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2004-2005 Course Catalog

School of Business


253.535.7244
www.plu.edu/busa

Course Offerings

The mission of the PLU School of Business is to be a bridge connecting students with the future by integrating competency-based business education, engaging a diverse, globalized society, using technologies that improve learning, exemplifying lives of service, and fostering faculty development and intellectual contribution.

See Graduate Studies for information on the Masters of Business Administration program.

Objectives of the Undergraduate Business Program


Faculty:
Clapper, Dean; Pratt, Associate Dean; Albers, Bancroft, Barnowe, Berniker, Chhabra, Finnie, Gibson, Hegstad, Lee, MacDonald, McNabb, Myers, Pham, Ramaglia,  Simpson, Thrasher, Van Wyhe, Zabriske.

Admission: The professional Bachelor of Business Administration degree program is composed of an upper-division business curriculum with a strong base in liberal arts.

To be admitted to the School of Business, a student must:

  1. Be officially admitted to the university, and
  2. Have completed at least 32 semester credit hours, and
  3. Have successfully completed with a minimum grade of C- (or be currently enrolled in) Business Administration 201, Computer Science 120, Economics 151-152, Mathematics 128, Statistics 231, or their equivalents in another college or university, and
  4. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50, and
  5. Declare a major or minor in business through the School of Business.

Access to upper division business courses is limited to students who have been admitted to the School of Business with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or above, and who have met the required prerequisites.

Students with majors outside of the School of Business may gain access to specific business courses that support their major studies by permission of the School of Business.

Affiliations: The School of Business of Pacific Lutheran University is a member of the AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The BBA, MBA, and accounting programs are nationally accredited by the Accreditation Council of the AACSB. The school is privileged to have a student chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma, the national business honorary society recognized by AACSB. Pacific Lutheran University is accredited regionally by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

Degree Requirements: The Bachelor of Business Administration degree program consists of a minimum of 128 semester hours completed with an overall minimum grade point average of 2.50, as well as a minimum 2.50 grade point average separately in business courses. C- is the minimal acceptable grade for any business course.

At least one-half of the minimum total degree requirements are taken in fields outside the School of Business. At least 40 semester hours are taken in required and elective business subjects. A minimum of 20 semester hours in business must be taken in residence at PLU.

All BBA students who declare a business major in 2003-2004 and after will be required to produce a portfolio by graduation demonstrating attainment of critical competencies. The concepts and process of the portfolio are intergrated into the curriculum.

Business degree and concentration requirements are established at the time of major declaration. Students with a declared major in business who have not attended the university for a period of three years or more will be held to the business degree requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the university.

Pass/fail of Foundation Classes: Pass/fail is allowed for no more than one  foundation class from Math 128, Computer Science and Computer Engineering 120, Economics 151, 152, or Statistics 231 only, and as defined in the Pass/Fail section of this catalog. Business courses may not be taken Pass/Fail. Business 495 Internship is only offered as a pass/fail course.

Bachelor of Business Administration:


Bachelor of Business Administration:
Please note: Foundations courses also satisfy the General University Requirements, as indicated by the identifiers listed (MR, NS, S2, PH). See the catalog section related to General University Requirements for greater detail on these GUR elements.

I. Required Foundation courses (must be completed to be admitted to the School of Business):
Computer Science 120 Computerized Information Systems – NS 4
Economics 151 and 152 Macro/Micro Economics – S2 4/4
Mathematics 128 Linear Models and Calculus, an Introduction (or Mathematics 151) – MR, NS 4
Statistics 231 Introductory Statistics – MR 4
Students may request to be admitted to the School of Business once all foundation courses and BUSA 201 are completed (or in progress) with a minimum grade point average of 2.50 or above and at least a C- or above in each required course.
II. Additional Business (BUSA) courses that must be completed to be eligible for upper-division School of Business courses:
201 Value Creation in the Global Environment 4
202 Financial Accounting 4
203 Managerial Accounting 4
III. Required Business courses (for declared majors only or by permission of the Undergraduate Coordinator):
301 Managing Careers and Human Resources 4
302 Managerial Finance 4
305 Creating and Leading Effective Organizations 4
308 Principles of Marketing 4
309 Managing Value Creating Operations 2
310 Information Systems 2
400 Business Law and Ethics

or 405 Business Law and Ethics for Financial Professionals
or 406 Employment Law and Ethics
or 407 Marketing Law and Ethics
or 408 International Business Law and Ethics
4
499 Capstone Seminar: Strategic Management 4
IV. Additional Major requirements:
Communication 336 Effective Business Presentations 4
Philosophy 325 Business Ethics – PH 4
Minimum semester credit hours required for BBA degree program (24 of 68 credits also apply to GURs):
68

