CLE Course Offerings

A two-week seminar and experiential program designed to provide the following learning outcomes for students enrolled: 1. Understand self-others and how to work effectively in communities. 2. Understand the importance of integrity, moral purpose, and positive change. 3. Understand how change occurs and why people resist or promote change. 4. Understand the importance of enhancing and applying individual team strengths, developing greater levels of wellbeing for you and in others, and thriving together as individuals and organizations. 5. Form positive connections and relationships with upper class students and alumni in areas of career interests.

This course is designed as an introduction to the terms, concepts, and values of business and management. The course comprises three broad categories: the economic, financial, and corporate context of business activities; the organization and management of business enterprises; and, the marketing and production of goods and services. Topic specific readings, short case studies and financial exercises all focus on the bases for managerial decisions as well as the long and short-term implications of those decisions in a global environment. No audits.

The Clark Scholars Leadership Challenge is a one credit pass/fail seminar and is designed specifically for the Clark Scholars at JHU who are interested in developing their leadership skills and applying those skills to Hopkins life. The seminar includes both a classroom component and an experiential component. The classroom content includes leadership topics, discussions with university leaders and serves as an introduction to the history, services and involvement opportunities at Hopkins. The experiential component includes programs such as JHU history, faculty student interaction, visits to other JHU campuses and more! Clark Scholars only. S/U only.

It is one thing to have an idea and quite another to move the idea from idea and basic research to use in the world of business or manufacturing. This course addresses the process and skills required to make that transition. Among the topics addressed in this class are the following: recognizing the potential of ideas, addressing the patent landscape, understanding markets, determining resource requirements, design and prototypes, and finding financing.

Gain insight into trends and career opportunities in public relations, advertising, and media through one week of virtual learning followed by a virtual speaker series and virtual networking with executives from firms like AMC Networks, LinkedIn, Harper-Collins, Google, and more.

Taught by a professional in the field, this course will provide an introduction to negotiation principles and explore various sports negotiations, including, but not limited to, player contracts, trades, and sponsorships. The course will be interactive and include several simulations.

Taught by a professional in the field, this course explores the basic principles of real estate development and finance. Assignments, readings, and in-class discussions will analyze real estate development from site selection to financing and sales. The course will feature a special focus on new initiatives to support and encourage green development.

The course in Financial Accounting is designed for anyone who could be called upon to analyze and/or communicate financial results and/or make effective financial decisions in a for-profit business setting. No prior accounting knowledge or skill is required for successful completion of this course. Because accounting is described as the language of business, this course emphasizes the vocabulary, methods, and processes by which all business transactions are communicated. The accounting cycle, basic business transactions, internal controls, and preparation and understanding of financial statements including balance sheets, statements of income and cash flows are covered. No audits.

Crisis is inevitable in every organization. This one-week course prepares leaders to have the skills to enable their organizations not only to survive but also thrive. Pulling on recent events, students will learn how to apply leadership under normal operations to crisis moments. The course will include students participating in interactive activities, examining case studies, and hearing from alumni and leaders in government, business, healthcare, and education. The practical application/experiential activities component will assist students in filling gaps between theory and practice through exercises. In addition, this component will help students apply philosophical and theoretical aspects of the major conceptual systems and theories of organizational development to real-life situations and cases.

This course explores the role of marketing in society and within an organization. Designed to convey the key concepts of marketing and how they fit into the larger context of management strategy and decisions, the course examines the “why” and “what” of marketing activities as well as the “how.” Through interactive, application oriented exercises, case videos, guest speakers and group projects, students will have ample opportunity to experience key marketing concepts in action, develop transferable skills and demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge.

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the basic concepts and techniques of financial management practice. The course begins with a review of accounting, securities markets, and the finance function. The course then moves to discussion of financial planning, financial statement analysis, time value of money, interest rates and bond valuation, stock valuation, and concludes with capital budgeting and project analysis. A combination of classroom discussions, problem sets, and case studies will be used. No audits.

This course introduces management accounting concepts and objectives including planning, control, and the analysis of sales, expenses, and profits. Major topics include cost behavior, cost allocation, product costing (including activity based costing), standard costing and variance analysis, relevant costs, operational and capital budgeting, and performance measurement. No audits.

