Business

An overview of the functional areas of business in a global society. Students will complete the course with knowledge of the general business environment, economic systems, business ethics, operations and project management, and technology and information systems. In addition, students will learn the fundamentals of economics, business ownership, entrepreneurship, finance, management, leadership, and marketing. Key themes woven throughout the course include exploration of career options and development of business problem-solving skills.

MATH 20 or higher college level required for ACCTG 1

See the full list: SMC GE Area IV-B Course

This introductory course in rhetoric emphasizes clear, effective written communication and preparation of the research paper.

This course provides an exploration of intellectual, psychological, social and physical factors that impact lifelong learning, well-being and success. Topics include motivation and self-efficacy; critical thinking, academic integrity and active study strategies; health issues and lifestyle choices; relating to others as a global citizen; written and oral communication; time management; career exploration; and educational planning.

Note: this course could be less units if a 5 unit MATH course is taken

This course surveys the principles and techniques of current and evolving business communication as a process in a variety of business situations. The course emphasizes planning, organizing, composing, and revising business documents using appropriate utilization of a variety of technological platforms, business related internet writing contexts, and web resources. Also, this course will incorporate a variety of internet-based communication tools relevant to doing business in today's world. This course is designed for students who already have college-level writing skills.

1-3 units to bring this semester to 15 units

This course provides students with an overview of the fundamental legal principles pertaining to business transactions and related topics. It also encompasses introductory subjects concerning the U.S. legal system such as the court structure, sources of law, legal reasoning and case analysis. To give students a broad perspective on the various laws and areas impacting business, the following topics are also explored: criminal law, torts, civil procedure, administrative processes, contract law, ethics, constitutional law, agency and the legal principles pertaining to business entities.

Principles of Marketing examines the organization's functions for creating, communicating, and delivering value to customers. The course also examines the role and importance of marketing in the firm and other organizations. Topics include marketing plans & strategies, digital marketing, marketing research, market segmentation, distribution, pricing, promotion, marketing ethics and product development.

Advertising psychology, strategies, and methods are covered in this introduction to the field. Topics include planning advertising campaigns for all types of media. Class projects give the student practice in creating and communicating ideas using advertising strategy and techniques.

This course explores the fundamental sales process of analyzing customer needs and satisfying those needs with a relevant product or service. Topics include prospecting and qualifying potential buyers, preparing for sales calls, delivering sales presentations, handling customer objections, negotiating sales transactions, closing sales, and providing effective follow-up.

The marketing research portion of the course includes the allocation and usage of secondary as well as primary data sources, the understanding of basic concepts, the collection of information, the proper analysis of the data acquired, and the screening of sample applications. The consumer behavior section of the course will introduce the student to knowledge, concepts, and models that use consumer behavior to generate explanations for the behavior of individual consumers and groups, the decisions they make, and the culture in which they live. The final section of the course focuses on the application of marketing research and consumer behavior. Students will learn how these skills can help them in business and how to build their own research study.

This course addresses strategies marketers may use to best communicate with their customers and other stakeholders. By applying an Integrated Marketing Communications perspective to marketing promotion, all aspects of communication are pulled together, thereby providing a more complete treatment of advertising, sales promotion, direct marketing, personal selling, public relations, publicity, and interactive media.

This is a survey course of basic principles and objectives of public relations, including publicity and promotion techniques. Emphasis is on the tools, such as media and publication, in planning public relations programs. This course is the same as Journalism 43. Credit may be earned for either, but not both.

This course examines advertising as an economic support for commercial broadcast, cable, and related telecommunications media. Audience surveys, rate structures, client, ad rep firm, and advertising agency relationships are discussed and explored.

This course introduces students to digital marketing. Students will learn how to develop and implement various digital marketing channels, such as search-engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), social media marketing, pay per click (PPC) advertising, affiliate marketing, email marketing and content marketing. The course will emphasize the strategic role of digital marketing in traditional marketing; its impact on the customer experience; and how to track its effectiveness.

