Course descriptions for Bachelor degree in Business Administration at ODU

Course offerings listed below may vary from year to year based on course availability. For the most up-to-date courses, course requirements and descriptions, always refer to the current University Catalog. View the current Catalog here.

ACT 100 - Survey of Accounting
4 Credits
The focus of this course is on understanding the meaning of the numbers presented in financial reports, their relationship to each other and how they are used in evaluation, planning and control. The course is designed for non-business majors.

ACT 205 - Accounting for Decision Making
4 Credits
This course is an introduction to financial and managerial accounting. Students will explore the practical and theoretical aspects of decision making and problem solving associated with asset, liability, equity related accounts, along with planning operations, controlling activities and making decisions. The course will provide students with an understanding of the uses and limitations of accounting information (internal and external) in economic decision making.

This course is designed for non-accounting majors.

ACT 210 - Accounting for Financial Decision Making
3 Credits
A study of basic concepts and fundamentals underlying the measurement, valuation, analysis and communication of financial accounting information to external users for decision making and problem solving.

Co-requisites: CIS 107.

ACT 220 - Accounting for Managerial Decision Making
3 Credits
A study of basic concepts and fundamentals underlying the planning, controlling and communicating of managerial accounting information to internal users for decision making and problem solving.

Prerequisite: ACT 210 with a minimum grade of C-; or permission of instructor and division chairperson.

ART 279A - CORE: Art & the Global Community
3 Credits
This course introduces students to the concept of art as an agent for social change through case studies of community/communal art “movements” through history from around the globe as well as the United States and our local community.

Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer status. Pre- or Co-requisite: ENG 102 or ENG 111.

BUS 100 - Introduction to Adult Studies
2 Credits
This is an introductory course for adult students seeking to complete an undergraduate degree in the Ohio Dominican Adult and Continuing Education program. It provides the student with an overview of important concepts of self-management and of an awareness of effective skills for implementation of University level study.

BUS 101 - Foundations of Business
3 Credits
A survey course covering the rudiments of business. Topics include historical perspectives, organization structure, management, production, finance, marketing and regulatory agencies.

Not open to students who have credit in BUS 220, 240, or 325.

BUS 102 - Use of Technology in Business
2 Credits
This course is designed to introduce students to a set of simple productivity tools that help managers become more efficient and effective. The course major topics include how to develop the characteristics of an effective manager, with a specific focus on teamwork, communicating, planning, problem solving, and leading change.

BUS 120 - Business Communication
4 Credits
This course provides the student with the tools necessary to write effective business letters, memos, and reports. This is an intensive writing course that requires the composition of business documents including a formal report and a group presentation.

Not open to students with credit for ENG 220.

BUS 200 - Resources for Business Studies
2 Credits
A survey of the basic sources and research methods in the field of Business with an emphasis on print, CD-ROM, database and online resources.

BUS 201 - Management Development Portfolio
2 Credits
A focus on personal development and learning. The student will complete several self-assessment instruments and an instrument focusing on assessing management competencies. Students will explore models related to principle-based time management and executive development. Students will subsequently craft an individual detailed development plan intended to connect their career goals, academic program, and co-curricular involvements.

Prerequisite: BUS 100L.

BUS 202 - Career Development for Underclassmen
1 Credit
College students understand the importance of acquiring a degree but must also engage in planning and development related to their specific career goals to qualify for entering a suitable profession. This preparation involves occupational research, direct investigation and acquiring specific experiences (both developmental and pre-professional) in advance of the senior year. This course covers concepts and approaches that will help college students clarify their options, and prepare for their chosen profession.

Students will learn about practical preparations such as gaining experience through internships, and the value of involvement in student organizations, campus programs and other extracurricular activities (in addition to skills developed through their coursework). Instruction will also cover resume development, investigating career fields and securing an internship.

BUS 220 - Principles of Marketing
3 Credits
An introduction to the process of creating and fulfilling consumer and organizational needs through strategies involving the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods, and services in a market economy.

