61 - Business Administration

This course covers the historical development of management, universal functions of management, strategic management, organizational theory, managerial communication and control of operations.

This course is designed to introduce students to the interdisciplinary nature and scope of the Contemporary Global Studies major. It is team taught by faculty from the Colleges of Business and Arts and Sciences. Elements of the course include an introduction to the theories and practices of International Relations, International Business, International Economics, History, Geography and Area Studies. Students are introduced to a wide range of concepts and parts of the world. Required for Contemporary Global Studies majors. Open to all students.

Introduction to each of the functional areas of an entrepreneurial business, including marketing, accounting, finance, operations, human resources management, and business operations. The course is designed to help students appreciate the interrelationship of these business functions and, understand how they operate in an entrepreneurial start-up business. It covers such topics as the challenges of entrepreneurship, building your brand, forms of ownership and pricing.

This course introduces the various aspects of international business management with an emphasis on acquiring a basic understanding and knowledge of manageing across borders and cultures to include planning, organiziaing, leading, and controlling international operations and human resources.  Students will also gain general knowledge and understanding about cooperating and competing with management styles operating in different cultures.

This course provides an introduction to law affecting businesses and individual, with a focus on contracts (legality, formality and interpretation, nature and transfer, discharge, breach and remedies) and negotiable instruments (their use and significance).

Students explore extensive practical application of diverse forms of written and oral business communication with the aid of technology. Topics include writing effective memos, reports and e-mail messages; using multimedia Power Point slides in presentations; facilitating business meetings; creating resumes; using online blogs and wikis; and handling the challenges of international and cross-cultural communication.

This course covers managing a value-added service business; customer expectations of service and quality; use of the Internet and related technology to transform businesses; interplay among managerial, personnel and technology issues that will shape the future of business; identification of emerging forms of business models observable on the Web; and analysis of management practices using case studies. Entrepreneurship and franchising are also covered in this course.

Topics covered include personnel recruiting, selection, orientation, placement, training, and development; performance evaluation, wage and salary administration; employee benefits; and safety and health issues.

Students explore human behavior in the organization and how it affects and is affected by management; organizational psychology; corporate culture; and individual, group and intergroup relationships.

This skill-building course stresses supervisory competencies: self assessment, time and stress management, creative problem solving, motivation and performance, conflict management, power and influence and team building. Emphasis is on in-class group exercises.

This intensive weekend seminar focuses on a single topic or skill, with emphasis on student involvement and participation.

This is an introductory seminar in the area of business ethics clarifying the purpose of codes of conduct: be it ethical, moral or civil. This seminar will address the challenges facing organizations and businesses to educate employees on the proper behaviors in the workplace. Through the use of films, group discussions and presentations, this seminar will prove to be an exciting learning experience in a very practical and important dimension of business.

Learn about how to negotiate across national cultures! In this seminar, students will learn about basic negotiation skills, acquire new knowledge about some of the most important national cultures around the world, find out about how different countries negotiate, and learn how to negotiate with their foreign counterparts. Open to all students and recommended for all International Business and Contemporary Global Studies majors.

Entrepreneurship offers unusual career opportunities in today's increasingly complex, global business environment. This seminar explores the world of Entrepreneurship. What is Entrepreneurship? What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? What are some of the myths about entrepreneurs? How do entrepreneurs get started? Where are some opportunities for entrepreneurs today? This seminar features entrepreneurs from different industries. It is designed for those interested in learning about Entrepreneurship.

It is generally recognized that "globalization" has been changing our lives- the world is smaller and we are all interconnected in a "global village." Despite the wide acceptance of "globalization," the meaning and use of the term varies considerably. For example, it is used by the media, government officials, educators, and business managers to justify political and economic action: for changing a budget, developing a new government policy; creating a new business strategy or organizational structure; developing a new course, or is used by media as the basis for a news story. "Globalization" is pervasive and is used as a pretext for government, business, or institutional action and affects how governments, businesses, and individuals operate and interact around the world. Globalization is the source of opportunity for some and is blamed by others for the world’s problems, for poorly executed business strategies, and for bad government policies.

This seminar is designed for anyone interested in expanding their understanding of globalization and its effects. We will identify and discuss different theoretical perspectives for globalization, its causes, benefits and problems. We will try to answer questions such as: What is globalization? What has caused globalization? Why is it important to understand the differences and effects of "economic globalization," "political globalization," "cultural globalization?" What are the effects and implications of the globalization of markets, globalization of culture, globalization of politics? We will also examine "globalization" from a practical perspective. For example, how could the forces of globalization likely create more opportunities and problems for companies, governments, and individuals in the future? What challenges and opportunities will globalization bring for American businesses interested in entering or expanding business around the world? What role does government, media, and business play in our understanding of globalization?

As people move up the organizational ladder they are often thrown into situations for which they are not prepared.  Social skills and etiquette are requirements for leaders of today.  This seminar will provide an opportunity to learn about wine and formal dining etiquette with an Illinois sommelier at a local restaurant, how to handle challenging etiquette conversations and situations, as well as additional topical etiquette issues.

This course integrates all aspects of the learning experience for International Business majors and other majors interested in identifying, analyzing, and developing international business plans or solving international business problems for Midwestern companies. Since students work to solve "real life" international business problems, this course offers first hand experiential learning and the opportunity to develop advanced analytical skills and practical application of knowledge acquired in the classroom. Should be one of the final courses taken, normally in the senior year.

This course integrates all aspects of the learning experience for those students taking the International Business Concentration, and should be one of the final courses taken, normally in the senior year. The course offers advance analysis and application of knowledge, evaluation and implementation. This is a writing intensive/advanced course that satisfies the advanced writing requirement for General Education.

This class provides an introduction to the challenges and opportunities of managing a business internationally (human resource management, marketing, accounting, finance, among others) within the context of a changing global environment (political, economic, cultural, technological, competitive, financial forces), as well as the different types of international and marketing entry strategies. In addition to cases and research projects, the course emphasizes student participation and the integration of knowledge and skills learned in other courses.

Students study current management issues using various techniques in a seminar setting. Emphasis is on student participation and integrating knowledge gained from previous management courses. This course should be completed as one of the student's final business courses.

This course explores the strategic management process; analysis, implementation and evaluation; qualitative and quantitative analysis of financial ratios for management decision making; and strategic thinking and strategic change. The case method is used. This capstone course should be completed as one of the student's final business courses.

This internship is designed to provide students with controlled, on-the-job experience with participating businesses, industries and governmental organizations. Students may be eligible for an internship with jobs they currently have. A limited number of internships/jobs are also available through the internship coordinator.

This internship is designed to provide students with controlled, on-the-job experience with participating businesses, industries and governmental organizations. Students may be eligible for an internship with their current position if it has an international emphasis and is approved by the Internship Coordinator. A limited number of internships/jobs are also available through the internship coordinator.

Students participating in a Lewis approved semester study abroad, travel study, or international internship program can design a Study Abroad Project that integrates their practical study abroad experience with academic research and analysis in their academic field of interest. The Study Abroad Project provides the student the opportunity to expand knowledge and understanding of important international business issues not normally covered in the classroom and builds upon the study abroad experience gained from studying, living and/or working in a foreign country or countries to better meet their unique career, personal, or academic goals. Students design an appropriate topic in consultation with their advisor in collaboration with the Director of the Contemporary Global Studies and International Business Program. Note: International business, international marketing, international accounting, international economics, international finance and other Study Abroad projects are available. Please contact your advisor or the Director, Contemporary Global Studies and International Business for more information

Students complete independent readings and conduct research in Business Administration.