course descriptions
FIRST QUARTER
GMAN 501 - Managing and Leading Contemporary Organizations
An analytical, theory-based study of managerial and organizational processes from a behavioral point of view. Readings from a wide variety of disciplines are offered in order to acquaint the student with the many different perspectives used to analyze behavior in work settings. Problems of motivation, leadership, job satisfaction, team dynamics, and organizational restructuring are addressed. Methods of changing organizational behavior through the application of behavioral technologies are also considered.
(4 Units)
GMAN 502 - Management Communication
This course is designed to evaluate and sharpen the writing and speaking skills of MBA students. Students will be introduced to argumentation as an advanced form of communication that is crucial for managerial performance. Other topics include the forms of professional writing, oral presentation, audience analysis, and copy editing. The emphasis is on the manager's use of language as a tool to identify issues, solve problems, and communicate policy. (4 Units)
SECOND QUARTER
GMAN 503 - Economic Analysis
This course introduces the microeconomic and macroeconomic tools used in the analysis of business problems. The emphasis is on establishing a practical link between basic economic concepts and a wide range of contemporary business problems including the analysis of economic data for business decision making, forecasting, demand analysis, pricing, and cost analysis. Topics include market structure, cost and production, international trade and finance, national income determination, and monetary and fiscal policy. (4 Units)
GMAN 504 - Data Analysis in Business
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the specific quantitative tools which will be required as the analytical foundation for subsequent courses in the program. The use of data analysis in support of managerial decision making will be emphasized. Topics to be covered include descriptive statistics, probability models, decision theory, applied statistical analysis, and deterministic forecasting models. Students will have the opportunity to sharpen their computer spreadsheet skills.
(4 Units)
THIRD QUARTER
GMAN 505 - Forecasting and Operations Management
The forecasting portion of this course covers the use of multiple regression and time series analysis. The operations management portion of the course covers a variety of topics including process analysis and selection, waiting line management, statistical process control, linear programming, operations planning models, supply chain management, and project management.
(4 units)
GMAN 506 - Managerial Accounting
An introduction to accounting as a managerial tool for measuring, interpreting, and controlling business activity. The course includes the principles of financial accounting and cost accounting, and focuses on capital budgeting decisions, financing techniques, and practical problems in financial management. (4 Units)
FOURTH QUARTER
GMAN 507 - Managerial Finance
A study of the principles of corporate finance and their application in business today. Topics include valuation theory, financial statement analysis, financial planning, management of cash, receivables and inventory, capital budgeting, capital structure and dividend policy, and the long term financing decision. (4 Units)
GMAN 508 - Marketing Management
This course focuses on marketing analysis, the development of marketing strategy, and the management of the marketing function. Topics include the role of marketing, marketing research, market segmentation, new product development, marketing mix, channels of distribution, marketing communication, and strategic market planning. (4 Units)
FIFTH QUARTER
GMAN 509 - Strategies in Technology and Electronic Business
This course focuses on the managerial issues involved in adopting and competing through technological innovation with an emphasis on the issues posed by electronic business. Representative topics include internet technology issues, e-business models, e-business evolution, business transformation through technology, and managing innovation.
(4 Units)
GMAN 510 - Legal Aspects of Management
This course acquaints the student with common legal problems which managers encounter. Emphasis is placed on contract negotiation and formation, employment law, criminal and tort liability, various forms of unfair business practices, and the effect of anti-trust laws on business operation, strategy, marketing, and pricing. (2 Units) This course is one-half quarter in length.
GMAN 511 - Ethical and Social Issues in Business
This half-quarter course focuses on issues that arise out of the impact that business has on its surrounding social context. Topics include ethical principles and argument, corporate social responsibility, business ethics, ethics in international business, and the response in law, politics, and regulation to externalities. (2 Units) This is one-half quarter in length.
SIXTH QUARTER
Strategic Management Capstone
The Strategic Management Capstone takes up the whole last quarter of the Executive MBA Program and consists of two coordinated courses. The overall theme of the capstone is general management decision making, with the understanding that such decision making occurs at many levels in most organizations. One course focuses on the formulation of organization strategy and on the implementation of strategic change, and calls upon skills and knowledge developed in earlier courses, especially in the context of case analysis. The other course focuses on the strategic challenges of managing internationally.
GMAN 512 - Business Strategy
This course focuses on concepts and models useful in the formulation, analysis, and implementation of business unit and corporate strategy. Topics include industry analysis, building and sustaining competitive advantage, assessing business opportunities and threats, corporate diversification, and managing strategic change. (4 Units)
GMAN 513 - Managing Global Competition
This course examines the opportunities and problems of managing firms in an environment of global competition. The course has three broad areas: the international business environment, the sources and nature of competitive advantage in global industries, and global strategies. Topics include the process of globalization, the global financial and monetary system, cross-cultural management, comparative national business systems, organizational design for global competition, host country relations, and market assessment. (4 Units)
