns in the modern business
    environment.

Prerequisites: (CIS1020 or CIS1100 or CS1050 or CS1000 or FCS2250 or MUS3860 or HPER1490 or SOC1820) and (BCM1420 or ENGL1050 or IME1020)

Course description

What is statistics, and why is the study of statistics required in a business degree? The information technology revolution has led to an overwhelming availability of data and information. Businesses and other organizations that make good use of the available data are at an advantage, and therefore data analysis skills are sought after. Data collection and analysis techniques are collectively called statistics. Experts in statistics play an important role in modern business. In addition, everyone in a business-related job needs to be able to understand statistical discussion of issues, and most need to be able to use descriptive statistics in reports and presentations.

This introductory unit will enable you to perform basic analysis of raw data, and present your findings. You will also learn to critically evaluate data analysis presented to you.

Course Outcomes

When you have completed this unit, you are expected to be able to:

1. Interpret business data using descriptive statistics techniques, including the
    use of spreadsheet functions and well-written data commentaries

2. Apply simple concepts of probability and probability distributions to problems
    in business decision-making

3. Describe the role of statistical inference and apply inference methods to
    single population means

4. Evaluate relationships between variables for business decision-making, using
    the conceptsof correlation and simple linear regression

5. Apply time series techniques of indexing, deflating, and forecasting to
    business and financial series, and interpreting the results.

Course description

International Relations is a study of the nature of the international community and the forces which produce cooperation and conflict. Particular attention is given to analyzing power in terms of its acquisition and uses.  This course is meant to acquaint students with the core concepts, processes, and issues of international relations. The first section of the course explores the background and essential concepts: history of International relation, the actors in international relations, understanding the main theories and the key terms of international relations. The second part of the course examines the main issue and problems in the international system in regards with the issue of security, including armed conflict, terrorism, and approaches to resolve conflict. In the third section of this course examines globalization and its effect on international system along, the issues includes international economy, human rights, and environment. Students should be noted that this is not a course in current events, although some reference will be made to current events in discussing the theories and topics covered in the course.

Course Outcomes

Political Science 2500 is an introduction to the study of international politics – the study of politics among nation rather than politics within nations. No prior background in international politics is assumed. Students will be introduced to the major theoretical approaches that have been used to explain international events and then used these different approaches to discuss contemporary international issues such as war and internal conflict, trade and economic interdependence and global human rights issues.

At the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Recognize the importance of understanding the political relations between
    nations and how it affects the international relations.

2. Understand the importance of debates and discussions in the development of
    ideas.

3. Have sound oral and written communication skills and be able to utilize these
    in such debates. 

4. Understand the importance of critical analysis and be comfortable in
    challenging ideas and arguments. 

Course description

An introduction to global business and its complex environment.  Develop an understanding of relevant differences in the economic, socio-cultural, political .legal and ethical environment of global business. Realize how such differences can influence business functional operations such as production, marketing, management, information management, accounting and finance.

Course Objective
1. Provide an understanding of the global business environment.
2. Recognize Implications of salient environmental differences for conducting
    global business.
3. Recognize cultural implications for conducting business globally
4. Understanding basic concepts and dimensions for conducting international
    Business

Undergraduate students will acquire global business understanding; specifically towards accomplishing two learning objectives:

Learning objective 1: Recognize implications of salient environmental differences for conducting global business

Learning objective 2: Recognize cultural implications for conducting business globally.

Course description

Businesses today operate in an ever-changing environment. This unit is designed to introduce students to the marketing concept. Students will develop an understanding of the role of marketing in an organization as well as the core components of marketing. The aim of the unit is to provide a foundation to the students to pursue further study in marketing. 

Course Objective

When you have completed this unit, you are expected to:

1. Be able to define marketing and outline the concepts of needs, wants and
    demands

2. Understand the importance of the elements of the marketing organization’s
    macroenvironment

3. Be able to explain the process of marketing research and discuss its
    importance to marketing decision making

4. Have developed an understanding of consumer and business buying behavior

5. Have acquired an understanding of market segmentation, targeting and
    positioning

6. Be able to describe the elements of the marketing mix

7. Understand the product (distinguish between goods and services)

8. Be able to describe the role of price

9. Be able to outline the purpose of marketing communication and the elements
    of the promotions mix

10.Be able to explain the distribution concept

11.Have developed an understanding of global marketing

12.Be able to explain responsible marketing and the role of ethics

13.Show how marketing is planned and controlled from a strategic perspective

Course description

This course covers individual, interpersonal, group and organizational processes. Current theory, research and best practices regarding variables influencing human behavior are discussed. Key topics will include: Personality, Motivation, Leadership, Teams, Corporate Culture, Conflict and Negotiations.   

Course Objective
1. Understand the basic frameworks, concepts, and theories of organizational
    behavior at the individual, group/team, and organizational level.
2. Learn how to effectively apply this knowledge to analyze critical
    organizational situations.
3. Answer the “so what?” Understand the relevance of organizational behavior
    to personal and organizational success.
4. Develop professional skills that will help you thrive in the modern workplace.
    Develop critical thinking skills that will serve you in a variety of life pursuits

Course description

This course introduces basic business concepts and the use of accounting information in business to plan for, record, and evaluate the performance of operating activities.  The course, primarily discusses the use of accounting information for financial (external) reporting.

