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Division of Business and Economics

Course Information

 

BA 100 level BA 200 level BA 300 level BA 400 level
EC 100 level EC 200 level EC 300 level EC 400 level

 

Business

 

BA 101  Introduction to Business   (3)

Business organization, operation and management; intended to orient the student in the field.

 

BA 199  Special Studies   (1-6)

Terms and hours to be arranged.

 

BA 211  Financial Accounting   (4)

Students will gain a basic understanding of how accounting is used by investors, managers, government agencies, and others. Includes the study of transaction analysis with emphasis on accrual versus cash accounting, and the preparation, interpretation, and use of financial statements.

 

BA 213  Managerial Accounting   (4)

The study of accounting continues from the perspective of management users, with emphasis on planning, performance evaluation, and information needed for effective decision making. Prereq: BA 211.

 

BA 217  Accounting for Non-accountants   (3)

Provides a comprehensive non-technical accounting course for the business minor and others interested in a survey of financial and managerial accounting techniques. Assumes no prior knowledge of accounting. Not available for credit in the Business major.

 

BA 220  Introduction to Financial Management   (3)

Basic processes, principles, tools and concepts of finance. Topics include financial analysis, financial forecasting, profit planning, budgeting, working capital management and capital budgeting. Not available for credit in the Business major.


BA 229  Personal Finance   (3)

Study of the role of the consumer in American society, consumer decision-making, consumer credit and borrowing, home ownership, life insurance, annuities, estate planning, wills, trusts, expenditures and taxes for government.

 

BA 230  Introduction to Business Law   (3)

Nature and role of the law in conducting business; tort, formation, performance, and discharge of contracts; commercial transactions, and law of business organization, sales, bankruptcies; and the general nature of government regulation.

 

BA 240  Quantitative Business Methods   (4)

The use of functional forms to describe variables commonly encountered in business, such as sales revenue and financial asset value. Development and application of constrained

and unconstrained optimization, including differential and integral calculus.
Prereq: MTH 111

 

BA 284  Introduction to International Business   (3)

This course will address the organization, marketing, and finance of international business.  Each section will address the role of culture and the restrictions placed on international business.

 

   A minimum of junior standing is required as a prerequisite for all 300 and 400 level Business courses.

 

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BA 305  Business Analysis and Report Writing   (3)

Instruction will concentrate on various forms of written communication, with special emphasis on small business analysis.


BA 310  Principles of Marketing   (3)

Introduces the theories, concepts and terms that marketers use in their daily planning activities.  Begins with an overview of strategic marketing planning.  Strategic elements of the marketing plan (target definition, product strategy, distribution strategy, promotion strategy and price strategy) are examined in greater detail.

 

BA 311  Personal Selling   (3)

Application of personal selling theories with a focus on basic steps in the selling process: prospecting, qualifying, presentation, objections, closing and follow-up.
Prereq: BA 310.

 

BA 315  Financial Management  (3)

Basic processes, principles, tools and concepts of finance. Topics include financial analysis, financial forecasting, profit planning, budgeting, working capital management, and capital budgeting. Course also covers the basics of financial markets, institutions and sources of supply of different types of funds available to a firm.


BA 316  Advanced Financial Management   (3)

Extensive use of Excel and Monte Carlo Simulation in the structuring and analysis of financial problems. Major topics include liquidity, pro forma financials, forecasting, and capital budgeting.
Prereq: BA 315.

 

BA 317  Intermediate Accounting I   (4)

Study of major accounting principles; summary of accounting process; revenue and expense recognition; balance sheet and income statement; concepts in the valuation of all current assets.
Prereq: BA 213 or consent of instructor.

 

BA 318  Intermediate Accounting II   (4)

Concepts in the valuation of both short-term and long-term liabilities; contingencies; recording and adjusting plant assets; long-term assets and intangible assets; stockholders equity transactions.
Prereq: BA 317 or consent of instructor.

 

BA 319  Intermediate Accounting III   (4)

Study of revenue recognition, accounting changes, error analysis, taxes, pensions, leases, statement of cash flows and full disclosure.
Prereq: BA 318 or consent of instructor.

 

BA 325  Portfolio Management   (3)

Develops an understanding of key ingredients in portfolio selection.  Examines alternative investments and how to combine them into an efficient portfolio.
Prereq: BA 315

 

BA 340  Business Forecasting   (4)

A survey of forecasting methods, including trend regression, seasonal effects, smoothing and autoregressive moving-average models. Emphasis is on understanding the underlying process and interpreting the results of computer programs.

