Business Division - Available Courses - American College of Thessaloniki

Economics

Economics 101: Introductory Macroeconomics

An introduction to modern economic analysis and its policy implications. The course centers on the applications of economic theory to national policy problems such as growth, inflation, unemployment, government expenditures and taxation, and the role of money. In addition, it provides a broad introduction to the understanding of the modern national socioeconomic systems in today’s globalized economies.

Economics 102: Introductory Microeconomics

A continuation of the introduction to modern economic analysis concentrating on the factors affecting behavior and decisionmaking by households, business firms, and institutions operating under a mixed socioeconomic system. It also considers the issues of market failures and introduces basic concepts of international economics.

Economics 332: International Economics

The goals and objectives of this course are to facilitate the students understanding of foreign trade flow issues including the causes, the volume and the direction of these flows. Strong emphasis is given to the formulation of industrial trade policies. Topics to be covered include various trade and exchange rate theories, tariffs, and commercial policy, factor movement, regional economic integration, international institutions, international macroeconomic interactions, and international environmental issues and policies. Prereq: Economics 101 and 102

Economics/Management 242: Applied Managerial Economics

This course deals with the application of economic theory and the tools of analysis of decision science to examine how an organization can achieve its aims most efficiently. The course uses the theory of the firm to integrate and link economic theory (microeconomics and macroeconomics), decision sciences (mathematical economics and econometrics), and the functional areas of business (accounting, finance, marketing, personnel or human resource management, and production) and shows how all of these topics are crucial components of managerial decision-making. Emphasis is placed on actual real world managerial decisions. Prereq: Economics 102, Math 115

Finance

Finance 201: Financial Management

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the field of financial management. Emphasis is given to the examination of the processes and the methodology of financial statement analysis that can be applied and used as guidelines in assessing, interpreting and planning financial data to meet the objectives of managing a business entity effectively. Topics covered include goals and functions of financial management, short-term financial management decisions, financial statement analysis, planning and financial forecasting, and time value of money. Prereq: Accounting 102

Finance 202: Entrepreneurial and Corporate Finance

This course will clearly focus on financing an existing family business, start-ups, corporations, and NGO’s, including sound financial management practices. The course will go into depth on how to analyse financial statement, create financial forecasts, and evaluate the various ventures. Tools and methods used in determining how much money a venture actually needs in order to be viable will also be covered. Attention will be devoted to the different types of financing alternatives available to an entrepreneur. The venture capital market will be investigated in detail, including self-financing, debt financing, angel financing, and financing from venture capital firms.Students will be encouraged to understand financing issues and options from the vantage points of the entrepreneur, the lender, and the investor. In short, the course will explore the most important financial issues that an entrepreneur may face. Prereq: Finance 201

Finance 210: International Money and Banking

The main intention of this course is to provide an overview of some key issues related to money, monetary policy and banking. Major topics covered in the money segment of the course include money creation, the monetary system, policy and control. The banking part of the course begins with the main banking operations and functions and continues with a discussion of the principles of bank asset and liability management. The markets in which banks operate are then described and the operations of banks in these markets are assessed. The risks encountered in banking are addressed, together with the means of controlling such risks. The safety and stability of the banking system is finally considered. Prereq: Economics 102 and 102

Finance 220: Investment and Portfolio Management

The principal purpose of this course is to offer a comprehensive introduction to the characteristics and analyses of individual securities as well as the theory and practice of combining securities to form optimal portfolios. It provides an understanding of the general principles of financial and investment decision-making through an examination of asset pricing models and the efficient market hypotheses as well as treatment of interest rates, bond and stock pricing, and bond and stock fund management. Prereq: Economics/Management 242, Finance 202, Statistics 205

Finance 232: International Finance

This course, designed for students who wish to build upon the basic economic and financial principles they have acquired in the areas of economics and corporate finance, covers both the management and the markets of multinational and European businesses. Students are exposed to the international business environment, with emphasis on the challenges financial managers face in the dynamic and rapidly expanding field of international and European finance. More specifically, students thoroughly examine recent developments in the following areas: financial management of an internationally- oriented business, international financial markets, multinational capital structure and the cost of capital, hedging of exchange rate movements and financing of international trade, and the international banking environment. Prereq: Finance 202, Statistics 205