Course Objective

The objectives of this course, consistent with the mission of Western Michigan University Business Program, are:

1. To develop student understanding of the types of accounting information
    needed by external and internal stakeholders to make effective business
    decisions;
2. To develop student understanding of the accounting concepts and
    techniquesthat are applied to business decisions;
3. To develop student awareness of the ethical issues involved in the generation
    and use of accounting information;
4. To improve student ability to work effectively in teams.

Student Outcomes  
After completing the course, students should be able to:  

1. Identify accounting as an economic information system and its relationships
    to the business world;
2. Explain the steps in the accounting cycle;
3. Analyze basic business transactions;
4. Demonstrate the difference between the cash and accrual basis of
    accounting;
5. Explain the purpose of a balance sheet, statement of owners’ equity, income
    statement, and statement of cash flows:
6. Perform basic ratio and financial statement analysis.

Course description

The course provides introductory coverage of the financial measurements, calculations, and reports used by an organization to inform insiders (management) as the basis for making a variety of management decisions and to motivate behavior. Specifically, this course will emphasize the use of accounting information in planning and controlling a business and in supporting management decisions. Since goods and services produced by different companies vary substantially, there is no one accounting system or alternative superior to others. Therefore, it is important for students to understand not only the system of collecting, organizing, processing and reporting economic data using different accounting systems, but also the logic behind different alternatives chosen.   

Course Objective

The objectives of this course, consistent with the mission of Western Michigan University Business Program, are to give students the analytical and problem solving skills such as excel to leverage available information technology and also the values behaviors that make management accountants effective in the workplace.

Student Outcomes: 

Upon successful completion on this subject the student will be hopefully able to:

1. Explain the role of cost information and cost allocation through the role of
    budgeting

2. Explain the notion of activity based costing in comparison with traditional
    costing system

3. The difference between job costing and process costing

4. Understand the concept of pricing decision and cost management

Course description

This course is an introduction to microeconomics, which is the study of the price system and resource allocation, problems of monopoly, and the role of government in regulating and supplementing the price system. Other topics, such as international economics, economics of the environment, and health economics may be introduced time permitting

Course Objective

To teach you fundamental microeconomic theory, which is applicable to:

1. Business management.
2. Investing.
3. Everyday life.

Skills: To help you develop your ability to analyze and solve problems. We will take a  disciplined, rigorous approach to the subject matter, and I will teach some tried and true methods of problem-solving that are applicable much more broadly than to just this class.

Course description

This is the second unit in the Economics stream and is a prerequisite unit for students wishing to undertake an Economics major. Economics is the study of humans in ‘the ordinary business of life’. This unit introduces students to the ‘economic way of thinking’, which recognizes that people must make trade-offs which involve costs between competing alternative uses of scarce resources. This basic economic problem has implications for decision making at the macroeconomic level. Macroeconomic models are essential tools for an understanding of a country’s role in the international economy and are used to analyze problems such as inflation, unemployment and related policy issues.

Course Objective

When you have completed this unit, you are expected to:

1. Have a greater understanding of a number of approaches that economists
    use to explain and predict various economic events.
2. Be able to adopt the ‘economic way of thinking’.
3. Have an understanding of what economists study, why they study and how
    they study these topics in the macroeconomic context.
4. Have developed generic skills including critical thinking, oral presentation
    skills, independent learning skills and skills associated with the use of
    computers /technology, all of which are valuable for business and commerce
    students and essential for progression to upper level economics units.
5. Have developed analytical skills though the rigorous use of geometric models.
6. Have an awareness of the persistent social and economic problems
    confronted by society.
7. Understand the importance of distinguishing between the short run and long
    run impacts of macroeconomic policy.
8. Appreciate and be able to debate the main macroeconomic issues of inflation,
    unemployment and economic growth.
9. Be able to critically analyse government policy responses to various issues
    within the open economy.

Learning Outcomes:

The learning goals associated with this unit are to:

1. Understand and evaluate the importance of factors that determine aggregate
    output, employment, interest rates, the average price level and the exchange
    rate.
2. Appreciate the influence of these factors on decision making in government,
    business and international.
3. Enable students to demonstrate in individual summative assessments tasks
    the acquisition of a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in
    this unit.

Course description

This survey course explores the historical development of sport in American culture as well as processes of change in American culture and sport from the 15th century to the present. The course follows the evolution of sport from the colonial period through the 19th century, and examines the rise of modern sport during the past century.

We will focus on the social, cultural, political, and economic history of sport and assess its broad impact on American culture. By emphasizing the intersection of sport with gender, race, ethnicity, and social class, the course will highlight how diverse groups of men and women have shaped the development of sport in the United States.

We will examine the transformation/evolution of sporting experiences over time and how factors, such as religion, technology, and regional background have shaped sport; by doing so, we will enhance our awareness of American history and culture. The course will also consider the material aspects of sport, including clothing, equipment, and facilities.

1. Our analysis of primary and secondary sources about sport in American
    culture drawing on historical materials and audio-visual materials will assist
    our understanding of the growth of sport in American society.

2. Students will gain knowledge of historical themes, factors, and particular
    events influencing the nature of sport in American culture and history.

3. Students will learn how sport shaped aspects of American culture and society.

4. Our readings and academic assignments will develop critical thinking skills as
    we learn about historical evidence in sport in different time periods.

5. We will identify the critical place of sport in American culture, past and
    present, in the examination of ordinary and extraordinary people in the
    emergence of sport in the United States.