BUS 221 - International Marketing
3 Credits
This course focuses on theory and practice of marketing across international borders with an emphasis on the development of appropriate marketing strategies applicable to foreign socioeconomic and cultural environments. Case studies are utilized.

Prerequisite: BUS 220.

BUS 240 - Management & Organizational Behavior
3 Credits

This course focuses on the role of the manager in contemporary business and explores behavioral science concepts and research directed toward understanding human behavior and management within organizations.

BUS 245 - Labor Relations
3 Credits
Human interrelationships within industry including formal and informal relationships among participants, labor-management-government relations, conflict and conflict resolutions. A study of the structure, development, and operation of present day unions and pertinent legislation; development and procedures of collective bargaining.

BUS 250 - Legal Environment of Business
3 Credits
This course serves as an introduction to the American legal system, dispute reconciliation, and functions of the law. The emphasis is on understanding the functions of contracts in American business law. The course will examine the history and sources of American law, the legal systems and procedures, agency and employment, sales and other topics.

Not open to students with credit in BUS 345.

BUS 251 - Retailing
3 Credits
A study of the role of retail organizations in creating customer satisfaction. Course topics include the evolution and dynamics of the retail industry, contemporary business practices, organizational structures, operational functions, physical distribution, and retail mathematics.

Prerequisite: BUS 220; MTH 100 or equivalent.

BUS/PRS 270 - Integrated Marketing Communication
3 Credits
An overview of promotion as one key component of a marketing strategy. Students review the possible elements that may comprise an organization's promotional mix: e.g., public relations, personal selling, advertising, and sales promotion.

Prerequisites: BUS 220.

BUS 275 - Advertising
3 Credits
Hands-on exposure to advertising and its role within an organization's promotional strategy. Students work on a team project based on a case study of an organization and prepare a marketing communication presentation. This course also addresses the criteria for scheduling of advertising and identification of appropriate media to reach target markets.

Prerequisites: BUS 220 and ECN 205 or ECN 207-208.

BUS 279A - CORE: Leadership and the Common Good
3 Credits
This course integrates readings in the humanities, experiential exercises, video analysis, and case studies in the service of helping students develop their own unique leadership philosophy. Engagement in the course will strengthen students’ capacity to lead others. The transition from self-leadership to a consideration of community and the common good is explored.

Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer status. Pre- or Co-requisite: ENG 102 or ENG 111.

BUS 301 - Conflict Resolution and Negotiation for Managers
3 Credits
This course will explore theories and models related to conflict resolution in management and interpersonal settings. Through role-playing activities students will practice and develop relevant skills and capabilities. The course will also explore theories related to developing the capacity and perspectives necessary to effectively negotiate under a variety of conditions.

BUS 302 - Job Search and Professionalism
1 Credit
Positioning oneself for a chosen field and securing employment requires proficiency in job search skills and methods. In addition to relevant experience, graduates entering their field of choice need an understanding of the practices and skills utilized when engaging the professional world. This course will initiate juniors and seniors into the process of securing a suitable occupation, and conducting themselves effectively in a professional setting.

Instruction and assignments will include the following topics: identifying personal strengths, occupational research, informational interviewing, internet resources, writing resumes and cover letters, professional communication and conduct, networking and social media, searching, applying and interviewing for positions.

BUS 305 - Non-Profit Management
3 Credits
This course focuses on the management of the non-profit, mission-based organization. Topics extend from issues around formation or start-up to an exploration of critical skills necessary to lead a thriving non-profit enterprise. The course will explore fundraising, grant writing, program development, communication and public relations, board relations, planning and budgeting, and mission-driven decision making.

BUS 310 - Fundamentals of Leadership
3 Credits
This course is a general introduction to the history and current theories undergirding contemporary thought on leadership. The course will expose students to key leadership theories and concepts and their practical application. Additionally, the course will utilize contemporary and historical cases to deepen awareness and illustrate key concepts. Finally, the course will provide students an opportunity to identify leadership in the context of their personal experience and reflect upon related implications.

