This introduction to financial accounting provides both a theoretical foundation and an opportunity to apply accounting logic in increasingly complex situations. The accounting model and information processing cycle are developed. The content of the income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows are studied in detail and analyzed.

Students will critically examine ethical and creative methods to solve problems related to managing individuals and teams. Students utilize feedback from a developmental assessment center assessing their managerial and interpersonal skills. Personal development plans are created and skills developed throughout the course. Skill development domains include perception, attribution, motivation, learning leadership, communication, team development, managing change and conflict, decision-making, power and politics and business ethics.

This course explores the nature and role of creativity in organizations. Theories and modes of creative thinking, and the link between creativity and innovation are presented. The course format is largely experiential, with emphasis on group and individual exercises, techniques, simulations and cases, through which students will investigate the creative process in a variety of organizational settings. The role of managers and team members in nurturing and sustaining a creative enterprise is discussed. The course is designed to open students to the creativity within themselves and organizations, and to the tools with which creativity can be managed to promote innovation and enhance organizational effectiveness as well as satisfaction and quality of work life. Offered four times a year.

The object of this course is to develop clear awareness of the international business operations, practices and environment. It provides the concepts, methods and tools necessary to face the global challenges in international management. The objective is met through lectures, classroom discussions, library assignments and research work. Students will learn the effective use of the international business references. By the end of the course, they are expected to have developed a high level of competency in acquiring, understanding, analyzing and synthesizing international management information from international business directories, databases and CD-ROMs.

Students are provided with an overview of the marketing process for consumer-oriented firms. Focus is placed on decision-making that aligns a firm's market offerings with the wants and needs of targeted segments of customers within a continuously changing environment. Written cases/projects are part of the course assignment.

The focus of the course is on new venture initiation and the preparation of a business plan that can be used to generate financing and to begin operations in a new business enterprise. It examines the critical factors involved in the conception, initiation and development of new business ventures. Topics covered include the identification of characteristics of prospective entrepreneurs, identifying innovations, market potential analysis for new products or services, acquiring seed capital, obtaining venture capital for growth or purchase of an existing business and organization and operation of the new business. Each student is required to develop a business plan which will be presented to the class. Students wishing to start, develop, acquire, sell or merge a business are encouraged to do so. Offered three times a year.

The focus of this course is on how corporations develop new ventures. It critically examines the circumstances that make it possible for employees to contribute their venture ideas to the corporate objectives and describes techniques that stimulate such ideas. Although the primary focus will be on the employee and how the individual can be entrepreneurial within a corporate structure, the course also examines how the corporation can systematically encourage innovation. Case studies of corporate ventures projects will be reviewed. Offered once a year.

This course explores principles and applications of social value generation in entrepreneurial contexts. Participants will learn how agile, growing ventures are launched and managed to generate value that transcends commercial and social frontiers. The course material emphasizes concepts from traditional entrepreneurship in the context of the broader social sector environment. Diverse contributions from graduate students in the College of Commerce as well as the School of Public Service ensure deep exploration of the social venture realm. The course experience is enriched by team-based consulting to several actual Chicago social entrepreneurial ventures as a practical complement to classroom activities.

The ability to manage technological innovation has become an increasingly essential requirement for business people regardless of functional specialty. The objective of this course is to explore ways to create environments that are conducive to technological innovation. Throughout the course students examine practices, models, and approaches that established, as well as new, organizations employ to promote innovative practice, technological change, and new technologies. The following topics will be covered: the innovation process, managing technical people, the impact of organizational design on innovation, knowledge management, cross function teams and exploiting new technologies. Students will research new technologies and discuss potential business applications and issues associated with those technologies. Offered once a year.

The course has four objectives: first, to familiarize participants with how firms manage the conceptualization, development and launch of new products and services; second, to develop a systematic process for new product development that matches the existing business context; third, to give participants knowledge of some useful and immediately applicable tools that will enable them to participate and lead a team that effectively translates a firm's strategy and customer needs into successful products and services; and finally, help participants understand the impact of company dynamics in affecting the new product development process.

Content and format of this course are variable. An in-depth study of current issues in management.

This is a unique opportunity in which interns gain and develop managerial skills, providing a link to mastering the dynamics of running a business. This hands-on experience allows the intern to apply his or her skill/wisdom to the work place and provides invaluable knowledge that is crucial for future advancement. While building an impressive resume for further job opportunities, the intern will be immersed in a stimulating environment with a pool of established resources. In addition, networking opportunities avail themselves to build future relationships.

This course will focus on identifying, examining and evaluating various sources of original and growth capital. Emphasis will be on legal, financial and tax issues related to capital formation as well as specific problems experienced by the small-to-medium-sized firms undergoing rapid growth. Topics discussed will include financing startups, financial planning and strategy, going public, selling out and bankruptcy. A formal proposal for capital acquisition developed through field research will be required of each student.

This course teaches students how to use available economic data to assess business conditions. This is done by: (1) evaluating the sources and usefulness of data periodically released by government and private sources and (2) developing a macroeconomic framework that the student can use to analyze business conditions. Completion of this course will allow students to understand economic news and relate it to their business or job.