GBU 5454 – Graduate Entrepreneurship
Spring 2013
3 credit hours
Instructor:
Dr. Tammy Arthur
Office:
Self 201A
Telephone:
601-925-3414
Office Hours: M 10a-12:30p (3/18-5/1)
M 3p-5:30p (1/14-3/7)
TR 9:15a-12n, 1:15-2:15p
E-mail: Arthur@mc.edu
Web:
http://www.mc.edu/faculty/arthur
Course Website:
http://moodle.mc.edu/
I.
Course Description
Entrepreneurship is a lecture and project based course designed to introduce students to the field of
entrepreneurship and small business management. Our principle focus is on new venture creation and
establishment. As such, our most important deliverable is the Business Pitch, which is essentially the articulation
of a vision for a new business venture. Completion of this course should also assist students in understanding the
intricacies involved in starting and running a small business.
This class isn’t about how to write a business plan (mostly ). It’s definitely not an exercise on how smart you
are in the classroom or how well you can research. The end result isn’t a PowerPoint presentation. This course
provides hands-on learning to what it’s like to actually come up with a great idea for a great company.
II.
Prerequisites
Entrepreneurship is an MBA elective. With ACC 202 as a prerequisite, an extensive knowledge of the various
business disciplines is not required. However, the basic concepts of accounting, marketing, finance, and
management are essential to formulating an acceptable proposal. These concepts are taught within the core and
therefore are not taught in detail. Any concerns with this requirement should be brought to the instructor’s
attention.
III.
Rationale for Course
The field of entrepreneurship is growing and there is no evidence that this trend will change any time in the near
future. A study conducted by Ernst and Young found that 78 percent of influential Americans believe that
entrepreneurship will be the trend that defines the business world of the new century. It is therefore essential that
students study this discipline, whether they anticipate owning their own business, joining a family-owned
enterprise, or starting their own professional venture (such as accounting or financial planning).
IV.
Student Objectives and Outcomes
There are three primary learning goals for this course:
 To expose the student to the concepts and practices central to the field of entrepreneurship and small
business management.
 To provide the student with the opportunity to consider and review these concepts using classroom
discussion, business examples, and other assignments.
 To help the student articulate their vision for a new business venture through the formulation of a
Business Pitch and a written Business Plan.
V.
Academic Integrity
Mississippi College students bring the very highest ethical standards into the classroom and are expected to be
scrupulously honest. Students should understand that there are consequences for unacceptable behavior and that
they will be held accountable for their actions. Dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, will be regarded as a
serious offense subject to severe penalty, including, but not limited to, loss of credit and possible dismissal.
Students should refer to the Mississippi College Student Handbook for examples of specific prohibited practices
and the resulting punishments.
VI.
Student Accommodation
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities
Act, he or she must contact Student Counseling Services (SCS). SCS will assist with information regarding the
appropriate policy and procedure for disability accommodations before each semester or upon immediate
recognition of the disability. Student Counseling Services is located in Alumni Hall Room #4 or you may contact
them by phone at 601-925-7790. The Program Coordinator, Holly Reeves, can be reached via email at
hreeves@mc.edu and the Director of Student Counseling Services, Morgan Bryant at mbryant@mc.edu.
VII.
Outline of Major Topics
Challenges of Entrepreneurship
Foundations, Creativity and Innovation
Beginning Considerations
Strategic Management, Business Plans, Ownership Forms, Franchising
Marketing Considerations
Creating a Marketing Plan, Advertising, Pricing
Financial Considerations
Managing Cash, Creating a Financial Plan
Putting the Plan to Work
Funding
VIII. Methods of Instruction
This course uses a combination of lecture, class discussion, group activities, and assignments.
IX.
Required Practices
This course requires the student to participate by reading, analyzing case studies, providing relevant in-class
input, and completing assignments.
X.
Instructional Materials
Textbook
Scarborough, N.M. (2011). Essentials of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management, 6th
ed., Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Prentice Hall, Inc.
ISBN-10: 0136109594
ISBN-13: 978-0136109594
XI.
Evaluation Structure
Exam One
Exam Two
Exam Three
Project
Idea Journal
Individual Pitch
Group Pitch
Special Topic
25%
25%
25%
5%
5%
10%
5%
Grading Scale
92-100 = A
86- 91 = B+
82- 85 = B
76- 81 = C+
72- 75 = C
0- 72 = F
Project
The project for this class assists in developing entrepreneurial skills and mindset. Students will be required to
work both inside and outside of class to research, develop, and prepare the assignment. Each part will receive a
grade based on the overall quality. Detailed information will be available in a separate document.
