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Business and Economics Department

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.

Economic Development Class Trip to Cherahole Skyway

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:

Senior Business Dinner 2006

Environmental stewardship (taking care of planet earth)
Social responsibility (watching out for each other)
Long-range planning (being proactive, not reactive)
Strategic partnerships (in working together, we can do so much more)
Sound financial management (maximizing impact with limited resources)
Global awareness (understanding language, culture, customs, and politics)

Business and Economics offer 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 - emphases on policy and strategies that build sustainable communities, recognizing their multiple dimensions and complex issues.