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Sample Course Guides   (Please scroll down to course guide list)

A number of TUA course guides have been selected from a variety of TUA study fields. Each course offered by the Theological University of America is accompanied by an outline similar to the outlines made available to you here.

Please click the links to the course guides listed below that you want to view.  The links below are listed according to the topic of course, not the course title. The course title appears with the course guide.

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Book of Revelation                                                                                                        Christian Education                                                                                                             Christology                                                                                                                          Church Growth                                                                                                                 Church History
Church Leadership and Administration
Christian Counseling                                                                                                
Greek - Beginning NT Greek
                                                                                                Holy Spirit                                                                                                                   Intertestamental Period
Jesus Christ                                                                                                                          New Testament Exegesis                                                                                                        New Testament Theology                                                                                                     Old Testament                                                                                                                 Pastoral Care

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COURSE GUIDE - LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION - UNDERGRADUATE/GRADUATE

                                                                                   Return to List of TUA Course Guide Topics                             

LDR 101

Principles of Leadership

Prerequisites: None

Credit: 3 Credit Hours

Catalog Description: Introduces the leadership major by focusing on definitions of leadership, fundamental leadership theory, roles of leaders in various contexts, and an overview of foundational skills required for successful leadership. Mission: The mission of the Leadership Major is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of leadership by focusing on the theoretical, historical, organizational, social, and personal dimensions of leadership. Purpose: This course is designed to introduce students to a variety of contemporary leadership theories and provide some suggested methods for developing leadership capacity at the individual and organizational levels. Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

1. Articulate the components of several leadership theories including Transactional and Transformational leadership, Charismatic leadership, models of power and influence, Leader-Member Exchange theory, and Motivation theory.

 

2. Identify significant classical and contemporary authors in the field of leadership and the impact their research has made on our understanding of leadership.

 

3. Describe the fundamental differences between management and leadership and how each concept affects organizational performance.

 

4. Explain how personality traits, motives, and personal characteristics influence leader behavior.

 

5. Demonstrate an ability to apply leadership theory and research in personal and organizational contexts.

 General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: Grades are based on attendance and participation, the quality of written assignments, and the completion and timeliness of all work assigned by the instructor. The completed assignments must be comprehensive (depth and breadth) and display correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence/paragraph development.

ADM 101  

Computer Skills for Church Leaders  

Prerequisites:  None

Credit: 3 Credit Hours

Catalog Description: This course examines the inner workings on computer systems.  It exposes the student to hardware and software from a buyer’s perspective and a user’s perspective. The course discusses the Internet and the issues and dangers exposure to the Internet can bring.  There are software recommendations given for church computers and church members’ computers for leaders to understand if safety is of concern for members and their families.  

Mission: The mission of the Leadership major is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of leadership by focusing on the theoretical, historical, organizational, social and personal dimensions of leadership.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to relevant practices on security, applications, and monitoring of software, hardware and Internet usage.   

Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

1. Summarize the major components of computer systems.

 

2. Determine when issues arise whether a software or hardware problem exists.   

 

3. Analyze the history of computer resource usage and determine techniques to keep Internet pornography/violence and questionable content away from members.   

 

4. The abilities of programming packages to automate and enhance leadership tasks. 

 

General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: Grades are based on attendance and participation, the quality of written assignments, and the completion and timeliness of all work assigned by the instructor. The completed assignments must be comprehensive (depth and breadth) and display correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence/paragraph development.

ADM 102 Excel for Administrators (3)

Prerequisites: ADM 101 

Course Guide

 Expected Time Required To Complete Course

Three months minimum.

 Description of Course

This course provides background on using Excel for Windows.  The ability to calculate and create spreadsheets is at the heart of most functioning businesses.  It is only reasonable that church leaders also learn how to create models of spreadsheets for use in tracking financials, attendance, and other church-related activities.

 

Course Learning Objectives (In general terms, what the student should know at the end of the course)

 Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

1. Create spreadsheets with multiple sheets.

 

2. Link data from one sheet to another. 

 

3. Perform calculations and analyses. 

 

4. Examine data, create charts, and make presentations.

 

Emphasis will be on research and case analysis from specific church related issues. 

