New Curriculum and Courses

As the top business programs continue to create new curriculums with some practical application through a class or two, Erskine Business students have an entire curriculum wrapped around the idea of being prepared for today’s business challenges. Students will take several classes that teach about how business works, starting with Intro to Business, which includes a business plan writing contest, Small Business Management, which includes writing several business plans with local entrepreneurs, and then a Strategy Capstone that incorporates applying these decision making principles to create value in the corporate setting.

At the center of the curriculum are the functional classes where deep skills in all areas of business are taught. These classes have a heavy infusion of real projects, usually with group projects that stretch between the different classes.

Also, students can take three project management courses that focus on learning the best practices of planning and executing projects. These courses are taught by a former consultant who taught these best practices to executives and managers of Fortune 100 companies while at the

All of these courses are taught by faculty who are not only academically qualified, but have many years of deep experiences in their area of teaching with industry leading companies. Please see the course descriptions listed below.

 

201. Introduction to Business (3s.h.)
This course is a realistic introduction and integration of several key business disciplines (e.g., accounting, production, human resources, marketing, finance, management, and MIS) through the start-up and operation of a small business (e.g., doughnut shop, restaurant, etc.). It is designed to excite and prepare the prospective business student for more advanced studies in the areas of accounting, management and marketing. This hands-on, project-based course requires numerous student presentations which will be assessed by the entire business faculty as well as local business managers.

216. Graphic Design I (3 s.h.)
An introductory course in computer graphic applications exploring basic features and commands and step-by-step tutorials in graphic problem solving. Development of various projects in Photoshop, PageMaker, and Illustrator for commercial and fine art applications. An introduction to issues in commercial art and visual culture. Registration preference given to art majors and minors. Lab fee $110. Cross-listed as AR 216.

217. Graphic Design II (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite BA 216 or permission of the instructor. Further development of digital concepts and applications. Expanded use of software. Historical overview of graphic design, book illustration and typography. Logo, newsletter and color brochure development. Emphasis of developing a portfolio to obtain professional graphic design employment. Lab fee $110. Cross-listed as AR 217.

221. Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 107. A study of human behavior as it affects our material well-being. The performance of the national and international economy will be the primary focus of attention.

222. Principles of Economics: Microeconomics (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 107. A study of human behavior as it affects our material well-being. The performance of a market-oriented economy will be the primary focus of attention.

231. Business Law (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. A basic business course covering such legal topics as government, business, and society; legal rights and social forces; contracts; personal property and bailments; sales; and commercial paper.

233. Principles of Management (3 s.h.)
A survey of the basic principles of management that apply to any kind of enterprise. Emphasis is upon the process of attaining enterprise objectives through the performance of people. Analysis of this process is made through the managerial functions of planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling.

251. Principles of Accounting I (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Math 107 or 111. An introduction to the principles, techniques, and uses of financial accounting. The course focuses primarily on the accounting cycle and the three primary financial statements.

252. Principles of Accounting II (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 251. A continuation of the accounting concepts introduced in BA 251, with emphasis on managerial accounting.

324. Business Finance (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: 222, 251, 252 and MA 205. The study of the procurement and use of funds by profit-seeking enterprises; the conflicting objectives of liquidity versus profitability; the problems of raising funds, short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term; investment of surplus funds.

333. Organizational Management and Behavior (3 s.h.)
This course is an in-depth study of management and organizational behavior theories, basic principles and processes from their historical foundations to today’s best practices. The general focus is on how managers influence their employees to accomplish organizational objectives. The specific focus is on management and organizational behavior issues involving organizational culture, structures and systems (e.g., bureaucracy), authority, communication, structure, ethics and social responsibility, motivation, leadership, decision-making, group dynamics, conflict resolution, stress, change, and problem-solving. Numerous case studies are used to test the students’ practical application of theory and best practices.

334. Principles of Marketing (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. An analysis of the exchange processes present within various organizations. Emphasis will be on the interpretation and integration of the target market with the marketing mix variables of product, distribution, price, and promotion. Attention will be given to the formation of a company-wide customer orientation for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations.

335. Consumer Behavior (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: BA 334. An examination of the decision-making process in a marketing context. The course will include concepts from economics, psychology, sociology, and other behavioral disciplines to illustrate why consumers buy what they buy.

336. Sales Management (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: BA 334. This course will examine all of the activities involved in the sale of products to the final consumers.
The course will include an analysis of the basic types of retailing, the principles of store location, techniques of merchandising and promotion, and the requirements for service and control.

341. Organizational Behavior (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 233. An advanced management course which focuses on the behavior of individuals in organizations. Emphasis of the course is on the skills needed for effective leadership, including the ability to communicate; to understand human needs; to cope with conflict, tension and frustration; to motivate others; to increase group productivity; and the proper use of authority. Alternate years.

343. Human Resource Management (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 233. Primary level course in advanced management focusing on skills required for the effective management of personnel in the private enterprise environment. Topics include recruitment, selection, motivation, training and development of personnel; salary and wage administration; employee communications; and contract negotiations.

344. Production/Operations Management (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: 233, 251, 252 and MA 205. A course designed to develop proficiency in the basic skills required by managers in effectively solving the administrative, technical and behavioral problems one confronts in managing operations in manufacturing and service organizations. Topics include inventory control, production control, quality control, work measurement, and production methods and facilities. Alternate years.

