Purpose of Business

Catalog description

Purpose of Business (3) In this introductory course students gain an appreciation of the complex nature of business and what it takes to operate in a broader context. The course explores the purpose of business and the intersection of business, government, and society. Students discuss ethics, business law and regulations, sustainability, social responsibility, and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). Students learn about markets, industries, and their impacts on business, and advance to understanding the inter-relationship of core business functions including accounting, marketing, management, finance, and technology. Throughout the course, students learn to apply critical thinking, problem-solving tools, and entrepreneurial mindsets that businesses use every day to understand their environment and how they offer the right products and services to their customers. Using frameworks including PESTLE (political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental), SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), and ESG (environmental, social, and governance), and through discussion, case analysis, and group project-based experiential learning, students discover insights about real-world complexities experienced by businesses. Grading: A-F only. Restriction: Registration not allowed in both KSB-111 and KSB-100. Note: Fall enrollment open only to first-year students; spring enrollment open only to first-year students or sophomores. Students may not receive credit toward a degree for both KSB-111 and KSB-100.