BUS 312 - Employee Training and Development
3 Credits
This course introduces the student to the broadening role of training and development in organizations and allows for practical applications of best practices employed in the field today. Topics include program design, learning theory, assessment, transfer of training, program evaluation, training methods, and employee development.

Prerequisites: BUS 240 or BUS 305 for non-business majors, BUS 343, and junior or senior status.

BUS 315 - Gender & the Workplace
3 Credits
This course addresses the impact of gender on employment decisions, work teams, leadership, sexual harassment, workplace romance, career development, the glass ceiling, diversity, and work-family balance issues. Men and women are equally touched by gender bias; this course allows the student the opportunity to understand more fully how organizations, managers, and individuals can work to ensure that all people have fulfilling and productive careers, regardless of their gender.

Prerequisites: BUS 240, or BUS 305 for non-business majors, and junior or senior status. This course partially fulfills the diversity, global, and multicultural requirement.

BUS 318 - Business & Society
3 Credits
This course is designed to equip business students with materials and tools to aid them in resolving ethical dilemmas they may face in their professional lives. The purpose here is to counterbalance the negative behaviors seen in media coverage with the realization and firm conviction that business can operate in an ethical and honorable manner. Classic case studies, topical case materials, simulations, and course readings will challenge the student to take a journey through the world of business ethics at the ground level of the contemporary business organization.

Prerequisites: BUS 240 and ECN 205 or ECN 207-208.

BUS 343 - Human Resource Management
3 Credits
This course provides a broad understanding of the complex role of the human resource management function. Special emphasis is placed on demographic, professional and workforce trends that shape human resource management in contemporary business.

Prerequisite: BUS 240, or BUS 305 for non-business majors, and junior or senior status. Not open to students with credit in BUS 243.

BUS 345 - Business & Employment Law
2 Credits
Introduction to the American legal system, dispute reconciliation, and functions of the law emphasizing employment law issues to include employee rights, equal opportunity employment, compensation matters, and emerging legal issues in personnel administration.

Prerequisite: BUS 343. Not open to students with credit in BUS 250.

BUS 348G - Business Ethics
3 Credits
A study of ethical theory and principles applied to contemporary problems in business. Special emphasis on the intersection of business, ethics, law, and public policy. Use of case method.

Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111. Not open to students with credit for PHL 242 and PHL 243. This course fulfills the diversity, global, and multicultural requirement.

BUS 355 - Organizational Behavior & Group Dynamics
4 Credits
Managerial effectiveness is significantly related to the capacity to understand and act on factors related to individual, structural, and group dynamics in an organization. This course focuses on the impact that individuals, groups, and structures have on behavior within an organization.

Furthermore, it explores the relationship between these factors and individual and organizational performance. While generally focusing on foundations of individual and group behavior, specific topics include motivation, job satisfaction, perception, decision making, power and policies, communication, culture, and organizational structure.

BUS 360 - Innovation & Entrepreneurship
3 Credits
This course examines creativity and innovation in existing businesses as well as in entrepreneurial ventures. The course will explore the structural and management variables that support creating and sustaining work environments that foster innovation. Finally, the course will explore the factors unique to the entrepreneurial start-up venture.

Prerequisites: BUS 240 and junior or senior standing.

BUS 360 - Innovation & Entrepreneurship
4 Credits
This course examines creativity and innovation in existing businesses as well as in entrepreneurial ventures. The course will explore the structural and management variables that support creating and sustaining work environments that foster innovation. Finally, the course will explore the factors unique to the entrepreneurial start-up venture.

Prerequisites: BUS 240 and junior or senior standing.

BUS 361 - Starting a New Business Venture
3 Credits
This course focuses on the start-up phase of the entrepreneurial venture as well as all the related financial, operational, marketing, and relational challenges. It also examines attributes of successful new businesses as well as issues related to the innovation of new products and services. Finally, the course provides students an opportunity to build and present a business plan for a new venture.

Prerequisites: BUS 240 and junior or senior standing.