Finance 400: Seminar in Finance

The purpose of this course is to analyze topics in Financial Management that have received limited coverage or no coverage in the other courses in Finance. The following topics will be covered in the course: Financial Innovations / Derivatives / Venture Capital / International Portfolio Management / International Acquisitions and Valuation / Currency Risk Management. The course topics and theme will vary over time to include the most recent issues affecting the financial sector. Prereq: Finance 202 and Finance 232

Management

Management 101: Introduction to Management

This course provides students with knowledge of basic management theories and concepts and introduces them to simple case studies relevant to the theoretical background that is covered. The subjects examined, including some insights from international management, are the following: the external and internal environment within which an organization operates; the historical foundations of Management; the social responsibility of business and the relation between business and government; the managerial function of planning; management by objectives; the organizing function and organizational structures; the function of staffing and personnel selection; the function of leading, motivation and job satisfaction, and finally, the function of controlling and coordinating a firm’s actions to achieve its objectives.

Management 201: Organizational Behavior

The behavior of individuals and groups within the organizational context is presented and analyzed. Different forms of organizational behavior are considered, providing students with exposure to various models. Topics covered include the context of organizational behavior, organizational culture, understanding individual behavior, personality-perception attitudes, job satisfaction, job stress, motivation and learning, interpersonal behavior and dynamics, leadership, power and politics. Prereq: Management 101

Management 202: Destination Management

This course offers specialized knowledge of destination management, a topic that has become even more important in contemporary tourism business. Participants will start from an introduction to destination management and the related marketing concepts and roles and will continue to in depth issues such as destination communications and promotion, destination markets and segments, models of destination management, partnership and strategic cooperation in tourism, primary and secondary tourism offer, creation-distribution-branding of a destination, quality of the product, as well as case studies of good practice in international destination management.

Management 203: Hospitality Management

Hospitality is a concept deeply rooted into Greek mentality. Intuitive hospitality is offered by all tourism professionals and the country is renowned for this quality. Nevertheless, contemporary developments and cultural trends make it necessary for professionals to be educated according to today’s needs. This course covers a wide range of topics that include advance hospitality management theory, impact of socio-economics and technology on hospitality, the future trends, laws relating to business ownership, current practices, legislation and ethics in hospitality practices, operations of revenue, logistics in accommodation for guests, guest handling, and various segments such room, concierge, food and beverage, pools, casinos, beach-bars and restaurants.

Management 210: Human Resource Management for Growth

The course provides an overview of the basic concepts and practices of human resource management of a modern entrepreneurial organization. Its emphasis is on HRM’s strategic perspective and well-being of the people for the success of new ventures. It also focuses on the global realities of HRM and the use of modern technologies within an ethical framework. Topics covered include , basic concepts, strategic HRM, legal aspects of HRM, Job analysis & Job Design, human resource planning, employee recruitment, selection, motivation and orientation, performance evaluation and compensation, Training and development, labour relations, safety, health and wellness, social and ethical issues. Prereq: Management 101

Management 219: Entrepreneurial International Business

The objective of this course is to present an overview of the global environment within which firms operate. Students are exposed to all aspects of international business and will learn how to interpret international developments and evaluate their consequences for the firm. Among the topics considered are the nature of the multinational corporation, the institutional framework for international business, environmental factors influencing the choice of international investment sites, factors related to business operations in specific countries/regions, and the special circumstances relating to the marketing and financing of international businesses. Prereq: Economics 101, Management 101

Management 240: Creative Thinking: The Business Imperative

The course introduces students to the principles and techniques of creative thinking. Students are taught how to evaluate their own ideas, as well as the ideas of others. The focus of the course is in developing the student’s innovation and decisionmaking skills. The course also covers how to anticipate objections to ones’ ideas and how to overcome them.

Management /Economics 242: Applied Managerial Economics

This course deals with the application of economic theory and the tools of analysis of decision science to examine how an organization can achieve its aims most efficiently. The course uses the theory of the firm to integrate and link economic theory (microeconomics and macroeconomics), decision sciences (mathematical economics and econometrics), and the functional areas of business (accounting, finance, marketing, personnel or human resource management, and production) and shows how all of these topics are crucial components of managerial decision-making. Emphasis is placed on actual real world managerial decisions. Prereq: Economics 102, Math 115

Management 302: Revenue Management

With a fixed capacity, a highly disposable product and high fixed costs, hotels are a natural candidate for the application of revenue management. The purpose of this course is to provide a core understanding of the fundamentals of revenue management, which ties into the larger picture of revenue strategy. The course is structured to provide an insightful look into Revenue Management.
In today’s hotel sector an increasingly complex network of traditional and web based channels have to be managed to insure hotel success. Key questions include: how should you distribute over the web? What should you include on your brand.com website so people book through it? How can you maximise the potential of online travel agents (OTAs)? With the distribution environment both highly complex and constantly evolving, this course will give you comprehensive foundation of current industry practices to help jumpstart your career in this fascinating domain.

