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