BUS 362 - Building, Operating & and Passing in a Family Business
3 Credits
This course focuses on issues related to the developmental lifecycle of the family business. Given that the vast majority of active (large and small) businesses are family businesses, this course examines critical success factors related to growth, success and succession. Additional topics covered include managing family dynamics in the context of the business, managing family member entrance and exit to the business, and selling or passing on the business.

Prerequisites: BUS 240 and junior or senior status.

BUS 370 - Professional Selling
3 Credits
This course is organized around the process of making informative and persuasive verbal strategies, presentation materials and formats, handling objections, reaching decisions, and servicing customers as these topics apply to any member of an organization who makes a presentation. Case study, role playing, professional speakers, and group interactions project the student into the real world of the business person and salesperson.

Prerequisite: BUS 220.

BUS 371 - Sales Force Management & Leadership
3 Credits
This course focuses on an examination of the common problems confronting the sales manager. Topics include recruiting, selecting, training and education, motivating, leadership and supervision, and compensation and evaluation. Emphasis is placed on the personal side of management throughout the course.

Prerequisite: BUS 220.

BUS 373 - Managing the Diverse Workforce
3 Credits
Organizational leaders are now confronted with the challenge of how to effectively manage a workforce that is increasingly diverse. Implicit in this challenge is the recognition that qualified employees hail from a variety of cultural backgrounds or group identities. The expectation is that managers will have the interpersonal skills and abilities to successfully and positively interact with people who are different from themselves.

The purpose of this course is to examine how diversity affects interpersonal and intergroup interactions in organizations, to develop an understanding of what diversity means, and to explore contemporary organizational strategies for managing workplace diversity. This course partially fulfills the diversity, global, and multicultural requirement.

Prerequisite: BUS 240, or BUS 305 for non-business majors, and junior or senior status.

BUS 378 - Marketing for Service Industries
3 Credits
This course is an exploration and study of the nature of service organizations and the principles that guide the marketing of their products. Emphasis will be placed upon a marketing mix that is fundamentally different than that found in traditional goods marketing.

Prerequisite: BUS 220.

BUS 381 - Merchandising
3 Credits
A study of merchandising with primary emphasis on fashion-related goods and the textile and apparel industry. Students consider presentation, cost, time, schedules, distribution, planning, and allocation of goods and services.

Prerequisites: ACT 210, BUS 220, and MTH 140 or consent of the chairperson.

BUS 390 - Service Learning Practicum
3 Credits
This course is designed to serve as a bridge between students’ academic and professional lives by allowing students to put theory into practice in an approved nonprofit setting. Service learning projects will be coordinated between Campus Ministry and the nonprofit studies academic advisor to include meaningful, hands-on experiences that will broaden student perceptions of working in the nonprofit sector and deepen their faith exploration.

A minimum of 80 clock hours and in-class seminar meetings are required. Prerequisite: Junior or senior status.

BUS 460 - Contemporary Issues in Management
3 Credits
This course is designed as a seminar in order to introduce students to current trends and thinking in management. Shared readings will be selected to reflect advances in management thought along a number of fronts including such areas as measuring and improving performance, quality, change management, global management, and others.

Additionally, students will have an opportunity to conduct a significant research and/or applied project in their area of professional interest. For example—projects may focus on professional fields such as human resource management, entrepreneurial studies, family business, and others.

Prerequisites: BUS 240; junior or senior status; and one of the following courses: BUS 305, 315, or 362.

BUS 479 - CORE: Strategic Management
3 Credits
This course is the capstone learning experience for business administration, international business, finance, and accounting majors. It encourages a reflective search for truth in enterprise while focusing on how firms formulate, implement, and evaluate strategies. The course is designed to integrate student’s functional business knowledge including ethical considerations through an engagement with a significant research project.

The major learning challenge for students in this course will be to make and justify, through oral and written communication, subjective strategic decisions informed by extensive analysis and supported by the application of a variety of strategic tools. Finally, this course partners with the Career Development Center to provide students learning modules on resume preparation, etiquette, dress, and informational interviewing.