 

BA 345  Internet and Electronic Commerce   (4)

The Internet as a resource for researchers, investors, employers, and employees. Focus will be on information access and distribution. Topics will include Internet basics, search techniques and resource evaluation, marketing, electronic commerce, government regulation, job searching, and web page design.

 

BA 361  Organizational Behavior   (3)

A survey of current theories about the behavior of individuals and groups within organizations, as well as the operation of the organization as a whole.  Topics include individual differences, job attitudes, decision making, motivation, job design, group structure and process, communication, leadership, power and politics, organizational structure and design, and organizational change.

 

BA 362 Business Ethics (3)

Focuses on recognizing, analyzing, and resolving ethical issues in business. Topics include privacy in the workplace, product saftey, corporate social responsibility and international ethics.

 

BA 367  Regression Analysis   (3)

A second course in statistics. Course work includes hypothesis testing, simple regression, multiple regression and the study of the validity of the assumptions used in regression models.
Prereq: MTH 243.

 

BA 368  Introduction to Operations Research   (3)

Study of quantitative techniques for decision support. Topics include linear programming, integer programming, project management, and dynamic programming. 
Prereq: BA 240 (or MTH 241).

 

BA 370  Business and Society   (3)

Explores the complex interrelationships among business, government, and society, with an emphasis on the social responsibilities of business.  Topics include diversity in the workplace, consumerism, environmental policy and risks, ethical decision making, and business involvement in the political process. 

 

BA 390  Management   (3)

An introduction to basic management processes with an emphasis on problem-solving skills.  The course examines the four managerial functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.  Students apply management theories to current topics.

 

BA 391  Human Resource Management   (3)

An introduction to personnel functions. Topics include personnel planning, recruitment, promotion and personnel development, employee compensation and motivation, job analysis and design, supplemental benefits, labor relations, and occupational health and safety.
Prereq: BA 361 and BA 362 (or BA 370 or BA 390).

 

BA 392  Management of Diversity   (3)

Focuses on managing diversity within organizations by addressing topics such as: development and management of multi-cultural work teams, cross-cultural communication, and performance evaluation. 

Prereq:  BA 361 and BA 362 (or BA 370 or BA 390).

 

BA 398  Personal Investment Analysis   (3)

Provides student with an exposure to budgeting, investing, taxes and tax planning, estate planning, financial leverage, and stocks and bonds. 
Prereq: BA 315.

 

BA 399  Special Studies   (1-12)

Terms and hours to be arranged.

 

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BA 406  Special Individual Studies   (1-12)

Terms and hours to be arranged. A specialized or individualized course of study within the business area, developed in consultation with the instructor.

 

BA 407  Seminar   (1-12)

Terms and hours to be arranged. Special seminar topic offerings in business.

 

BA 409  Internship/Practicum   (1-12)

Practical application of business theory and/or collection of data for theoretical interpretation.

 

BA 410  Marketing Research   (3)

Includes the definition of marketing research, the process of marketing research, classifications of marketing research, and the stages in the research process.
Prereq: BA 310 and MTH 243.

 

BA 411  Marketing Strategy   (3)

Students learn the process of creating strategic marketing plans using  (1) a situational analysis which is based on research of a company's external and internal environments, and (2) tactical decisions regarding product strategies, pricing, distribution channels and communications for a product, idea, good or service. 
Prereq:  BA 310 and BA 213.

 

BA 415  Advertising and Promotion   (3)

Introduces advertising as one variable in the overall marketing program.  Covers advertising management, research, creative development, and media planning.  Also addresses the economic and social consequences of advertising in society.  
Prereq: BA 310.

 

BA 416  Government Regulation   (4)

Student will review the philosophy of regulation in the marketplace, evaluate the impact of regulation on business practices, and study the cost/benefit ratio of regulation for selected sectors of the American economy. Special emphasis will be placed on the cost of regulation as it impacts small businesses.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202.

 

BA 420  Securities Analysis   (3)

Develops the theory and the requisite tools of securities analysis using computer modeling and portfolio applications.
Prereq: BA 325.

 

BA 421  Cost Accounting  (4)

The study of cost accounting concepts and procedures as a managerial tool for implementing and monitoring business strategy; including accounting for cost inputs, assigning responsibility, analysis of cost behavior, capital budgeting, actual versus standard cost systems.
Prereq: BA 213.

 

BA 424  Capital Budgeting   (3)

Suggests a logical framework for analysis of how much a firm should invest in plant and equipment, how the funds invested should be allocated to specific assets and how these expenditures should be financed.
Prereq: BA 315.