Management 303: Events Management

This course will provide industry-specific knowledge of events planning and running. It will offer a comprehensive overview of events management, covering all types of event destinations, venues and operations. Specific attention is paid to the analysis, management and monitoring of the economic and tourism benefits of the events sector. Topics that will be covered include event management, planning, operations, logistics, quality management, coordination of HR, financial management and marketing of events, communications, and evaluation and impact assessment methods. Participants will also be given a wide range of event studies in order to learn from prior industry experience.

Management 304: Total Quality Management

The objective of this course is to provide students with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the importance of quality and customer satisfaction in business competitiveness, and to introduce them to the basic principles and tools of quality management and improvement. The course will focus on the continuous improvement of all aspects of a business, from design through production, to after-sales service, using leadership and employee participation. Topics covered will include the concept of quality and the different quality management philosophies; the basic principles and components of TQM; the link with recognized quality awards (Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award & European Quality Award); quality assurance systems & ISO 9000 standards; measurement of quality cost; quality improvement tools & techniques. Both secondary readings and real-world cases are provided as a basis for class discussion. Prereq: Management 312

Management 305: HR in Hotel and Tourism

Hospitality is a concept deeply rooted into Greek mentality. Intuitive hospitality is offered by all tourism professionals and the country is renowned for this quality. Nevertheless, contemporary developments and cultural trends make it necessary for professionals to be educated according to today’s needs. This course covers a wide range of topics that include advance hospitality management theory, impact of socio-economics and technology on hospitality, the future trends, laws relating to business ownership, current practices, legislation and ethics in hospitality practices, operations of revenue, logistics in accommodation for guests, guest handling, and various segments such room, concierge, food and beverage, pools, casinos, beach-bars and restaurants.

Management 306: Tourism and Real Estate Management

Subject Module is going to offer an insight to the principles of tourist real estate development, a part of what is called commercial real estate development.
Usually in Greece, real actions take place by individual entrepreneurs who have limited knowledge of real estate markets background. There is a small number of listed real estate companies
Subject module is going to focus on the key feature of tourist real estate: Hotel Development

Management 312: Operations Management

The course provides an overview of concepts, methodologies and applications of production and operations management. Topics include productivity, forecasting demand, location and capacity planning, inventory control, project management, operations scheduling, just-in-time systems, quality control, total quality management. Prereq: Management 101

Management 322: Business Strategy I

The aim of this course is to enable students to approach the whole organization: marketing, finance, accounting and personnel functions together. Strategy and structure are the central themes of the course. Topics covered include the business environment, the systems approach, industry analysis, organizational intelligence, organizational structuring, organizational power, strategy development and implementation, leadership styles, management of the external environment, and strategic decision-making. Prereq: Finance 201, Management 312, Marketing 101

Management 323: Business Strategy II (Capstone Project)

This course is designed to synthesize the knowledge and skills developed in previous business courses and apply them to the research project. Students learn about all aspects of the process of developing and carrying out their business strategy research project, and gain an understanding of standards and expectations that students need to meet to be successful in completing their research. Typically there are no classroom sessions throughout the course. However, in order to make substantial progress, it is essential that students set and meet aggressive goals and meet regularly with their coordinator to ensure the research project is progressing in a focused and high quality manner. Lastly this research project should prove the student’s independent ability to investigate and develop an issue within the field of business strategy. Prereq: Management 322

Management 330: Entrepreneurship and Innovation

An in-depth study of the legal, financial, marketing and organizational aspects of starting up, implementing, and successfully managing one’s own business venture. The major portion of the course, apart from presentation and discussion of theoretical bases involving starting a new business, consists of construction of a detailed business plan. Class members consider all issues involving initiation, building, and controlling a new venture. The main goal is first the analysis and secondly the simulation of an effective business plan based on realistic, contemporary case scenarios. Prereq: Economics 102

Management 341: Business in Greece and the EU

The aim of the course is to give students in-depth insights into the complexities of the European environment from a global, business, economic, political, and legal perspective. The course also analyzes the various ways in which the European Union institutions influence a company working in or with Europe, with specific emphasis placed on doing business in Greece. Prereq: Economics 101 and 102