This course is designed to provide students an introduction to legal reasoning and analysis. Content distinguishes forms of business, civil versus criminal law, and agency principles; intellectual property concepts, contract Law, the UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) and consumer protection are explored and discussed in the context of assigned legal cases which are intended to develop a student’s ability to analyze and apply law. Note: not open to students who have taken 660.205 Business Law I. No audits.

This course is designed as a workshop using case studies to introduce students to the ethical concepts that are relevant to resolve moral issues in contemporary business and social settings—both global and personal in nature. Students will learn the reasoning and analytical skills needed to apply ethical concepts to their own decision-making, to identify moral issues involved in the management of specific problem areas in business and society, and to understand the social and natural environments which give rise to moral issues. The course focus is on performance articulated by clear reasoning and effective verbal and written communication concerning ethical issues in business and society. No audits.

This course will use the process and mindsets of Life Design to help students explore careers and build a network in the fields of technology and entrepreneurship, specifically in the Bay Area. Through life design classwork, guest lectures from alumni and industry experts, alumni networking opportunities, virtual employer events, and experiential learning exercises, students will work to understand their own career and professional interests and motivations, prototype possible career paths, and find their fit within the broader Bay Area tech ecosystem.

Such interesting times in which we live – Our attention is monetized. Our personal information is bought and sold. Our identity and credit history is stolen. Our sense of self-efficacy is eroded. Even our cells are harvested and used by others for profit. What are the ramifications of such actions; what are the implications for individuals, institutions and communities; how has science policy aided these developments; and what are the options available to us for reclaiming our sense of self?

Learn the principles, values and skills necessary to lead and succeed in organizations that make a positive difference in today’s world. The course is designed to help students identify and provide opportunities to enhance their leadership skills. A “Blueprint for Success” will provide the framework for students to cultivate their own ideas for new socially conscious entrepreneurial ventures. Students will hear from successful current leaders in the field of social entrepreneurship and be provided the opportunity to network with JHU alumni, faculty and staff who are working or volunteering in for-profit or non-profit entities through occupations that make a difference. An application will be required.

This course will allow students to develop the analytical skills needed to effectively lead and work in teams. Students will learn tools and techniques for problem solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, task management, communications, and goal alignment in team settings. They will also learn how to measure team dynamics and performance, and assess methods for building and sustaining high-performance teams. Students will also explore their own leadership, personality and cognitive styles and learn how these may affect their performance in a team. The course will focus on team-based experiential projects and exercises as well as provide opportunities to individually reflect and write about the concepts explored and skills gained throughout the course. No Audits. Recommended Course Background: EN.660.332 or EN.660.333.

Students will be introduced to the history of Leadership Theory from the “Great Man” theory of born leaders to Transformational Leadership theory of non-positional learned leadership. Transformational Leadership theory postulates that leadership can be learned and enhanced. The course will explore the knowledge base and skills necessary to be an effective leader in a variety of settings. Students will assess their personal leadership qualities and develop a plan to enhance their leadership potential.

In this course, we will use a combination of presentation, discussion, experiential learning, research, and self-reflection to investigate issues surrounding leadership and change in communities and the economy. While considering both for-profit and non-profit entities, we will pursue topics including understanding and using theories of change, finding competitive advantage and creating strategic plans; making decisions, even in uncertain times; valuing differences; employing leadership styles; giving and receiving feedback; understanding employee relations; creating performance measures; and developing organizational cultures; and using the dynamics of influence. No audits.

The focus of this class is the nature and practice of conflict resolution and negotiation within and between individuals and organizations. The primary format for learning in this class is structured experimental exercises designed to expose students to different aspects of negotiation and to build tangible skills through interpersonal exchange. While some class time is devoted to presentations on theories and approaches, the class method primarily relies on feedback from fellow classmates on their observations of negotiation situations and on personal reflections by students after each structured experience. Topics include conflict style, negotiation, and group conflict. No audits. Recommended Course Background: EN.660.105, an additional course in the Entrepreneurship and Management Program or in the social sciences.

This course introduces the student to the management process. The course takes an integrated approach to management by examining the role of the manager from a traditional and contemporary perspective while applying decision-making and critical-thinking skills to the challenges facing managers in today’s globally diverse environment. The course examines the techniques for controlling, planning, organizing resources and leading the workforce. Recommended Course Background: EN.660.105.

