The Business Department's mission is to enable students to gain an excellent education that will equip them with the competencies defined as the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that are crucial to understanding and operating in the changing international and technological world of business. Our graduates will be life-long learners who will go on to lead productive and fulfilling lives. International business studies are included in virtually all business courses, thus permeating business studies at Albertson College. Students receive individual advising and have the opportunity to be involved in most of the following:

International experience
Internship
Group projects
Study of ethics
Development of a portfolio of accomplishments

The Business Department monitors the progress of its students by giving all seniors the Educational Testing Service Business Examination, thus allowing for constant improvement in the quality of education offered to students.

By successfully completing a major or minor in business, a student will be able to understand themselves and the environment in which they work and live. Specifically, they will be able to apply their competencies in organizations or as entrepreneurs in the global business environment. Graduates will be able to:

Think and reason independently, creatively and analytically, applying these abilities to a range of business situations and relationships.
Apply rapidly developing technologies and analytical techniques that business requires to be successful.
Understand the disciplines that underlie the practice of business like economics, law, mathematics, psychology, sociology and statistics.
Understand and apply the basic business disciplines such as accounting, economics, finance, human resources, marketing and operations management in organizations.
Gain experience in making ethical decisions and taking socially responsible actions.
Develop and apply interpersonal skills for effective and productive individual and team relationships, internally in organizations and externally in business relationships.
Develop career plans and continuous learning strategy, which will afford continuing professional growth and development.
Understand what organizations are seeking in future managerial and professional personnel and the skills and strategies for meeting organization's requirements.

Special Graduate School Collaborations

Albertson College has special arrangements with Boise State University, Gonzaga University, University of Idaho, and Willamette University, to facilitate admission into their graduate programs. This may be an attractive option for students with a strong interest in graduate work or in a career in accounting and who plan to sit for the CPA exam which, by 2000, will require five years of prior academic preparation. Students with other business interests also may find these linked programs attractive. See the "COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS WITH OTHER COLLEGES/ UNIVERSITIES" section of this catalog for specific requirements.

Requirements

The Business Major requires nine credits of prerequisites and 27 credits of business courses (total 36 credits).

Prerequisites:
MAT 211 Statistics
POE 261 Introduction to Economics
POE 262 Economic Theory & Policy

Business Core:
BUS 201 Introduction to Management Information Systems
BUS 221   Financial Accounting
BUS 222   Managerial Accounting
BUS 330   Principles of Finance
BUS 340   International Business
BUS 357   Organizational Behavior
BUS 360   Principles of Marketing
BUS 391   Legal Environment of Business
BUS 459   Policy Studies

In addition to the Business Major, students may add a concentration. Concentrations enable the student to focus on an area of special interest. There are six concentrations, each consisting of an additional nine credits. The concentrations are Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Management Information Systems.

Accounting - Core plus BUS 318 plus six credits chosen from BUS 319, 320, 422, 423, 424, 427, 481, 494, 497.

Entrepreneurship - Core plus BUS 200 and 300, plus three credits chosen from ART 123, ART 130, BUS 400 or from other Business Department offering approved by advisor.

Finance - Core plus nine credits chosen from BUS 332, 430, 432, 438, 444, 494,497.

Management - Core plus BUS 350 or 358 plus nine credits chosen from BUS 311, 312, 313, 353, 450, 452, 454, 455, 494, 497, or PSY 304.

Management Information Systems - Core plus BUS 385 plus six credits chosen from BUS 381, 454, 481, 482, 483, 485, 494, 497.

Marketing - Core plus BUS 469 plus nine credits chosen from BUS 366, 466, 494, 497, JOU 200, ART 130, 363, 364, or a social science research methods course.

Individual concentrations can be arranged with prior approval of the student’s advisor or the Department Chair in Business. Business faculty work with faculty from other departments to help students design concentrations based on the student's special interests and talents. Students with interests in the Fine Arts might develop a concentration in Fine Arts Management, for example. This program should be planned well in advance, ideally by the end of the student’s sophomore year. Students considering departmental honors are encouraged to consider this option.

The Business Minor
The Business program offers students majoring in other disciplines an opportunity to gain a fundamental understanding of business in order to advance their career interests and/or qualify for employment in a business or other organization.