The course provides an overview of the dynamic area of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), a strategic methodology that recognizes customers as the core of the business. Partner Relationship Management (PRM), Customer Experience Management (CEM) and the impact of social networking will also be explored.

This course is designed for students who want to learn the fundamentals of marketing while leveraging the Salesforce Marketing Cloud platform. Salesforce Marketing Cloud is a tool that allows businesses and organizations to communicate with customers using multiple channels. It develops a personalized digital experience with clients, it collects data from multiple sources, and it is also capable of managing data from social media interactions, advertising campaigns, email marketing, email content, design, delivery and tracking. At the end of this course, students could pursue the next step towards the Marketing Cloud Email Specialist Credential.

Digital marketing enables an individual or business to promote an organization, brand, product or service using a variety of online marketing strategies: content marketing, social media marketing, search engine marketing and e-marketing. Numerous tools and applications are utilized to deliver these strategies, such as a content management system; blogging; content creators and editors for images, posts and videos; crowdsourcing; podcasting; RSS feed and directories; social media business accounts and ad managers, like Facebook Ad Manager; search engine advertising, like Google Ads; SEO techniques and tools; third party tracking and analytics tools, such as Google Analytics; email and direct message marketing; and event promotion. This course provides the skills to use these tools and applications for a successful digital marketing campaign.

This is a survey course of basic principles and objectives of public relations, including publicity and promotion techniques. Emphasis is on the tools, such as media and publication, in planning public relations programs. This course is the same as Journalism 43. Credit may be earned for either, but not both.

This course examines advertising as an economic support for commercial broadcast, cable, and related telecommunications media. Audience surveys, rate structures, client, ad rep firm, and advertising agency relationships are discussed and explored.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basic overview of the property/casual insurance system. It is designed for those students who have little or no knowledge of insurance. In addition, this course will enable students to understand and apply the proper ethical behavior and obligations related to the insurance field.

In this course, students will learn the essentials of personal insurance coverages. Personal property and liability topics will include automobile, homeowners, and other residential insurance, such as earthquake, flood, marine and miscellaneous coverages. The basics of financial planning, life insurance and health insurance will also be covered.

In this course, students will learn the basics of property and liability insurance. It covers types of insurers, institutions that provide insurance, insurance regulation, and measurement of financial performance. It also covers insurance operations, including marketing techniques, underwriting, claims, insurance contracts, loss exposure and risk management.

In this course, students will learn the basics of commercial insurance. It covers commercial property insurance, business income insurance, commercial crime insurance, equipment breakdown insurance, inland and ocean marine insurance, commercial general liability insurance, commercial automobile insurance and miscellaneous commercial insurance coverage.

This course focuses on general business problems, theories, techniques and strategies necessary in the development of business activities in the global market place. The course is designed to promote an understanding of the impact that a country’s culture and its political and economic environments have on a firm’s international operations. The course covers the global perspective of business fundamentals as they relate to international management, communication, marketing, finance, ethics, etc.

This course is designed to heighten awareness of culture and its impact on successful business enterprises. The student will develop skills to identify areas where culture and business intersect by focusing on four subsets of American culture (European Americans, Chicano/Latinos, African Americans and Asian Americans) as well as on international cultures. Emphasis will be placed on how a firm's success is affected by both domestic and global issues influencing intercultural communication.

This course provides the basic foundations of international marketing and then explain how companies can grow by going abroad or sourcing ideas/expanding into other countries or industries. Students explore all aspects of marketing from a global perspective to better respond to international opportunities and competitive situations. This course is designed to promote an understanding of the impact that a country's culture and environment have on the marketing mix as well as the problems of competing in markets having different cultures.

This course presents an overview of importing and exporting as drivers of globalization. It is designed to help students explore the benefits, costs, and risks of importing and exporting as well as the trade regulations involved, the documentation and licensing required, and the public and private sources of financing and other assistance available. It stresses cross-cultural comparisons of foreign business, legal and political practices, trade patterns, and markets as a means of implementing successful import/export plans. Currency exchange, sources and methods of market research, terms of payment, broker services, insurance, letters of credit, transportation and barriers to entry will also be covered.