Course Textbooks

Excel 2003 Bible by John Walkenbach (Editor)

*                                

*                               ISBN: 0764539671

*                               ISBN-13: 9780764539671

*                               Format: Paperback, 936pp

*                               Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated

*                               Pub. Date: September 2003

*                               Edition Description: BK&CD-ROM

 Table of Contents

 

Preface

 

Pt. I

Getting Started with Excel

1

Ch. 1

Introducing Excel

3

Ch. 2

Entering and Editing Worksheet Data

25

Ch. 3

Essential Worksheet Operations

43

Ch. 4

Working with Cells and Ranges

63

Ch. 5

Worksheet Formatting

85

Ch. 6

Understanding Files and Templates

105

Ch. 7

Printing Your Work

121

Pt. II

Working with Formulas and Functions

139

Ch. 8

Introducing Formulas and Functions

141

Ch. 9

Creating Formulas That Manipulate Text

169

Ch. 10

Working with Dates and Times

189

Ch. 11

Creating Formulas That Count and Sum

221

Ch. 12

Creating Formulas That Look Up Values

249

Ch. 13

Creating Formulas for Financial Applications

269

Ch. 14

Introducing Array Formulas

295

Ch. 15

Performing Magic with Array Formulas

317

Pt. III

Creating Charts and Graphics

337

Ch. 16

Getting Started Making Charts

339

Ch. 17

Learning Advanced Charting

373

Ch. 18

Enhancing Your Work with Pictures and Drawings

419

Pt. IV

Analyzing Data with Excel

435

Ch. 19

Working with Lists

437

Ch. 20

Using External Database Files

463

Ch. 21

Analyzing Data with Pivot Tables

479

Ch. 22

Performing Spreadsheet What-If Analysis

501

Ch. 23

Analyzing Data Using Goal Seek and Solver

515

Ch. 24

Analyzing Data with the Analysis ToolPak

531

Pt. V

Using Advanced Excel Features

543

Ch. 25

Using Custom Number Formats

545

Ch. 26

Customizing Toolbars and Menus

563

Ch. 27

Using Conditional Formatting and Data Validation

575

Ch. 28

Creating and Using Worksheet Outlines

591

Ch. 29

Linking and Consolidating Worksheets

599

Ch. 30

Excel and the Internet

613

Ch. 31

Sharing Data with Other Applications

623

Ch. 32

Using Excel in a Workgroup

639

Ch. 33

Making Your Worksheets Error-Free

651

Pt. VI

Programming Excel with VBA

677

Ch. 34

Introducing Visual Basic for Applications

679

Ch. 35

Creating Custom Worksheet Functions

703

Ch. 36

Creating UserForms

715

Ch. 37

Using UserForm Controls in a Worksheet

733

Ch. 38

Working with Excel Events

745

Ch. 39

VBA Examples

757

Ch. 40

Creating Custom Excel Add-Ins

773

Pt. VII

Appendixes

785

 

App. A: Worksheet Function Reference

787

 

App. B: What's on the CD-ROM

803

 

App. C: Just for Fun

815

 

App. D: Additional Excel Resources

837

 

App. E: Excel Shortcut Keys

845

 

Index

853

 

End-User License Agreement

899

 Internet Resources (research on topics available from internet resources is recommended)

Course Assignments (specific activities the student must do to complete the course and accomplish the course objectives)

 Week 1 Assignments       Read Chapters 1, 2, 3 & 4

  Question 1: What is Excel used for?

  Question 2: How do you enter data?  How do you format data elements?

  Question 3: How do you insert rows?

  Question 4: Why are cell ranges important?  What can you do with them?

 Week 2 Assignments       Read Chapters 5, 6 & 7

 Question 1: How do you change styles and formats?

 Question 2: How do you specify what to print?

 Question 3: Why keep extra copies of your spreadsheets on your hard drive?

 Project #1 due in Week 5

    Create a spreadsheet with 5 columns and 30 rows of people:

Column A = Person Attending 

Column B = Baptism Date   (0 if not baptized)

Column C = Number of weeks attending in the month

Column D = Gender

Column E = Participation in worship services

  1. Count all the attendees
  2. Count the females and count the males
  3. Count the baptized members and those that participate in services

 Create these counts at the bottom of the spreadsheet.