The prerequisites for the minor are the same as those for the major:
MAT 211 Introduction to Statistics
POE 261 Introduction to Economics
POE 262 Economic Theory & Policy
A course in Information Technology or equivalent And the following Business courses:
BUS 221 Financial Accounting
BUS 330 Principles of Finance
BUS 357 Organizational Behavior
BUS 360 Principles of Marketing
BUS 391 Legal Environment of Business

The Entrepreneurship Minor
Many students are interested in starting their own businesses soon after completing their degrees. This minor is designed to help prepare individuals for success in small business management. Key features of small business management are: independence (frequently the manager is the owner); capital is supplied and ownership held by an individual or small group; the area of operation is local; and the business is small. The minor includes a foundation course BUS 100, a course in accounting BUS 221, and the courses in small business, BUS 200, and BUS 300, as well as an outside experience covered in BUS 400. Students in this program are also encouraged to take additional classes of their choice in the business area.

Sports and Fitness Center Management Major
The Sports and Fitness Center Management Major requires the Common Core of the Physical Education program as well as the following:

The prerequisites are the same as those for the Business major:
MAT 211 Introduction to Statistics
POE 261 Introduction to Economics
POE 262 Economic Theory & Policy
A course in Information Technology or equivalent And the following Business courses:
BUS 221 Financial Accounting
BUS 330 Principles of Finance
BUS 357 Organizational Behavior
BUS 360 Principles of Marketing
BUS 391 Legal Environment of Business

Business-International Political Economy Joint Major
As a joint program between the Business and Politics & Economics departments, this major combines two areas of related significance in a world of increasing economic globalization. This major serves students interested in preparing for careers in international business, government, or development (or further graduate work in Business or International Studies). Students pursing this major benefit by graduating with the applied skills and knowledge used in business and organizational environments in addition to an analytical understanding of international political and economic life.

The Business-International Political Economy major consists of 36 credits plus the foreign language requirement and includes the following:
BUS 221 Financial Accounting
BUS 330 Principles of Finance
BUS 340 International Business
BUS 357 Organizational Behavior
BUS 360 Principles of Marketing
BUS 391 Legal Environment of Business
POE 120 International Politics
POE 261 Introduction to Economics
POE 262 Economic Theory & Policy
AND nine credits chosen from:
POE 260 Introduction to Comparative Economics OR POE 321 Comparative Economics

POE 302 Economic Development OR
POE 351 Politics in Developing Countries

POE 376 International Economics OR
POE 380 International Political Economy

Foreign Language Requirement: Students pursuing this joint major must demonstrate a competence in one foreign language at the intermediate level. Competence will be measured by successful completion of two intermediate level college semester courses in a foreign language or by passing a standardized intermediate level foreign language examination.

Business, Language & Culture Major

This major combines the strengths of two departments - Modern Foreign languages and Business - in order to offer students the language and cultural fluency necessary in the global business environment. the Business program enables Albertson students to extend excellence in the liberal arts into a range of business careers, and the Modern foreign Languages provide students with the cross-cultural understanding and communication skills expected of world citizens. By melding these two sets of goals through their coursework, students in Business, Language, and Culture prepare competencies in foreign language and American business practices that allow them to apply their analytical and organization skills in multi-national and multi-cultural environments.

Through focus on French, German, or Spanish, and the cultures that use these languages, students will become trained observers able to adjust to highly diverse cultural situations. they will also reach competency levels in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing their chosen language, which will enable them to communicate directly with counterparts or clients in the target culture. Spanish, the second European language choice worldwide after English, is spoken throughout the Americas as well as in Spain. French is one of the three basic languages of Africa, as well as being an official language of France, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg and Switzerland. German, spoken in Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, is the lingua-franca of the Central European and Baltic states, and is widely used in Turkey.

Students of language and culture create a wide field of application for their major by studying economics, accounting and business. by extending their linguistic and cultural expertise into fields beyond more traditional literature and civilization studies, they become cultural ambassadors in the workplace. Business, Language and Culture majors who enter an international administration or an international commercial enterprise--or an American one with international connections--will understand how language and custom shape both the way we think and the way we conduct everyday affairs.

Business, Language, and Culture students will fulfill the following Business requirements, and they will meet the Modern Foreign Language proficiency equivalent in French, German, or Spanish as set out below. They will complete upper-division Literature & Society or Topics courses in the same language.

The Capstone Experience for Business, Language, and Culture fuses students' competencies and theoretical skills from both fields. They may elect either an International Internship or an Immersion Experience Project as a demonstration of their abilities in their combined discipline.