This course focuses on issues faced in international management. Techniques and strategies for leading business activities in the world marketplace are examined. The course is designed to promote an understanding of global trends and the decision-making process involved in all aspects of the multinational organization, such as planning, organizing, and human resource management.

This course provides an overview of Southern California's economy, its people, and its emerging role in the ocean economy. Using a variety of tools, students will be introduced to the vital commercial, financial, and personal connections that make Southern California one of the most diverse and globally connected places in the world. Special attention is devoted to key ocean economy regional engagement opportunities and to enlighten students on how the Blue/Ocean economy (‘sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.”) is shaping the future of local, state, and global economies.

This course provides an overview of how firms use distribution intermediaries to gain a competitive advantage in local and global markets through the integration of logistics and supply chain management. The management of the physical flow of products and information throughout the entire supply chain is examined, including physical distribution, transportation, warehousing, customer service, materials management, third-party and global logistics, systems planning, and operations and management of the supply chain.

The class provides an overview of the alternative modes, systems, rates, services, and regulations in global transportation. Transportation systems and providers will be examined including ocean, air, and surface carriers, as well as intermodal and special carriers.

This course is an overview of the entire supply chain and its key elements. Students are exposed to concepts, models, and terminology used in demand planning, inventory planning, material planning, distribution planning, fulfillment planning, and related components of a supply chain are examined.

Introduces concepts and techniques related to the design, planning, control, and improvement of manufacturing and service operations. The course examines operations and the coordination of product development, process management, and supply chain management. Students are exposed to topics in the areas of process analysis, materials management, production scheduling, quality management, and product design.

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of procurement. Students will learn how to improve a company's profitability through key concepts such as negotiation, supplier sourcing and qualification, outsourcing and make-or-buy analysis. Students will learn the various steps of the order process from the generation of the purchase requisition through receiving. Students will also learn to maintain effective purchasing records, manage budgets and explore career opportunities in the Supply Chain Industry.

This course introduces students to the essential elements of project management and team leadership. Emphasis is placed on managing resources, and creating control mechanisms that minimize risk in the world of logistics and supply chain management. Students will explore the context of building effective project teams and maintaining stakeholder relationships. Students will learn and apply basic project management concepts including budgeting, planning, scheduling, work breakdown structures, monitoring and project control to move goods and services across the globe.

This course introduces an enterprise resource planning system such as SAP software (“Systems, Applications & Products in Data Processing”) and how it is used in a procurement office to record the day-to-day purchasing activities at major corporations. Through case studies and the review of major business processes, students will learn how SAP software records the transaction including sales, procurement, invoices, MRP (Materials Requirement Planning) and payments.

This course navigates the current business environment and identifies the key legal challenges that an entrepreneur faces in starting and operating a business. It is ideal for business majors and for students who have an interest in starting their own businesses. The following topics are explored: basic legal concepts, dispute resolution, tort liability, contracts, managing risk, employment law, agent liability, legal form of business ownership, legal challenges with marketing, and intellectual property law.

This course provides students with an overview of the different forms of intellectual property (IP). An emphasis is placed on analyzing the subject matter that patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret protect. In addition to learning about the different IP protections, students will also gain an appreciation of the strategies to guard against infringing upon another's intellectual property right. Finally, the course will explore the relevance of IP to business, the arts, science, music and other arenas.

This course introduces students to the basics of intellectual property law. The course is designed for the non-law student who wants to gain a general understanding of the different types of intellectual property and the subject matter that each protects. Current case examples will be explored to illustrate the application and relevance of each form to different industries.

Students will learn the technological and strategic aspects of electronic commerce essential to succeeding in today's internet-based economy. No background in e-commerce is necessary. This is a lecture and theoretical course which covers the key technologies used in e-Commerce, the history of internet and web technologies, infrastructure, and the economic forces behind e-Commerce. Business goals and constraints, technology and process tools, business strategies and tactics, and underlying economic theories relating to successful e-Commerce will be discussed.