 

BA 427  Small Business Finance   (3)

Utilizes the basic processes, principles, tools and concepts of finance within the parameters of a small business. The course centers around a project to develop a complete financial plan that projects the future flow of funds by analyzing and integrating the impact of investment decisions and financing decisions.
Prereq: BA 315.

 

BA 430  Business Taxation   (3)

Philosophy of the tax system and required reporting under tax law; emphasis on small business; impact of taxes on investments and capital expenditures; introduction to estate and gift taxes; tax planning techniques.

 

BA 431  Federal Income Tax I (4)

Study of individual income tax, gains and losses, dividends, business and personal deductions and tax computations.
Prereq: BA 213 or consent of instructor.

 

BA 432  Federal Income Tax II   (4)

Philosophy of the tax system and required reporting under federal tax law for corporations, partnerships, estates and trusts, estate and gift taxes; installment sales; cash and accrual basis taxation.
Prereq: BA 431 or consent of instructor.

 

BA 438  Real Estate Investment   (3)

Comprehensive overview of real estate finance. Factors affecting real estate investment are emphasized. Specific topics covered include: valuation, market analysis, ownership forms, financing, development and portfolio effect.
Prereq: BA 315.

 

BA 441  Advanced Accounting    (4)

Study of business combinations and consolidated financial statements, and introduction to fund accounting.
Prereq: BA 319.

 

BA 450  State and Local Government Finance   (3)

Economics and policy analysis of government expenditures, taxes, and intergovernmental fiscal relations. The role of government in the economy and policy analysis. The division of functions and revenues between state and local governments; revenues, expenditures, and indebtedness of these governments. Analysis of state and local tax structures. Application to study of the Oregon system. 
Prereq: BA 315 or consent of instructor.

 

BA 451  Auditing   (4)

Role of auditor, ethics, legal liability of CPA profession; internal controls, analysis of clients'  accounting system; evidence statistics sampling techniques; audit work papers.
Prereq: BA 318 or consent of instructor.

 

BA 455  Advertising Writing (3)

Involves the formal planning and creation of persuasive ccommunications with an emphasis on advertising. Written plans and advertising copy drafts are translated into finished print advertisements, press releases, broadcast commercials and web sites; hence, the course touches on design issues through the develpment of web text and graphics, ad layouts, scripts, story boards and rudimentary electronic film production.

Prereq: BA 310 and Business or Economics majors.

 

BA 475  Sales Management   (3)

The management of personal selling through the organization, forecasting, budgeting, recruiting and selection, training, compensation, motivation, evaluation and control concepts, theory and ethics.
Prereq: BA 310 and BA 361.

 

BA 476  Topics in Management   (3)

Topics may include at different times: strategic planning and implementation; productivity; computer applications; women in management; and other topics of special interest. May be repeated under different subtitles.
Prereq: BA 361.

 

BA 477  Topics in Marketing   (3)

Focus on marketing topics of special interest to students and faculty such as retail marketing, services marketing, consumer behavior, or social marketing. May be repeated for different topics. Prereq: BA 310.

 

BA 478 Topics in Finance (3)

These varied courses in finance would allow the student to investigate topics of special interest such as long term stock market expectations, risk on the equity markets and advanced concepts in financial management. May be repeated under different subtitles. Prereq: BA 315.

 

BA 484  International Management   (3)

A study of the political, social, cultural, economic, and legal environment for engaging in trade between countries. Emphasis will be on management strategies for small business as participants in international business operations.
Prereq: BA 361.

 

BA 485  International Finance   (3)

A study of international finance and investing. Emphasis will be on currency, working capital management, sources of funds and investigation of investment products.
Prereq: BA 315.

 

BA 486  International Marketing   (3)

A study of the influence of foreign markets, competition, and government policy in creating and penetrating markets. Emphasis will be on marketing strategies developed in the U.S. for implementation in foreign markets.
Prereq: BA 310 and BA 213.

 

BA 487  International Law   (3)

A study of law as it applies to businesses participating in international business operations.
Prereq: BA 230.

 

BA 490  Operations Management   (3)

An introductory investigation into managerial processes pertinent to internal operations of task related enterprises. Subjects related to operations planning and control, locations, capacity decisions, systems reliability, facility layout, program scheduling, and inventory management are the focus of this course.
Prereq: MTH 243.

 

BA 491  Strategic Management   (3)

An integrative, capstone course that explores how firms can build competitive advantage. The focus is the strategic planning process, including analyzing the external environment, assessing internal strengths and weaknesses, establishing objectives and strategies, and implementing strategic plans.
Prereq: Senior standing, BA 310, BA 315, BA 361, and BA 362 (or BA 370 or BA 390).

