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SKIDMORE PHONE
518-580-5000
Management and Business
Chair of the Department of Management and Business: James
J. Kennelly
Professors: Pushkala Prasad, Zankel Professor of Management
for Liberal Arts Students; Bernard Kastory, F.W. Harder
Professor of Business Administration
Associate Professors: Betty V. Balevic,
Susan Belden, Martin J. Canavan, Paul Corr, Mary Elizabeth Correa,
James J. Kennelly, K. Gary McClure, Christine Page
Visiting Associate Professor: David Marcinko
Assistant Professors: Elzbieta Lepkowska-White,
Mark A. Youndt, Caroline D'Abate, Timothy Harper
Visiting Assistant Professor: Christine
Kopec
Lecturers: *William Edwards, Carol Chiarella, *Gerald Schorin
Director of the Skidmore-Saratoga Entrepreneurial Partnership: Roy Rotheim, Professor of Economics
The role of the Department of Management and Business at Skidmore
College is to provide a distinctive undergraduate program in
management and international business that builds on and enhances
the liberal arts curriculum. Our aim is to prepare students
to be committed to a process of life-long learning and to pursue
rewarding careers in a technologically changing and culturally
diverse world. To this end, the Department of Management and
Business has created a learning environment that encourages
the integration of management theory, research, and practice
within a well-balanced program of study in the arts, sciences,
and humanities.
The department provides a foundation in core functional areas,
advanced courses, and a wide variety of cocurricular learning
opportunities. While all courses take into account the linkages
across management disciplines, the cornerstone and capstone
courses utilize an explicitly integrative approach. Permeating
our educational offerings is an emphasis on international dimensions,
discernment of ethical values, and development of communication
skills. Flexibility in the program enables students to concentrate
within a management discipline or pursue joint programs with
other departments to prepare for careers and graduate education.
The program serves the larger Skidmore community by offering
all students a conceptual basis for managing fiscal and human
resources in scientific, artistic, human service, and business
undertakings. Both in its presentation of foundation courses
and in its upper-level courses, departmental offerings provide
avenues for exploring the relationship between business and
society. In addition, departmental faculty develop and contribute
to a variety of interdisciplinary courses and programs. Thus,
the Department of Management and Business serves not only its
own majors but adds depth, breadth, and value to the liberal
education of students concentrating in other disciplines.
As a component of the curriculum, students have regular interaction
with the business world in part through the department's Business
Advisory Council. The introductory cornerstone course and others
involve integral participation by visiting business executives
in course exercises. The department encourages study abroad,
internships, and involvement in community projects to provide
integrative learning experiences. Students who wish to prepare
in the area of public accounting may take courses toward the
satisfaction of the academic requirements for the examination.
THE BUSINESS MAJOR: All business majors must take the basic
business core, plus three 300-level elective courses. MB399
Professional Internship in Business may not be counted as satisfying
one of the three 300-level elective requirements of the major.
Students who have taken MB205 may not take MB306, and they must
take four 300-level electives to satisfy the major.
The suggested course sequence for the major is:
MB107,
EC104,
MB234,
EC103,
MB235,
EC237,
MB214,
224,
306,
338, 300-level electives (three);
MB349
(senior year only.) Students planning to study abroad during their junior year must have completed
MB234 and 235 and EC237 before they go.
Students preparing to major in business are expected to be proficient
in English composition and grammar, mathematics, economics,
and computer applications. In addition to those courses already
required for the major that are out of the discipline, these
proficiencies may be strengthened by taking the following courses:
MA105 and 111, and CS106.
INTERDEPARTMENTAL MAJORS: In conjunction with other departments,
the Management and Business Department offers interdepartmental
majors in business-economics, business-French, business-German,
business-Spanish, business-government, and business-mathematics.
See Interdepartmental Majors.
HONORS: To be eligible for departmental honors, a student must,
in addition to fulfilling the college requirements for honors,
attain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for all work completed
in the major, and receive at least an A- on an honors thesis.
See the Department Web page for details.
THE BUSINESS MINOR: For a business minor, the student is required
to complete MB107, 214, 224, 234, and two additional courses
in business, at least one at the 300 level. MB399,
Professional Internship in Business, may not be used to satisfy any of these requirements.
