Business Administration

This course introduces key concepts and steps of entrepreneurship. Students examine the problem-solving process of successful entrepreneurs through various entrepreneurship theories and learn strategy-making methods to solve various problems faced both in business and daily life. This course is intended for not only prospective entrepreneurs who are planning to start a business, but also prospective entrepreneurship ecosystem workers who want to be members of the entrepreneurship ecosystem. 

Topics include business models, platform business, practical finance for entrepreneurs, venture firm registration and benefits, career aptitude, best practices of corporate formation, business valuation and negotiation, attracting investment, and patent strategy and IPO. Students will collaborate on a startup idea and create a business plan, presenting a team project at the end of the course.

CIEE supports qualified students who wish to pursue an academically rigorous independent research project while abroad. In order to enroll, students must submit a research proposal including a clearly defined research topic,
explanation of research plans, description of preparation in the planned area of study, list of resources, tentative outline of a final paper, and suggested schedule of progress. Students complete a total of 100-120 hours of
research and meet regularly with an advisor to complete an academically rigorous, ethically sound, and culturally appropriate research project and final research paper. Approval for participation in Directed Independent Research
must be obtained from CIEE and the student's home institution prior to arrival on the program.

This course introduces the highly dynamic economic transformation of the city of Berlin since the fall of the Iron Curtain. The course examines how Berlin has tried to turn its weakness (i.e., lack of financial capital) into a strength (i.e., wealth of cultural capital) by focusing heavily on "creative industries," tourism, and its world-famous club and art scenes. This course studies the transformation in all its economic and cultural ramifications: from the vibrant start-up culture and precarious employment patterns to the city's rapid growth and discontent with gentrification.

This is an independent research course with research arranged between the student and faculty member. The specific research topics vary each term and are described on a special project form for each student. A substantial paper is required. The number of units varies with the student’s project, contact hours, and method of assessment, as defined on the student’s special study project form.

This course examines various quantitative modelling techniques relevant for choice modeling through business cases in marketing transport research strategy economics and other relevant business fields. It also explores models that pool observations on a crosssection of households countries firms etc over several time periods.  

This introductory course examines management information systems (MIS), both in theory and practice. It covers key topics such as enterprise information systems, e-business, IT architectures, database management, and system development. Students develop a deep understanding of MIS and its crucial role in building competitive firms, managing global corporations, and enhancing business value. The course also highlights the importance of MIS in various business functions, including operations, marketing, finance, accounting, and human resources, and demonstrates the use of relevant computer programs and application software.  

This course surveys the rapidly changing environment which significantly influences consumer culture; in particular, examining how the shift in consumer trends centered around luxury fashion is creating a new culture across clothing, food, and living. The course establishes a creative mindset allowing students to articulate their own brand and trends by understanding the history and culture of fashion, as well as the changes in luxury brands and lifestyles. Students will learn to identify and understand the history and culture of fashion in relation to consumption trends; the change of luxury brands and lifestyles; and to present and discuss current issues in global consumption and fashion trends. 

This course develops an understanding of the entrepreneurial process by working on a concrete and locally specific project and business plan. This course first examines the entrepreneurial cultures in the host country by comparison with that of the United States. On the basis of this contextual analysis, students reflect on their own values, goals and strengths, pitching ideas, forming teams and developing a business model. Special attention is paid to the results of the customer, market, and industry analysis that are used to develop a viable product. The course also investigates different forms of intellectual property rights and explains the first steps of strategic planning. After completing all the assignments, students pitch an entire business idea based on thorough research.

The course provides students with an understanding of organizational change as a multifaceted phenomenon and equips them with skills to adopt a reflective, multi-dimensional approach when managing change in their future careers. In their everyday jobs, managers need to identify when change is needed, manage its implementation or guide others through it. In this course students learn about theories, strategies, skills, and techniques for leading successful change.

This course offers a study of the following topics: entrepreneurship and tourism; business opportunities in tourism sectors-- identification and evaluation; evolution of business trends in tourism sectors; innovative business ideas and value propositions-- generation and analysis of initial viability; business plan-- design, structure, and purpose; elaboration of the business plan.