Curriculum

This course imparts a basic understanding of the
investment banking business as an intermediary in the capital and merger markets and demonstrates how it serves both its issuing clients and investing customers by focusing on several services it provides, how client relationships are established
and maintained, and several analytical techniques for solving problems. It is not intended to be vocational and is presented from the perspectives of senior managers and senior investment bankers.

Fundamentals I is intensive and emphasizes interactive activities that develop oral proficiency. Participants study the four communicative skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing)with emphasis on the development of oral interaction. The use
of a cassette player may be required. Classes meet four times a week.

This is an introductory course for beginning language learners. No prior knowledge is required. Students study language fundamentals such as pronunciations, vocabulary and grammar. The emphases are: a) establishing a solid foundation in pronunciations; b) building up vocabulary and sentence patterns in communicative contexts; c) introducing writing systems and preparing students to read characters. In addition, cultural and social information that go along with language use are also included in the teaching.

In recent years, the business world has become increasingly sensitized to the presence of institutional governance and defining the culture of a corporation and its core values. Stated explicitly or not, these issues not only impact the reputation of the venture or corporation, but also its sustainability and financial bottom line.

This course provides practical insights into those factors, both external and internal, which impact leadership effectiveness. Topics covered include the achievements of leaders, characteristics of leaders, leading across cultures, leading change and relationship between leaders and followers.

This course covers the critical legal issues every entrepreneur and manager need to know in conducting global business. The topics include organizational structure, financial issues at startup and expansion, domestic and international tax issues, intellectual property issues, employment law issues, and transactional law issues. Each session will be covered by a lawyer expert in the topic area under the direction of a Thunderbird faculty member.

This course covers the development and use of managerial accounting information, including both financial and non-financial performance measures, in making long- and short-run decisions. Topics include cost-profit-volume analysis, cost behavior, relevant costs, job-order and processes costing, activity based cost management and the analysis of customer profitability.

This course explores the mix of organizational practices and people that can be the basis of sustainable competitive advantage in the contemporary global business environment. Topics covered include cross-cultural issues in managing people; traditional and emerging models of organizations; organizational culture; leadership; employee skills and motivation; reward systems; and change management.

This course will explore and analyze family business continuity challenges and best management, family and governance practices for the effective leadership of family-owned businesses. Since the focus is on pragmatic, action-oriented, management, governance and family/business leadership skills, the course will be taught primarily through live and written cases, discussions, lectures and a study/consultation experience with a family business.