Business Scholars complete the Hanover College Core Curriculum Requirements (CCRs), a liberal arts major(s) of their choice; the Business Scholars core, cognates and elective requirements; and meet the co-curricular requirements.
Cognate Courses:
One course in Statistics - Mat 217, MAT 327, Econ 257, ENGR 321 or equivalent
One course in Economics - Economics 113, or 114, or a CCR course in economics
Core Courses (Descriptions are shown below):
BSP 211 - Management Concepts (1 unit)
BSP 325 - Financial Accounting (1 unit)
BSP 327 - Financial Management (1 unit)
BSP 357 - Project-based Internship (1 unit)
BSP 411 - Business Strategy (1 unit)
Electives:
Scholars must take a total of two elective courses. One of these courses must have a BSP prefix. Scholars may take one elective to count for Business Scholars credit outside of the BSP. These can be found on the Non-BSP Electives page.
Co-Curricular Requirements:
Internship and Career Preparation - Scholars will work with the BSP staff to identify their interests and internship constraints, build their resume and develop their interviewing skills in order to ensure a project-based internship, and ultimately career, that provides the best fit between their strengths and interests.
Workshops, Events and Other Activities - Scholars will take part in a number of workshops and other activities each year in order to help them develop their business and career skills and get the most from the program,
Course Descriptions:
BSP 211 - Management Concepts
An integrated introduction to the fundamental concepts of management and business. Topics include the relationship between business and society, including ethical and legal responsibilities; business organization; competitive strategies; and management theory including organizational structures, decision making and creative problem solving, collaborative teamwork, and organizational control. Case studies and projects will be used to provide an opportunity to integrate and apply essential concepts. Prerequisite: Admission to the Business Scholars Program.
BSP 212 - Ethics and Commerce
An examination of the elements, knowledge, and skills needed to create and manage a successful not-for-profit organization (NPO), including mission and programming; people resources and leadership - boards, staff, volunteers, and clients; financial management; marketing and community relations; and fundraising. Students will design their own virtual NPO over the course of the semester. Open to all students, no prerequisite. Especially recommended for students embarking upon a summer internship with an NPO. *Offered each May term.* Identical to PHI 212.
BSP 260 - International Encounters: India This course travels to India in Spring Term. The objective of the course is to learn about India's dynamic economy and business environment through hands-on learning. The course will cover a range of topics, including history, culture, economics, government, development challenges, and business. Students will travel to large and mid-sized cities as well as villages and rural areas. Students will meet with business leaders and village elders alike, have a chance to work with an NGO, and visit the "Silicon Valley" of India along with several UN World Heritage Sites such as the Taj Mahal. Open to all students.
BSP 321 - Marketing and Promotions
Introduces the fundamentals of marketing with special emphasis on the "promotion" element of the overall marketing mix - Advertising, sales promotion and public relations. Marketing fundamentals will be covered, such as segmentation, branding, positioning, consumer behavior and the "four Ps." A large component of the course will be more in-depth consideration of marketing communication than is typical in an introductory marketing course, including practical exercises in planning and developing a communication campaign. Prerequisite: BSP 211 - Management Concepts.
BSP 322 - Professional Selling
This course focuses on the challenges and opportunities provided by professional selling. Selling concepts, tools, strategies, and tactics will be discussed as they apply to both external and internal customers. Students are exposed to and experience some problems faced and rewards earned by those in professional sales. Customer relationship management and seeking to meet customer needs will be discussed as key to successful long-term selling. Prerequisite: BSP 211 - Management Concepts.
BSP 323 - Investments
This course provides a fundamental understanding of the theory and concepts used in making investment decisions. It covers topics including financial markets, stock and bond valuation, capital market equilibrium, risk and return trade-offs, and portfolio theory. Prerequisite: BSP 211 - Management Concepts.
BSP 324 - eCommerce Management
The Internet has cultivated a global economic system and transformed societies throughout the world. This course will examine the impact of the Internet on commerce. Special attention will be placed on the history and structure of the Internet, convergence, net neutrality, open-source technology, and intellectual property rights in the age of the Internet. The course will also cover the interconnections between commerce and Internet marketing, including Web analytics, search engine/social media optimization, and affiliate marketing. Prerequisite: BSP 211 - Management Concepts.
