Full-time Opening Term

Beginning August 5, Full-time students will complete two courses during Opening Term. This three-week period is intense and fast-paced. MGMT 5500: Leading Teams for Performance and Impact (1.5 credits) draws from behavioral science research and professional practice to provide an interactive, engaging, and focused experience in leadership development. Structure of Global Industries (BADM 5500, 3.0 credits) introduces you to the highly integrated and global view of business that will spark your curiosity and create questions in your mind that can be answered throughout the rest of the curriculum. 

Following the completion of Opening Term, you will begin the fall semester.

Mark the dates below on your calendar, but please note the schedule may change prior to the start. Use this information as a general guide. Your specific schedule will be provided in mid-July. The Program Office will register you for these classes.

Opening Term

Full-time Classes – Monday, August 5 – Friday, August 23

You should generally expect to be in class between approximately 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day, Monday – Friday. You also may have team commitments in the evening.

There will be an Opening Term closing celebration on Friday, August 23 (evening).

Fall Semester begins – Wednesday, August 28

Student Organization Fair – Thursday, August 29

Opening Term Courses

MGMT 5500: Leading Teams for Performance and Impact 

This course draws from behavioral science research and professional practice to provide a focused experience in leadership development. The course is designed to address four broad objectives for course participants. The first is self-assessment of critical traits, skills, and behaviors typical of successful leaders. Second, the assessments, simulations, and coaching experiences are the foundation for participants to articulate an effective strategic plan for individual leadership development. Third, we examine the critical role of leaders in developing the talents of subordinates and managing their performance through readings, case studies, and guest speakers. Fourth, we use interactive class exercises to practice skills and reflect on ourselves, our leadership style, and how we might adjust or develop in the future.

BADM 5500: The Structure of Global Industries

This course is offered in an intensive format using multiple instructors, teams, and projects, and provides an immediate immersion into international business. The first objective of the course is to develop skills in critical thinking and business decision-making. This entails learning how to analyze problems with the use of theory and evidence, synthesize findings into recommendations, and communicate persuasively and effectively. The second objective is to learn the foundations of international business and economics that are necessary for managerial success and to incorporate ethical considerations into business decisions. A third objective is to learn how to function effectively in teams and make persuasive professional presentations.

The core discipline and intellectual framework for the course is international economics enriched by global strategy. Ethical considerations are introduced formally and experientially. Teamwork and presentation skills are learned in the context of the projects.

To achieve the course objectives, we have 25 sessions consisting of lecture classes, case study classes, and practicums, plus the final exam and project presentation. A feature of the course is a global industries project that is conducted by teams of students focused on a firm’s decisions about business in a range of global industries. Similar to a corporate strategy exercise, each team determines where to locate production and sales, how to organize a firm in each of the industries, and how the firm’s business is affected by a major macroeconomic shock.

Course Materials

Textbooks can be purchased either in the bookstore or from online sources. Please note that some courses may require you to purchase additional materials through a custom coursepack or other materials available online; instructions on how to purchase those items will be delivered by your faculty. Faculty will post course materials shortly before their classes begin.

Calculator

We recommend that you purchase a Texas Instrument BA-II Plus or HP 12C financial calculator. These models were chosen because they are the only calculators allowed for the CFA exams. Other types of calculators may not be approved by your faculty.