This course focuses on both quantitative and qualitative analytical skills and models essential to operations process design, management, and improvement in both service and manufacturing oriented companies. The objective of the course is to prepare the student to play a significant role in the management of a world-class company which serves satisfied customers through empowered employees, leading to increased revenues and decreased costs. The material combines managerial issues with both technical and quantitative aspects. Practical applications to business organizations are emphasized. Recommended Course Background: EN.660.105.

New product development is the ultimate interdisciplinary entrepreneurial art, combining marketing, technical, and managerial skills. A successful product lies at the intersection of the user’s need, a technical solution, and compelling execution. This class will bootstrap your experience in the art through exercises and team projects. We will examine products and services, consumer and industrial, simple and technologically complex. Case studies will feature primary sources and the instructor’s personal experiences as an inventor for a major consumer products company. Topics will span the product development cycle: identifying user needs, cool-hunting, brainstorming, industrial design, prototyping techniques, market research to validate new ideas, and project management — especially for managing virtual teams and foreign manufacturers. No audits.

This course covers product, pricing, promotion, distribution, market research, organization and implementation and control policies relating to international marketing. It also explores the economic, cultural, political and legal aspects of international marketing. Through interactive and application-oriented assignments and cases, students will gain hands-on experience in analyzing and developing marketing strategies for organizations that market both consumer and business products/services internationally. A group project will involve the development of an international marketing plan for a specific product. One or more local international marketers will be invited to speak to the class. No audits.

When engineers become working professionals, especially if they become managers, they must juggle knowledge of and tasks associated with operations, finance, ethics, strategy, team citizenship leadership and projects. While engineers’ success may depend on their direct input ¬¬ the sweat of their own brow – managers’ success depends on their ability to enlist the active involvement of others: direct reports, other managers, other team members, other department employees, and those above them on the organizational chart. You will learn these concepts and skills in this course. In this course, you will learn about teamwork and people management, and gain an introduction to strategy, finance, and project management. You will practice writing concise persuasive analyses and action plans and verbally defending your ideas. Cross-listed with Mechanical Engineering. Please note that this course is only available in the fall.

In this course, you will learn about leadership, social responsibility, strategy, finance, project management and people management specifically in the materials science and engineering fields. You will practice writing concise persuasive analyses and action plans and verbally defending your ideas. You will learn the ethical guidelines for the materials science profession, to resolve team conflicts and co-lead self-managed work teams, and determine how materials science supports society’s stainability goals and the social responsibilities of materials scientists. Our class time will feel like a business meeting, and we will refer to class periods as meetings. When you complete this course, you will be prepared to be a working professional. Your Teaching Team looks forward to seeing you develop into a career engineer, scientist, manager, entrepreneur, professor or other professional over the years.

In this course Clark Scholar students will continue their training in design thinking. Students will focus on both the identification of needs and the assessment of these needs for project selection. This course will consist of in class workshops and field immersion exercises. For Clark Scholars in their sophomore year (spring semester) only.

In this course Clark Scholar students will continue their training in design thinking. Students will focus on both the identification of needs and the assessment of these needs for project selection. This course will consist of in class workshops and field immersion exercises. For Clark Scholars in their junior year (fall semester) only.

In this course Clark Scholar students will continue their training in design thinking. Students will focus on both the identification of needs and the assessment of these needs for project selection. This course will consist of in class workshops and field immersion exercises. For Clark Scholars in their junior year (spring semester) only.

In this course Clark Scholar students will continue their training in design thinking. Students will focus on both the identification of needs and the assessment of these needs for project selection. This course will consist of in class workshops and field immersion exercises. For Clark Scholars in their senior year only.

This is an interdisciplinary course on leadership, decision making, and the application of ethics to real world problems. JHU students are future leaders of innovation across many fields, including but not limited to engineering, business, law, journalism, government, science and medicine. The awesome power of emerging technologies to modify our world – our food supply, our health, even people – will only increase and become more pressing in coming years. The goal of this course is to give students a deep and practical grounding in how leaders make decisions, and in particular difficult decisions where there is no clearly right answer. In this two-credit course, we will cover important concepts in the practical application of ethics; in decision making; and leadership. There is a companion 1-credit course, EN.660.406 which forms a second part of the course, and which will take a deep look at a major ethical issue resulting from the newfound capabilities made possible by emerging technologies. Students of EN.660.400 can choose whether or not to register for EN.660.406. This course includes online lectures, readings and substantial discussion components, as well as weekly meetings in small sections. The course spans the first two thirds of the semester, leaving the final third of the semester available for the 1-credit EN.660.406.