 Week 3 Assignments       Read Chapters 8, 9 & 10

Question 1: What are the major operators used in creating formulas.

 Question 2: How do you input a formula?

 Question 3: How are date formats set?  How are time formats set?

 Question 4: How do you calculate the number of days between two dates?

 Week 4 Assignments       Read Chapters 11, 12, 13 & 14

 Question 1: How do you count specific items? 

 Question 2: How would you perform a lookup on a specific item?

Question 3: What are the major financial functions contained in Excel? Describe what they do.

 Question 4: What is an array?

 Week 5 Assignments        Read Chapters 15, 16, 17 & 18

 Question 1: How do you sum cells?  Why is this function critical?

 Question 2: How would you create a simple bar graph chart?

 Question 3: How would you save a chart created in Excel as a GIF file?

 Project #1 due this week

 Week 6 Assignments         Read Chapters 19, 20, 21 & 22

 Question 1: How do you sort a list?

 Question 2: What is a pivot table? How is it used?

 Question 3: Can Excel perform What-If analysis? Why is this important?

 Week 7 Assignments         Read Chapters 23, 24, 25 & 26

 Question 1: What are Goal Seeking and Solver in Excel?

 Question 2:  What does ToolPak provide?

 Question 3: How do you create a number format?

 Question 4: How would you add/remove a tool bar?

 Project #2 due in week 11

 Create a spreadsheet with 3 columns and 15 entries:

 A= Week number

B = weekly contribution

C= Weekly budget

 Total the weekly contribution for an annual contribution

Count the weeks greater than week 1 budget

Create a chart with each weekly contribution.

 Week 8 Assignments         Read Chapters 27, 28, 29 & 30

 Question 1: What is conditional formatting and how is it utilized?

 Question 2: What is worksheet outline? How is it used?

 Question 3: Why would it be necessary to link workbooks?

 Question 4: How do you insert a hyperlink in Excel?

 Week 9 Assignments         Read Chapters 31, 32, 33 & 34

 Question 1: How would you imbed a document into Excel?

 Question 2: Why would you need to share workbooks on a network?

 Question 3: What does it mean when columns are filled with hash marks (#s)?

 Question 4: What is a macro? Why are they beneficial?

 Week 10 Assignments        Read Chapters 35, 36 & 37

 Question 1: How would you create a custom function?

 Question 2: What is an event handler and what does it do? 

 Question 3: Why are controls used in worksheets?

 Week 11 Assignments        Read Chapters 38, 39 & 40

 Question 1: Why do people use events in Excel? 

 Question 2: What is the Open event used to do?

 Question 3: What is an Excel Add-In?

 Question 4: Why are data types important? Will your information be affected if you use the incorrect type?

 Project #2 due this week

Review for final Exam

 Week 12 Assignments

 Final Exam

LDR 301

Organizational Leadership

Prerequisites: None  

Credit: 3 Credit Hours

Catalog Description: Organizational Leadership examines the attitudes and actions that people exhibit in organizations. It provides an overview how leadership affects organizational structure, personalities, emotions, power, politics, and motivation in the workplace.

Mission: The mission of the Leadership Major is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of leadership by focusing on the theoretical, historical, organizational, social, and personal dimensions of leadership.

Purpose: This course introduces students to organizational behavior theories and concepts. The course will help people understand how their behavior and the behavior of others affect leadership in a organization. The course focuses on both macro and micro perspectives that are essential to understanding leadership in formal organizations.

Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

1. Explain the role of theory and concepts in analyzing organizational issues and problems.

 

2. Describe the historical foundations of modern organizational behavior.

 

3. Understand the relationship between organizational culture, organizational performance, and leadership.

 

4. Apply theories of motivation to leadership situations found in formal organizations. .

 

5. Discuss the role of job design in and the extent to which it impacts the leader’s role in the organization.

 

6. Describe how organizational design affects the way in which information gets to key decision makers and leaders.

 

General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: Grades are based on attendance and participation, the quality of written assignments, and the completion and timeliness of all work assigned by the instructor. The completed assignments must be comprehensive (depth and breadth) and display correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence/paragraph development.

