Accounting | Economics and Finance | Insurance-Finance | Management | Marketing | Evening Degree Programs | Entrepreneurial Studies

Management Course Descriptions

CMM 212 Persuasion [3] Course is designed to heighten students understanding of the ways in which people influence one another with speech and symbolic gestures. Course will provide an analysis of social aspects of persuasion, cultural basis of belief and theories of attitude change. Reasoning and rhetoric in a variety of contexts, including advertising, political campaigns, and social movements, will be examined. Prerequisite: CMM 110 or permission of instructor.

CMM 222 Small-Group Communication [3] Introductory examination of the processes affecting small-group communication. Students will study leadership, member roles, and group development. In addition, factors affecting the maintenance function of groups and the outcomes of group experiences will be emphasized. Prerequisite: CMM 110.

CMM 225W Interpersonal Communication [3] Introduces students to major variables affecting the process of communication, including self-awareness, self-concept, perception, language, self-disclosure, nonverbal communication, empathic listening, and defensiveness. Major theories of interpersonal communication will be discussed. Prerequisite: CMM 110. (Writing-intensive course)

CMM 230 Organizational Communication [3] An introductory course that focuses on the pivotal role of communication in linking organizational environments to organizational structure and processes. Also examines how theories of organizations shed light on organizational communication practices and introduces new management perspectives on communication networks and technologies. Prerequisite: CMM 110.

CMM 335 Ethnic and Intercultural Communication [3] This course will examine current theoretical and applied issues in intercultural communication with particular emphasis on ethnic identity, African American communication, and racism. One goal will be to articulate how various groups define themselves and how they perceive interethnic communication. The course will conceptualize communication as a problem that participants must solve during interaction by assigning meanings and establishing identities. We will apply theories of language, communication, and culture to the context of ethnic communication. Prerequisite: CMM 110 or permission of instructor.

CMM 340 Conflict and Communication [3] This course is designed to study the theories and empirical research regarding conflict communication in relationships (e.g., families and work teams) and international and intercultural settings. It examines theories of conflict interaction, power and conflict, conflict styles, conflict management strategies and tactics, language and episodes, and the relevant empirical research on conflict communication.

INS 430 Fundamentals of Employee Benefits [3] A comprehensive analysis of employee benefits from management, insurance, and public viewpoints. The design and financing aspects of individual benefits, ranging from health care to dependent care to pensions are examined in meeting the business and individual needs of a diverse work force.

MGT 310 Managing Organizational Behavior [3] To manage in the global marketplace, students learn about responding to changing environmental events by establishing management systems that are effective, efficient and adaptive. Students are responsible for setting goals and strategies, organizing diverse teams, leading and motivating members and improving performance as well as understanding the consequences of these actions on human behavior. Prerequisite: Completion of 40 credits.

ENT 314 Principles of Entrepreneurship [3] This course concentrates on the variables required to be successful in starting a business. Topics include the profile of the entrepreneur, differences between life-style and growth-oriented entrepreneurship, teamwork in entrepreneurship, identifying a market and product to service, issues in family business development. Self-assessment is a key component of the course. Teaching methods may include cases, discussion, experiential activities, team and individual projects and presentations, lecture and guest speakers.
Prerequisites: MGT 310 and MKT 310 (concurrent)

MGT 315 Group Dynamics and Interpersonal Relationships [3] This course focuses on improving students' ability to work in interpersonal, team, and group contexts. Small group theory and research form the basis for the study of communication, leadership and group decision-making skills. Through interaction and feedback, students develop an awareness of their own behavior and how it affects others in pairs, groups, and teams. They also develop skills in dealing with people of diverse backgrounds. A weekend workshop may be held in lieu of several classes. Prerequisite: MGT 310.

MGT 320 Operations Management [3] An introduction to the concepts, principles, problems and practices of operations management in both manufacturing and service organizations. Topics such as operations strategy, facilities design, operations planning and control, quality and productivity, and project management will be covered. Prerequisites: QNT 230 and MGT 310 (may be taken concurrently).

MGT 360 Developing Management Skills [3] The demands of business today require a range of decision-making and team-leadership skills. Topics include conflict management, creativity, communication, giving professional presentations, problem solving, group roles, power, and team dynamics. Students practice, assess, and reflect on their skills as potential managers, learning their strenghts and weaknesses in these key areas. Prerequisites: MGT 310 or permission of instructor.

MGT 410 Human Resource Management [3] The human resource function (HR) is being asked to contribute directly to the success of today's organizations worldwide. This course discusses the changing roles of HR in bringing about this leadership through strategic thinking. In addition to strategic aspects, students learn fundamental HR practices, such as job analysis, performance appraisal and interviewing techniques. The complex legislative, judicial, international, and demographic issues that impact HR systems are also presented. Applications in the use of information technology to complete HR tasks are demonstrated. Students analyze cases and practice human resource techniques through projects and discussions. Prerequisite: MGT 310.

MGT 412 Managing Early Career Choices [3] Today's workers frequently change jobs and careers. The information society offers a variety of careers unknown a decade ago. To face this reality, students need information and skills to understand the global workplace, to assess their own skills, and to select employment wisely. Each student is expected to engage in an in-depth self-assessment and develop a career plan. Students also learn about techniques, including databases and interactive systems, used by managers and career specialists to develop employees' careers. Prerequisite: MGT 310

ENT 414 Seminar in Entrepreneurship [3] A capstone course for entrepreneurial and small business management majors. Designed to enable undergraduate students to examine crucial facets of self-employment ventures. Each student is asked to develop a business plan for testing the most critical aspects of establishing and maintaining an independent enterprise. Students also assess their own skills and interests to compare with the successful entrepreneurial profile. Case analysis and classroom discussion deal with a variety of problems at different stages of a new venture. Prerequisites: AC 360, BL 330, FIN 484, MGT 314, MKT 325 or permission of instructor.

