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EE353
Next Offered Spring 2009
Tuesday & Thursday 8:00-9:50AM |
The EE353 course focuses on fundamental principles of
business management. We study
leading technology firms worldwide. We explore corporate strategy, new product development,
marketing, sales, distribution, financial accounting, and human behavior in
business organizations. These principles are taught in the context of how they
apply to technology firms. The course introduces frameworks and tools for
analyzing the business decisions faced by these companies. All of
these principles apply throughout the lifecycle of a company, from start-up to
major corporation, despite changing resources, timing, and priority of their
application. Understanding these principles can provide engineers with a
broader perspective on how to contribute in their careers. The course is fast
paced requiring extensive reading preparation and participation (see Stanford
university course review and student comments ).
The course point of view is operational effectiveness not theoretical analysis. The course is taught from the perspective of the decision maker. Students are asked to gather all relevant information, weigh the alternatives, make a decision, and explain how they will implement that decision through leadership of others. Students are expected to persuade their classmates to support their analysis and decisions. The case method is used. The case method of management instruction is based upon the belief that management is a skill. The best way to learn this skill is to experience it through a team simulation as opposed to a traditional lecture format.
Each class is conducted as a team meeting. Our objective is to determine the best course of action and its implementation for the assigned case study. Students are the team members and the instructor is the facilitator. The collective knowledge and reasoning of the team determines the outcome of each class. The students decide “the right decision and course of action” in the heat of their deliberations, debate, and discussion.
The class environment encourages students to practice and develop communications skills. Individuals defend their decisions and point of view through oral classroom participation. We recommended students form a study group for all classes but it is required for one written team paper. Students for whom English is a second language have excellent success in this class.
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Course Information |
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Follow-on resources |
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