1. Faculty:
John Barry, Janice Jackson (Claude D. Vannoy '35 Chair), Susan B. Kask,

3.2.03.1

Program Overview

The mission of the Business and Economics Department is to prepare and develop students as business and organizational workers and leaders with the skills and experience necessary to make decisions, solve problems, and devise policies that are socially, environmentally, and economically sound.

The goals of the Business and Economic Program are the following:

1. To prepare students to work effectively as business and economics leaders and professionals in a complex and changing world.
2. To prepare students to make socially, environmentally, and economically sound contributions to their businesses, organizations, and in their communities.
3. To provide students with a foundation of business and economic knowledge and skills that enables them to pursue further business studies as well as a lifetime of learning.

The Business and Economics Program is designed to complement the liberal arts studies of Warren Wilson. Studies are clustered around four basic areas of competence - the core of business and economics education. These competencies include quantitative/financial skills (applied statistics, econometrics, financial statement preparation/analysis, etc.), people skills (personal, individual and group behavior management, employee motivation, communication), knowledge of external environments (legal, social, political, economic, natural, and other specific factors that affect organizations), and strategic planning /integration skills (integrating all competencies with knowledge of culture, religion, politics, and environment). These four competencies provide the foundation for balanced and critical analysis, decision-making and problem solving related to the complex and dynamic issues affecting businesses, organizations, and communities. The major core requirements provide the basic knowledge and skills in each of these competencies. Advanced courses are designed to provide in-depth study and application of these skills.

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

1. Environmental stewardship - taking care of planet earth
2. Social responsibility - caring for each other
3. Long-range planning - being proactive, not reactive
4. Strategic partnerships - working collaboratively to accomplish more
5. Sound financial management - optimizing positive impact with limited resources
6. Global awareness - understanding the dynamics of world populations, languages, cultures, customs, and politics

3.2.03.2

Major in Business and Economics

Grades: Students must pass courses at a grade of C- or better to count toward fulfillment of the major.

Total Credit Hours: Students must earn a minimum of 40-52 credit hours in business and economics (depending on concentration, see below) to fulfill the major requirements.

Core Requirements: All majors in Business and Economics must complete the courses listed below (20 credit hours):

1. BA 201 Accounting I
2. BA 212 Management and Leadership in Organizations
3. ECO 201 Microeconomics
4. ECO 210 Macroeconomics
5. MAT 141 Statistics (or higher math class approved by department chair)

Concentrations

3.2.03.3

Minor in Business or Economics

A minor in Business or Economics will provide students in any major with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to make socially, economically, and environmentally sound contributions to businesses, organizations, and communities.