Building on the material from Business Law I, topics examined include entrepreneurship, business entities and business formation, principles of agency, real property, personal property, bailments, bankruptcy, secured transactions, employment discrimination, business financing, investor protection, antitrust and environmental law. No audits.

This is a one-credit course that serves as a companion and second part to the Practical Ethics course EN.660.400, which is a co-requisite for this course. In this one-credit course, we will take a deep look at a major ethical issue resulting from the newfound capabilities made possible by emerging technologies. The students will work together in small groups, across multiple meetings with flexible scheduling, to discuss and make decisions on real-world decisions. Previous years topics included the release of genetically modified mosquitoes in Florida, and the presence of human decision-makers ‘in the loop’ for military and surgical autonomous robots. This course takes place in the final one third of the semester, leaving the first two-thirds of the semester available for the 2-credit EN.660.400. Students should register for the same section number in EN.660.406 as they do for EN.660.400.

This course is designed to give students in CS the requisite skills to generate and screen ideas for new venture creation and then prepare a business plan for an innovative technology of their own design. These skills include the ability to incorporate into a formal business case all necessary requirements, including needs identification and validation; business and financial models; and, market strategies and plans. Student teams will present the business plan to an outside panel made up of practitioners, industry representatives, and venture capitalists. In addition, this course functions as the first half of a two course sequence, the second of which will be directed by CS faculty and focus on the actual construction/programming of the business idea.

The purpose of this course is to bring together theories of corporate strategy and the tools and techniques of strategy consulting. Students will address these in terms of historical case studies where they will have the opportunity to “fix” famous examples of corporate failure. Students will analyze the political, economic, social, and technological contexts of these cases while applying standard tools to the analysis of competing strategic plans.

This course is designed to increase a student’s ability to read and interpret financial statements and related information under both GAAP and IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards). In addition to a review of the basic financial statements and accounting principles, the course will use industry and ratio analysis in addition to benchmarking and modeling techniques to encourage students to think in a more creative way when analyzing historic information or when forecasting financial statements. Students will assess firm profitability and risk, value assets and use spreadsheet models for financial forecasting and decision making. No audits.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a background in, and opportunity to experience, business design, and strategy consulting in an organizational setting. Business design is fundamentally about identifying and solving the problems that prevent an organization from moving forward, from realizing its goals. Students will form teams, work with an outside sponsor, and threat the experience as a living case. They will explore the problems presented by the sponsor (client), conduct in-depth interviews to validate the problem, design appropriate solutions, and complete the project by developing an implementation plan. Student teams will formally present all of this to the sponsor at the end of the term. This course serves as a capstone for the Entrepreneurship and Management minor.

This writing intensive course helps students develop skills in formulating, implementing, and controlling a strategic marketing program for a given product-market entry. Using a structured approach to case analysis, students will learn how to make the kinds of strategic marketing decisions that will have a long-term impact on the organization and support these decisions with quantitative analyses. Through textbook readings, students will learn how to identify appropriate marketing strategies for new, growth, mature, and declining markets and apply these strategies as they analyze a series of marketing cases. The supplementary readings, from a broad spectrum of periodicals, are more applied and will allow students to see how firms are addressing contemporary marketing challenges. In addition to analyzing cases individually, each student will be part of a team that studies a case during the latter half of the semester, developing marketing strategy recommendations, including financial projections, and presenting them to the class. No audits.

This course builds on the promotional mix concepts covered in Principles of Marketing (660.250) advertising, public relations, sales promotion and personal selling. Students will learn how marketers are changing the ways they communicate with consumers and the ways in which promotional budgets are allocated and how this impacts the development of marketing strategies and tactics. Working with a client (provided by EdVenture Partners) that has chosen this JHU class as its advertising agency and an actual budget provided by the firm, the class will form small teams to mirror the functional organization of an actual ad agency (market research, media strategy/planning, copywriting/design, public relations, etc.). Student teams will then develop a promotional plan and corresponding budget to reach the desired target market (JHU undergrads who meet the clients criteria), implement the plan and then evaluate its effectiveness through pre- and post campaign market research conducted on the target consumer. No audits.