MGT 418 Ethics of Management [3] This course explores many issues and questions dealing with what is right, proper, and just for leaders and managers. Students analyze ethical dilemmas using a variety of conceptual frameworks in order to recommend specific management action. Prerequisite: MGT 310.

MGT 420 Seminar in Management [3] analysis and presentation of an empirical, theoretical or practical area of management. Students are expected to make presentations and be responsible for segments of the class activity. Prerequisite: MGT 310

MGT 421 Leadership in the 21st Century [3] This course provides an overview of historical and contemporary theories of leadership. Its primary goal is to equip students with self-awareness and leadership skills for individual, team, and organizational contexts. The course integrates theory and practice through the use of readings, lecture, online discussion, video cases, targeted reflection papers, experiential activities/simulations, contact with local leaders, and practice of leadership skills. At the end of the course, students create their own theory of leadership,assess their skills in relation to it, and set personal leadership-development goals. Prerequisite: MGT 310. Corequisite: MGT 360 or permission of instructor.

MGT 422 Work Force Diversity [3] This course explores the issues and dynamics related to diversity in the workplace. It includes the impact of gender, ethnicity, race, culture and other dimensions of diversity on management and organizational life at the individual, interpersonal, group and organizational levels of analysis. Prerequisite: MGT 310 or permission of instructor.

MGT 425 Introduction to Negotiations [3] Theoretical foundations and practical skills used in resolving differences and negotiating mutually satisfying outcomes are addressed. Skills are developed through case analyses and simulated negotiations in a variety of contexts. Topics discussed are the nature of negotiations, different negotiating styles, distributive vs. integrative bargaining, power, conflict, labor negotiations, mediation, and inter-cultural bargaining. Self-reflection, giving and receiving feedback are key aspects in developing negotiation skills. Prerequisite: MGT 310 or permission of instructor.

MGT 430 Process and Project Management [3] This course provides an overview of the basic principles that are at the core of the philosophy of continuous improvement. Attention is also directed at understanding how the application of this philosophy has led to the transformation of many work environments during the last two decades. Throughout the course, process and project management tools and techniques are demonstrated in class and then used in field projects to integrate theory with practice. Prerequisite: MGT 310, MGT 360 and Senior standing.

MGT 440 Managerial Strategy and Organizational Policy [3] This is a capstone course in which students learn how leaders formulate and oversee the implementation of strategies that span the various functional areas of an organization. Emphasis is placed on how managers formulate strategy in external environments that are increasingly global, dynamic, and technologically complex. Students practice the skills critical to these processes through team projects, case analysis and solutions, and oral and written reports. Prerequisites: MGT 310, MGT 320, MIS 310, MKT 310, FIN 310.

MGT 480 Internship in Management [3] This course fulfills the required internship for students majoring in Management. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor, students will gain field experience with a for-profit or not-for-profit organization. Prerequisites: BAR 210, MGT 310, Junior status, departmental approval, cumulative GPA of 2.0.

MGT 481 Independent Study in Management [1-3] Provides an opportunity for individual research and/or study under the guidance of a faculty sponsor. The project as negotiated with the faculty sponsor may include any or all of the following: a review of the literature, case study development, qualitative or quantitative research, a final report and permission of department chair.

MGT 482/MKT 482 Small-Business Practicum [3] Interested students gain experience working with micro businesses in the Upper Albany neighborhood. Participants are assigned to specific businesses and will assist them in specific areas as defined by each businesss needs assessments. Students also have the opportunity to share specific, relevant interests and expertise with the businesses. Much of the work will take place on-site at each business or in the Upper Albany Main Street office. Students are expected to spend at least 10 hours per week during business hours (9 a.m.5 p.m.) with their businesses. May not take both BAR 270 and this course. Prerequisites: Junior standing, a grade point average of 2.5, and permission of instructor.

MGT 491 Selected Topics of Management [3] A critical and intensive study of selected subjects in the field of management. Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of instructor.

MKT 325 Marketing Communications [3] This course presents an integrative approach to the creation, implementation, and measurement of all of the ways in which an organization communicates with its external public. While focusing on the communications tools of advertising, publicity, sales promotion, and personal selling, this course takes a marketing management perspective and explains how communications is used to help satisfy customers and achieve the goals of the organization with special consideration given to entrepreneurial and small businesses. This is a survey course that stresses an understanding of the terms, concepts, and processes involved in the creating of the integrated marketing communications. Prerequisite: MKT 310.

MKT 330 Retail Management [3] This course explores and evaluates the dynamic role of retailing in the marketing of consumer goods and services. Significant changes in the American retailing environment, in the character of retail competition and in the organizational structure of retail firms are examined. The methods and principles of marketing as applied to retailing including site selection, sales stimulation, pricing policies, merchandising, purchasing, etc. are introduced. Prerequisite: MKT 310

MKT 335 Personal Selling and Sales Management [3] Examines persuasive techniques utilized in promotional presentations conducted on a person-to-person basis, and studies the methods used to develop, operate and control sales organizations. Prerequisite: MKT 310

MKT 340 Consumer Behavior [3] Examines the decision processes used by individuals and households in obtaining and using goods and services. The influences of individual demographic and psychographic differences as well as cultural, ethnic, social, and environmental factors are explored to build an understanding of consumer behavior in a global economy. Current theories and models are studied and applied to actual marketing situations. Prerequisites: MKT 310.