ADM 301  Finance Fundamentals

Prerequisites: None

Credit: 3 Credit Hours

Catalog Description: This course presents the basics of finance as a means to determine the operating activities of a church.  It is also a means for the leader to interpret financing strategies for the local church or a mission work in budgeting and sustaining growth.

Mission: The mission of the Leadership major is to provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of leadership by focusing on the theoretical, historical, organizational, social, and personal dimensions of leadership.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide a foundation for the understanding of finance concepts and time value of money. An examination of the various financial formulas and concepts will prepare the leader to better determine the best manner to finance congregational and mission work growth. church. 

Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

1. Define the major financial formulas and their uses.  

 

2. Understand the time value of money and its impact on financial decisions. 

 

3. Apply leasing vs. buying of equipment and/or capital improvements.   

 

4. Long-term financing vs. short-term financing measures   

 

General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: Grades are based on attendance and participation, the quality of written assignments, and the completion and timeliness of all work assigned by the instructor. The completed assignments must be comprehensive (depth and breadth) and display correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence/paragraph development.

 LDR 500
Leadership Theories and Practices

Prerequisites: None
Credit: 3 Credit Hours

Catalog Description: This course explores the various theories of leadership by examining how they are practiced within diverse organizational and situational contexts. Students also study past and current leaders in order to effectively analyze their roles, styles, actions, reputations, and levels of success in relationship to the theories presented.

Mission: The mission of the Master of Arts in Leadership program is to enable students to engage in diverse learning experiences to explore the theoretical and practical contexts of leadership.

Purpose: This course introduces the student to the fundamental theories of leadership and provides opportunities to explore how these theories are practiced in various situations and organizations. This course lays the foundation for concepts discussed in the subsequent courses in the program.

Objectives:  Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

   1. Determine leadership styles and what behaviors each style generates in those he manages.

 

   2. Determine what leadership style is most comfortable for the student.

 

   3. Under what situations leadership style must be changed and altered.

 

4. Choose ethical and compassionate leadership with firmness.

 

Emphasis will be on research and case analysis from specific church related issues.  An analysis of how the issue would be solved in the business world vs. a church-related setting.

 

General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: General assignments include such activities as participating in weekly discussions, reading assigned materials, analyzing and critiquing case studies, developing and analyzing strategies, writing papers, and critical thinking exercises, such as journaling. Evaluation of student work includes an evaluation of levels of participation and effort, as well as an analysis of the student’s ability to utilize critical thinking skills to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

Research - Due Week 5

 

The elders of the Church are considering building an addition to the building because attendance has grown in the last three years.  Some of the members have opposed the addition and are vocal about the issue.  There is even talk of a church split if the building project goes forward.  What are some ways for the eldership to deal with this potentially destructive issue? 

 

Research Project -   Due Week 11 (Ethics)

 

You are an elder of a congregation that has two pulpit ministers.  One is an older gentleman who is loved by everyone, especially the older members.  The other minister is a younger man that is equally respected, especially by the younger members.  The economy has taken a serious downturn and contributions have been falling.  The elders have expressed concern about how they can continue to make budget, with the surplus nearly exhausted from shoring up the monthly expenses.  Your task has been to formulate a plan to balance the budget.  Do you cut back on local preaching staff which will upset members, cut back on mission work which will hinder the gospel, or cut expenses which are bare-boned already?  What would be your leadership plan and how would you present it to minimize the damage?

ADM 500 

Advanced Organizational Behavior

Prerequisites: None 

Credit: 3 credit hours

Mission: To inspire, enable, and actively engage learners to pursue a quality graduate education addressing the full range of advanced business processes, strategies, and functions.

Catalog description: This course encourages the application of advanced conceptual and theoretical perspectives to the analysis and control of behavior in organizations. Learners will practice diagnosing and resolving behavioral and organizational problems related to management functions, individual differences, group and interpersonal conflict, and work-life interface. Includes emphasis on perception, motivation, leadership, influence, work-family conflict, stress, decision making, diversity, organizational learning, ethics, global issues and change.