This course is an exploration of the business of Hip-Hop from localized exhibition to a domestic and international phenomenon. With the emergence of new technology, there is a need for a new criterion in the analysis of Hip-Hop as an entertainment industry leader. Students examine the business practices of moguls and pioneers, such as Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Master P, and Sean Combs. This course emphasizes the evolution of the business elements of hip-hop: urban entrepreneurialism, sales & marketing, and intellectual property.

This course introduces students to the decision making process called Design Thinking. Design Thinking emphasizes deep user understanding, intentional iteration and a focus on possibilities as a way to improve people's lives and enhance and create value for stakeholders. Design Thinking draws on methods from engineering and design and combines them with ideas from the arts, social services and the business world. Emphasis will be placed on experiential learning, identifying specific behaviors and skills that enable design thinkers to meet customer demands in all types of organizations including for-profits, non-profits, healthcare, arts and education.

This course covers the fundamentals of how to organize, finance, and operate a small business. Topics to be covered include business plan development, financing, legal and ethical issues, marketing, entrepreneurial team development, and business models.

This course provides students with the tools to achieve their personal financial goals. It will help them make informed decisions related to spending, saving, borrowing, and investing by training them to apply quantitative reasoning concepts to solve problems. Topics covered include personal financial planning; money management; tax strategy; consumer credit; purchasing decisions; insurance; investing in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds; retirement; and estate planning.

This course provides students with the tools to achieve their personal financial goals. It will help them make informed decisions related to spending, saving, borrowing, and investing by training them to apply quantitative reasoning concepts to solve problems. Topics covered include personal financial planning; money management; tax strategy; consumer credit; purchasing decisions; insurance; investing in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds; retirement; and estate planning.

This course provides a comprehensive view of securities, markets, and investment techniques, ranging from simple investment programs to advanced speculative market techniques.

This course provides students with the fundamental tools to make informed decisions that impact their short and intermediate-term finances. Topics covered include money management and the decision processes and behaviors underlying spending, saving, and borrowing.

This course provides students with the fundamental tools to make informed decisions that impact their short and intermediate-term finances. Topics covered include money management and the decision processes and behaviors underlying spending, saving, and borrowing.

This course is designed for students who want to learn the fundamentals of marketing while leveraging the Salesforce Marketing Cloud platform. Salesforce Marketing Cloud is a tool that allows businesses and organizations to communicate with customers using multiple channels. It develops a personalized digital experience with clients, it collects data from multiple sources, and it is also capable of managing data from social media interactions, advertising campaigns, email marketing, email content, design, delivery and tracking. At the end of this course, students could pursue the next step towards the Marketing Cloud Email Specialist Credential.

This course introduces the student to management concepts and strategies used by modern businesses. The course is designed to familiarize student with the accepted standards, procedures, and techniques employed by top, middle, and supervisory level managers. Further, the course provides students with an understanding of the role of management and how to develop plans and execute strategies in pursuit of organizational goals.

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the "management of strategy" in the business enterprise. A case-oriented format has been adopted to focus attention on what a firm should do in an actual business situation, and to provide students with numerous opportunities to develop and exercise their analytical and decision-making skills.

This course examines the special case of detailed planning and implementation of management decisions in strategic business units. Attention is focused on three areas: developing action plans and implementation strategies; developing awareness of the contingencies to be considered in taking strategic actions, and investigating how different academic disciplines interpret the leadership phenomenon. This course highlights key criteria used in assessing the viability of an organizational action plan, and the role of leadership in managing constructive change processes.

Human resource management encompasses those activities designed to provide for and coordinate the human resources of an organization. This course is fashioned to emphasize both the theoretical and practical aspects of human resource management. Topics of special interest include equal employment opportunity; staffing the organization; training and developing employees; employee compensation; understanding unions; and organizational maintenance, communication, and information systems.