Modern Foreign Language Requirement (French, German, or Spanish). Minimum of twenty credits:
1. Language proficiency equivalent of:
MFL 2XX Language & Civilization I
MFL 2XX Language & Civilization II
MFL 3XX Advanced Composition
MFL 3XX Advanced Conversation & Phonetics

2. Any combination of the following to equal six credits:
MFL 3XX/4XX Literature courses
MFL3XX/4XX Literature & Society courses
MFL 399 Topics courses
MFL 3XX/4XX Study Abroad Coursework - only current option for German

3. MFL/BUS 497 International Internship/Immersion Experience Project - two credits

Business Requirements. Minimum of 18 credits:
1. Core Courses
      POE 261 Introduction to Economics
      BUS 221 Financial Accounting
      BUS 391 Legal Environment of Business

2. At least two courses chosen from the following:
     BUS 200 Small Business Management
     BUS 330 Principles of Finance
     BUS 340 International Business
     BUS 357 Organization Behavior
     BUS 360 Marketing

3. One of the following, unless three courses are selected from list #2 above (0-3 credits):
     MAT 211 Introduction to Statistics
     BUS 201 Introduction to Management Information Systems
     LSP 396 Junior Leadership Seminar
     Any appropriate upper-division course from the Humanities or Social Science divisions that supports global awareness, to be chosen in consultation with the advisor.

LOWER DIVISION

BUS-100 Introduction to Business 3.0 cr.
Spring. An introduction to the private enterprise system and the component areas of business including: marketing, management finance, production, business and government relations, organized labor, and the ethical and social responsibilities of business organizations. This course is designed for non-majors.

BUS-200 Small Business Management 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: BUS 100. Students develop their enterprising ability as a foundation for ongoing personal and professional growth. They also develop their understanding of the small business environment and entrepreneurship. During the semester, students create a business plan for a new venture as a way to integrate and apply the abilities and knowledge in marketing, finance, management and organization.

BUS-201 Introduction to Management Information Systems 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. An introduction to research, analysis, and communication skills using information technology. This course is designed to offer life skills that all students can utilize through proper understanding and application of information technology. special attention will be devoted to developing problem solving skills. All students, regardless of major, are encouraged to enroll.

BUS-221 Financial Accounting 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. An introduction to the field of accounting, emphasizing double-entry record keeping, preparation of balance sheets and income statements, and the uses and limitations of external financial reporting.

BUS-222 Managerial Accounting 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Prereq.: BUS 221. A study of the role of accounting information in decision making emphasizing the use of accounting data for internal management decisions. The course includes an introduction to cash flows, cost accounting, cost-volume-profit relationships and budgeting in business decisions.

BUS-231 Personal Financial Planning 3.0 cr.
Winter. Survival skills necessary to insure financial life after graduation. Students will discuss and develop a personal philosophy of spending, saving, and investing. Topics of consumption expenditures will include housing, insurance, investments, personal expenditures and the use of credit. Students will use computer programs to develop personal financial plans for the present and projections for the future.

BUS-232 Value Investing 3.0 cr.
Winter. A study of the principles and practices developed by the 'Dean' of financial analysis, Benjamin Graham. Students will learn principles of valuation based upon proven fundamental techniques practiced by successful investors like Warren Buffett for many decades. Graham's philosophy of investing will be contrasted with other views of investing and speculating, thus giving students a perspective on investing strategies.

BUS-294 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Arranged. Prereq.: permission. Research in various areas of business for qualified students. This course will not fulfill the general graduation requirement for independent work. See independent study guidelines. May be repeated.

UPPER DIVISION

BUS-300 Business Enterprise Practicum 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: BUS 200, 221. In this course the student applies their enterprising abilities and knowledge from prior courses. Students elect to implement the small business plan they developed in Business 200 or choose to serve as a consultant to a small business or not-for-profit organization. Emphasis is on the integration of advanced analytical, problem solving, and social interaction abilities in an applied business setting.

BUS-318-319-320 Intermediate Accounting 3.0 cr.
Fall, winter, spring. Prereq.: BUS 221-222. A comprehensive study of the theory, principles and procedures used in reporting financial information to decision makers via the balance sheet and statements of income, retained earnings and changes in financial position.

BUS-330 Principles of Finance 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Prereq.: BUS 221, POE 261. Analysis of corporate finance with emphasis on the sources of financing and the efficient utilization of funds. Topics include the sources and use of funds, capital structure, capital budgeting, dividend policy, and financial control.