This course explores strategies for monitoring and engaging consumers in digital media. Students will gain practical knowledge about developing, implementing and measuring social media marketing campaigns. They will learn how to analyze what consumers are saying and connect with them by leveraging word of mouth, viral and buzz marketing through sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. A series of assignments build upon each other toward a final social media marketing plan for a selected consumer product or service. Co-listed with 661.453. No audits.

Increasing draught and arid lands, recurring intense storms, rising sea levels, failing infrastructure and architecture – communities are experiencing the effects of new and frequent perils that we must confront, mitigate, manage, predict and prevent. What solutions are we finding? How have communities restructured, innovated with technology and developed policy to minimize damage and risk? What makes for resilient communities and systems? What new options might we consider? This course, taught in seminar style, addresses these and other questions about resiliency through investigation, reading and discussion.

Have you noticed the growth of consumer-focused, alcohol related enterprises? New wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries abound in response to continuing growth in customer demand. Have you contemplated starting this type of enterprise? If so, this may be a course for you!!! We explore the background, opportunities and challenges in each of these spirit arenas as we investigate questions one must answer to make an informed decision about starting or joining such an enterprise. Among the topics we will study are the styles of products, vessels, production processes, costs/returns, sources of raw materials, laws and regulations, marketing options, food parings, customers and the like. Expect to make several local field trips. Also expect to perform several individual and group assignments, the results of which you will be required to share with classmates. You must be 21 to enroll and participate in this class – no exceptions.

This course provides students with a solid introduction to the entrepreneurial process of creating new businesses. Students will develop a range of business ideas and then assess and evaluate those ideas from the perspective of investors. The course will cover the principal components of building a successful venture including how to create a customer value proposition, conduct market and competitor analyses, build a management team, and finance operations. Course work will include case studies, exercises, and the creation of several business plans. Junior or senior standing. No audits.

The Leadership Studies Capstone provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a leadership role. Students will design their own projects and meet with an advisor throughout the semester to seek guidance and track progress. Projects must be defined and presented to the Leadership Studies minor advisor prior to the start of the student’s senior fall semester and approved by the conclusion of the first week of classes. Acceptable projects must meet the criteria in the rubric.

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to explore the commercial opportunities inherent in a business idea that they bring to the class at the outset. For example, this course could be taken in conjunction with Engineering Design courses. Students who do not come with a pre-existing business idea will have the opportunity to join a team. The course focuses on building the skills to validate the business idea by defining a value proposition, analyzing markets and competitors, and designing a pathway to commercialization. As a part of the process, students will learn how to develop a marketing plan, market entry strategies, business and financial models, as well as strategies for addressing intellectual property, licensing, regulatory reimbursement and manufacturing issues.

For non-paid internships only, students may apply for sponsorship for academic credit through CLE. Applications must include a resume, transcript and written essay and will be evaluated on the basis of work experience, GPA, writing sample, and course work. Students are expected to complete two reports assigned by the internship coordinator. S/U only.

This course teaches students to communicate effectively with a wide variety of specialized and non-specialized audiences. To do this, students will write proposals in response to JHU-, Baltimore-, or Maryland-based initiatives that focus on a specific area of interest. Potential topics include initiatives to improve urban sustainability, resiliency, health disparities, social justice, mental health/well-being, government/municipal services, and other relevant areas. The class emphasizes writing clearly and persuasively, leveraging evidence effectively, working with key stakeholders, creating appropriate visuals and infographics, developing oral presentation skills, working in collaborative groups, giving and receiving feedback, and simulating the real-world environment in which most communication occurs. Projects include resumes, cover letters, memos, proposals, technical reports, and slides. All sections are open to students in any discipline or major.

This course teaches ESL students to communicate effectively with a wide variety of specialized and non-specialized audiences and will provide ESL-specific help with grammar, pronunciation, and idiomatic expression in these different contexts. Projects include production of resumes, cover letters, proposals, instructions, reports, and other relevant documents. Class emphasizes writing clearly and persuasively, creating appropriate visuals, developing oral presentation skills, working in collaborative groups, giving and receiving feedback, and simulating the real world environment in which most communication occurs. Note: not open to students who have taken EN.661.110. No audits.

