Course Descriptions for the Business Essentials Program Upon completion of one, two, three or four quarters, students will earn Certificates of Completion. All courses listed are required in order to earn the certificates. Quarter 1 The first quarter includes numerous engaging learning modules designed to build foundational knowledge in several business disciplines. The cost of the textbook and online support materials will be included for this quarter. So that they can experience the interactive nature of study in an American classroom, students will participate in group projects and will be continuously encouraged to share ideas and perspectives. First-quarter students are evaluated not only on their exam results and course homework, but on participation and attendance as well. A collaborative approach toward learning will require commitment and responsibility on the part of each student in order to earn the certificate. *Courses and information subject to change. **In quarter 1, all classes are held on the UC San Diego Extension campus in La Jolla. Module Descriptions (2 total) Business Operations This course provides an overview of the topics of operations, business ethics, change management and project management. The class is designed for international students who are interested in the American business community as well as global commerce Communication This session will help students understand and manage the business communication process including: The nature and function of business communication Interpersonal communication methods, barriers and developing your skills How communication can flow effectively in organizations Technological impacts on managerial communication and organizations Contemporary issues in business communications Cross-Cultural Negotiation This is a comprehensive course designed for professionals who work in the business environment. This course seeks to demonstrate the importance of cross-cultural communication and the benefits of being sensitive and mindful of cultural differences in international business. Concepts of negotiation styles, cultural differences and etiquettes, and conflict analysis will be discussed at length. Students will also have the opportunity to practice these skills and concepts in class through mock negotiations, and they will analyze case studies. Human Resources and Ethics These sessions will prepare students to understand the topics of corporate social responsibility and ethics in the workplace as well as provide a high-level overview of the role of human resources management as a business function. 1
Managing Entrepreneurial Ventures This segment will look at the activities of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial ventures are organizations that are pursuing opportunities and are characterized by innovative practices. Their main goals are growth and profitability. We will examine the context of entrepreneurship and the related perspective of the four managerial functions: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Money and Banking This discussion will help students understand the history and function of the U.S. banking system. Topics include: the history of banking in the U.S., the Federal Reserve System, the causes and impacts of the 2008 banking crisis, the evolution of technology in banking, and lastly, an overview of international banking. Planning and Strategy Every organization needs a plan and a strategy to succeed. This module of Strategic Management class teaches the most important aspects of environmental scanning, strategic planning, organizational structures, and managing change and innovation. The module focuses on real life business scenarios to bring the subject to life! Behavior and Leadership These sessions will prepare students to understand, explore and integrate these important topic areas regarding understanding and managing individual behavior within a business environment, skill and techniques for motivating employees and proven approaches for becoming an effective leader within any organization. Team Building and Decision Making This course introduces students to the six components of good teams. After a general discussion of teams and how they work, the class is divided into teams. Through hands-on/interactive work, we explore each of these important elements: leadership, goals, roles, systems, interaction, and measurement. In addition, after teams are formed, an imaginary manufacturing company is created to allow practice in problem-solving and decisionmaking skills. Internship Students perform their 48-hour internships within UC San Diego campus departments. Typically, students work six hours per week for eight weeks. 2
Quarter 2 Basics of Project Management for Everyday Use Discover fundamental project management concepts and processes that will increase the quality and value of your next project. Learn how to develop and implement a project plan and set realistic schedules and practical goals. Explore the project life cycle and the challenges of managing a project in different phases: initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing. Learn how to define and control scope, schedule, costs and risks. Discuss leadership, delegation, interpersonal management skills, change management, and the role of project managers during project execution. Explore why some projects succeed while others fail, and make sure your next project is a success. Business Communication Skills Being able to communicate your ideas accurately and persuasively is essential in the business environment. Explore the communication skills necessary to be productive in today's complex workplace. Discover how to analyze and address a range of audiences. Learn the basics of speech organization, body language, vocal variety, and speaking without preparation. Improve your interactions, one-on-one and in meetings. Topics include recognizing and responding to nonverbal messages; personal vs. position power; negotiation; accommodating individual differences (age, culture, gender); giving and receiving constructive criticism; understanding group dynamics and team development; professional writing skills; and presentation skills. Introduction to Business Examine the foundation, principles, and practices upon which modern business enterprises are based. Become familiar with not only the functional elements of a for-profit company, but also the challenges presented by today's competitive global marketplace. Topics include: the business life cycle; balancing short and long-term demands; forms of business ownership and organization structure; leadership and managing competing priorities; competing in global markets; the employment relationship (employment options, compensation packages, managing and rewarding performance); marketing, promoting, pricing and distributing products and services; financial and operational information systems. Organizational Behavior 4 UNITS The class will explore human behavior at the individual, interpersonal, and group levels, including the effect of organization structure on behavior. Emphasis will be on managerial roles; the historical evolution of management; ethics; and behavior in multi-cultural contexts. Marketing: Experiential Learning This class offers the opportunity to work with a local organization, under the guidance of an expert marketing consultant. Learning objectives include the development of a marketing plan and the presentation of strategy suggestions to corporate executives in a professional environment. 3
Quarter 3 Bookkeeping for Business Students with no bookkeeping or accounting knowledge will be introduced to major concepts and processes in bookkeeping as the class works through the annual accounting cycle. Topics include: introduction to bookkeeping and accounting concepts, transactions through the journal and general ledger, financial reports (Income Statement and Balance Sheet) and closing the books at year s end. Strategic Cross-Cultural Communication Designed for progressive business professionals, and those with interest in perfecting multicultural communication skills, this course explores the richness of various cultural practices and how they impact our contemporary global business environment. Students will learn about complex, multicultural business matters that exist today, as they study cultural sensitivity, potential communication barriers, and ethical/legal concerns through a combination of research, reading, multimedia activities, group discussions and interactive projects. Directed Studies The Recruiting Process For both the hiring manager and the job seeker, the recruiting process contains opportunities and obstacles. This class will introduce students to recruiting practices used in the U.S. Perspectives and activities of the HR department, the hiring manager, and the job seeker will be examined. We will also look at special considerations present in the recruiting and hiring of non-citizen workers who have permission to work in this country. Students will also be able to choose one or two electives from a list of pre-determined courses, provided by the program each quarter. The list will include a variety of electives, and it will be available by about the middle of the second quarter. Students can choose from these classes to round out their third quarter schedules. Students must take at least 12 credits per quarter, as per their visa status. 4
Quarter 4 Elements of Marketing 4 UNITS Receive hands-on, practical experience in integrated marketing communications, and explore the building blocks of effective marketing programs. Topics include research, audience measurement, product development, positioning, branding, advertising, pricing, distribution, social media, public relations and strategic marketing plan development. Incorporate these tools into your career and organization by learning best practices from current case stories while networking with classmates representing a variety of professional disciplines. Explore marketing career options. Gain perspective on a variety of industry sectors and have the opportunity to develop the primary elements of a marketing plan for the company of your choice. Directed Studies Marketing: Experiential Learning II This class builds on the marketing knowledge that students have obtained in previous Business Essentials coursework. The instructor will guide students in developing their own marketing insights focusing on a specific industry. The insights are based on the compilation of select company information, market and industry intelligence. This information will be applied in the development of questions used to interview one to two reallife California organizations. Students will also be enrolled in one or two additional marketing courses, and they will be able to choose electives from a list of pre-determined courses, provided by the program each quarter. The list will include a variety of electives, and it will be available by about the middle of the third quarter. Students can choose one or two of these classes to round out their fourth quarter schedules. Students must take at least 12 credits per quarter, as per their visa status. 5