BUS-332 Financial Institutions 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: POE 261-262, BUS 221. A review of financial institutions, their functions, and the nature and function of money.

BUS-340 International Business 3.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: POE 262, BUS 221. An analysis of international business from the viewpoint of entering into multinational business activities, examining cultural, social, economic, and political factors related to transnational operations. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)

BUS-350 Management Science 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Prereq.: BUS 221, 385 and MAT 211 (or 311). A study of managerial decision making and how analytic frameworks are used to support decisions. Topics include modeling, developing graphical solutions, mathematical programming, simulation and an introduction to available computer-aided techniques.

BUS-353 Principles of Production & Operations Management 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BUS 350 and MAT 124 (or 151), or permission. A management approach to production operations for service and manufacturing industries covering theory and practice using quantitative analysis, financial management, human behavior and management principles.

BUS-357 Organizational Behavior 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. The application of behavioral science theory and methods to better understand and manage individual and group behavior in organizations.

BUS-358 Human Resources Management 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Spring. This course examines how the management of human resources can help organizations successfully deal with today's legal and ethical, social, global, quality, and technological challenges. Emphasis is on developing HR policies and implementing programs regarding the recruitment, selection, training and development, and compensation of employees.

BUS-360 Principles of Marketing 3.0 cr.
Fall, Spring. Prereq.: BUS 221, POE 262. A study of the marketing role in business and its relationship to the economic, political, legal, and social environments in which it must function. Primary importance will be placed on identifying and understanding the wants and needs of individuals and organizations, and satisfying those demands by determining product, price, promotion, and placement (distribution) mix.

BUS-366 Marketing Communication 3.0 cr.
Winter. Alt. years. Prereq.: BUS 360. An analysis of the field of advertising and pro-motion management from an integrated marketing communications perspective. The course will focus on an examination of the marketing process, consumer behavior, communications theory, and the role of research to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate advertising and promotional programs.

BUS-381 Electronic Commerce: Business Uses of the Internet 3.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BUS 201or familiarity with the use of the Internet. Business opportunities, challenges, and strategies for use of the information superhighway will be explored, as will strategies and vision on how to leverage the emerging national and global information infrastructure. Includes review of the tools and technologies necessary for electronic commerce and the impact of the emerging electronic market and commerce reengineering in today's corporations.

BUS-385 Computer Systems for Business 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Prereq.: BUS 201 and 221, and a basic understanding of information technology. A course which surveys a variety of topics from the end user perspective with emphasis on development, management, information centers, analytical modeling, data management and communications.

BUS-391 Legal Environment 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. An introduction to the fundamental principles of law affecting business. Emphasis will be on legal rights, corporate social responsibility, sales, consumer protection, personal property, partnerships and corporations, rights of creditors, business regulation, rights of share holders, and other legal concerns of both profit and nonprofit organizations.

BUS-400 Adv Experiential Learning 3.0 cr.
Arranged. Prereq.: BUS 300 and departmental approval. The student will engage in a major talk or project, which will assist them in developing new knowledge and skills or will reinforce significantly the business knowledge and skills they have gained in their course work. The relationship will be developed through the student's business contacts or through the college’s alumni mentoring network.

BUS-422 International Accounting 3.0 cr.
Winter. Alt. years. Prereq.: BUS 221. Investigation and research into the development of international accounting theory as it responds to multinational business in a multicultural world.

BUS-423 Auditing 3.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BUS 320 or permission. A study of the principles governing the independent review of financial statements, professional standards, ethics, evaluation of internal control, auditing procedures and preparation of working papers.

BUS-424 Tax Accounting I 3.0 cr.
Spring. A study of income, excise, and social security taxation emphasizing individual and small enterprise tax problems. Selected fields of small enterprise activity are explored to provide specific emphasis.

BUS-427 Managerial/Cost Accounting 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BUS 222. A study of the role of accounting information in decision making emphasizing the use of accounting data for internal management decisions. The course includes an introduction to cash flows, cost accounting, cost-volume-profit relationships, and budgeting in business decisions and the theory, terminology, accumulation, reporting and evaluation of costs, including job order process and standard cost break-even analysis and budgeting techniques.

BUS-430 Advanced Financial Management 3.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BUS 330. Examination of asset valuation models, required returns, risk analysis in capital budgeting models and cost of capital determination.

