Entrepreneurship and Economic Development

REVISED

Fall 2011 and Winter 2012 quarters

Faculty

John Filmer (F) organizational and business management , Neil Delisanti (W)

Fields of Study

business and management, communications and economics

Preparatory for studies or careers in

business, non-profit management, and economics.

Description

Organizations, fail or succeed according to their ability to adapt to fluid legal, cultural, political and economic realities. Strong, competent management leads to strong successful organizations. This program will explore the essentials of for-profit and non-profit business development through the study of classical economics, economic development and basic business principles. Critical reasoning will be taught to facilitate an understanding of economics and its application to the business environment. You will be introduced to the tools, skills and concepts you need to develop strategies for navigating your organization in an ever-changing environment.

Management is a highly interdisciplinary profession where generalized, connected knowledge plays a critical role. Knowledge of the liberal arts/humanities or of technological advances may be as vital as skill development in finance, law, organizational dynamics or the latest management theory. As an effective leader/manager you must develop the ability to read, comprehend, contextualize and interpret the flow of events impacting your organization. Communication skills, critical reasoning, quantitative analysis and the ability to research, sort out, comprehend and digest voluminous amounts of material separate the far-thinking and effective organizational leader/manager from the pedestrian administrator. Fall quarter will focus on these basic skills in preparation for projects and research during the winter.

During winter quarter, you will engage in discussions with practitioners in businesses and various other private sector and government organizations. You will be actively involved in research and project work with some of these organizations and it will provide an opportunity to investigate and design exciting  internships for the spring quarter. Class work both quarters will include lectures, book seminars, projects, case studies and field trips. Texts will include Essentials of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management by Thomas Zimmerer , Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell, Asking The Right Questions : A Guide to Critical Thinking by M. Neil Browne and Stuart Keeley, and How to read a Financial Report by John A. Tracy.

Evergreen's management graduates enjoy a reputation for integrity and for being bold and creative in their approaches to problem solving, mindful of the public interest and attentive to their responsibilities toward the environment and their employees, volunteers, customers, stockholders, stakeholders, and neighbors. Expect to read a lot, study hard and be challenged to think clearly, logically and often. Your competence as a manager is in the balance.

Location

Olympia

Online Learning

Enhanced Online Learning

Books

Greener Store

Offered During

Day

Program Revisions