Entrepreneurial Studies

1 term, solid, 1 credit, B

Foundation of Innovation – An in-depth study of the practice of innovation together with team-based idea generation.  The course studies The Innovator’s Way: Essential Practices for Successful Innovation by Peter J. Denning and Robert Dunham providing learners the foundational steps necessary for any community to adopt a new practice – our definition of “Innovation”.  Throughout the course, learners are encouraged to see disharmonies in their environment which lead to ideas for team-based ideas for innovations around campus.  

1 term, solid, 1 credit, B

Pre-requisite:  Successful completion of Foundation of Innovation.

Application of the Practice of Innovation – This course applies the theories studied in Foundation of Innovation to proposed campus-based innovations.  Students are divided into teams and work through the process of    understanding the constituents of the market for their proposed innovation, identifying the market’s support and concerns and ultimately presenting their proposed innovation to the community for consideration.

1 term, solid, 1 credit 

Corporate Challenge Course, will be based on the Harvard Business School case study method where students together with Culver Faculty/Staff mentors are assigned to teams, visit businesses, and collaborate with teammates to solve a business dilemma posed by the owner/manager. Challenges may include a proposed expansion plan, a new product line, an advertising campaign, or a marketing idea. In their deliberations, debates, and discussions, students must decide the best answer to the challenge. 
It is anticipated that each class will engage in two challenges during the term. 

PLEASE NOTE THIS COURSE WILL BE OPEN TO ALL JUNIORS AND SENIORS.  

1 term, solid, 1 credit, B, Approved as a Social Science course by NCAA

This elective introduces students to the basic concepts of economics.  Emphasis is placed on economic systems and decision making, competition and market structures, the role of labor and government, the role of financial institutions, the national and international economy and fundamental economic problems. Students enrolled in Economics are introduced to the core principles of opportunity cost, cost/benefit analysis, the marginal principle, and the interdependence principle. Emphasis is placed on understanding the business cycle and how markets impact pricing and costs for both firms and societies. Students will have practice interpreting graphs, tables, and economic reports as they demonstrate how to think like an economist.

1 term, solid,1 credit 

The Financial Literacy course for sophomores, juniors, and seniors encompasses standards that are essential to the development of basic financial literacy. Students will gain the information and skills to implement a life-long plan for financial success. 

2 Terms, non-solid, 1 credit

Prerequisites: Students must take Applications of Innovation, Foundations in Innovation and The Corporate Challenge before taking this course. 

This course positions students to work in collaborative teams to operate as a management team of the Rubin Café, Eagle Outfitters, or Advancement Group.  The collaborative component focuses on the process of running each business.  Management Teams will receive articulated goals from the Board each grading period and will have the time and space to use their understandings of innovation, economics, and business management to make progress towards these articulated goals.

2 terms, non-solid, 1 credit 

Prerequisites: Students must take Foundations in Innovation, Applications of Innovation, and The Corporate Challenge before taking this course.

This two-term solid seminar course combines academic research and economic, social, or environmental innovation.  There are two tracks to this honors seminar:

Track 1:

Students who take this track are required to arrive with an economic, social, or environmental solution in mind.  They will conduct comprehensive research of the related contexts to their idea in anticipation of creating a viable product to sell or business to run.  The first Term of this track will culminate with students presenting their research in the form of an annotated bibliography and during a formal presentation in front of relevant stakeholders.  The second Term of this track will require students to launch their solution as a minimum viable product.  An introduction of the product or solution will be made at the “Rubin X” conference.

Track 2:

Students who select this track are focused on a deep analysis of a business (past or present).  In line with entrepreneurism, this analysis will present an exposition of the relevant attributes of the business (e.g. finance, management, marketing, human resources, operations) that led to both successes and failures.  This analysis should also capture the business philosophy used by the leader(s) of the company.  Term 1 will end with students presenting, through their chosen medium, the analysis of the business.  Term 2 will provide students the time and space to incubate an idea with the outcome of a viable product or solution at the end of the second term of work.