 

BA 492  Total Quality Management   (3)

This course will focus on using quality practices within organizations by addressing topics such as: team development, statistical process control, problem solving, and organizational design.
Prereq: BA 361.

 

 

BA 495  Organization Design   (3)

An analysis of the structure and behavior of the organization as a whole. The course examines the design of different types of organizations, including bureaucracy and nontraditional forms, in both the public and private sector. Topics include departmentalizing and coordination, the effect of environment and technology on structure, and organizational growth, change, and decline.
Prereq: BA 361.

 

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Economics

 

EC 199  Special Studies   (1-6)

Terms and hours to be arranged. A means by which students may earn lower-division credit for such learning activities as intern programs and writing research reports on small business firms and international conglomerates.

 

EC 200  Introduction to Economic Perspectives   (4)

An issues-oriented introduction to economics that covers markets, unemployment, inflation, market power, the environment, crime, discrimination, health care, education, poverty, social security, international trade, and economic development. Includes intensive writing.

 

EC 201  Introduction to Microeconomics   (4)

Introduction to consumer and producer behavior and the market process. Theories of production, cost and perfectly and imperfectly competitive market structures will be covered as well as the role of the public sector, input markets and contemporary economic issues such as health care and the environment.

 

EC 202  Introduction to Macroeconomics   (4)

Introduction to the macro-economic behavior of the economy.  Includes national income accounting, business cycles, growth, recession, inflation, unemployment and monetary-fiscal policies. Current issues in international trade and international finance are covered.

Prereq: EC 201.

 

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EC 311  Intermediate Microeconomics   (4)

Provides the student with a rigorous grounding in the methods and techniques of modern micro-economic analysis.  The course develops the standard neoclassical theories of consumption, exchange, and production under the assumption of perfect competition and full information.  Situations in which information and markets are imperfect, including price discrimination, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, monopoly and cartels are also covered. 
Prereq:  EC 202, MTH 111 and sophomore standing.

 

EC 313  Intermediate Macroeconomics   (4)

Focuses upon the behavior of the economy as a whole.  Emphasizes the forces and interactions that naturally determine the levels of - and changes in teh levels of - employment, aggregate output, interest rates, and prices in a market economy; policy instruments for manipulating those levels; and policy problems.
Prereq:  EC 201,  202, MTH 111, EC 311, and sophomore standing.

 

EC 315  Economic Analysis and Report Writing   (4)

Basic methods of economic analysis; data sources, collection and presentation; report writing; projects to develop these skills.

 

EC 318  Money and Banking   (4)

In-depth coverage of money, its forms, how it is created by banks and the Treasury, how its supply is regulated by the Federal Reserve System, and its vital role in the functioning of the macroeconomy.
Prereq: EC 201 and 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 319  Public Finance   (4)

Economic analysis of revenue collection and expenditure by federal, state and local governments. Deals with the effect of income taxes, corporate taxes, excise taxes, property taxes, fees, and other sources of public revenue on personal income, employment and production; incidence and shifting of taxes.

Prereq: EC 201 and 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 321 Public Choice Theory   (4)

Overview of the development in public choice theory. Application of economic tools to traditional problems of political science. Positive analysis of collective decision-making and evaluation of outcomes.

 

EC 333 Economics of Professional Sports    (4)

Applies economic analysis to professional sports.  Topics include: public financing of arenas and stadiums; the impact of professional sports on local, regional and national economies, labor issues such as free agency, salary caps, discrimination, and "superstars"; competitive balance, revenue sharing and market structure.
Prereq: EC 201, 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 334 Economics of Collegiate Sports (4)

Applies economic analysis to collegiate sports. Topics include: history and function of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, compensation for collegiate athletes and coaches, acedemic standards for athletes, corporate sponsorships and the financing of collegiate sports, collegiate sports and the media, gender equity for coaches and athletes, and the impact of Title IX legislation.

Prereq: EC 201 and EC 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 360  Industry Studies   (4)

An examination of the causes and consequences of market power using a case study approach. The structure-conduct-performance model will be used to explain strategic decisions by firms and regulatory decisions by government.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202.

 

EC 395  Managerial Economics   (4)

Applies microeconomic concepts to managerial decision-making. Topics include the analysis of: demand, revenue and cost functions, forecasting models and techniques, market structures, pricing technology, and government regulation.
Prereq: EC 311.