Management 421/MBA-MAN 521: Organizational Leadership and Change

This course examines leadership and its role in the change process. Students learn how to catalyze action by creating a vision and build momentum for change. In the process, they learn more about themselves as leaders. (Permission by the instructor)

Management 425/MBA-MAN 525: Operations Management

This course introduces the modeling tools used to manage the complex 21st century business environment. It includes examination of decision analysis, probabilistic models, simulation techniques, regression-based inference and mathematical programming. (Permission by the instructor)

Management 470/MBA-BUS 570: International Business

This course analyzes the major forces that affect the operations of firms across national boundaries. It undertakes an indepth look at the international political, cultural, and economic forces affecting multinational enterprises’ market entry strategy, marketing, financial, production and human resource functions. It examines the conditions needed to create and maintain an international competitive advantage in an increasingly globalized and interactive market environment. (Permission by the instructor)

Management 480/MBA-BUS 580: Strategic Management

This course develops a framework for assessing the current strategic competitive position as well as future performance outlook for a business entity within a given economic environment. Focus on developing skills for the application of concepts and tools for strategy formulation at corporate levels, and on the design of organization structures and management processes required for effective strategy implementation. Case applications involve strategic issues facing the modern manager of a business enterprise impacted by globalization, and information and technology. (Permission by the instructor)

Business 399: Global Competitiveness Practicum

The course is designed to give students an opportunity to leverage their existing business skills, as well as, develop new ones in an exciting and team cooperative environment. ACT faculty select a number of local businesses and the students work on consulting assignments for them. GCP faculty assign students to teams, each consisting of generally two ACT and two Ohio University students. Each team is given a different business project and is charged with developing and implementing an approach for completing it in a fashion that satisfies its client and meets the course objectives. *It should be noted that this course is a special summer course offered only to regular ACT and Ohio University students.

Marketing

Marketing 101: Introduction to Marketing

The objectives of this course are to introduce the basic marketing concepts, to present the practical use of marketing in modern corporations, to provide students with the elements of market thinking in solving business problems and to prepare them for working in the competitive and dynamic field of marketing. Topics covered include the macro and micro role of marketing, market segmentation, basic principles of marketing research, demographic and behavioral dimensions of consumers, marketing mix, product analysis, product strategies, new product development, distribution channels, pricing policies, introduction to promotion and advertising, and marketing plan construction. The course is enriched with supplementary up-to-date articles, real-world cases, video projections, and marketing simulation. Prereq: Economics 102

Marketing 200: Principles of Public Relations

The course introduces students to the theories and techniques involved in planning and carrying out appropriate programs in order to influence public opinion and behavior. The students will receive a comprehensive knowledge of Public Relations, public opinion, public practices and problem solving and prevention.

Marketing 201: Tourism Marketing

Marketing plays a catalytic role in international tourism. Customers are offered today an enormous selection of choices worldwide, while tourism professionals try to distinguish themselves from competition. This course will initially offer general marketing education and then focus in industry-specific applications of marketing. Topics to be covered include the characteristics of a service, their marketing implications, an overview of mix components – product, price, promotion, place, people -, the independence and interdependence of elements, definitions of market segmentation, marketing for hotels and resorts, the product life cycle, the scope, process and role of market research, and secondary information, sources, range and importance. Professional expertise will be brought into class together with case studies of marketing practices.

Marketing 212: Sales Management

The main objectives of the course are to introduce the basic concepts of personal selling, to give an explicit and practical view of salespeople’s main tasks and working practices, and to discuss and organize the current sales management tactics by analyzing up-to-date, real world situations. Topics include sales management functions and strategies, the personal selling process, account relationship management, territory management, setting sales goals, personnel recruitment and selection, sales training, territory design, leadership, motivating and compensating the sales force, and evaluation and control of sales force performance. Prereq: Management 101, Marketing 101

Marketing 214: Advertising

The primary objective of this course is to introduce students to the challenging world of advertising and promotion. Advertising is examined as a distinctive element of promotion, together with other communication tools. Current developments of advertising are discussed and an integrative perspective is adopted, due to rapid changes and metamorphoses in the advertising business. Emphasis is given to the role of modern marketing communications, the organizational needs and structure in the field of advertising and promotion, determining advertising objectives and budget, creative strategy, media planning, analysis of broadcast and print media, types of support media and other promotional tools. The large number of advertising techniques and applications, as well as students’ everyday exposure to thousands of communication messages, recommend the use of cases, projects, real-world examples and class discussions. Prereq: Marketing 101

