Foundations of Business and Entrepreneurship

Course Description:

Foundations of Business and Entrepreneurship is a three-hour course that provides an overview of the business functions and connects them to the entrepreneurial development cycle. This course familiarizes students with today’s business environment and provides them with an understanding of the basic concepts and practices of modern business and entrepreneurship.  It intends to give the students a broad overview of business functions, institutions, principles, and practices. The focus is on identifying, analyzing, and evaluating ideas and learning the steps and competencies required to launch a successful new venture. Students are challenged to consider the appropriateness of an entrepreneurial career for themselves. Specific topics include characteristics of successful entrepreneurs, techniques for finding and screening ideas, entrepreneurial finance, the politics of new ventures, valuation and deal-making, creating a template of a business plan, buying a business, family business dynamics, and managing crisis and failure.