Science and engineering are disciplines which mandate immersive study, attention to detail, and extreme forethought. Is it possible, then, that as students condition themselves to meet these needs, they compromise their ability to navigate impromptu social situations, public speaking events, and the like? Following the lead of innovative communities and businesses, this class turns to improvisation techniques to develop communication skills, encourage creative problem solving, and support teamwork. Through imaginative movement and play, improv encourages students to hone their abilities to initiate, listen, react, and connect. Using the power of “Yes, And…”, improv’s most famous aphorism, students learn to respond confidently and spontaneously to unforeseen challenges.

This course is designed to help students push through any anxieties about public speaking by immersing them in a practice-intensive environment. They learn how to speak with confidence in a variety of formats and venues – Including extemporaneous speaking, job interviewing, leading a discussion, presenting a technical speech, and other relevant scenarios. Students learn how to develop effective slides that capture the main point with ease and clarity, hone their message, improve their delivery skills, and write thought-provoking, well-organized speeches that hold an audience’s attention. No audits. Not open to students that have taken EN.661.150.

This course is designed to help students push through any anxieties about public speaking by immersing them in a practice-intensive environment. They learn how to speak with confidence in a variety of formats and venues – Including extemporaneous speaking, job interviewing, leading a discussion, presenting a technical speech, and other relevant scenarios. Students learn how to develop effective slides that capture the main point with ease and clarity, hone their message, improve their delivery skills, and write thought-provoking, well-organized speeches that hold an audience’s attention. Special attention will be placed on diction, pronunciation, tone, pace and emphasis of language. Additional attention also will be given to syntax as well as non-verbal communication patterns. No audits.

Learn the art of writing a persuasive Opinion piece suitable for publication in a national newspaper. Whatever your field of study, an Opinion piece is one of the best ways to draw public attention to your work. In this short class, students will read an array of published pieces to observe the tactics that can best convey their ideas to the general public. Using proven narrative structures, and deploying metaphor and analogy to translate even the most difficult concepts for a lay audience, students will write their own Opinion pieces and then revise them into polished, publishable drafts.

This course explores how to effectively communicate technical subjects to diverse audiences. Students will engage scientific and engineering communications from multiple genres, including popular articles, long form journalism, fiction, technical reports, and TED Talks, to analyze what makes technical communication successful. In addition to honing their communication skills through writing assignments, response papers, and brief presentations, students will apply what they’ve learned by writing a scientific or engineering article and delivering a technical presentation based on their area of study.

In this improv class, students will dive deeper into the world of improvisation, growing their ability to present information and navigate complex group dynamics, exploring third party collaborations and negotiations. Students will use the principles behind improvisation to enhance their success virtually and in the “real world.” Each class will include a variety of immersive activities such as mindfulness and movement; journal prompts; group games; peer lead discussions; role play exercises; and personal presentations. The small class size will allow every student to be participatory, create a close knit learning community, and receive ample feedback. At the end of the semester, students will be able to confidently collaborate with their peers and effectively engage their audience.

This course teaches students to communicate effectively in various modes of legal discourse that are fundamental to the practice of law. Students will engage in writing nearly every session and will learn the basics of legal writing, editing (both the student’s and others’ work), and written/oral advocacy skills. Students can expect to work with litigation-related documents such as pleadings, preliminary and dispositive motions, and appellate briefs as well as non-litigation-related documents such as opinion articles, publications, essays, and various business-related contracts.

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of magazine writing or travel writing (depending on the semester) as well as best practices for working as a freelance writer. After gaining familiarity with the genre by reading a selection of exemplary magazine articles, students will learn how to brainstorm ideas, plan research, interview skillfully, take useable photos with smartphones, polish pitches to editors, and write/revise/submit work for publication. Students will also have the opportunity to meet with important executives from magazines and publishing houses. The course might also include field trips. At the end of the course, students will create an ePortfolio to showcase their articles, profiles, reviews, trade placements, blog entries, and pitches/queries to potential editors. Recommended: one prior course in writing but maybe waived with instructor’s permission.

This course focuses on building understanding of the culture of engineering while preparing students to communicate effectively with the various audiences with whom engineers interact. Working from a base of contemporary science writing (monographs, non-fiction, popular literature and fiction), students will engage in discussion, argument, case study and project work to investigate: the engineering culture and challenges to that culture, the impacts of engineering solutions on society, the ethical guidelines for the profession, and the ways engineering information is conveyed to the range of audiences for whom the information is critical. Additionally, students will master many of the techniques critical to successful communication within the engineering culture through a series of short papers and presentations associated with analysis of the writings and cases. No audits. WSE juniors and seniors or by instructor approval.