Marketing/Computer Science 250: E-commerce

This course provides students with a broad understanding of the electronic commerce domain. It introduces aspects of ecommerce, and students gain insight into technical, business, legal and policy issues. On completion of the course business students will be able to understand what e-commerce is and how to exploit an e-commerce strategy in an organization. Business and Computing majors will be ready to comprehend the e-commerce domain and apply it technically. Prereq: Computer Science 101 or 105, Marketing 101

Marketing 301: Entrepreneurial and Corporate Marketing Strategy

An advanced marketing course that offers in-depth examination and analysis of the basic marketing principles gained in Marketing 101: Introduction to marketing. Students are taught what is being confronted in a marketing department and what the alternative procedures for carrying out various marketing projects are. A considerable effort is made to provide students with the elements of marketing thinking in structuring marketing strategies for various corporations. Supporting students’ ability to think, express themselves, write, speak and argue in marketing terms also constitutes one of the main course objectives. Finally, students are prepared to work in the competitive and dynamic field of marketing and to become professionals with
a global perspective. Case analysis and class discussions of current issues are among the important educational and learning tools used. Prereq: Marketing 101

Marketing 303: Tourism e-business

Advances in technology have greatly influenced and shaped modern tourism operations. IT systems offer flexible, online and, above all, affordable, solutions for everyone, from single individuals to large companies. What is more important, online systems are used not only by industry professionals but by customers too; it is a given fact that a growing majority of tourists around the world use the internet to research, examine and select their next travel. As a result, it has become absolutely necessary that a professional of any position in tourism should be able to manage and run such platforms on a daily basis.
There are hundreds of innovative and versatile platforms available for travel services, covering the needs of various segments, such as destination management companies, travel agencies, tour operators, hotels and hotel chains, tourist transfers and buses, excursions and package organizers etc.
During this course participants will be introduced to the basic characteristics of various e-business concepts, as well as industry specific software, such as hotel booking, airline reservations, events registrations, as well as operational software covering areas of accounting, HR, logistics and dining services.

Marketing 311: Retailing

This course provides an examination and analysis of a vital marketing distribution channel. Basic issues regarding retailing, and all major aspects of decision-making in retail businesses are covered, including types of retail businesses, consumer behavior, external environments, location decisions, store design and layout, merchandising, human resource management, pricing decisions, financial considerations, promotion, organizational and managerial aspects of operation, and marketing research applications. Prereq: Marketing 101

Marketing 318: Global Marketing

This course addresses marketing management problems, techniques and strategies needed to incorporate the marketing concept into today’s global marketplace. More specifically the course deals with modes of foreign market entry, pricing issues, cultural and demographical issues and the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on a firm’s performance. Prereq: Management 101, Marketing 101

Marketing 320: Marketing Research

The major objective of this course is to introduce students to the useful and multi-purpose theory and practice of marketing research. Application of this theory to product, price, place and promotion strategies, as well as to every practical marketing issue confronting a business organization, is one of the main course goals. Topics that are discussed in detail include the role and the environment of marketing research, planning a research project, secondary sources of information, qualitative interviewing methods, survey-interviewing methods, the basics of sampling, major sampling techniques, questionnaire construction, dataprocessing, analysis and tabulation, and reporting research findings. All topics are dealt with through examples in the context of real business situations. Prereq: Marketing 101, Statistics 205

Marketing 324: E-Marketing

This course focuses on the key marketing issues in E-Business, comparing marketing concepts in the traditional marketing environment with those employed in E-Business. Topics addressed include Marketing Research on the Web, Personalization/Online Community, Pricing Online, Customer Support and Online Quality, E-Commerce, Business to Business (B2B) Marketing, Advertising/Brand Building, Web Promotion, and “Virtual Legality”. Prereq: Marketing 101

Marketing 330: Consumer Behavior

An analysis of consumer behavior, this module introduces students to the processes that consumers employ in order to select, purchase, use, evaluate, and dispose of products and services that will satisfy their needs. The module will also provide students with an understanding of the influences (external and internal) that determine consumer behavior. And, since consumers vary in the ways that they consume products and services, the module will demonstrate in various ways how and why the analysis of consumer behavior is critical to the field of marketing.

Research

Business Division - Available Courses

Accounting

Accounting 101: Financial Accounting

Accounting 102: Managerial Accounting

Business Administration

Business Administration 241: International Business Law

Business Administration 242: European Business Law