Prerequisites: Completion of junior core seminar; BUS 220, 240, 343, 345; FIN 325. Not open to students who have completed BUS 498.

BUS 1/2/3/485 - Special Topics
3 Credits
Study of a timely topic in business.

BUS 2/3/486 - Independent Study
1-3 Credits
Intensive individual work, which may include project research. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, academic advisor, division chairperson.

BUS 496 - Advanced Readings & Topics in Management
3 Credits
A seminar course intended as a capstone learning experience. Students will read and discuss a personalized list (related to their core management interests and linked to their development plan) of “seminal” written works in management—some contemporary and others from the past. Students will complete a personalized learning project as a part of the course that is aligned with their career goals and that integrates learning from their program.

Finally, students will revisit the personal development plan created during BUS 201, reflect upon its contents, assess current progress, and draft modifications based on progress and emerging perspectives.

BUS 497 - Internship
1-3 Credits
A supervised internship of 40 clock hours for each semester credit hour. Internship placement and activities are arranged in cooperation with the advisor, the student, and the representative from the sponsoring organization.

Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, academic advisor, and division chairperson.

BUS 498 - Seminar in Organizational Strategy
3 Credits
This course is the capstone learning experience for business administration, international business, finance, and accounting majors. It focuses on how firms formulate, implement, and evaluate strategies. The course is designed to integrate student’s functional business knowledge in the service of completing a strategic business analysis of an existing organization or through building a strategic business plan for an entrepreneurial new business venture.

Prerequisites: BUS 220, 240, 343, 345; FIN 325. Not open to students who have completed BUS 479.

BUS/PRS 265 - Business Writing & Presentations
3 Credits
This course allows students to refine their business writing skills and to become better presenters in preparation for careers in business or a nonprofit setting. In an interactive, hands-on environment, students will practice writing proposals, executive summaries, business letters, persuasive emails, and presentations.

Delivering effective business presentations will also be covered, along with practice and critique. This course is ideal for students who plan to lead people and departments, start their own businesses or want to be more effective communicators in the workplace.

Prerequisite: ENG 102 or ENG 111.

BUS/PRS 270 - Integrated Marketing Communication
3 Credits
An overview of promotion as one key component of a marketing strategy. Students review the possible elements that may comprise an organization's promotional mix: e.g., public relations, personal selling, advertising, and sales promotion.

BUS/PRS 365 - Philanthropy & Fundraising
3 Credits
This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of philanthropy and fundraising as practiced in the United States. The course employs both theory and practice. Philanthropy is taught first to emphasize the importance of giving before receiving and students will use evaluation methods to measure the worthiness/appropriateness of a request.

The course will also outline the solicitation techniques used for all types of fundraising, the elements of a compelling case for support, the ethical considerations for use of funds, and proper ways in which to recognize donors. The course may have a service-learning component with a particular grantmaker and/or non-profit organization.

Prerequisite: Junior or senior status.

CIS 107 - Computer Applications
3 Credits
This course introduces computer literacy and electronic spreadsheets. Topics include computer systems, the Internet, functions and tools in electronic spreadsheets and their applications in business fields.

Not open to students with credit for CIS 106, CIS 180, or CIS 203. Course will not apply to a major in Computer Information Systems.

CIS 234 - Database Management Systems
3 Credits
A study of relational database management concepts and features, including the creation, maintenance, and manipulation of database files using a current relational database management system.

Not open to students with credit for CIS 204 and CIS 340.

ECN 205 - Principles of Economics
3 Credits
A basic study of both branches of economics: microeconomics which studies the decision making behavior of individuals, firms, and other economic units; and macroeconomics which studies inflation, unemployment, economic growth, money supply, national income, and government economic policies.

Not open to students with credit in ECN 101.

ECN 207 - Principles of Microeconomics
3 Credits
A basic study of the decision making behavior of individuals, households, firms, industries, and other economic units regarding resource allocation. Students will explore how markets function to coordinate the economic activities of different economic units. Topics include scarcity, opportunity cost, demand and supply, consumption, production, market structures, and profit maximization.

