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Glossaries

GLOSSARY OF BALANCE SHEET TERMS
GLOSSARY OF INCOME STATEMENT TERMS
FINANCE FORMULAS [SMALLER VERSION]
FINANCE FORMULAS [LARGE VERSION]

The Strategic Business Policy program aims to make meaningful progress toward these learning objectives:
(1) Writing clear and well-structured essays and reports;
(2) Listening actively and reading effectively;
(3) Expressing ideas clearly and supporting argumentation effectively;
(4) Developing strategic planning skills;
(5) Strengthening small group interaction skills;
(6) Defining ethical parameters for business policy makers.

This is a full time year long coordinated study program. The program seeks to identify the larger social, political, economic and environmental issues impacting business policy makers as we enter the 21st century and to equip students with planning and thinking skills to be effective as policy makers.

Fall quarter seminar discussions and lectures are devoted to identifying and learning more about domestic issues. Our objective is to begin to identify critical factors that frame the work of strategic planning. Readings invite us to think about changes within the United States regarding class structure, gender roles, family and work life issues, government policies which impact business planning, and environmental issues. Skill workshops explore quantitative tools and the dynamics of small groups in task oriented environments. Research papers and presentations complement, refine and further our understanding of these issues.

Winter quarter readings will broaden the inquiry to the international context. Readings will examine environmental and workplace issues in less developed countries, the role of international financial institutions, regional trade agreements, the importance of international trade to the domestic economy, and so on. Lectures, discussion forum and paper topics will complement and broaden our understanding of these issues. Workshops will continue, as will strategic management case studies. Students will write two-page seminar papers and team case reports in selected weeks. Their final project will be to write a business case study–topic to be chosen by their team (maximum 20 pages with exhibits).

Spring quarter is devoted in part to computerized business simulation. Student teams will make the full range of decisions required to operate a business successfully in a global economy. Simulation will intensify the small group learning opportunity. We will learn what it is like to design and implement a strategic plan in a competitive industry. Final team retrospective reports, individual journals and periodic discussions will glean insights from the simulation. Students must take eight core program credits, and are encouraged to blend internships with the spring academic program.

Weekly Program Schedule

1. 16 cr. full program = MTuTh classes, business simulation game (BSG), seminar, (15-20 pg.) research paper and journals
2. 12 cr. = 8 cr. core, plus 4 cr. research paper (8-10 pg.); plus 4 credits outside of program if desired
3. 8 cr. core = MTu classes, BSG, journals
4. 8 cr. core plus 8 cr. internship

Credit Equivalencies

Business policy, international trade, business ethics, strategic planning, financial management, organizational behavior, business simulation, group dynamics, leadership, total quality management, regional trade agreements.
 

Papers

1. Journals: Journal writing will comprise the major writing during this quarter. In journals, students will write about their work in teams, respond to each assigned class reading, and reflect on workshop topics. Journals will be submitted to faculty every other Thursday during the quarter.

2. Research Papers: Students taking 16 credits will develop a major research paper (15-20 pages). See other options above. Students will discuss their research topic with their seminar leader during week 2; turn in a paragraph describing their research topic in week 3; turn in an outline of their paper in week 5; submit a rough draft in week 8, and submit their final paper in week 9.

3. Web CT: Web CT will continue to be available as a communication tool. Schedule changes and announcements will be posted on the calendar.

1. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins, The Yellow Wallpaper (1892) (handout)
2. Organizational development (OD) readings (handout)
3. Organizational development (OD) readings (handout)
4. Katzenback, Jon & Smith, Douglas, The Wisdom of Teams (1994)
5. Grieder, William, Secrets of the Temple.
6. Hogan, Linda, Mean Spirit (1990)
7. Bok, Sissela, Lying. (1978)
8. Tan, Amy, The Kitchen God’s Wife (1991)
9. Morrison, Toni, Beloved (1987)