Business Policy and Strategy

This course is designed to be highly integrative in that students use knowledge and tools from all functional areas of business to develop a "whole organization" perspective. In addition, they integrate by examining these functions within the context of business and societal environments, such as the competitive, political/legal, socio-cultural, technological, and economic. Furthermore, they integrate and further develop general education knowledge and skills, such as written and oral communications in each course assignment. Finally, the course includes a highly sophisticated online Capstone Simulation "game" whereby students (in teams of four) put their knowledge and skills obtained in all UMass courses and even life experiences into practice by operating a company over an 8-year period and competing with other firms (other teams of students). Students conduct professional business meetings, make professional presentations, and prepare strategic plans for their "simulated" companies. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BBA-Acctg, BBA-Finan, BBA-OpInfo, BBA-Mgt, and BBA-Mktg majors.