 

EC 396 Game Theory (4)

Introduction to strategic ways of thinking and primer on game theory with applications likely to be encountered by business. Topics covered include: the prisoner's dilemma; dominant and mixed strategies; sequential and simultaneous moves; Nash equilibria; bargaining and collective action; uncertainty and information; threats, promises and negotiated games; and the evolution of cooperation.

Prereq: EC 311.

 

EC 399  Special Studies   (1-4)

Terms and hours to be arranged.

 

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EC 406  Special Individual Studies   (1-9)

Terms and hours to be arranged. A specialized or individualized course of study within the Economics discipline developed in consultation with the instructor.

 

EC 407  Seminar   (1-4)

Terms and hours to be arranged.

 

EC 409  Practicum   (3-12)

Practical application of economic theory and/or collection of data for theoretical interpretation.

 

EC 417 Development Economics    (4)  

Focuses upon the prospects and problems facing more than 100 poverty-stricken countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia that are striving to attain standards of living approaching those of coutnries in Europe and North America.


EC 432  Urban Economics   (4)

Economic analysis of spatially oriented problems, with emphasis on the problems and techniques related to the understanding of economic base and the comparative economic growth of regions.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 436  Environmental Economics and Public Policy   (4)

An economic study of environmental problems with special reference to social welfare and economic efficiency criteria in evaluating the alternative uses of natural resources.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 440  International Trade   (4)

Analyzes the causes and consequences of international trade. Topics covered include: the theory of comparative advantage, models of international trade under perfect and imperfect competition, strategic trade policy, the impact of trade on welfare, protectionism, trade and the environment, the role of trade in developing countries, the effects of free trade agreements, and the role of multinational institutions in facilitating trade.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 441  International Monetary Economics   (4)

Examines the macroeconomic linkages between countries. Topics include: institutions of flexible and fixed exchange rates, the balance of payments, the choice of an exchange rate regime, international money markets, currency crises, international policy coordination, and international debt and direct investment.

Prereq: EC 201, EC 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 444 Labor Economics   (4)

This course applies microeconomic theory to understand the behavior of labor market dynamics in the U.S. and in other industrialized countries. Topics include: the demand and supply of labor, human capital, compensation and risk differentials, mimimum wage/living wage legislation, unemployment, collective bargaining and unions, and discrimination.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202.

 

EC 445  Industrial Relations   (4)

Theories of the labor movement plus history, aims, methods and policies of trade unions. The mechanics and functioning of collective bargaining will be explored.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 450  Comparative Economic Systems   (4)

Theory, practice, and reform of economic systems other than capitalism. Emphasizes socialist economies, the economies of the former Soviet Union, East Central Europe and China. Examines the origins of the socialist economy, how it is supposed to work, how it actually works, and how it can and cannot be reformed.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 451  Economic Systems in Transition   (4)

Focuses on economies in transition, primarily the post-socialist economies in East Central Europe, the former Soviet Union, and China. Topics covered include: privatization and enterprise restructuring, labor markets and social insurance policies, household welfare, public finance, trade policy and regional integration, crime and corruption, entrepreneurship, environmental degradation, and macroeconomic issues.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202 and EC 450.

 

EC 460  Industrial Organization   (4)

This course will examine the relationship between market structure, the conduct of individual firms, and industry performance in the presence and absence of government regulation.  Competitive, oligopolistic and monopolistic market structures will be analyzed for their effects on the pricing, marketing and investment behavior of representative firms.  The course also studies the relationship between government and business through interactions such as regulatory and antitrust policy.
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202 and EC 311.

 

EC 470  History of Economic Thought   (4)

Traces the development of economic thought from ancient times to the  present.  Contributions of individual writers and schools of thought are examined in their historical settings and as they influenced economic thought and policy. Major contributions to economic thought in the 20th century are examined in greater detail.

 

EC 480  Mathematical Economics   (4)

A review of relevant mathematical tools currently utilized in the economics profession, and the application of these tools to economic issues utilizing problem-solving procedures. 
Prereq: EC 201, EC 202 and MTH 111 or consent of instructor.

 

EC 495 Econometrics (4)

Use of statistical methods to estimate and test economic models. Theory and application of multiple regression techniques, with an emphasis on the problems arising in the analysis of economic data. Prereq: EC 311.

 

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Contact

Division of Business and Economics (503) 838-8421 | or e-mail: business@wou.edu

Western Oregon University | 345 N. Monmouth Ave. | Monmouth OR 97361 | 503-838-8000(V/TTY) | 1-877-877-1593