Curriculum Overview

Business, Organizations and Society

A maximum of seventy-five (75) students from any class may declare a major in Business, Organizations, and Society.

A major in Business, Organizations, and Society is appropriate for students who are interested in studying business and organizational phenomena whether or not they intend to have careers in business. The program emphasizes critical thinking and analysis rather than memorizing techniques. It helps students learn "how to think" about alternative approaches to resolving issues, not simply "how to do" problems, although there are skill components within the program. Multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving are stressed by examining organizational issues from a variety of perspectives.

The courses are designed to help students develop a broad understanding of organizations and their roles in society. Students are exposed to many management philosophies, processes and styles, as well as the dynamic interface between theory and practice. They are required to complete four curricular components: an entry course; a breadth requirement composed of eight courses; a three-course, individually-designed interdisciplinary cluster that provides the opportunity to develop depth of understanding in one area of organizational activity, such as management, finance, marketing, human resources, organizational ethics or international business; and a "capstone" course.

A major in the Department of Business, Organizations, and Society consists of the following courses: BOS 200, 215, 224, 250 or the equivalent, 324, 332, 341, 360 and 480; and ECO 100. In addition, students, in consultation with their advisers, select three courses which provide depth of analysis in an area of organizational study. At least one of the three courses must be from outside the Department and all must be above the 200 level.

Majors in the Department of Business, Organizations, and Society have studied abroad in the following programs in recent years: Butler University programs in London, England and Sydney, Australia; IES Programs in Barcelona, Spain; Syracuse University in Florence, Italy; See the International Programs section of the Catalog for further information.

The writing requirement in the Business, Organizations, and Society major is met by completion of the normal courses required to complete the major.