Business Administration

This course analyzes the functioning of organizations in our society and the way in which organizations cope with external forces in a changing and uncertain global environment. The course focuses on the internal arrangement and practices of organizations, covering aspects such as management, employees, customers, finance and controls.

This course is designed for both business and non-business majors to develop management skills such as decision making, motivating, communicating, team building, conflict management and empowering others. Students are encouraged to view management quite broadly as it applies to their own social, family, work and school lives. The focus is on managing as an individual, within groups and as the member of some form of organization — including those in which students will pursue their career aspirations, no matter the discipline. Students are engaged in hands-on exercises, case studies and group assignments. This course will begin the preparation for future management or self- employed roles. It is also useful for anyone who will enter the workforce and face the challenges inherent in managing oneself and working with others effectively.

This course is a blend of exploring current technological trends and developing practical software skills for the business environment. Specific emphasis will be placed on Microsoft 365 applications and customer relationship management (CRM) platforms. The aim is to give students a firm grasp on how computer tools can assist them with market research, statistical analysis, financial decision making, and creating data visualizations.

This course provides an introduction to the stock market. Students will study various investment concepts, terminology, mechanics and analysis common to the stock market. Emphasis will be placed on a stock's underlying financial data. This course is designed for non-business majors, or business majors who have not taken BUS 416, as it approaches investing from the novice’s perspective. Students who have taken BUS 416 are not eligible to take this course.

This course is designed to build student competence in the areas of descriptive and inferential statistics. Emphasis is placed on the application of these statistical methods to business decision-making. The course begins with an examination of data, probability of occurrence and basic sampling processes. It proceeds to the use of statistical methods to model results and continues with ways to use these models for forecasting. The course includes a look at survey sampling methods and additional business-specific applications.

This internship course is a 120-hour-minimum commitment designed to provide students with an on-site business experience early in their college career. The firm where the internship is held provides on-site supervision to the intern and submits a final evaluation of the intern’s performance. The intern is required to submit a written report on his or her internship experience to the Business faculty during and at the conclusion of, the internship. This course may be repeated. Graded Pass/Fail.

One of the major challenges to management in modern times is coping with growing internationalization of the marketplace. This course explores opposing perspectives and searches for practical solutions to global problems.

This course explores the dynamic relationship between employers, organized labor and the various levels of government. Some of the more contemporary developments in American and global labor relations are discussed. This course also develops negotiating skills in labor negotiations by means of role playing and case studies.

This course will provide students with foundations in business law, ethics and the global business environment, in order to successfully navigate the new changing realities of the workplace. We will examine the managerial impact of the law in shaping the decision-making processes in organizations. This course seeks to strengthen the student’s ability to identify, critically analyze and appropriately respond to issues of ethical and socially responsible behavior. Students will also be introduced to globalization of business and the strategic challenges faced by companies in the global competitive environment such as outsourcing and cultural influences.

Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, finding and managing resources in order to attain desired objectives. Project management is generally in operations, but may be utilized in any function of the organization. It is a blended role though; one that necessarily requires knowledge in operations, finance, marketing and interpersonal skills and leadership.

We will investigate the theory of conflict in a variety of venues, but particularly in business settings. Using lecture, discussions, research, case studies, role playing and an interactive web site, we will review theoretical and applied issues in causes of conflict, prevention, use in problem solving and creativity. We will look at constructive conflict, escalation practices, justice and peacekeeping. We will examine types of alternative dispute resolution commonly used in legal, political and business environments.

This course covers the basics of real estate and introduces students to real estate terminology. It discusses types of real estate, relevant legal issues involved in owning real estate and real estate contracts. The course also explains the advantages of owning real estate as well as the requirements to be licensed to sell real estate.

This course explores the planning activities for integrated marketing communication functions such as social media marketing, direct marketing, advertising, sales promotion, personal selling and public relations. Case studies and projects will focus on how to develop effective communications for a marketing campaign. Additional focus will be on the area of public relations, which is used to communicate about the company and its products to customers, shareholders and the public at large.

This hands-on course guides students through the process of starting a business. The course will show students in every major how and where to get the necessary licenses and insurance, build a webpage and social media presence, reach customers, receive payments and hire the first employee. Students will work individually or in teams to take a business idea from concept to launch. Example start-ups include personal trainer or coach, traveling nurse, artist, journalist, studio/store/restaurant owner, environmental nonprofit, real estate and property management, web content creator, childcare facility owner and graphic designer.

The senior seminar is designed to facilitate the integration of conceptual and practical learning in business and serve as a transition between college and career. The seminar will focus on professionalism, lessons learned from the BUS 485 internship experience and the three previous seminars, career building practices and documentation such as résumés and cover letters and presentation skills. A mock job interview, an internship presentation and various professional writing and reporting assignments are required.

This course includes an overview of the financial markets as well as depository and other financial institutions. It explains the significance of interest rates and examines the role of the Federal Reserve in influencing financial markets. The course also shows how financial institutions manage risk.

This course covers data-driven theory and practice in management science and operations. Quantitative management theory has a direct impact on the profitability and competitiveness of an organization. This course couples mathematics with the concepts and applications of motivation theory, productivity and work management. Model formulation lies at the heart of quantitative management methodologies. Consequently, the course emphasizes the art of model formulation, the role of a model and the analysis of model results.

In this integrative capstone, students bring together learning from all liberal arts and business courses. This includes integrating the functional elements of a business and exploring the philosophical and theoretical assumptions underlying strategic management. The laboratory component incorporates a computer simulation. The experience culminates in a professional presentation by each group, open to the Colby-Sawyer campus and community. This course must be completed at Colby-Sawyer College.

Candidates for a B.S. in business administration are required to complete an approved internship of six weeks, or 200 hours, duration in an organization. This internship must be completed between the beginning of the junior year and prior to the start of the senior year. During the internship, the student files weekly activity reports with the designated faculty member. Graded Pass/Fail.