Department of Entrepreneurship
Schedule for Spring ”11
ENTR 303. LAW FOR ENTREPRENEURS.
Dr. Craig E. Columbus & Mr. Ken Smith; Tue-Thu 11:30 AM – 12:45 AM
This course provides an awareness and basic understanding of the legal issues frequently encountered by entrepreneurs. The course specifically examines the legal issues surrounding the organization, financing, and operations of a company, including ownership structuring, the raising of capital, federal securities requirements and exemptions, determining valuation, intellectual property, board formation, human resources, and exit strategies. Semester course, three hours.
ENTR 311. NEGOTIATION AND SALES.
Dr. Linda J. Christie & Mr. Timothy J. Sweet; Tue-Thu 2:30 PM-3:45 PM
The purpose of this course is to understand the theory and process of negotiation and sales as they are practiced in entrepreneurial settings. The course is designed to be relevant to the broad spectrum of negotiation and sales problems that are faced by entrepreneurs. A basic premise of the course is that while an entrepreneur needs analytical skills to create business plans, a broad array of negotiation skills are needed for these plans to be implemented. The course will allow students the opportunity to develop these skills experientially and to understand negotiation in useful analytical frameworks. Considerable emphasis will be placed on simulations, role-playing, and cases. Fall semester, three hours.
ENTR 390. STUDY: SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION.
Mr. Timothy J. Sweet; Mon-Wed-Fri 1:00 PM-1:50 PM
This course will explore the fundamental principles and best practices in the field of search engine optimization. Students will learn and develop the essential knowledge and skills required to achieve favorable organic rank in the most important search engines, and will become familiar with and interact with experts in the industry. Case studies and actual business scenarios will be examined in detail. Students will have the opportunity to conduct SEO research for small businesses and non-profit organizations in team projects with other students. Semester course, three hours.
ENTR 409. INTERNET ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
Mr. Timothy J. Sweet; Mon-Wed-Fri 6:30 PM-9:00 PM
This course will explore the foundational principles and essential components for launching a successful entrepreneurial endeavor on the Internet. The course will cover important topics related to Internet Entrepreneurship, including key entrepreneurial models, business concept development, opportunity analysis, advanced search marketing techniques, understanding user behavior, and creating a viable Internet model for Digital Entrepreneurial endeavors. Case studies and existing businesses will be examined in detail. Students will have the opportunity to study the journeys of successful Internet Entrepreneurs, to hear from experts in the field, and to create an original Internet Business Plan in a team with other students. Prerequisite: Entrepreneurship 309 or permission of the instructor. Spring semester course, three hours.
ENTR 459. CORPORATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP: ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE
Mr. Timothy J. Sweet; Mon-Wed-Fri 9:00 AM-9:50 AM
This course focuses on “intrapreneurial practice” within the existing national and international organization; focusing on adaptive organizational change within large corporations. Students learn how to function as an internal change agent working with the development of new technologies, new products, and new businesses identifying intrapreneurial strategies to address those challenges. Using lecture and case discussion, students apply business problem diagnosis and problem solving skills to case studies. Students may work in teams applying course content to case studies, diagnosing challenges, strategizing, and developing action plans to address the problems presented complete with recommendations for action. Students conclude the class by presenting their case findings and recommendations. Prerequisite: Business 203 or Entrepreneurship 101 and 102 or instructor permission and junior status. Spring semester only, three hours.
ENTR 466. BUSINESS PLANNING.
Mr. George B. Howley; Tue-Thu 6:30 PM-9:00 PM
This course provides students from all majors a vehicle for turning their business and non-profit dreams into concrete viable business plans. Either as individuals or as teams, students research, create, and present a plan for a viable business or non-profit organization. They are coached by the instructor and may also be matched to an appropriate mentor with experience in their area of interest. Successful completion of this seminar qualifies students to participate in the campus-wide business plan competition held during the spring semester. Students without basic business background may be assigned some preliminary reading in preparation for the class. Prerequisite: Entr 430, a business or non-profit idea. Three hours.
Schedule for Fall ”10
ENTR 101 (A): ENTREPRENEURIAL MIND: CREATIVITY & INNOVATION
Dr. Jim V. Dupree & Dr. Craig E. Columbus; Mon-Wed-Fri 10:00 AM – 10:50 AM
This course introduces the student to entrepreneurial thought and the process for innovation/idea generation. A Speaking Intensive course, it is taken in conjunction with Entrepreneurship 102, students begin to develop their own entrepreneurial mindset and the business skills essential to the entrepreneurial experience. Students are introduced to the basics of business and challenged to think creatively about forming businesses or designing products to solve customer problems and address unmet needs in the commercial and social arenas. Through experiential learning, case studies, business writing assignments, and creative thinking exercises, students will develop a disciplined thought process for starting and running their own enterprise. Corequisite: Entrepreneurship 102. Fall semester only, three hours.
ENTR 102 (A): TECHNOLOGY FOR ENTREPRENUERS
Dr. Frederick J. Jenny; Tue-Thu 08:00 AM – 09:15 AM
Students learn to use business technology in coordination with assignments in Entrepreneurship 101, including how to use business information technology, spreadsheets, virtual meetings, key Internet skills such as social networking, and personal information management. This course satisfies the Information Literacy (IL) requirement for Entrepreneurship majors. Taken concurrently with Entrepreneurship 101. Fall semester only, 1 hour.
