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How can organizations thrive in a world marked by rapid change, economic uncertainty, and global interdependence? What does it mean to lead ethically, think strategically, and act responsibly in the face of complexity?

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This two-quarter coordinated studies program explores the foundations of business through an interdisciplinary lens rooted in Â鶹Çø’s liberal arts tradition. Students will develop a systems-oriented understanding of organizations - private, public, and nonprofit - while building practical skills in leadership, financial literacy, strategic analysis, and communication. We’llÌýinvestigate how social and ethical contexts shape business decisions and examine the ways professionals navigate uncertainty and design effective,Ìývalues-driven solutions.

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The Winter term provides students with a foundational scaffolding of the core pillars of modern business in an increasingly complex environment. Students begin by exploring how organizations create value, respond to market forces, and operate as interconnected systems. Building on this foundation, they examine human behavior and leadership dynamics, learning how individuals and teams function within organizations and how culture, communication, and inclusion shape performance.

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Included in the initial framework, students develop essential technological and data literacy, gaining the ability to interpret analytics, understand digital transformation, and evaluate emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. These insights are complemented by a practical introduction to finance and economics, where students learn the fundamentals of budgeting, cost analysis, risk, and decision-making under uncertainty.

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Spring term shifts from foundational literacy to applied innovation, strategic thinking, and real-world practice. Students learn to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, identifying opportunities, designing creative solutions, and developing feasible concepts that address contemporary challenges. This deepens their ability to understand customer needs and create value through effective marketing, branding, and customer experience design.

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Throughout the term, students also explore the broader responsibilities of modern organizations, examining sustainability frameworks, global systems, ethics, and the social impact of business decisions. These perspectives prepare students to approach strategy with a holistic, forward-looking lens.

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The term culminates in the Business Strategy & Simulation Capstone, where students integrate all program concepts by building and leading a simulated company, making strategic decisions, analyzing performance data, and presenting executive-level recommendations.Ìý

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This program is designed for students planning to pursue advanced study in business, nonprofit management, policy, or related fields. It is also a solid foundation for students interested in entrepreneurship, community development, or public service.

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Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:

Winter:

4 - Foundations of Business in a Complex World

4 - Human Behavior, Organizations, and Leadership

4 - Technology, Data and Emerging Systems in Business

4 - Finance, Economics, and Decision-Making Under Uncertainly

Spring

4 - Entrepreneurship & Innovation for a Changing World

4 - Marketing, Branding, and Customer Experience

4 - Sustainability, Social Impact and Ethical Systems

4 - Business Strategy & Simulation Capstone