Business Management 46 credits

EDUCATING STUDENTS FOR LEADERSHIP

The Business Management major is designed to educate women and men for positions of professional leadership in private, public, and not-for-profit organizations. The major seeks to cultivate each student's capacity to think and act with creativity and innovation. Students master the broad definition of business, while focusing on management - "managing people" - which is the key business function in the global economy. Students learn not only the essential knowledge and skills to manage effectively and efficiently, but also develop a sense of moral responsibility in professional practice inside and outside of organizations, whatever their size or purpose.

THE CURRICULUM

The Business Management major at Lesley prepares students to meet the challenges of a dynamic and multicultural workplace. Students explore entrepreneurship and small business management with a particular focus on innovative and creative managerial decision making. Ethical leadership is a core value of the major whether in organizations, communities, or the global marketplace. Finally, students examine why and how organizations change over time and how individuals manage change. The Business Management major seeks to foster the development of students' skills in the areas of communication, innovative problem-solving, and technology. The curriculum encourages integration of the Liberal Arts with the field of Business Management to enhance students' conceptual skills and ability to connect various disciplines to sound, transformative practice. Using these competencies, students learn to recognize, diagnose, and solve problems critical to organizational performance as well as seek out opportunities for new ventures and shifts in strategy. Students learn how technology is used by organizations to create competitive advantage, as well as how social and psychological factors influence professional development and organizational success. The flexibility of the program design allows students to pursue more in-depth study in areas of special interest.

THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM: EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

The Business Management major emphasizes the value of experience as an integral part of learning and utilizes field experiences and internships to link theory and practice. First year students are introduced to a variety of organizations in the Boston-Cambridge area through tours of facilities and presentations by organizational leaders. During the sophomore year, Career Planning and Internship prepares students to take charge of their careers. Junior and senior year Business Management majors spend over 240 hours in the field where students undertake a variety of projects and activities as part of the day-to-day operations of participating organizations. Students work under the supervision of experienced professionals in private, public, and not-for-profit organizations approved by the internship coordinator and overseen by the internship faculty advisor. A critical component of the internship experience is the participation in weekly seminars where students discuss and reflect on their experiences to gain a broader view of the workplace, contemporary issues, and organizational trends. At the same time, students are exploring and assessing their own developing skills, abilities and career interests. Internship experiences often lead to job opportunities after graduation.

Course Descriptions

CECON 2101

Microeconomics3 creditsMicroeconomics examines the economic behavior of individual actors ? individuals, households, businesses, nonprofit organizations, governments ? in order to understand choice in the face of scarcity and the allocation consequences of these choices. This examination is set in the broader context of concern for human well-being. The course covers the basic model of the competitive market, as well as alternative models of market power. The course draws upon a variety of case studies and real-world examples to facilitate students' intuitive knowledge of economics.

CMGMT 1451

Foundations of Business Management3 creditsThis course provides an introductory view of contemporary organizations and the impact of change in the workplace of the twenty-first century. Of particular note is the use of emerging technologies in business and community settings. Students learn about organizational environments, the processes for managing these environments, and the roles of individuals to achieve organizational goals. Students also acquire an understanding of the various functions of management and the importance of effective communication in the workplace. Current theories and methods to effectively plan and manage change in public, private, and non-profit sectors are examined. The changing nature of organizational leadership is explored with particular emphasis on the realities of a global society. Prerequisite: Should be taken concurrently with CMGMT 1701.

CMGMT 2455

Financial Accounting3 creditsStudents learn the basic concepts needed to analyze the financial status of an organization, and learn to use financial analysis for managerial decisions. Through step-by-step procedures, students learn how to develop and use basic accounting tools starting with the creation of balance sheets and income statements to the completion of other accounting records to form a complete accounting system. Other topics covered are revenues and monetary assets, inventories and cost of sales, depreciation, working capital, consolidated statements, and useful ratios for financial analysis.

CMGMT 3305

The Art and Science of Leadership3 CreditsIn this course students will explore leadership both as a specialized role and as a shared influence process. They will assess the skills, knowledge and experience required to influence others, to serve as catalysts for action and reflection. Students will use literature and film as vehicles to gain both a theoretical foundation of leadership issues as well as to apply these ideas to practical examples. They will explore human stories that demonstrate the development of leadership skills and the consequences of leadership behavior.

CMGMT 3306

Ethics and Social Responsibility3 CreditsStudents will examine the various ethical and moral issues arising in contemporary economic activities which affect society and the world. Values, both historical and contemporary, that shape the economic environment will be explored as well as personal values which influence human behavior in all social systems. This course treats ethics in the context of leadership decision-making, recognizing the importance of making sound ethical judgments in a complex world.

CMGMT 3460

Financial Management3 creditsStudents will study financial institutions and markets, analyzing how firms obtain, invest, and apply funds efficiently. The use of financial information in decision making is emphasized. Students will study such topics as cash budgeting, forecasting, ratio analysis, taxes, financial statements, internal/external financing, and capital investment in company resources. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor.

CMGMT 3469

Organizational Behavior and Change Management3 creditsThrough the use of primary research and case studies, this course explores theories of organizational behavior. Students learn about organizational structure, formal and informal work groups, and the relationship among individuals, the work group, and the organization. The course emphasizes the differing perceptions of men and women in the organization through the exploration of such topics as leadership, motivation, performance, and career development and change management.

CMGMT 4140

Senior Capstone - Strategic Management3 creditsThis capstone course applies the concepts learned in previous coursework, enabling students to create and analyze their own business. Students undertake a comprehensive review of management principles and develop a business plan for a new product or service. Management leadership and group dynamics are central to the course. A text, related readings, and class discussions help students design their business plans. A reflective journal postableing experiences during the course is required. Recommended upperclass standing or permission of the division director.