ENTR 306 (A): ETHICS FOR THE ENTREPRENUER
Dr. Jim V. Dupree & Mr. Timothy J. Sweet; Mon-Wed-Fri 01:00 PM – 01:50 PM
Students study the ethical decisions business professionals face in small, family, and corporate business settings. Using a case study format, students analyze selected case studies and then discuss their analysis with the class. Students will interact with business professionals as they study and analyze “living” cases in which one or more of the parties interacts with the class. Through these discussions students will come to understand what constitutes an ethical issue and the different philosophical, theological, and practical perspectives from which individuals may approach an ethical decision. Students are challenged to begin thinking through and developing their own ethical framework as well as to realize the implications of Christian faith in making ethical business decisions. Fall semester only, three hours.
ENTR 307 (A): SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Dr. Timothy S. Mech; Tue-Thu 01:00 PM – 02:15 PM
How might one “do good while doing well?” Social entrepreneurship is an accelerating field of study and practice in today’s world of shrinking governmental services. Students study highly effective non-profit as well as for-profit social enterprises to learn the unique aspects of entrepreneurship used to facilitate meaningful social change. Practitioners of existing successful social enterprises act as guest lecturers and coaches. Fall semester only, three hours.
ENTR 309 (A): E-COMMERCE
Mr. Timothy J. Sweet; Mon 06:30 PM – 09:00 PM
This course will provide a foundation for understanding the essential components of a successful e-commerce system, including e-commerce strategy, target market analysis, search engine optimization, integrated marketing, web usability, payment processing, security, current technologies, data management and fulfillment systems. Case studies and actual business scenarios will be examined in detail, and students will have the opportunity to explore practical applications in the marketplace. Preference given to Entrepreneurship majors. Fall semester only, three hours.
ENTR 312 (A): ENTREPRENEURSHIP: MANAGING A GROWING ENTERPRISE
Dr. Jim V. Dupree & Mr. Timothy J. Sweet; Tue-Thu 10:05 AM – 11:20 AM
This course builds on the entrepreneurial process introduced in Entrepreneurship 101. Its focus is on the strategy and operations issues involved with managing an existing company beyond the startup phase. While the course is open to non-entrepreneurship, business, and accounting majors, it presupposes a basic understanding of business functions and language. It is a case study based course involving recognizing opportunities, assessing risk, developing resources, and implementing a course of action to exploit opportunities. Students will study existing entrepreneurial endeavors and interact with practicing entrepreneurs on the operational and growth challenges they face. Fall semester only, three hours.
ENTR 390 (A): INTERNET CONTENT MARKETING
Mr. Timothy J. Sweet; Mon-Wed-Fri 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM
(Course description coming soon)
ENTR 420 (A): MENTORING
Dr. Jim V. Dupree & Mr. Ken Smith; Tue-Thu 08:00 AM – 09:15 AM
This course will help students learn and practice the skills necessary to establish and leverage valuable mentor relationships. The course consists of two dimensions: classroom study and one-on-one discussions with an experienced business leader. Students learn how to identify, establish and work with a mentor, to develop professional networks, to build relationships, and to determine the purpose and value of relationships in the world of the entrepreneur. Students will be prepared for typical mentorship discussion topics, such as a personal value statement, strengths assessment, a personal development plan, ethical leadership, professionalism, meaningful internships/summer jobs and finding one?s calling. The course, designed for junior and senior Entrepreneurship majors, is open to any upper-division non-majors pending space available. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Semester course, three hours.
ENTR 423 (A): FAMILY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Mr. Fred J. Lang & Mr. George B. Howley; Tue 06:30 PM – 09:00 PM
An upper-level course that will focus on the dynamic of the family-owned and operated business. Appropriate for students of family businesses or students anticipating working for a family business. Students explore the key management issues facing the family business today-interpersonal relations, succession, business functions of marketing, sales, financial management, etc., in the special context of the unique challenges and opportunities of the family-owned business. Students will hear from and interact with small and family business owners who have agreed to visit classes and share their experiences. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing or instructor’s permission. Semester course, three hours.
ENTR 430 (A): ENTREPRENURIAL FINANCE/VENTURE CAPITAL
Dr. Timothy S. Mech; Tue-Thu 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
This course covers financial skills used by entrepreneurs and venture capitalists from the startup of a venture through its harvest. This includes a wide variety of topics including the financial elements of a business plan, the evaluation of new business opportunities, financial planning, sources of financing at different stages, valuation methods, essentials of security law, and methods of harvesting an investment. Prerequisite: Business 301. Fall semester only, three hours.
ENTR 465 (A): ENTREPRENUERSHIP PRACTICUUM
Dr. Linda J. Christie; Mon 06:30 PM – 09:00 PM
Taken in a two-course sequence with Entrepreneurship 466 Business Planning; a capstone review that utilizes an internet-based comprehensive business simulation to integrate and reinforce key elements of accounting, finance, marketing, economics and production across the full entrepreneurial life cycle. The course also relies on actual entrepreneurial biographies and case studies to amplify lessons learned from the simulation. The course includes a rigorous presentation requirement. Students develop collaborative skills to work as a productive member of a project team. This course satisfies the Speaking-Intensive (SI) requirement for Entrepreneurship majors. Prerequisite: Junior/Senior standing. Fall semester only, three hours.