Purpose: The purpose of ADM 500  is to provide a framework for learners to become more proficient in recognizing, understanding, predicting and controlling the behavior of individuals, independently or in groups, in organizational settings such as corporations, governmental institutions, health care facilities, educational institutions, small businesses, and private firms, for profit or non-profit; to acquire and understand practical tools and methods used to measure behavior; and to better understand and apply the processes and characteristics that influence making behavioral decisions. Learners will practice diagnosing and resolving behavioral and organizational problems related to management functions, individual differences, group and interpersonal conflict, and work-life interface. Topics include perception, motivation, leadership, influence, work-family conflict, stress, decision making, diversity, organizational learning, ethics, global issues and change.

Objectives:  Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

  1. Understand the stresses on family members due to his involvement in the church.

 

  1. Understand conflict in the church and develop proper techniques to resolve it.

 

  1. Recognize and deal with differing personalities in acceptable ways

 

  1. Manage personnel and set goals that foster advancement

 

Emphasis will be on research and case analysis from specific church related issues.  An analysis of how the issue would be solved in the business world vs. a church-related setting.

 

General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: General assignments include such activities as participating in weekly discussions, reading assigned materials, analyzing and critiquing case studies, developing and analyzing strategies, writing papers, and critical thinking exercises, such as journaling. Evaluation of student work includes an evaluation of levels of participation and effort, as well as an analysis of the student’s ability to utilize critical thinking skills to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

 

LDR 510

Organizational Leadership

Prerequisites: None  

Credit: 3 Credit Hours

Catalog Description: In this course, students focus on the roles leaders play in various types of organizations. Students explore the practice of leadership theories within the context of the goals and functions of various organizations, the expectations of society, and the personal goals of the leader. Students will analyze the level of success of both organizations and leaders based on a variety of factors.  Emphasis will be given to churches and mission-related activities.

Mission: The mission of the Master of Arts in Leadership program is to enable students to engage in diverse learning experiences to explore the theoretical and practical contexts of leadership.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to allow students to explore the dynamics of leading within various organizational contexts including profit and non-profit entities. Students also explore the dynamics of organizational behaviors, which helps set the stage for other courses later in this program of study.

Objectives:  Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

1.      Identify management mistakes and learn to effectively correct them

 

2.      Determine proper ways to manage crisis

 

3.      Determine how business rectifies mistakes and examine how churches can rectify mistakes

 

4.      Plan for fewer mistakes by examining examples

 

Emphasis will be on research and case analysis from specific church related issues.  An analysis

of how the issue would be solved in the business world vs. a church-related setting.

 

General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: General assignments include such activities as participating in weekly discussions, reading assigned materials, analyzing and critiquing case studies, developing and analyzing strategies, writing papers, and critical thinking exercises. Evaluation of student work includes an evaluation of levels of participation and effort, as well as an analysis of the student’s ability to utilize critical thinking skills to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

ADM 510

Survey of Accounting and Information Systems

Prerequisites: None  

Credit: 3 credit hours

Mission: To inspire, enable, and actively engage learners to pursue a quality accounting education introducing the knowledge, skills, and understanding critical to being a valuable contributor to the accounting profession and society

Catalog description: Survey of Accounting and Information Systems is designed to provide students with an overall understanding of the manner in which business gathers, processes and uses information. Students are introduced to basic accounting and computer concepts and procedures through case studies and computer projects. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of basic accounting processes and principles, on data management in a computerized environment, and on the basic financial statements. Students are also expected to develop an appreciation of the needs for internal controls in a business. Issues relating to internal control procedures, computer security, privacy issues and ethics will be introduced through readings and case studies.

Purpose: To provide the student a working knowledge of financial accounting and the ability to use financial accounting information to make decisions.

Objectives:  Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

1.      Understand the importance of financial statements to the church

 

2.      Develop financial statements and understand their components

 

3.      Develop appropriate business decisions based on financial statements

 

4.      Understand the differing investments that the church may invest in before needing its funds to facilitate growth

 

5.      Understand financing of church activities with debt

 

Emphasis will be on research and case analysis from specific church related issues.  An analysis of how the issue would be solved in the business world vs. a church-related setting.

 

General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: General assignments include such activities as participating in weekly discussions, reading assigned materials, analyzing and critiquing case studies, developing and analyzing strategies, writing papers, and critical thinking exercises, such as journaling. Evaluation of student work includes an evaluation of levels of participation and effort, as well as an analysis of the student’s ability to utilize critical thinking skills to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

 

Research project due week 5

 

    Research ways to finance a building addition for the Church.  Explore saving, financing, and combinations of these measures or others.  Explore these in the context of accounting and its impact on current Church budgets and mission works.

