Business Administration

This course provides a rigorous treatment of the core concepts and skills in security investments and portfolio management. The main focus is on the trade-off between risk and return, which is analyzed in a mean variance framework. Along this line, two main theories of asset pricing are explained: the Capital Asset Pricing Model and Arbitrage Pricing Theory. The empirical tests of these two theories are discussed. A team based project asks students to exercise skills of security analysis, portfolio construction, and management. 

Domestic and global financial systems are comprised of a variety of interlinked institutions whose interactions create the form and structure of the financial system. These institutions range from central banks, commercial and investment banks, institutional investors, and financial markets for stock, bond and other assets to currency regimes, the global balance of payments, and fiscal and regulatory policies that affect monetary conditions. The main objective of this class is to help construct a conceptual framework of the financial markets for finance students and to ensure that they are able to develop for themselves a context in which to place their more specialized finance classes. In this class we will attempt to outline and develop a “geography” of China’s financial system and its links to the global system in order to develop a framework within which to understand the Chinese financial system, its future development, and its role within the current global crisis. We will consider the purpose of a well-functioning financial market, the necessary components of such a market, the role of financial balance sheets in the way the system responds to shocks, and the implementation of monetary policy. We will examine the different kinds of financial markets and their inter-relationships.

The course blends theoretical knowledge and practical skills, preparing students to understand and leverage AI technologies in various business contexts. The course begins with an insightful introduction to AI and Machine Learning, providing a solid foundation in AI concepts and terminologies. Discovering the evolution of AI and understanding the core mechanisms that drive machine learning and deep learning technologies provides the foundational knowledge to set the stage for more advanced topics. To dive deep into the realm of AI technologies and their applications in business, the course explores a wide array of AI technologies, including Natural Language Processing, predictive and prescriptive analytics, and demonstrates their practical applications.

This course focuses on supply chain management topics of operations management. Its goal is to help students become effective managers in today's competitive, global environment. Students gain an understanding of what supply chain managers do, and that supply chain management is a highly complex activity and involves many business functions.

This course explores the emergence and key concepts of the global market for art from the 18th to the 21st centuries through a discussion of its history, disruptions, and innovations. The course takes a thematic approach delivered via specific case studies to map the key concepts, individuals and institutions, and the various business models, and ethical and legal considerations that underpin the contemporary market. Students gain an understanding of the globalized art market economy through a comparative study of different geographical market regions across time, including the emergence of new global art market centers and the rise of the millennial collector. Throughout, the auction house and the unique behind-the-scenes access afforded to students of Sotheby’s Institute of Art, provides a detailed and practical case study of the history, development, and future of this market.

This course provides the necessary knowledge and skills to enable a student to understand the nature and characteristics of financial planning in the context of entrepreneurship. This involves the understanding of the key financial statements (profit & loss, balance sheet and cash flow), the financial planning process, the financial risks/rewards of entrepreneurship and innovation, new venture financial models and strategies, typical funding sources, the development of business presentations to attract outside funding, the due diligence process, and the strategies for negotiations for funding.

This course provides a comprehensive insight into all things AI. It is not intended for those who wish to learn the mathematical underpinnings of the computer science or coding aspect of AI. It is for those who wish to explore how AI is affecting our world, from labor markets to politics, from business models to us as humans.

This course introduces international marketing. The lectures cover the nature of international marketing, the international environment, market segmentation, market entry strategies, product strategies, pricing strategies, promotion strategies, structure of international physical distribution, some important markets, and organization of international marketing activities. The course is focused primarily on the international marketing decisions and management processes. 

This course explores the psychology behind entrepreneurship and innovation. The topics include the personality of entrepreneurs and exploring whether entrepreneurs are born or made; how entrepreneurs and innovation leaders make decisions about risk and manage uncertainty; what drives entrepreneurs and what "returns" they can expect (in terms of income and well-being); what success means to entrepreneurs, how individuals may lead successfully on entrepreneurial, entrepreneurs and innovation initiatives. Students also reflect on how each person can act in an entrepreneurial and innovative manner. The course examines the psychological underpinnings of the entrepreneurial process and innovative behaviors within established business. It is mindful of the diversity of entrepreneurial and innovation endeavors ranging from high-tech and digital entrepreneurs to social entrepreneurs that launch social innovations.