Concentrations: A student may elect to complete one or more concentrations within the Bachelor of Business Administration program. The concentration, which is noted on the student's transcript, must be completed with at least a 3.00 grade point average in the concentration area courses. C- is the minimal acceptable grade for any concentration course. A minimum of 8 semester hours of the total required for a concentration must be taken in residence at PLU. School of Business internships (Business 495) will be graded as pass/fail only. A limit of one internship in any concentration will be accepted, not to exceed 4 credit hours. An end product may be required, as determined by the sponsoring faculty.

Financial Resources Management
335 Financial Investments 4
405 Law of the Financial Marketplace 4
437 Financial Analysis and Strategy 4
One of the following:

351 Intermediate Macroeconomics Analysis
361 Money and Banking
4
8 semester hours from the following:
321 Intermediate Accounting I 2
322 Intermediate Accounting II 2
323 Cost Accounting and Control Systems 4
430 Entrepreneurial Finance 4
438 Financial Research and Analysis 4
495 Internship 4 maximum
Economics 344 Econometrics 4
Total Semester Hours: 24

Professional Accounting
320 Accounting Information Systems
4          
321 Intermediate Accounting I 2
322 Intermediate Accounting II 2
405 Law of the Financial Marketplace 4
8 semester hours from the following:
323 Cost Accounting and Control Systems 4
327 Tax Accounting I 2
422 Consolidations and Equity Issues 2
423 Accounting for Not-for-Profit and Governmental Entities 2
424 Auditing 4
427 Tax Accounting II 2
Total Semester Hours: 20

The mission of the accounting faculty is to offer a quality baccalaureate accounting program designed to provide students with a solid foundation for developing a wide range of professional careers.

Human Resources Management
342 Managing Human Resource 4
406 Law of the Workplace: Employees, Employers, Their Rights and Responsibilities 4
Economics 321 Labor Economics 4
12 semester hours from the following (at least 8 from Business): 4
343 Managing Reward Systems 4
442 Leadership and Organizational Development 4
445 Quality Improvement Strategies 4
449 Current Issues in Human Resource Management 4
495 Internship 4 maximum
Communication 435 Organizational Communication 4
Communication 437 Advanced Interpersonal Communication 4
Total Semester Hours: 24              

International Business
352 Global Management
4
355 Managing Global Operations
4
408 International Business Law
4
Economics 331 International Economics
4
One of the following:
A pre-approved area course from Anthropology, History, or Political Science
4
or 460 International Marketing
4
And must complete either Option 1 of the College of Arts and Sciences foreign language requirements or one semester of study abroad 0–16               
Total Semester Hours: 20

Marketing Management
407 Law of the Marketplace: Consumers, Companies, and Products 4
467 Marketing Research 4
468 Marketing Management 4
12 semester hours from the following (at least 8 from Business):        
363 Consumer Behavior and Promotional Strategy
4
364 Services Marketing
4
365 Sales and Sales Management
4
460 International Marketing
4
495 Internship 4 maximum
Communication 271 Media Literacy
4
Psychology 462 Comsumer Psychology
4
Total Semester Hours: 24         

Entrepreneurship and New Venture Management
Business 358 Entrepreneurship 4
Business 405 Law of the Financial Marketplace 4
Business 430 Entrepreneurial Finance 4
Business 495 Internship 4
8 semester hours from the following (at least 4 from Business):            
Business 323 Cost Accounting
4
Business 365 Sales and Sales Management
4
Business 438 Financial Research and Analysis
4
Business 442 Leadership and Organizational Development
4
Business 467 Marketing Research
4
Economics 361 Money and Banking
4
Economics 371 Industrial Organization and Public Policy
4
Total Semester Hours: 24