COOPERATIVE M.B.A. PROGRAM: Qualified students have the opportunity
to earn a baccalaureate degree from Skidmore and a master's
degree in business administration through a cooperative program
with Clarkson University. In the 4+1 M.B.A. Program with Clarkson, students earn the master's
degree in the year following Skidmore graduation.
MB 107. BUSINESS
ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT 4 A broadly based introduction
to the field of business that can serve either as the first
course in the departmental sequence or as an only course for
a student desiring an overview of the business world from a
manager's perspective. Topics include strategic analysis and
planning, marketing, financial management, control, organizational
design, human behavior, and communications. Students present
individual written analyses and engage in group oral presentations.
MB 214. FOUNDATIONS
OF MARKETING 3 A comprehensive assessment of
marketing's dynamic role in contemporary global society. The
course emphasizes the development of marketing strategies which
reflect domestic and cross-national competitive structures and
diverse market place realities. Topics include consumer analyses,
target market identification, positioning, e-commerce, and coordination
of marketing mix elements. Prerequisite: MB107
or permission of instructor. B. Balevic,
C. Page, E. Lepkowska-White
MB 224. FOUNDATIONS
OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR 3 The theoretical and experiential
basis for the analysis of individual, group and organizational
behavior in both domestic and international contexts. Prerequisite:
MB107 or permission of instructor. M.
Correa, T. Harper, P. Prasad, C. D'Abate
MB 224H. FOUNDATIONS
OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR 4 The theoretical and experiential
basis for the analysis of individual, group and organizational
behavior in both domestic and international contexts. Develops
student's ability to critically read the research literature
and provides opportunities for development of reflective management
practice. Prerequisite: MB107
or permission of instructor. M. Correa,
T. Harper, P. Prasad, C. D'Abate
MB 234. FOUNDATIONS
OF ACCOUNTING I 4 An introductory course in financial
accounting examining the process of accumulating accounting
information for decision-makers outside the organization. It
introduces the accounting process, reviews the preparation of
financial statements, examines the accounting for assets and
liabilities, and concludes with an examination of accounting
for corporations. The course focuses on the interpretation and
effective use of financial statements and other financial data.
Prerequisite:MB107
or permission of instructor. M. Canavan,
P. Corr, D. Marcinko, C. Chiarella
MB 235. FOUNDATIONS
OF ACCOUNTING II 3 Continuation of the study of
financial accounting begun in MB234. The course addresses international
accounting issues and emphasizes the effective use and interpretation
of corporate financial statements. Approximately two-thirds
of the course focuses on the use of accounting information by
managers for planning, control, and decision making. It introduces
key management accounting concepts and techniques including
manufacturing accounting, cost systems, budgeting, and responsibility
accounting. Prerequisite: MB234.
Non-liberal arts. M. Canavan, P. Corr, C. Chiarella
MB
240. COACHING AND TEAMWORK SERVICE LEARNING
EXPERIENCE 1 Provides the student and opportunity to serve as a coach for a group of
students working on the MB107 Executive Presentation project. Students
will be able to integrate knowledge and skills gained in MB107 with
theory and applied experience acquired in MB224. The course may be
repeated for a maximum of 3 credits.
Prerequisites:MB107,
224, and
234. T. Harper
MB 301. TAXATION
OF CORPORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS 4 Reviews the basic concepts of
corporate and partnership taxation. The course focuses on tax
research and emphasizes the importance of taxation in business
decisions. Students look at the rationale behind provisions
of the tax laws and discuss landmark and current court decisions
that give insight into the work- ings of the income tax system.
Prerequisite: MB234 or permission of instructor. Non-liberal
arts. P. Corr
MB 303. COST
ACCOUNTING FOR MANAGEMENT DECISIONS 3 A review of the various methods
of cost accumulation for product costing and the analysis of
cost data for planning and control. The course focuses on management
systems and emphasizes the application of management accounting
concepts and principles to decision making. Prerequisite:
MB235 or permission of the instructor. Non-liberal arts.
MB 306. FOUNDATIONS
OF BUSINESS IN THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT 3 Analyzes the political, social,
legal, economic, competitive, technological, and cultural environments
of international business. It focuses upon the challenges facing
multinational corporations operating in these dynamic and often
ambiguous environments. Topics to be covered include: strategic
issues related to competition in global markets; issues of organizational
structure and control; questions of the transferability of "made
in America" management theories in a cross-cultural context;
fundamentals of trade theory; and noneconomic impacts of multinational
corporations and their ethical, social, and ecological responsibilities.
