Academic Programs Housed in the Business Dean's Office

An introduction to financial accounting and the accounting profession, with an emphasis on the decision-usefulness of accounting information. The course stresses the relation of accounting to economic activity, organizing information for decision-making, the resource acquisition decision, the uses of cash and noncash resources, the accounting for selling and manufacturing activities, and the information needs of multiple owners, lenders and equity holders. A prerequisite of all accountancy and finance courses. Ordinarily taken by business sophomores in the Fall. Also offered to nonbusiness students. Course cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

The course provides an in-depth and quantitative examination of the principles of financial decision-making. Students learn the concept of value maximization, mathematics of finance, valuation of financial securities, capital investment evaluation, the estimation of required rates of return, and the theory of capital structure. Students with a major in finance must earn a grade of "C" or higher to continue in the major. This course cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

An introduction to financial accounting and the accounting profession, with an emphasis on the decision-usefulness of accounting information. The course stresses the relation of accounting to economic activity, organizing information for decision-making, the resource acquisition decision, the uses of cash and noncash resources, the accounting for selling and manufacturing activities, and the information needs of multiple owners, lenders and equity holders. A prerequisite of all accountancy and finance courses. Ordinarily taken by business sophomores in the Fall. Also offered to nonbusiness students. This course cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

A study of markets, institutions, and the environment in which business firms operate with attention to the effect these facets, forces, and issues have on the firm's overall marketing strategy.

The course provides an in-depth and quantitative examination of the principles of financial decision-making. Students learn the concept of value maximization, mathematics of finance, valuation of financial securities, capital investment evaluation, the estimation of required rates of return, and the theory of capital structure. Students with a major in finance must earn a grade of "C" or higher to continue in the major. This course cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

This course serves as the foundational course for entrepreneurship minors. Students are introduced to competing definitions of entrepreneurship, its history and role in free market enterprise as an engine of economic growth, wealth creation, and improvement of the human condition; entrepreneurial personality traits and skill sets, and the mechanics of bringing a new product or service to market, including innovation and ideation, technology "push" and market "pull," disruptive business models, and the elements of feasibility analyses and venture plans.

Some of the most dynamic and successful businesses are aspiring to a "double" or "triple bottom line": profitability, beneficial human impact, and environmental sustainability. This course exposes students to a new and growing trend in leadership, venture creation, product design, and service delivery which uses the basic entrepreneurial template to transform the landscape of both for-profit and not-for-profit ventures.

Idea Discovery lives at the fuzzy front end of the entrepreneurial spectrum. It requires creativity and entrepreneurial foresight that enables innovators to, as Steve Jobs once said, "see around corners". This course is structured as a lab-format experience in which student teams will conduct multiple exploratory "sprints" to uncover emerging opportunity spaces and imagine conceptual solutions that stretch the boundaries of entrepreneurial thinking. Along the way, students will be exposed to a range of creative geniuses including Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Edison, Buckminster Fuller, Walt Disney and others.

A study of the management process, including planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. Emphasis is placed on executive leadership, organizational behavior, and management theory.

An introduction to financial accounting and the accounting profession, with an emphasis on the decision-usefulness of accounting information. The course stresses the relation of accounting to economic activity, organizing information for decision-making, the resource acquisition decision, the uses of cash and noncash resources, the accounting for selling and manufacturing activities, and the information needs of multiple owners, lenders and equity holders. A prerequisite of all accountancy and finance courses. Ordinarily taken by business sophomores in the Fall. Also offered to nonbusiness students. This course cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

The course provides an in-depth and quantitative examination of the principles of financial decision-making. Students learn the concept of value maximization, mathematics of finance, valuation of financial securities, capital investment evaluation, the estimation of required rates of return, and the theory of capital structure. Students with a major in finance must earn a grade of "C" or higher to continue in the major. This course cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

A study of the management process, including planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. Emphasis is placed on executive leadership, organizational behavior, and management theory.

A study of markets, institutions, and the environment in which business firms operate with attention to the effect these facets, forces, and issues have on the firm's overall marketing strategy.