Information Management
Business 371 Topics in Information Management 4
Business 377 Database Applications in Business or Computer Science and Computer Engineering 367 Database Management 4
Business 478 Information Management Seminar 4
12 semester hours from the following:                    
Business 320 Accounting Information Systems
4
Business 375 Complex Systems
4
Business 378 Electronic Commerce
4
Business 495 Internship
4 maximum
Any upper-level computer science course
up to 4 credits 
Total Semester Hours: 24

General Business Minor Rules: All courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher. A cumulative grade point average of 2.50 for all courses in the minor is required. At least 12 semester hours must be upper division (except Accounting), and at least 8 semester hours must be completed in residence. No more than 4 credits in 100-level courses will apply to the minor.

Minor in Business Administration: A minimum of 20 semester hours in business courses, including 201. See General Business Minor Rules above.

Minor in Finance: A minimum of 20 semester hours, including 201, 202, 302, and 8 hours from the following: 335, 437, and 438. See General Business Minor Rules above.

Minor in Human Resources: A minimum of 20 semester hours, including 201, 305, 342 and 8 hours from the following: 301, 343, 442, and 449. See General Business Minor Rules above.

Minor in Information Management: A minimum of 20 semester hours, including 201, 202, 310, 377 (or Computer Science and Computer Engineering 367), and 4 hours from 375, 378, and 478. See General Business Minor Rules above.

Minor in Marketing: A minimum of 20 semester hours, including 201, 308, and 468, and 8 hours from 363, 364, 365, 460, and 467. See General Business Minor Rules above.

Minor in Accounting: A minimum of 20 semester hours including 201, 202, 203, and 8 hours from 320, 321, 322, 323, 327, 422, 423, and 427. See General Business Minor Rules above.

Accounting Certificate Program: The accounting certificate program is available for students who hold a baccalaureate degree (any field) and wish to complete the educational requirements to sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) examination: 24 credits from 202, 203, 320, 321, 322, 323, 327, 405, 422, 423, 427, 424. Contact the School of Business for further information.

Master of Business Administration: See Graduate Studies.

Course Offerings – BUSA

105 Personal Financial Planning and Consumer Law
Basic financial and legal decision making. Includes an introduction to elementary concepts in finance, economics, law, and consumer psychology. (4)

201 Value Creation in the Global Environment
Understanding business economic value, creating activities and the demands of stakeholders in competitive markets and the global environment. Designed for students who are taking a first look at the role of business in society and who have not had extensive study in economics, business law, or political science. (4)

202 Financial Accounting
Accounting for financial performance for the use of external decision-makers considering investment in a business organization. Origins and uses of financial information; accounting concepts and principles; logic, content, and format of financial statements; accounting issues in the U.S. and other nations. Prerequisites: MATH 128. (4)

203 Managerial Accounting
Introduction to the use of accounting data for decision making, managerial planning, and operational control. Topics include cost-volume-profit relationships, cost accounting methods, budgeting, and performance evaluations. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet software is required. Prerequisites: 202, CSCE 120 (4)

288 Special Topics
Seminar on selected topic in business. (1-4)

Prerequisites: All upper-division business courses have the following prerequisites: Business 201, 202, and 203; Computer Science and Computer Engineering 120; Economics 151, 152; Mathematics 128; Statistics 231; or permission of undergraduate coordinator.

301 Managing Careers and Human Resources
An exploration of individual and organizational practices and responsibilities related to organizational entry, competency development, and performance improvement as careers unfold. (4)

302 Managerial Finance
Principles and procedures pertaining to business investment activity, financial decision-making, financial statement analysis, valuation, financial planning, capital asset acquisition, cost of capital, financing strategies. (4)

305 Creating and Leading Effective Organizations
A study of how to organize and manage in today's context of changing internal and external demands and expectations, with a strong emphasis on competencies and practices which enhance teamwork. (4)

308 Principles of Marketing
A study of marketing concepts, principles, and contemporary issues in small and large businesses, as well as nonprofit organizations. Particular attention to service-related concepts, principles, and issues found to predominate in these organizations. (4)

309 Managing Value Creating Operations
The study of the organization and management of economic value producing processes in service and manufacturing businesses. (2)