 

Research project due week 11  

 

    The Church has decided to purchase a church bus for transporting people to services that do not have transportation.  Also, this bus will be used for the ladies outings, retreats, and general usage when groups need transportation.  Research the financial impact to the Church in its purchase of this bus.  Include in your research the costs of the bus, gasoline, insurance, tires, and any other costs (hard costs and soft costs) that may impact the balance sheet and/or income statement of the congregation.  Use costs and trends in your neighborhood. Also you can use your Church’s budget to show the impact per member in these costs.

 

 

LDR 600

Strategic Leadership

Prerequisites: None  

Credit: 3 Credit Hours

Catalog Description: In this course students will explore how leaders strategically create and affect organizational missions, goals, and objectives. The students will study the role a leader plays with regard to inspiring, empowering, and leading organizational stakeholders through planning and implementing strategic organizational initiatives.

Mission: The mission of the Master of Arts in Leadership program is to enable students to engage in diverse learning experiences to explore the theoretical and practical contexts of leadership.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to help students understand the leader’s role in creating and affecting the missions, goals, and objectives of organizations. Students also begin to explore certain aspects of change, which helps set the stage for a more in-depth study of change in later courses in this program of study.

Objectives:  Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

1.      Create strategic decisions and lead in their implementation

 

2.      Cooperate with other leaders to affect change

 

3.      Learn how to deal with not “getting your own way” in decisions

 

4.      Motivate people to accept your goals and vision

 

Emphasis will be on research and case analysis from specific church related issues.  An analysis of how the issue would be solved in the business world vs. a church-related setting.

 

General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: General assignments include such activities as participating in weekly discussions, reading assigned materials, analyzing and critiquing case studies, developing and analyzing strategies, writing papers, and critical thinking exercises, such as journaling. Evaluation of student work includes an evaluation of levels of participation and effort, as well as an analysis of the student’s ability to utilize critical thinking skills to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

ADM 610 Financial Strategy

 Prerequisites: None

Credit: 3 Credit Hours

Catalog Description: Fundamental principles and practices relevant to a firm’s financial strategy are addressed. Emphasis is on conceptual foundations and analysis of how financial fundamentals impact church financial strategies and the efficient allocation of resources. Topics studied include: key elements of financial environments, market efficiency, financial analysis, cash flow, incentive theory and practice, agency problems, time value of money, security valuation, risk analysis, portfolio theory and practice, capital budgeting, capital structure, dividend policies, options, global financial concerns, and contemporary financial issues.

Mission: The mission of the course is to provide a quality education that addresses the knowledge, skills, and understanding that are critical to being a valuable contributor to modern business and society; as well as to inspire, enable, and actively engage learners to achieve this quality education.

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to provide business students a solid foundation of fundamental financial principles, practices, and theories as they apply to modern business enterprises and to modern financial markets. The course provides both a review of, as well as an advanced analysis of subtleties and nuances associated with fundamental financial issues. Various key fundamental elements of financial environments, market efficiency, financial analysis, cash flow, incentive theory and practice, agency problems, time value of money, security valuation, risk analysis, portfolio theory and practice, capital budgeting, capital structure, dividend policies, options, global financial concerns, contemporary financial issues, etc. are covered.

Objectives:  Students who successfully complete this course should be able to:

 

   1.  Determine the proper means to finance the church’s activities  

 

   2.  Develop contingency plans for managing budget shortfalls

 

   3.  Analyze financial statements to determine weaknesses and strengths

 

   4.  Determine whether long-term or short-term financing is appropriate

 

Emphasis will be on research and case analysis from specific church related issues.  An analysis of how the issue would be solved in the business world vs. a church-related setting. General Assignments and Evaluation of Student Work: General assignments include such activities as participating in weekly discussions, reading assigned materials, analyzing and critiquing case studies, developing and analyzing strategies, writing papers, and critical thinking exercises, such as journaling. Evaluation of student work includes an evaluation of levels of participation and effort, as well as an analysis of the student’s ability to utilize critical thinking skills to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

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