2011-12 Catalog

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Offering Description

Global Business Tools for Sustainable Ventures

REVISED

Fall 2011 and Winter 2012 quarters

Faculty
David Shaw international business, economics , Zoe Van Schyndel finance
Fields of Study
business and management, economics, history, international studies, political science and sustainability studies
Preparatory for studies or careers in
sustainability, globalization, international business and trade, entrepreneurship, economic development, competitive advantage of nations and regions, business history, political economy of natural resources, eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture.
Description
What's next? This logical question arises after realizing traditional profit-oriented approaches to business often fail socially, ethically and economically. Today's creative entrepreneurs may realize, far too late, they are doing something they really don't want with their lives and to the world, in pursuit of profit. Throughout the program we will ask: how have these entrepreneurs innovated, challenged and transformed their cultures and their environments as well as themselves? Students will help answer this question for themselves by participating in field trips, seminars, workshops, listening to guest speakers, watching movies, lectures and conducting interviews.

This program is designed for junior and senior students who want to build a strong foundation in sustainable business. Students in this program will explore what it means to go beyond the traditional profit-centered approach to business. We will look at the concept of systems thinking and sustainability within an entrepreneurial process, and investigate how this concept is applicable to any discipline of business such as management, marketing and finance. 

We will look at sustainable entrepreneurs around the world in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors. We will learn from their experiences about opportunities and activities connected to social and environmental topics. This two-quarter program includes students designing, completing and reporting on a very substantial research project that will include conducting several weeks of research, either locally off-campus or anywhere in the U.S. During fall quarter students will build a strong foundation in research methods, finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, sustainability, and management. The final assignment for the fall quarter will be a research proposal for conducting off-campus research about a sustainable business during winter quarter.

For winter quarter, students will visit a sustainable business, organization or industry in the U.S. to conduct their research. Students should expect to work eight weeks of the quarter off-campus at the organization and to remain in close virtual communication with the faculty who will be providing weekly feedback. Week 1 will be used to make final preparations for the off campus research and week 10 for presenting preliminary research findings to the class.

Location
Olympia
Online Learning
Enhanced Online Learning
Books
Greener Store
Required Fees
$100 for fall field trip costs.
Research Possibilities
As part of field studies in winter quarter.
Offered During
Day

Program Revisions

Date Revision
December 1st, 2011 This program will not accept new enrollment in winter quarter.
December 1st, 2011 Altered credits
May 11th, 2011 Program length shortened to fall and winter only
May 9th, 2011 Nelson Pizarro has left the teaching team; enrollment has been adjusted.