Strategic management deals with the organization, management, and strategic positioning of the firm so as to gain long-term competitive advantage. Many of your business courses emphasize a specialized, functional perspective of business situations (e.g., marketing, human resources, accounting, finance, operations management). In this course, we integrate these acquired skills by taking the perspective of a general manager (or, equivalently, a management consultant). General managers are responsible for setting the goals, objectives, and strategies of the organizations they lead as well as the implementation and execution of such plans. To do this, managers must be capable of understanding and utilizing the knowledge from each of the organization's functional areas to develop a cohesive and effective competitive strategy. In addition, they must be able to analyze competitive situations within industries in order to understand the sources of the firm's competitive advantage. In today's business environment, whether you are a new hire, consultant, or the CEO, you must be capable of thinking strategically.

This course is designed to introduce the central questions of ethics and morality, with a focus on skill-building and ethical leadership. The course includes discussion of theories and concepts that illuminate ethical awareness, knowledge and action to inform problem solving and enhance effectiveness in business. Ethical dilemmas faced by business people are integrated into the class for discussion and analysis, and both philosophical and behavioral approaches to ethical reasoning, decision making and leadership are explored.

What is the role of business in a just and humane society? Many of you are about to dedicate your lives to business, and the rest of you will work, in one way or another, with business. Yet many people believe that business is a morally suspicious activity, a suspicion evident in the common belief that business people need to "give back" to society. Is business an activity for which one must atone? Are people right to be suspicious of business? This course is designed to engage ideas from the Catholic tradition with perspectives drawn from moral philosophy, business, and economics. We will engage issues of faith and normativity both critically and constructively. Students will consider competing positions on faith and normative questions, will reflect on (or discover elements of) their own faith or non-faith, and will describe the extent to which they believe various claims are supported by faith or reason. This course responds to Pope John Paul II's Centesimus Annus (1991) and Pope Francis's Laudato Si (2015), which called on Catholic education to "safeguard the moral conditions for an authentic 'human ecology'" (Centesimus Annus, 38).

What is the role of business in a just and humane society? Many of you are about to dedicate your lives to business, and the rest of you will work, in one way or another, with business. Yet many people believe that business is a morally suspicious activity, a suspicion evident in the common belief that business people need to "give back" to society. Is business an activity for which one must atone? Are people right to be suspicious of business? This course is designed to engage ideas from the Catholic tradition with perspectives drawn from moral philosophy, business, and economics. We will engage issues of faith and normativity both critically and constructively. Students will consider competing positions on faith and normative questions, will reflect on (or discover elements of) their own faith or non-faith, and will describe the extent to which they believe various claims are supported by faith or reason. This course responds to Pope John Paul II's Centesimus Annus (1991) and Pope Francis's Laudato Si (2015), which called on Catholic education to "safeguard the moral conditions for an authentic 'human ecology'" (Centesimus Annus, 38).

Maximizing Mendoza is a course designed to introduce students to curricular options and experiential opportunities that are offered to Notre Dame business students. You will explore self-awareness, academic pathways, business industry expectations, and ways for Mendoza students make a value-added impact on their own lives, community, and world. In this class, emphasis will be placed on personal connection, building relationships and exposure to Mendoza College leaders.

Students taking this course will gain an understanding of the American legal system and learn fundamental rules of law, particularly of torts, contracts, sales, and agency. Students will develop an appreciation of how law affects business decision-making, of competing policy concerns underlying the law, and of ethical dimensions of legal issues and business situations. Required for all BA students. Course cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

This course provides students a high-level introduction to (i) the academic research process, from idea generation and hypothesis development to data collection, research design, and inference assessment, (ii) the purpose and value of research to the University and society as a whole, (iii) how to read and assess academic research papers, (iv) the types of academic research conducted both within and across Mendoza departments, (v) life as a researcher across each department, including career possibilities and expectations, and (vi) various opportunities, paths, and resources available for students interested in engaging in research at Mendoza. The course will be heavily discussion-based, and is intended for a small group of highly curious students to engage in dialogue with faculty and students from across (and even a few outside) Mendoza regarding academic research. This is an elective course that is open to all Mendoza sophomores, juniors, and seniors. As a discussion-based curriculum, the course will have no exams, and will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Assessment will be based on participation and several required written assignments given throughout the semester. The course was developed to provide interested students a better understanding of the academic research function to determine to what extent they would like to engage in research in the future, whether it be to better prepare for an academic career, enhance their critical thinking skills, or just become better consumers of research in their profession. For those interested in the Mendoza Research Honors Program, this course serves as an initial required course for admittance. This course will be graded satisfactory/unsatisfactory.