310 Information Systems
Introduction to information technology and information systems from a management perspective. Emphasis on strategic use of technology and systems, and impacts on corporate strategy, competition, organizational structure, and the firm's value creation process. (2)

320 Accounting Information Systems
Study of the flow of information through an enterprise, the sources and nature of documents, and the controls necessary to insure the accuracy and reliability of information. (4)

321 Intermediate Accounting I
Concentrated study of the conceptual framework of accounting, valuation theories, asset and income measurement, and financial statement disclosures in the U.S. and abroad. (2)

322 Intermediate Accounting II
Additional study of valuation theory. Advanced issues in asset and income measurement and financial statement disclosure. Includes evaluation of U.S. positions relative to those of other nations and international agencies. Prerequisite: 321. (2)

323 Cost Accounting and Control Systems
A critical examination of systems for cost accounting and managerial control. Emphasis on development of skills to critique cost and control systems and to understand the dynamic relationship between systems, operations, strategy, and performance evaluation. (4)

327 Tax Accounting I
Study of income tax concepts, regulations and tax planning principles. Emphasis on individual income taxation. (2)

335 Financial Investments
In-depth exploration of fundamental principles governing the valuation of particular securities, and knowledgeable construction, management, and evaluation of portfolios. Prerequisite: 302. (4)

342 Managing Human Resources
Detailed coverage of personnel/human resource procedures in the U.S. and other countries. Prerequisite: 301. (4)

343 Managing Reward Systems
Detailed examination of reward system development and practices. Prerequisite: 301. (4)

352 Global Management
Integrated study of decisions and challenges faced by managers in large and small companies as they do business globally. Competencies involved in communicating and negotiating across cultures. Prerequisite: ECON 331. (4)

355 Managing Global Operations
Study of practical issues in operating globally using case studies. Prerequisite: 352. (4)

358 Entrepreneurship
Intensive study of issues and challenges associated with start-up, growth, and maturation of a new enterprise. Emphasizes reduction of risk through planning for and assessing possible future conditions. (4)

363 Consumer Behavior and Promotional Strategy
Study of how buyers gain awareness, establish purchasing criteria, screen information, and make decisions. Promotion topics include defining target audience, message design, media selection, budgeting, evaluating the promotion mix, and a field project. Prerequisite: 308. (4)

364 Services Marketing
Addresses distinctive characteristics and principles associated with services enterprises. Model for identifying problems undermining service organization performance, and strategies to overcome and enhance services marketing organization performance. Prerequisite: 308. (4)

365 Sales and Sales Management
Professional selling—prospecting, active listening, benefit presentation, objection handling, closing and territory management. Also covered are territory design, hiring, motivating, and evaluating sales personnel. Prerequisite: 308. (4)

371 Topics in Information Management
Basic concepts in information management including database applications, communications, risk, controls and security, supply chain management, managing knowledge and ethical issues. Prerequisite: 310. (4)

375 Complex Systems
Focus on the characteristics of complex systems, the limitations of technical and software systems design and operation, and their modes of failure. Objective is the learn to ask richer and more fundamental questions in role as system professionals. (4)

377 Data Base Applications in Business
The concepts, strategy, and features of data base design and management for applications in economic organizations. Focus on how data base applications support decision processes. (4)

378 Electronic Commerce
The managerial, organizational, and technical challenges of electronic transaction and communication systems among customers, distributors, and suppliers. (4)

400 Business Law and Ethics
Exploration of the legal issues inherent in the business environment. Designated sections of this course will include emphases which are aligned with the School of Business concentrations. These include: accounting/finance, marketing, human resource management, information management, and international business. (4)

405 Business Law and Ethibcs for Financial Professionals
Designed for students whose interests are in finance, accounting, personal financial management, or similar fields which demand an understanding of the laws affecting financial transactions. (4)

406 Employment Law and Ethics
Exploration of legal issues which arise in the workplace. Analysis of the impact of employment-related statutes and cases on business. (4)

407 Marketing Law and Ethics
Legal issues found in marketing practices and the regulatory framework surrounding them. (4)