Prerequisites:
MB107,
214,
224,
234,
EC103,
104,
or permission of instructor; prerequisites may be waived for interdepartmental
business majors and international affairs minors by permission
of instructor. J. Kennelly, W. Edwards, B. Kastory, P. Prasad
MB 307. FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTING I 4 Examines the generally accepted
accounting principles related to the preparation of financial
statements, with particular emphasis on balance sheet valuations
and their relationship to income determination. The course also
examines the concept of time-value of money; the application
of present value techniques to accounting valuations, and the
valuation and disclosure problems associated with cash, temporary
investments, receivables, inventories, plant assets, intangible
assets, and long-term investments. Prerequisite: MB235.
Non-liberal arts. D. Marcinko
MB 308. FINANCIAL
ACCOUNTING II 3 Advanced course continuing the
study of financial accounting begun in MB307. Students analyze
the problems arising in the application of accounting theory
to specific business situations. The course explores financial
reporting and disclosure topics including intercorporate investments,
equity and debt financing, leases, and pensions. It also addresses
problems in income determination and reporting, including income
tax allocation and earnings per share. Prerequisite:
MB307. Non-liberal arts. D. Marcinko
MB 312. IDENTITY
AND OPPORTUNITY 3 Explores issues, theories, and
research findings focusing on the implications of social identity
and categorization in the workplace. Topics include social identity
and categorization, perceptual processes, stereotyping, in-group
and out-group dynamics, work group processes, and business policy.
Prerequisite: MB224 or permission of instructor. T.
Harper
MB 313. CONSUMER
BEHAVIOR 4 Examination of the psychological,
sociological, and anthropological theories related to consumer
decision-making. Among the separate topics covered in the course
are motivation, memory, cognition, attitude formation and change,
persuasion, learning, and value systems of cultures and subcultures,
all inter-related with the formation of marketing strategies.
Prerequisite:MB214 or permission of instructor. C.
Page
MB 314. ORGANIZATIONAL
THEORY 3 The development of alternative
concepts, models, and theories of organizing as a basis for
determining strategy and structure in both domestic and international
organizations. The course provides the application of theory
to organizations in the public, private, and not-for-profit
sectors. Prerequisite: MB224 or permission of instructor. M.
Correa and P. Prasad
SB 315. WORK,
FAMILY, AND ORGANIZATIONS 3 The analysis of various white-collar
and blue-collar occupations and their relationship to work and
family life. Topics include the changing nature of work; professionalization;
working within organizations; and occupational socialization,
careers, and mobility. Prerequisite: SO101 or MB224 or
permission of instructor. C. Berheide
MB 316. DYNAMICS
OF LEADERSHIP 4 Integrates traditional theories
of leadership with contemporary approaches to group dynamics
in order to provide a framework for the leadership roles encountered
in modern organizations, both public and private enterprises.
The course provides an intensive workshop to allow students
to assess their personal strengths and challenges as leaders.
There is also a required practicum, which provides an opportunity
to apply theory and to further develop and practice leadership
skill. Prerequisites: MB214, 224, and 338. Non-liberal
arts. M. Correa
MB 317. MARKETING
RESEARCH 4 Focuses on fundamental issues
in research design and analysis. Topics include problem formulation,
data collection, sample selection, data analysis and interpretation.
Special topics include issues on the use of the Internet for
research purposes (such as data collection) and those raised
by global research. Prerequisites: MB214 and EC237 or
equivalent. E. Lepkowska-White
MB 319. MANAGEMENT
INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND E-COMMERCE 4 An introduction to management
information systems and e-commerce, engaging a number of the
disciplines that define the field of MIS. From Web-design and
active server pages to spreadsheet driven decision support systems,
students will acquire a working knowledge of a variety of information
systems and an understanding of the roles that the underlying
technologies play in management decision making and e-commerce.
The course also focuses on the enhancement of analytical skills,
especially as applied to the solution of unstructured problems.
Prerequisites:MB214, 224, 235.