Assignments are due at the start of class on the due date. A letter grade will be subtracted each day that an
assignment is late. Late assignments are not accepted after one week.
Idea Journal
Every entrepreneurial venture starts with a great idea. Most of us have good, creative ideas; the problem
is that we forget what they are. An idea journal is an effective tool for organizing and tracking those
thoughts that could lead to the “next big thing.” Throughout the semester, small tasks will be assigned.
These tasks could range from taking pictures of different storefronts to interviewing a local entrepreneur.
The results are captured in the journal that hopefully with assist in …
Business Idea Proposal (Individual)
An essential skill for any entrepreneur is the ability to take a great idea and then translate that idea into a
viable business model. Using their idea journals as inspiration, students will develop and well-thought
out proposal for a new business venture.
Each student will present his or her idea to the class, who will vote for the top choices. These “elevator
pitches” are meant to sell the business idea. The winners will be the ideas that teams build upon for the
group project.
Business Proposal Pitch and Plan (Group)
Few entrepreneurs start their businesses working alone. They are usually assisted by family members,
friends, or professional advisors. Each of these individuals is generally responsible for some area of the
proposed venture. Following this model, students will enter into business partnerships (teams of 2-3) in
order to complete the project.
Once the top ideas have been determined, the partnerships will be formed. Teams will further research
and analyze their business ideas. At the end of the semester, each team will present their proposal to a
panel of judges. Each project will receive an overall grade with the grade of each participant fluctuating
based on evaluations of his/her individual performance. Teams will also turn in a written business plan
detailing the information presented to the judges.
Special Topic
Graduate students have one other assignment specific to completing Master’s level work. Each student is
required to read Start Something that Matters by Blake Mycoskie (2011) and to discuss this text as it
relates to the topics presented in class. A written summary of the book should also be turned in.
Examinations
There will be three examinations in this course. Each exam will contain short answer, multiple choice, and/or
essay questions covering the material from the textbook, class sessions, class assignments, and presentations. If
any student misses a test during the semester regardless of the reason, a comprehensive final exam will count in
its place. No electronic devices may be used during any examination. These include (but are not limited
to) telephones, iPods, calculators, translators, and PDAs.
Participation and Attendance
Students are expected to contribute to and participate in class. The process of idea generation and refinement are
key to your success in this class; therefore the importance of your participation cannot be overemphasized.
The key deliverable of this class is the presentation of new venture ideas by the class. On these days it is even
more vital that students be in attendance and participate fully in class activities. Absences on presentation days
will result in a drop of 10% of the student’s final grade.
Students are responsible for any material covered in class regardless of attendance. Missed material will not be represented by the instructor. If you miss a class session, you are responsible for getting any assignments and
completing them by the due date.
As stated in the MC attendance policy, a student will receive a grade of F immediately upon accumulating 9
absences in a TR class. If the student believes that there are reasonable explanations for the absences, s/he may
appeal to the Dean of the School for which the course is being taught.
Other Classroom Policies
In order to provide my students with the educational climate they deserve, I cannot allow any student to prevent
me from teaching nor will any student be allowed to keep another student from learning. Therefore, activities that
disrupt class are subject to penalty in the form of a lower final grade. These include, but are not limited to:
 Typing into your cell phone or your own computer
 Talking in class while I am talking
 Arriving late to class
XII.
TENTATIVE Schedule
Week
1
Date
1/15, 1/17
Topic
2
1/22, 1/24
Introduction
Foundations
Creativity and Innovation
3
1/29, 1/31
Creativity (con’t)
2
4
2/5, 2/7
Strategy
3
5
2/12, 2/14
3
4
6
2/19, 2/21
7
2/26, 2/28
8
3/5, 3/7
9
3/11-3/15
3/19, 3/21
Strategy (con’t)
Writing a Business Plan
Exam One (Chaps 1, 2, 3, 4)
Faith and Business seminar
Forms of Ownership
Franchising
Marketing
** Idea Journal Due **
SPRING BREAK
** Business Idea Pitches **
10
3/26, 3/28
8
10
11
4/2, 4/4
12
12
4/9, 4/11
Marketing (con’t)
Pricing
Exam Two (Chaps 5, 6, 8, 10)
Funding
Financial Planning
13
4/16, 4/18
Cash Flow
14
4/23, 4/25
15
4/30
5/4 - Saturday
** Business Proposal Pitches **
Review for exam
** Written Plan Due **
Exam Three (Chaps 11,12,13)
OR
Comprehensive Final Exam
Chapter
1
2
5
6
8
13
11