BSP 325 - Financial Accounting
This course offers an introduction to the accounting concepts, principles, and techniques used in recording business transactions. The accounting cycle, revenue and expense recognition, book valuation, reporting of financial position and results of operations for business enterprise are explored with an emphasis on financial statements for external users: Prerequisite: BSP 211 - Management Concepts.
BSP 326 - Managerial Accounting
This course introduces the use of accounting information to aid internal decision-makers. This includes the development and interpretation of information to set goals, evaluate the performance of departments and individuals, and support various types of management decisions. Prerequisite: BSP 325 - Financial Accounting.
BSP 327 - Financial Management
This course introduces the approaches companies can use to obtain and deploy funds. Topics include financial forecasting, operating and financial leverage, time value of money, working capital management, capital budgeting and long-term financing. Prerequisite: BSP 325 - Financial Accounting.
BSP 328 - Managing a Not-for-Profit Organization
An examination of the elements, knowledge, and skills needed to create and manage a successful not-for-profit organization (NPO), including mission and programming; people resources and leadership - boards, staff, volunteers, and clients; financial management; marketing and community relations; and fundraising. Students will design their own virtual NPO over the course of the semester. Open to all students, no prerequisite. Especially recommended for students embarking upon a summer internship with an NPO. Offered Spring Term.
BSP 329 - Personal Financial Management
This course provides an introduction to concepts that will help you address the key financial decisions you will face throughout your life to meet your personal financial goals. The course covers creating a financial plan, saving and investing, buying a car or house, insurance, sources and uses of credit, and other topics. This course is open to all students.
BSP 330 - Scholars in the City: New York. This spring term course focuses on New York City and its place in the world of business. The first part of the course looks at the history of the city, its institutions and neighborhoods. The second part of the course looks specifically at the relationship of the city to financial markets, retailing and merchandising. In the third part of the course the class will spend several days in New York, experiencing what has been studied. The course will be offered in 2011 and odd-numbered years. Prerequisites: BSP 325.
BSP 331. Human Resource Management. This course introduces students to the field of human resources management, its purpose, and how it functions in the business arena to address the issues related to employee training, compensation, benefits, selection, hiring, firing and outplacement. Students will analyze examples from actual companies to examine various general management concepts within the context of current-day application. The course is open to all students.
BSP 332. Executives in Residence Seminar. This Spring Term course enables Business Scholars to engage with entrepreneurs, senior executives and academics brought to campus through funding made available by the John and Donna Shoemaker Guest Lecturer Endowment Fund. The course will include concentrated interaction with guest lecturers and one or more projects relating to the topics being discussed. The general focus will be on entrepreneurship and leadership, but specific topics will vary annually based on the composition and interests of the visiting executives. Prerequisite: Admittance to the Business Scholars Program and approval of the Department.
BSP 351 - Business Analytics
Business analytics refers to the ways in which businesses, non-profits, and government organizations can use data to gain insights and make better decisions. This course provides an introduction to the field of business analytics, including the use of data, statistical and quantitative analysis, exploratory and predictive models, and fact-based management to drive decisions and actions. Business analytics is highly applicable in operations, marketing, finance, and strategic planning among other functions. Students actively participate in the delivery of this course through cases and project presentations. Prerequisite: MAT217 - Applied Statistics, or MAT327 - Probability & Statistics, or ECO257 - Quantitative Meth. for Business.
BSP 357 - Project-based Internship
This is a project-based internship that will be carried out through work in a for-profit or not-for-profit organization. Prior to the internship, students will prepare by carrying out research on the organization and/or their specific project. They will also develop objectives for what they want to learn about themselves and their career path through the internship. During the internship, Scholars will be advised by BSP faculty and supervised by on-site supervisors. The internship and its outcomes will be presented via a public poster session or a videotaped presentation.
BSP 360 - Special Topics
BSP 411 - Business Strategy
An integrated capstone course requiring BSP Scholars to demonstrate they can create a well-conceived comprehensive strategy for business and successfully execute it; synthesize liberal arts, business and economics concepts in strategic management. Scholars will complete a comprehensive strategic analysis for a business in partnership with the Small Business Development Center or other agency. Prerequisites: BSP327 - Financial Management and Senior Standing.