345. Small Business Development (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: BA 233, 251 and 252 or permission of instructor. This course is designed to give the future entrepreneur the skills and insights necessary to minimize the risks associated with the undertaking of a new business venture. The students will learn how to creatively develop and complete a business plan for a proposed business or nonprofit enterprise. Additional focus will be placed on the techniques required to manage a new venture after the creation process.

351. Intermediate Accounting I (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: BA 251. BA 351 begins an in-depth study of financial accounting. It is the first in a sequence of courses necessary for anyone preparing for a professional career in accounting. The course undertakes an intense study of the accounting cycle and seeks to develop understandings of three of the primary financial statements: the balance sheet, the income statement, and the statement of retained earnings. Emphasis is placed on the theory undergirding the application of financial account concepts.

352. Intermediate Accounting II (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 351. BA 352 concludes the study of the theory and application of basic accounting concepts. The course deals with complex areas including pensions, accounting for income taxes, leases, and financial statement analysis. Also, students are exposed to the statement of cash flows, which completes the study of financial statement presentation.

354. Cost Accounting (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 252. A concentrated study of cost accounting methodology and a review of current practices with emphasis upon problem solving.

355. Accounting for Governments and Not for Profit Organizations (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 252. A study of the theory and application of fund accounting concepts. Alternate years.

360. International and Cross-Cultural Marketing (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 334. The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with the range of analytical approaches used to meet the opportunities and challenges of international marketing. An evaluation of similarities and differences between domestic and international markets will create a backdrop for discussions of relevant case studies and scholarly research. The development of an international marketing mix will serve as the unifying theme of the course.

361. Multimedia Marketing (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 334. This course will introduce students to electronic marketing trends and theories. It includes topics such as incorporating an on-line multimedia strategy into a marketing plan; using HTML to design virtual storefronts for use on the World Wide Web; and both accessing and providing marketing and sales information.

365. Advertising Workflow (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: BA 216 or permission of instructor. Builds upon digital concepts and applications of AR 216 emphasizing advertising concepts. Advanced graphical design using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign that will enable students to employ the visual arts in print advertising. Emphasis will be on using advanced color correction and manipulation of photography, logo design, and page layout applications to create a variety of advertising initiatives. Students will be expected to develop a portfolio to obtain professional graphic design employment. Lab fee $110. Cross-listed as AR 365.

400. Current Topics in Business (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. This course examines current topics and issues in the business world. It is structured to include in-depth coverage of a limited number of issues, particularly those topics outside of the regular business curriculum.

410. Independent Study (Credit to be determined)
Prerequisites: 221, 222, 251. This is an individualized course that centers on a particular problem in either business or economics.

425. Advertising and Promotion (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: 334 or permission of the instructor. Professional sales and advertising is a study of the techniques and skills necessary to achieve success in a sales position in most any environment. Particular focus in placed on the role of advertising in the sales and marketing process. Creativity and innovation will be continually stressed during the student’s learning activities. After taking this course, the student will be able to understand and implement the fundamentals of professional selling and how to develop a successful advertising campaign.

426. Marketing Management (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: 334 and MA 205. An examination of the processes of planning the marketing activities, directing the implementation of these activities, and controlling these plans. Topics will include forecasting, pricing strategies, channel relationships, distribution cost analysis, product management, and other variables in decision making in the marketing system.

427. Marketing Research (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: 334 and MA 205. The application of research methodology to marketing and business problems. Emphasizes sources of information, questionnaire construction, sampling, data collection, analysis, and interpretation and presentation of data.

428. Global Competitive Intelligence (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 334. This course is an overview of the competitive intelligence process, including information collection, intelligence analysis, and intelligence process assessment from a global perspective. Students will identify opportunities and appropriate techniques to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a corporation’s business and CI system, and learn to implement and manage CI systems.

433. Business Strategy (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: 233, 324, and MA 205 and senior status. An integration course for the analytical application of business functions and administration skills. The interrelationship of problems in the organization will be addressed. Attention will be given to setting strategic objectives, developing corporate strategies, and translating objectives and strategies into current operational plans.

451. Advanced Accounting (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 351. Emphasizes the various aspects of accounting entities as related to business combinations, acquisitions, consolidations, reorganizations, and liquidations. Alternate years.

456. Income Tax (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 252. An accounting course in the computation of individual and business income taxes. Procedure in accordance with existing federal laws on the subject is thoroughly studied with emphasis on those points which are encountered by the average businessman. Alternate years.

458. Auditing (3 s.h.)
Prerequisite: 351. A capstone accounting course designed for those students who will pursue a public accounting career. Alternate years.

459. Management Information Systems (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: BA 252, 233 and 222. A study of the role of information systems within a business organization. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of and an appreciation for the design and control of information systems. The course includes an examination of particular information systems useful in managerial decision making. Alternate years.

460. Accounting Information Systems (3 s.h.)
Prerequisites: BA 252 and 222. A study of the role of information systems within a business organization. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of and an appreciation for the design and control of information systems. The course includes an examination of the interaction that accountants could have with accounting systems in both public and corporate accounting. Alternate years.

499. Business Internship (3 s.h.)
This course is designed to give students a practical work experience in a field related to their concentration. The student receives prescribed management and marketing experiences in a business under the supervision of professional employees and a faculty member. Offering is dependent upon availability of qualified internship positions. Pass/Fail