ECN 208 - Principles of Macroeconomics
3 Credits
A basic study of the overall economy including inflation, unemployment, economic growth, money supply, national income, and government economic policies. It emphasizes the important measures used to determine an economy’s performance and explores the potential impacts of macroeconomic policy.

ENG 101 - Thinking & Writing Across the Curriculum
3 Credits
This course emphasizes the strategies students need for writing and thinking across the curriculum. By practicing writing strategies such as argumentation, researched writing (or writing with sources), summary, analysis, comparison and contrast, definition, students will build the skills needed to succeed as college writers.

Each section will focus on a specific theme. Themes from previous classes have included the following: American identity, family, love, the politics of food, Native American culture, and biography.

This course does not fulfill the literature requirement. Not open to students with credit for ENG 101 or ENG 110.

ENG 102 - Scholarly Adventures: Researched Writing
4 Credits
Building upon the research skills from ENG 101, this course focuses primarily on academic research writing. Intensive reading and writing will be used to develop knowledge of analytical techniques in the liberal arts. There will be specific emphasis on reading strategies, library research, integrating sources, argumentation, and the MLA method of documentation.

Each section will focus on a specific theme. Themes from previous classes have included the following: American identity, family, love, the politics of food, Native American culture, and biography.

This course does not fulfill the literature requirement of the Core. Prerequisite: ENG 101 or 110. Not open to students with credit for ENG 102.

ENV 279A - CORE: Applied Sustainability
3 Credits
What is sustainability? How is it addressed across a range of disciplines? How can we understand how to live sustainably, in community from the local to global perspective? An integrated approach will apply understanding and advances in architecture, business, chemistry, biology, education, psychology, and ecology to living sustainability in community with others and the environment.

Prerequisite: CORE 179 or appropriate transfer status.

Pre- or Co-requisite: ENG 102 or ENG 111. This course fulfills the science requirement for non-science majors. Not open to students with credit in ENV 230.

FIN 325 - Managerial Finance
3 Credits
A study of the forms of business organization, the financial organization of business activities, and financial decision theory.

Prerequisite: ACT 210 or ACT 205; ECN 205 or ECN 207-208; MTH 140.

MTH 102 - Beginning Algebra
3 Credits
This basic course in algebra includes a review of pre-algebra skills (integers, fractions, and order of operations), then focuses on linear equations, proportions, Cartesian coordinates, graphing linear equations, verbal problems, exponents, direct and inverse variation, and summation. Emphasizes quantitative reasoning and highlights applications of mathematics in a variety of disciplines and daily life. Does not fulfill the mathematics requirement of the Core Curriculum.

Not open to students with credit for MTH 100 or higher numbered MTH courses.

MTH 140 - Introduction to Statistics
3 Credits
An introduction to the basic concepts and computations used in statistical analysis as well as their application to problems in other disciplines, especially biology, business, education, and social sciences. Topics include the description of data graphically and numerically, the collection of data via samples and experiments, and the process of drawing inferences or conclusions from data.

The laboratory component of the course emphasizes conceptual understanding, interpretation of statistical quantities, and written/oral communication and will require the use of mathematical software.

Prerequisite: MTH 102 or placement.

PHL 346 - Principles of Business Ethics
3 Credits
An introduction to traditional ethical theories in preparation for more advanced study of problems in social philosophy and business

PRS 201 - Contemporary Issues in Reputation Management: Public Relations Principles
3 Credits
A theoretical approach to the principles of the field of public relations in corporate, non-profit, and agency applications. The role of public relations in the overall organizational communication structure.

PRS 340 - Internet Strategies: Social Media, e-Commerce & More
3 Credits
This course is designed to provide an in-depth look at the principles, practices, and strategies utilized when incorporating the Internet into a public relations or marketing communications plan. This course will utilize lecture and case analysis to build a body of knowledge for students that they can apply to a professional setting.

Prerequisite: PRS 201 or BUS 220 is recommended.

Business Administration Course Descriptions

B.S. in Business Administration Course Descriptions