The Business Honors Program colloquium brings together students, faculty, and business leaders to discuss concrete ways in which students can contribute to the understanding and practice of business as an honorable enterprise as well as a school of virtue. Seven meetings of the colloquium will take place during the course of the entire semester. Enrolled students are expected to attend at least five of these meetings, but are encouraged to attend all colloquia.

In today’s interconnected world, technology is a powerful force shaping the direction of commerce, society, and human flourishing. How can future business leaders and technologists engage critically and constructively with this evolving landscape? This seminar invites students to explore key questions at the intersection of business and technology through meaningful dialogue with leading scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. This course is the first in a series of three seminars designed for students in the CSBA program.

In today’s interconnected world, technology is a powerful force shaping the direction of commerce, society, and human flourishing. How can future business leaders and technologists engage critically and constructively with this evolving landscape? This seminar invites students to explore key questions at the intersection of business and technology through meaningful dialogue with leading scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. This course is the second in a series of three seminars designed for students in the CSBA program.

In today’s interconnected world, technology is a powerful force shaping the direction of commerce, society, and human flourishing. How can future business leaders and technologists engage critically and constructively with this evolving landscape? This seminar invites students to explore key questions at the intersection of business and technology through meaningful dialogue with leading scholars, practitioners, and policymakers. This course is the third in a series of three seminars designed for students in the CSBA program.

Whether you own or are employed by a business, you must understand your rights and obligations under the American legal system. This course touches on some of the most important aspects of the legal system as it affects business and employment, including the courts and legal proceedings, the law of contracts, agency, torts, and intellectual property. Students will develop an appreciation of how law affects business decision-making, of competing policy concerns underlying the law, and of ethical dimensions of legal issues and business situations.

This course will explore issues, ideas, and trends likely to affect business and society over the next decade. A series of lectures on selected days throughout the semester will feature a wide range of experts on economic demography, biotechnology, religious fundamentalism, oil and peace, futurism and work, natural resources, and more. No examinations or graded assignments. Students must attend all lectures; no unexcused absences. ***This course can be taken more than once, but business students are advised that it can only count once toward the BBA degree.***

The course will meet on ten Thursdays during the semester from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. and will present several films including "Wall Street," "Margin Call," and "The Insider." Most classes will involve viewing a fraud-related movie, although some will deal with issues related to economics and our capitalistic economy, law, and ethics. In addition, most sessions will include introductory comments and discussion of background readings. The course grade will be based on attendance, participation, quizzes and critical essays that students write in response to assigned questions about the movies. Among other things, the course seeks to help students understand the many dimensions of fraud including who commits fraud, why, and how fraud can be prevented.

This is a Catholicism and the Disciplines (CAD) course that can fulfill a core curriculum requirement, or can be taken as an elective. Work has long been a subject of Catholic thought, with the first chapter of Genesis regarded as "the first gospel of work" (Laborem Exercens, para. 25). This course focuses on the interior spiritual aspects of work, and does so via the Catholic intellectual and social traditions. A person's interior spiritual life, or "interior life" for short, has been described as the intimate conversation that the person carries on with God during the daily moments and seasons of life. When it comes to the subject of work, the interior life involves one's internal disposition toward his or her work, how one understands his or her work, and one's intentions for work. The Church's proposition is that all have the ability to envelope their work in the interior life. In this discussion-based course, we will seek to understand what that means for your intended profession or discipline.

The Mendoza College of Business allows undergraduate business majors to earn academic credits for internship opportunities during the summer or outside of the normal schedule of classes during the fall or spring semesters. The internship should be a professional business experience related to the student's major and can be paid or unpaid. To register for this class students must first fill out the Internship Application for Academic Credit found at https://mendozaugrad.nd.edu/advising/internship-credit/. Requirements for the class include a Journal Entry and a Final Reflection Paper. This course is graded S/U and may be taken three times.

This course consists of research and writing on an approved subject under the direction of a faculty member.

This course is the final course for the Research Honors Program in the Mendoza College of Business.