FRAUD EXAMINATION IN BUSINESS, Advanced, Liberal, 4 credits
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine fraud as it exists in many areas of business. The study will include analysis of motivation , and methods of detection, investigation and prevention.
B. LEARNING ACTIVITIES
The student will read and study Occupational Fraud and Abuse , Joseph T.
Wells, (ISBN 1-889277-08-8). Topics covered in this study are as follows:
Definition of "Fraud"
Company Attributes That Contribute to/Deter Fraud
Asset Misappropriation
Motivation
Internal Controls and Other Techniques for Detection and Prevention
The "Big Picture"
The student will be challenged to obtain additional learning material from university libraries, through on-line academic search engines such as those available on the Empire State College web site under "Library Resources," and from other Internet sources that will be suggested by mentor Johnson.
The focus of the research will be on developing their own list of useful resources on the topic of fraud examination.
First Meeting:
Scan a newspaper - Buffalo New, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, USA
Today, Wall Street Journal - and accumulate a minimum of 5 articles dealing with fraud. These can range from the Little League team that falsified the age of the star pitcher to the Fastows and Enron. These will provide the beginnings of a
"Fraud Scrapbook" that you will keep throughout the study.
Read Chapters 1 through 4 in Occupational Fraud and Abuse. Be prepared to discuss the readings.
Write a 2 page (double-spaced, typed) essay based on your reading reflecting on what fraud is and the importance a value system or ethics plays in fraud prevention.
Identify an area that you are interested in examining in depth - identity theft,
Medicare/Medicaid fraud, financial statement fraud, for example - and submit the topic to the mentor for approval.
Subsequent Meetings:
Continue reading selected chapters of Occupational Fraud and Abuse Select additional articles on the topic of fraud to share with the members of the group.

Prepare an outline for the research paper on the approved topic you have chosen. Be prepared to demonstrate that you have begun the research process
- bring note cards, articles, or other materials with you to discuss with the mentor.
Submit a five to ten page research paper on the approved topics. Include an annotated bibliography. Prepare a presentation discussing your research to share with the mentor and other students, if applicable.
C. METHOD AND CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION
Learning will be evaluated based on the quality of the discussions of the assigned readings at study group meetings, and all of the written work.
Additionally, the student will demonstrate advanced level understanding and application of the concepts covered in the course through participation in discussions of his or her research. The research paper must be well-arranged and meet acceptable college level bibliographic and writing requirements. The paper must demonstrate the student's ability to analyze, compare, and synthesize ideas, theories, concepts, or approaches gained from reading the course materials and from discussions.