408 International Business Law and Ethics
An overview of the law involved in conducting a world business. (4)

422 Consolidations and Equity Issues
Concentrated study of equity measurement including the accounting aspects of partnerships, corporations, and consolidations. Also includes accounting for multinational corporations. Prerequisites: 320, 322. (2)

423 Accounting for Not-for-Profit and Governmental Entities
Study of fund accounting, including its conceptual basis, its institutional standard setting, framework, and current principles and practices. Prerequisites: 202, CSCE 120. (2)

424 Auditing
Comprehensive study of auditing concepts and procedures. Prerequisites: 320, 322. (4)

427 Tax Accounting II
Concentrated study of income tax concepts, regulations, and tax planning principles. Emphasis on business taxation. Prerequisites: 202, 327, CSCE 120. (2)

430 Entrepreneurial Finance
Financial strategies unique to the creation and/or expansion of small, closely held businesses. Prerequisite: 302. (4)

437 Financial Analysis and Strategy
Intermediate treatment of managerial finance topics. Prerequisite: 302. (4)

438 Financial Research and Analysis
Seminar course directed at current issues and developments. Prerequisite: 302, and at least one upper-division Business prefix elective from the list of Financial Resources Management concentration courses. (4)

442 Leadership and Organizational Development
Experiential course designed to explore the principles of organi-zational development. Preparation of students to be leaders in effective, systematic planned change programs. Prerequisite: 305. (4)

445 Quality Improvement Strategies
Examination of quality improvement strategies used by American businesses to meet customer requirements and improve corporate performance. Prerequisite: 305. (4)

449 Current Issues in Human Resource Management
Seminar course focused on current issues and developments in managing human resources. Advanced business students, in consultation with the instructor, will select appropriate topics for research and discussion. Prerequisite: 301. (4)

460 International Marketing
Introduction to marketing problems and opportunities in an international context. Investigation of economic, cultural, and business forces that require changes in marketing plans for international companies. Prerequisites: 308, junior standing. (4)

467 Marketing Research
Investigation of techniques and uses of marketing research in the business decision-making process. Research design, survey methods, sampling plans, data analysis, and field projects. Prerequisites: 308, CSCE 120, STAT 231. (4)

468 Marketing Management
An integrated application of marketing mix concepts in a competitive business simulation. Applying marketing strategies, developing a business plan, and constructing an annual report. Prerequisites: 308 and one upper-division marketing class. (4)

478 Information Management Seminar
Advances in information technology and their impact on organizational and business strategies with particular emphasis on the challenges of project design and implementation. Prerequisites: 310, 375. (4)

485 Study Abroad
PLU-sponsored academic or experiential study in other countries. Prerequisite: junior standing. (1-32)

486 Study Abroad
PLU-sponsored academic or experiential study in other countries. Prerequisite: junior standing. (1-32)

488 Special Topic
Seminar on specifically selected topics in business. (1-4)

489 Special Topics
Seminar on specifically selected topics in business. (1-4)

491 Independent Studies
Individualized studies in consultation with an instructor. Prerequisites: junior standing and instructor approval. (1-4)

495 Internship
Application of business knowledge in field setting. Credit granted determined by hours spent in working environment and depth of project associated with the course of study. Pass/fail. (1-4)

499 Capstone: Strategic Management - SR
Study of managing organizations from the perspective of strategic decision makers. Formulation, implementations, and assessment of strategies and policies aimed at integrating all organizational functions in support of major objectives. Prerequisites: 301, 302, 305, 308, 309, 310; senior standing. (4)

503 Understanding and Managing Financial Resources
Integrated study of financial decision-making variables (both book and market), the relationships among them, and relevant decision theories/models. Primary perspective is that of the manager, rather than the accountant or the external investor. (4)

504 Legal and Ethical Environment of Business
Background for understanding and acting upon the legal and ethical issues decision makers in the business world face today. (4)

505 Managing Effective Organizations
Examines how leaders manage four sets of factors to achieve organizational effectiveness: the organization's internal environment, the organization's environmental context, cultural differences, and change. (4)

511 Managerial Accounting
Focuses on the strategic and supporting roles of management accounting in the measurement of economic performance and in monitoring and delivering value to customers. Prerequisites: 503, ECON 500. (2)