“This course focuses on building understanding of the culture of the media and publishing professions while preparing students to communicate effectively within it. Working from a base of contemporary writing on professions in media, students will engage in discussion, argument, and project work to investigate the culture of media and challenges to that culture, the impacts of media on society, and the ethical guidelines for the profession. Additionally, students will master many of the techniques of critical media production, editing, and publication through a series of short papers and presentations. Students must have previously taken a writing intensive course.

This course is designed to engage students in thinking critically and empathetically about key issues encountered by healthcare professionals. The course, taught in seminar style, explores topics ranging from health disparities and healthcare costs to provider-patient communication and socioeconomics of health care by examining cases and readings that highlight the problems that doctors, administrators, researchers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals face on a daily basis. Guest speakers with a range of clinical backgrounds from physicians to social workers also come to class in order to share their path into medicine and daily life as a medical professional. Course content is focused around three specific course goals: 1) teaching students to consider the culture of the medical profession in general as well as the culture of specific institutions and therapeutic areas; 2) equipping students with the framework to understand health care from diverse socioeconomic and cultural contexts; and 3) providing students opportunities to exercise the communication skills required in healthcare settings.

It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it. In competitive STEM and industrial fields communication is essential. Effectively disseminating and receiving information not only affects the fields themselves, but each professional in those respective fields. In this class students will expound upon improv techniques to strengthen their ability to share scientific and technical information fluently and spontaneously without confusion or ambiguity. Additionally, this class will build upon students’ oratory and collaborative skills using theatrical exercises and improv comedy to cultivate powerful, thoughtful and authentic voices. There are no prerequisites to participate.

This course provides students who have an enterprise or business idea with a road map for developing a complete marketing plan for their venture. From conducting industry and competitor analyses to formulating a marketing program with corresponding projections, students will have developed a professional marketing plan upon the conclusion of the course. Lecture content will be supplemented by guest speaker presentations by local entrepreneurs and marketing practitioners.

This course introduces students to basic concepts in visual communication. Students use principles of design thinking to produce projects that are both conceptually and visually compelling. Along the way, they learn design tools and techniques that help them refine their schemes. They also develop their vocabularies in visual communication so that they can better discuss their own work. Topics include: visual perception, composition/form, color theory, typography, photography, text, layers, grids and other systems of visual information architecture.

Data exploration and visualization are crucial foundational skills for data analysis and decision analytics. Developing such skills enable us to leverage data to give insights to our audience. Using storytelling and visualization techniques helps us interpret data patterns to information that will assist managers in their decision-making process. Complex ideas can be effectively and clearly communicated when they are represented visually. Students who take this course will learn how to visualize data. It focuses on modern methods and standards for data visualization. This course covers how to better engage decision-makers via data visualization. It focuses on transforming data into digital visual narratives using modern visualization tools. This course covers the principles for meaningful data visualization, including ethical issues which need to be considered when presenting data visually. Students will apply practical and theoretical knowledge to transform data and critique visual representations to convey better the lessons learned from data exploration. The successful student will be able to demonstrate practical skills and theoretical disciplinary knowledge that will allow them to visually explain the important consequences of their data analytics in a corporate setting. Students will learn to use data analysis software (Excel and Tableau) for data cleaning and visualization. No prior programming experience is necessary, but a working knowledge of Excel will prove useful.

This course is an introduction to learning how to make statistical decisions and reason with data. The course explores the principles of data analysis using Excel as the primary tool. In the context of data analytics, participants will investigate critical thinking and logical reasoning while learning statistical procedures and data visualization strategies that are crucial for deciphering and extrapolating meaning from a variety of datasets. Through real-world case studies and practical hands-on exercises, this curriculum equips participants to manage complex data, reach well-informed decisions, and successfully convey findings. After attending, participants will have the expertise to succeed in scenarios involving data-driven decision-making in a variety of professional settings.

In this course students learn the procedures and processes that researchers use to determine answers to questions such as how to price a product, how to differentiate one product from another, and how to evaluate customer response to an offering. The materials combine fundamentals of research design with statistics procedures to answer the questions that entrepreneurs and marketing managers must answer as they write business plans, develop their product mix, set prices, create advertising and test products. The course combines case study, simulated situations, lecture, discussion and real-time projects to produce answers using the techniques, tools and procedures typically used in North American enterprises.