MB 333. BUSINESS
LAW I 3 A study of the origin of laws,
the court system, and legal procedures with emphasis on their
impact in business and economic situations, in-depth study of
the laws of contracts, agency, corporations, partnerships, employment
and labor law. Examination and briefing of existing case law
in these fields. C. Kopec
MB 334. BUSINESS
LAW II 3 A study of the laws of real property,
sales, wills and estates, trusts, security instruments, mortgaging
and leaseholds, personal property, and bailments. Prerequisite:
MB333. C. Kopec
MB 336H. DIVERSITY AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE: IS THE MELTING POT BOILING OVER? 3
An interdisciplinary examination of the many challenges and issues raised by the growing
diversity and multiculturalism of the North American workplace. The
course provides a historical introduction to the patterns of
immigration that affected different workplaces and offers an overview of
the legal structures that deal with questions of difference in work
organizations (e.g., the Equal Employment Opportunities Act). It also
examines how organization structures and cultures influence the
reception, inclusion, and experiences of different social identity
groups along dimensions of gender, race, age, ethnicity, disability, and
sexual preference. Recent workplace movements that promote and oppose
greater diversity are also discussed. (Fulfills Cultural Diversity requirement.)
Prerequisites: MB107 and 224 or permission of instructor.
P. Prasad
MB 337. ADVERTISING
AND PROMOTION 4 Examines advertising and promotion
principles from an integrated marketing communications perspective,
emphasizing the planning, design, and implementation of advertising
campaigns. Topics include consumer and market analysis, creative
strategy, media selection, promotional budgeting, campaign evaluation,
and agency relations. Prerequisites: MB107 and 214. Non-liberal
arts. C. Page
MB 338. FOUNDATIONS
OF FINANCE 4 Examines the fundamentals of
business finance as influenced by political, cultural, economic,
and physical environmental forces. Attention is given to the
implications of entrepreneurial and international activities
on financial decisions. Topics include an overview of the financial
environment including investments, capital markets and institutions,
corporate financial theory, asset pricing, financial analysis
and planning, corporate capital structure and costs, and corporate
investment decisions. Prerequisites:MB235 and EC237. S.
Belden, P. Corr, G. McClure
MB 339. INVESTMENTS 3 An investigation of the concepts
of security analysis and valuation and of the fundamentals of
market analysis. Special attention will be paid to securities
and security markets, risk-return characteristics of investment
types, and investment strategies including the use of convertible
securities and options. Prerequisites: MB235 and 338. S.
Belden, G. McClure
MB 344. INTERNATIONAL
MARKETING 3 Examines the influence of cultural,
political, legal, technological, socioeconomic, and physical
environments on international marketing decisions. The course
also covers the theory and practice of international marketing
strategies. Topics include international planning, implementation
and control decisions, international market research, international
product decisions, global pricing, distribution, international
advertising, and sales promotion. Special topics include green
marketing, international e-commerce, and global marketing ethics.
Prerequisite: MB214 or permission of instructor. E.
Lepkowska-White
MB 345. GLOBAL
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 4 An extension of MB338 to the
financial management of corporations in the global environment.
Topics include the role of multinational industrial corporations
in world trade, an overview of international capital markets
and institutions, international financial analysis and planning,
international debt and equity financing, international corporate
investment decisions, the influence of foreign currency on finance
decisions, and the relationship between business development
and the global physical environment. Prerequisite: MB338
or permission of instructor. G. McClure
MB 346. GLOBAL
SALES AND MERCHANDISING MANAGEMENT 3 This course examines the historical,
societal, legal, and technological framework that affects the
planning and implementation of strategies in professional sales
and merchandising within specific industrial, institutional,
and international environments. Prerequisite:MB107
or permission of instructor. B. Balevic
MB 347. COMPARATIVE
MANAGEMENT 3 Contemporary issues in comparative
management, addressed through the paradigms of cultural anthropology,
organizational theory, and area studies. This course focuses
on two questions: the extent to which management theory is influenced
by cultural and regional variables, and the extent to which
key management processes can transcend cultural boundaries.
Open to juniors and seniors. Prerequisites: MB224 or
permission of instructor. M. Correa
MB 349. BUSINESS
STRATEGY 4 Provides the final, integrating
experience for the student. The course covers all of the functional
areas the student has studied—marketing, finance, control systems,
organizational behavior—but views them from the integrating perspective
of a general manager operating in a global environment. Prerequisites:
MB214, 224, 235, 306, and 338. Open only to seniors. B.
