College of Business (COB)

This course is designed to assist first year students with the transition from the high school classroom to the college classroom by developing a better understanding of the learning process while acquiring essential academic skills. Conducted in a seminar setting, this course provides a support group by discussing concerns confronting first year students. Throughout the semester students will engage with various guest speakers to learn about available resources and explore business career paths.

This course introduces students to business careers, academic course work in the James Madison University College of Business, and faculty, staff, and alumni who offer insights for success. Students will learn what is expected to achieve academic success and succeeding in the business world. Students will also engage in the JMU environment and develop leadership and civic responsibility skills. Students will reflect on learned concepts through written and oral assignments, guest lectures, and service learning.

The application of data analysis and statistical methods in business. Introduces data visualization, descriptive statistics, probability, sampling, estimation and hypothesis testing. Emphasis is on using spreadsheet tools and functions for statistical analysis to support analytical decision-­making in a business environment.

An applied course consisting of experiential exercises followed by class discussion. Cases are used as learning activities where the instructor acts as a facilitator to learning. Essential theory emanates from class discussions with a student-based rather than instructor-based format. Theory and application are intertwined by means of student self-assessment exercises and group discussion.

An introduction to computer-based information systems for students with a major in the COB or a CIS minor. Emphasis is placed on the role of computers in business and society, computer hardware and software, analysis, design and implementation of information systems, computer ethics, and collaboration using computers. Students will create databases and collaborate using computer-based tools.

This course examines the role of financial data in contemporary society; the problems of measuring and reporting income, assets, liabilities and equities; and the interpretation of financial statements.

The attention-directing and problem-solving functions of accounting in relation to current planning and control, evaluation of performance, special decisions and long-range planning.

The application of quantitative modeling and analysis to managerial decision-­making. Introduces techniques from predictive and prescriptive analytics including linear optimization, decision analysis, queuing, regression, time­series forecasting, and simulation. Emphasis is on implementing, solving, and interpreting results from spreadsheet models for business applications.

COB 300A is the management component of an integrated learning experience consisting of four courses, taken concurrently, which introduces the fundamental conceptual tools of management, finance, operation and marketing in such a way as to establish their mutual relevance and interdependence. Students work in small project teams on tasks designed to require the application in concert of conceptual tools from each of the function areas.

COB 300B is the finance component of an integrated learning experience consisting of four courses, taken concurrently, which introduces the fundamental conceptual tools of management, finance, operation and marketing in such a way as to establish their mutual relevance and interdependence. Students work in small project teams on tasks designed to require the application in concert of conceptual tools from each of the function areas.

COB 300C is the operations component of an integrated learning experience consisting of four courses, taken concurrently, which introduces the fundamental conceptual tools of management, finance, operation and marketing in such a way as to establish their mutual relevance and interdependence. Students work in small project teams on tasks designed to require the application in concert of conceptual tools from each of the function areas.

COB 300D is the marketing component of an integrated learning experience consisting of four courses, taken concurrently, which introduces the fundamental conceptual tools of management, finance, operation and marketing in such a way as to establish their mutual relevance and interdependence. Students work in small project teams on tasks designed to require the application in concert of conceptual tools from each of the function areas.

This course is designed to complement the COB 300 A-D and will only be offered as part of the semester in Antwerp program. Students will study European integration in the classroom and visit governmental institutions, historical places and cultural events associated with course content.

A study of the law as a means of social, political and economic change. The course focuses on the law in positive leadership development and organizational success. The course has two main goals: To develop leaders who are able to achieve success by understanding the legal and ethical aspects of their business responsibilities and to show how organizations can achieve competitive advantage by reducing legal risk and using the law to create economic value, while also encouraging responsible conduct. The course examines legal and ethical issues that every businessperson should understand to make sound business decisions in a global environment. It provides an overview of the legal system, the nature and uses of law, ethical decision-making frameworks, business organizations and agency, contract law, torts and the law of product liability, criminal law, the regulatory environment, intellectual property, employment law, securities law, and mergers and acquisitions law.

Strategic management is designed to be the capstone course for seniors completing their undergraduate studies in the various functional areas of business administration. The course is comprehensive and structured to build on the foundational knowledge students have gained through completing the interdisciplinary COB 300, Integrated Functional Systems, learning experience and from their respective concentrations.

Designed to give capable students an opportunity to complete a faculty supervised independent study apart from a specific major.