512 Value Creation: Operations and Information Systems
An integrating framework of how operations and information systems create value in a business and impact the firm's value chain and extended enterprise. Prerequisites: 503, ECON 500. (4)

513 Marketing and Value Creation
Marketing in a contemporary business, treating marketing strategy and decisions required to create value and fulfill the objectives of traditional (manufacturing), service, and e-commerce businesses in a global context. Prerequisites: 503, ECON 500. (2)

535 Financial Investments
Emphasis on concepts, principles, and issues relating to individual securities. Prerequisites: 503, ECON 500. (4)

537 Decision Models and Strategies for Financial Managers
In-depth examination of risk-return relationships in the construction/revision of real asset portfolios and associated financing strategies. Prerequisites: 503, ECON 500. (4)

540 Effective Negotiations
Approaches negotiation from a complex organizational viewpoint in a global economic context rather than solely a buy-sell approach. In an integrating approach, demonstrates the strategic nature of how to think like a negotiator. Prerequisite: 505. (4)

541 Managing Innovation and Technology Change
Focus on the planning and implementation of major new technologies, processes, or systems which pose significant uncertainty and the necessity for fundamental change in the organization's design, culture, and industry structure. Prerequisite: 505. (4)

542 Management of Change
Detailed examination of techniques for diagnosing opportunities requiring change. Planning, implementing, intervening, and evaluating changes. Emphasis on the problem assessment skills of internal change agents. Prerequisite: 505. (2)

545 Continuous Improvement Strategies
Focus on managing for quality, including organizational analysis, process development, and selection of improvement tools. Prerequisite: 505. (2)

549 Contemporary Human Resource Management
Seminar addressing current issues in human resource management. Prerequisite: 505. (2)

553 Transnational Management
Examination of ways in which traditional approaches to globalization—multinational adaptation, worldwide technology transfer, and global standardization—may be synthesized into transnational strategy and practice. Prerequisite: 505. (2)

555 Knowledge Management
Strategies and systems to develop and leverage organizational knowledge. Knowledge management addresses the creation, acquisition, processing, transfer, and integration of knowledge to improve operational effectiveness and competitive advantage. Prerequisite: 505. (4)

558 New Venture Management
Examines the entrepreneurial skills and conditions needed for effective new business start-ups whether independent or within larger organizations. Prerequisite: 503. (4)

564 Managing Services Marketing
Services now constitute more than 75% of domestic GDP and employment. Consideration of the demand and characteristics of services, focusing and positioning the service organization, listening and responding to the service customer, implications of e-commerce, and challenges to improving service. Prerequisites: 503, ECON 500. (4)

566 Developing New Products and Services
Study of the process required for developing a new product or service. Prerequisite: 512. (4)

574 Advanced Service and Manufacturing Delivery Systems
Managerial and operational challenges of advanced service and manufacturing systems. Prerequisite: 512. (2)

575 Electronic Commerce
Electronic commerce as a critical delivery system for products and services throughout the entire business ecosystem. Managerial, technological, and organizational challenges of establishing and doing business in the digital economy. Prerequisites: ECON 500, 520. (4)

577 Project Management
Study of the unique conditions, challenges, requirements, and techniques associated with designing and managing major non-repetitive undertakings. Prerequisite: 505. (2)

579 Technology Commercialization and Transfer
Nature, process, and impact of commercializing new technologies and technology transfer. Explores the framework for “getting the mind to market”—examining successes and failures of various companies. Prerequisites: 505 and ECON 500, 520. (2)

580 Technology Strategy and Competitiveness
Concepts and methods for competitive strategy for organizations in hypercompetitive environments, with short product life cycles and short time to market. Emphasis on strategic choices that create sustainable advantage. Prerequisites: 503, 504, 505, 511, 512, 513; ECON 500, 520. (4)

587 Special Topics
Selected advanced topics. (2–4)

588 Special Topics
Selected advanced topics. (2–4)

590 Strategic Management in a Global Context
An integrated study of business strategy formulation and implementation under conditions of continuing economic, technological, and competitive change in the global marketplace. Explores industry, competitive, and company analysis. Prerequisites: 503, 504, 505, 511, 512, 513; ECON 500, 520. (4)