Kastory, M. Youndt
MB 350. ENTREPRENEURSHIP
AND SMALL BUSINESS 3 Designed to present problems
faced by entrepreneurs in developing, organizing and managing
small businesses. The course will consider all functions relating
to small business decisions. The case method will be used extensively.
Student projects relating to the formation and/or management
of small business units will be required, primarily through
group analysis and presentations. These group projects will
require field consultation exercises with owners/managers at
small businesses. Prerequisite: Management and business
majors/minors or permission of instructor. Non-liberal arts. M. Canavan
MB
351, 352. SPECIAL TOPICS IN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT 3,
3 Advanced and special topics in
business which reflect areas of current relevance. This course
allows the student to study in depth an area only briefly covered
in the regular curriculum or to study an advanced, currently
relevant topic which would not normally be covered in the regular
course offerings. Topics will vary from semester to semester.
May be repeated for credit with permission of department chair.
Prerequisites: Will vary each time the course is offered;
there will always be some of the business core required for
this course.
MB 355. BUSINESS,
ETHICS AND SOCIETY 4 An interdisciplinary approach
to the role of business in American society including ethical
obligations to employees, consumers, stockholders and others,
and corporate responsibility in the community. Emphasis will
be on application of ethics to actual business situations. Although
readings in philosophy, government, and social issues will be
assigned, this is a case-study course. Prerequisite:
MB107 or permission of instructor. J.
Kennelly, C. Kopec
MB 358. HUMAN
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 4 Explores the history, theory,
and practice of human-resource management. The course focuses
on thinking systematically, strategically, and ethically about
managing employees. It examines the importance of recruitment,
selection, diversity, job design, performance appraisals, training,
and compensation to both the worker and the organization. Prerequisite:
MB224 or PS101 or SO101. C. D'Abate
MB 359. GLOBAL
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS 3 Extends MB338 to the role of
private and public financial institutions in the global environment
including the U.S. Federal Reserve System, International Monetary
Fund, World Bank, European Union Central Bank, and Bank for
International Settlements. The course examines the history,
role, and functions of these financial institutions and the
important services provided by financial institutions in the
conduct of both domestic and international money and capital
market activities and funds transfers. Special emphasis is placed
on the role and contributions of commercial banks in the economic
growth and development of nations and the world economy. Prerequisite:
MB338 or permission of instructor. G.
McClure
MB 364. MANUFACTURING
STRATEGY AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS 3 Analyzes the critical role that
manufacturing strategy plays in determining the overall competitiveness
of a business and of a nation. Macro and micro economic variables
such as exchange rates and industrial financial systems will
be examined along with technological and scientific policies
of business and government. Prerequisites: MB214, 306.
MB
371, 372. INDEPENDENT STUDY 3,
3 Research or special project in
business. Independent study provides an opportunity for a student
already well grounded in an area to pursue an interest which
falls outside the domain of courses offered by the department.
The student should carefully define a semester's work that complements
his or her background, initiate a proposal with a study sponsor,
and obtain formal approval from the student's sponsor and the
department chair. Application to do such work in any semester
should be made and approved prior to registration for that semester.
A student may or may not receive liberal arts credit for an
independent study, at the discretion of both the department
chair and the registrar (and, in exceptional instances, the
Curriculum Committee of the College). Prerequisites:
MB214,
224,
235,
306,
338,
and permission of department.
MB 373. THESIS SEMINAR A 3 Required seminar for students planning to write a thesis in the department. Students learn about conducting research, develop their research question, derive hypotheses, and select appropriate research methodologies. Students must complete a thesis proposal that is approved by both the seminar instructor and the student's thesis advisor.
MB 374. THESIS SEMINAR B 3 Students implement the thesis proposal: collect and analyze data; identify results; and project their implications for management theory, practice, and future research. The seminar prepares students for writing the final document and for the oral presentation to the department.
Prerequisites:
MB373
or permission of the instructor.
MB 376. BUSINESS
ISSUES 3 Discussion, investigation, and
analytical report on contemporary business issues.
MB 399. PROFESSIONAL
INTERNSHIP IN BUSINESS 3 or 6 Professional experience at an
advanced level for juniors and seniors with substantial academic
experience in business. With faculty sponsorship and department
approval, students may extend their educational experience into
areas of business related to their academic course work. MB399
cannot be counted as one of the 300-level elective courses required
of the management and business major. No student may earn more than six semester hours of MB399. Non-liberal arts.
