Warren Wilson College Catalog 07-08

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Business and Economics

Business and Economics Department Website

Faculty: Janice Jackson (Clyde D. Vannoy '35 Chair), Susan B. Kask Michael Oliphant

The Department of Business and Economics prepares students to make immediate and lasting contributions at work and in communities. Our programs are designed to complement the liberal arts studies of Warren Wilson, and to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to effect positive change.

Studies in Business and Economics are clustered around four basic competencies--the core of business and economics education. These include quantitative/financial skills (including applied statistics, econometrics, and financial statement preparation/analysis), people skills (emphasis on communication, including training, motivating and coordinating activities), knowledge of external environments (legal, social, political, economic, and other specific factors that affect organizations), and strategic planning /integration skills (integrating above competencies with knowledge of culture, religion, politics, and environment). These four competencies provide the foundation for balanced and thoughtful decision-making on the complex issues affecting our businesses and communities.

The major requirements provide the basic knowledge and skills in each of the four competencies. Advanced courses are designed to provide in-depth study and application of these skills. All students should consult with an advisor in the department prior to taking courses. We have the flexibility to accommodate many different needs, and many of our courses complement other majors and courses. Some prerequisites may be waived depending on the student's other coursework and work experience. Such requests should be discussed with the instructor and the Department Chair.

The following concepts are incorporated throughout the curriculum in Business and Economics. These concepts provide points of integration with the liberal arts curriculum of Warren Wilson College. They also represent the basic elements of building sustainable businesses and communities.

  1. Environmental stewardship--taking care of planet earth
  2. Social responsibility--watching out for each other
  3. Long-range planning--being proactive, not reactive
  4. Strategic partnerships--working together to accomplish more
  5. Sound financial management--maximizing impact with limited resources
  6. Global awareness--understanding language, culture, customs, and politics

Business and Economics offers a general major and the following concentrations:

Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management--with underlying emphasis on sustainable enterprise and small business's role in community development.

Non-Profit Management--with emphasis on the long-term planning and strategic partnerships needed to help build local and other communities.

Sustainable Economic Development--emphasis on policy and strategies that build sustainable communities, recognizing their multiple dimensions and complex issues.

Majors in Business and Economics

Students have the choice of completing the general major in Business and Economics, or of completing one of the concentrations given below.

Grades: A minimum grade of C- is required in all courses taken counting towards the major.

Core Requirements for all majors in Business and Economics (20 hours):

BA 201 Accounting I
BA 212 Management and Leadership in Organizations
ECO 201 Microeconomics
ECO 210 Macroeconomics
MAT 141 Statistics (or higher math class approved by Department Chair)

Concentrations and required Courses

Entrepreneurship/Small Business Management

BA 304 Managerial Finance
BA 309 Business Law
BA 313 Small Business Management
BA 413 Seminar in Social Entrepreneurship
BA 489 Internship in Business

Plus an additional 8 credits in Business or Economics courses, or other courses as approved by the student's advisor and the Department Chair. Minimum 28 hours.

Non-Profit Management

BA 120 Consumer Finance
BA 310 Introduction to Non-Profit Management
BA 315 Human Resource and Project Management
BA 413 Social Entrepreneurship
BA 489 Internship in Business

Plus an additional 8 credits in Business or Economics courses, or other courses as approved by the student's advisor and the Department Chair. Minimum 28 hours.

Sustainable Economic Development

BA 489 Internship in Business (or Study Abroad or WorldWide field study)
ECO 301 Microeconomic Theory and Practice
ECO 307 International Trade
ECO 380 Environmental and Ecological Economics
ECO 383 Economic Growth and Development

Plus an additional 12 hours from the following list, or other courses as approved by the student's advisor and the Department Chair. Minimum 32 hours.

ENS 425 Sustainable Development and the Politics of Growth
ENS 451 Community and Land Use Planning
ODL 315 Group Process
PAX 325 Resolving Conflict Local and Global
PHI 252 Environmental Ethics
PSC 257 International Relations
PSC 330 Politics of Developing States

Minors in Business and Economics

A minor in Business or Economics will provide students in any major with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to make immediate and lasting contributions to organizations and communities.

Minor in Business

BA 201 Accounting I
BA 212 Management and Leadership in Organizations
ECO 201 Microeconomics
MAT 141 Statistics

Plus 12 credits of additional BUS or ECO courses, as approved by the student's advisor and the Department Chair. Minimum of 28 hours.

Minor in Economics

ECO 201 Microeconomics
ECO 210 Macroeconomics
MAT 141 Statistics

Plus sixteen (16) hours of additional economics electives, as approved by the student's advisor and the Department Chair. Minimum of 28 hours.