This course teaches modern day strategies needed to make conscious decisions when negotiation is required to reach a desired outcome. Creating mutually beneficial situations for both parties involve understanding key concepts covering the basic understanding of ways negotiators can exert and gain power in a discussion. Managers, executives, students, and other potential dealmakers will learn the essential skills to conduct successful business negotiations. Through interactive role-play, videos, case studies, and other engaging content students will move through modules exploring ways to settle workplace and interpersonal disputes by the application of proven negotiating principles and strategies.

This course provides students with an introduction to the hospitality industry, explaining the interrelationships and history of key leisure industry segments. An emphasis is placed on the application of technology, sustainability, ethics, leadership, teams, critical thinking, and service standards for the restaurant, hotel, and travel-related businesses. The course examines career opportunities, operations management, human resource management, marketing, and financial considerations for each segment.

This course provides an introduction to retailing concepts and strategies used by contemporary merchandisers. Special attention will be given to the theory and practice involved in such merchandising activities as sales transactions, customer services, types of merchandising institutions, store operation and policies, store layout and fixtures, advertising, and display.

This class surveys the techniques, styles and variations of presenting tangible merchandise in physical, print and electronic formats. Color theory, design principles and consumer psychographic interests blend with advertising and sales techniques to highlight how hard and soft goods are sold in the brick-and-mortar and virtual retail sectors.

The world of customer service is constantly evolving. This course highlights the key strategies, principles, attitudes, and techniques needed to provide excellent customer service in today's business environment. Customers are digital and on the move and expect the same from their interactions with companies. As customer behavior changes, so do their expectations of the type of interaction that is appropriate to address their concerns. Considerations for omni-channel customer service, the impact on call centers, and the art of customer service will be examined.

This course covers advanced topics in agency, partnerships, corporations, LLCs, torts, legal procedures, and other advanced topics.

This course provides an introduction of the key topics concerning sustainability in business. In particular, an examination of business’ potential as a significant economic force to provide solutions to global environmental, social and economic challenges in the 21st century. The course will focus on how innovation can drive sustainable business activities.

The entertainment industry is rapidly and continuously shifting and evolving, with digital technology serving as the catalyst for its change. This new paradigm requires that our understanding of the industry and its operations evolve along with it. This introductory course will examine the current and future trends that drive the industry, and the changing business models and associated roles for creatives and executives within the business of entertainment.

This course introduces students to the problem-solving and innovation methodology called design thinking, using an approach called “Design for Delight” that was developed at Intuit. Design for Delight (D4D) uses deep customer empathy, strategic brainstorming and idea selection methods, and rapid experiments with customers to build products and solutions that create value for businesses and stakeholders, and ultimately improve people’s lives. Emphasis will be placed on experiential learning, with students learning and practicing specific behaviors and skills that enable entrepreneurs to creatively solve customer and business problems in all types of organizations including for-profit, non-profit, healthcare and education.

This course provides concrete guidance in using human relations skills in the workplace that will promote working effectively with others. Strategies are integrated throughout the course that will enable students to apply human relations theories and applications to the real world of work. Ethical issues in business are addressed where students will learn an explicit process of ethical reasoning that will aid in defining and dealing with dilemmas in the workplace. Current events and case studies will be used to develop critical skills as students apply theories and principles.

To be successful and competitive in an ever-changing business environment, individuals must be proficient in business etiquette, protocol and professionalism. Through lectures, role-playing and participation, students will become proficient in the basics of business professionalism and interaction. Appropriate proper business protocol/professionalism is a fundamental requirement for all jobs. These skills will set you apart from the competition and position your career in the right direction for growth and opportunity.

This course provides students with a hands-on class experience in starting a side business that can add to a student's income stream or grow into a full-time business. Students will learn to: identify income producing opportunities, develop business and promotion plans, and fund, launch, refine their business and make a profit. Emphasis will be placed on experiential learning, taking action and the iterative refinement process needed to start a new business.