BUS-432 Investments 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: BUS 330 or permission. A study of the nature of investment, classification and analysis of securities, basic risk of investment and determination of sound investment policies for institutions and individuals. In addition, the use of investment vehicles for non-investment activities such as hedging will be explored.

BUS-438 Financial Problems 3.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BUS 330. Research and reports on selected problems or topics in finance.

BUS-444 International Finance 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: BUS 330. An analysis of the international financial system and the behavior of the balance of payments, spot and forward exchange rates, international capital movements and related phenomena. In addition, the course will cover the interaction between national governments and private economic agents in determining the behavior of key macroeconomic variables in the context of multinational world economy.

BUS-448 International Marketing Policy & Strategy 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BUS 360. A study of marketing planning and strategies for foreign market operations. Analysis of economic, cultural, and political interactions affecting exchange among nations and the impact of marketing decisions. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)

BUS-450 Creative Organizational Theory 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: BUS 357 or permission. This course explores new ways of seeing and understanding complex organizations, including organizations as machines, organisms, brains, cultures, political systems, flux and transformation, psychic prisons, and instruments of domination. It utilizes an approach to organizational analysis that integrates classical and contemporary theory and research from a variety of disciplines.

BUS-452 Total Quality Management 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: BUS 350, 358 or permission. An analysis of total quality management in organizations as developed by W. Edward Deming and others. The course will integrate key components of decision science, behavioral science and organization analysis.

BUS-454 Simulation Analysis 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: BUS 350. The use of simulation analysis in solving business problems. Most of the work in this course will involve the creation and manipulation of simulation models on the computer.

BUS-455 Interpersonal Dynamics 3.0 cr.
Spring. Alt. years. Prereq.: Permission. This course allows students to develop the inter-personal competencies necessary to deal with people in a variety of situations with an emphasis on work organizations. These managerial skills include active listening, giving feedback, motivating and coaching, delegating, and negotiating and managing conflict. Emphasis is placed on managerial skillfulness in addressing important human, task, organizational, and ethical issues effectively through interactions with others.

BUS-459 Policy Studies 3.0 cr.
Fall, spring. Prereq.: Senior standing. A study of business problem solving and decision making under conditions of uncertainty. Analysis of issues which relate to the determination of objectives and policy from a general management perspective.

BUS-466 Consumer Behavior 3.0 cr.
Fall. Alt. years. Prereq.: BUS 360 and 357. A study utilizing behavior theories, concepts, and methods to identify, understand, and predict consumer behavior. (CULTURAL DIVERSITY)

BUS-469 Marketing Policy & Strategy 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BUS 360, 366, 350, and senior standing. A culminating and integrating course utilizing knowledge and skills gained from previous study. A case study approach will be used that further develops problem solving, decision making, and other analytical skills to formulate policies and strategies.

BUS-481 Accounting Information Systems 3.0 cr.
Winter. Prereq.: BUS 221, and 385. An examination of computer accounting systems as integral components of management information systems. Students will conduct hands-on exercises and specific accounting applications utilizing a primary commercial accounting package. Other accounting packages will be reviewed, discussed and compared to the primary package.

BUS-482 Database Management 3.0 cr.
Fall. Prereq.: BUS 201 or permission. Introduction to database management systems, including: relational models; normalization; security, integrity and recovery issues; query interfaces; data analysis, design, implementation and basic application development using Microsoft's Access.

BUS-483 Project Management 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BUS 201 or permission. Examination of how projects can be managed from start to finish, including specific emphasis on planning and controlling to avoid common pitfalls. Includes microcomputer applications and configuration management. Topics encompass identifying needs, defining requirements, project costing, scheduling, resource allocation, and project politics.

BUS-485 Information Systems Analysis & Design 3.0 cr.
Spring. Prereq.: BUS 201 or permission. Includes concepts, methods, and tools for the development of information systems for management. Examination of analysis and logical design of business processes and management information systems focusing on the systems development life cycle; techniques for gathering and analyzing information systems requirements; use of automated and non0automated techniques for logical system design.

BUS-494 Independent Study 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Arranged. Prereq.: Permission. Research in the field of concentration for qualified students. See independent study guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)

BUS-497 Internship 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Arranged. Prereq.: Permission. Individually arranged and supervised internships with sponsors such as business organizations designed to provide practical experience in the field of concentration. Periodic reports and papers may be required. See internship guidelines. (INDEPENDENT WORK)

BUS-499T Special Topics in Business 1.0 to 3.0 cr.
Topics vary.