This course will provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to own and operate their own small businesses. Students will examine the environment of small business ownership, the procedures and skills necessary to open a small business, and the policies and practices of a successful small business operation. This course will emphasize a hands-on approach to small business ownership. Local entrepreneurs will be guest speakers and students will have the benefit of receiving advice from local entrepreneurs. Students will brainstorm ideas for a business through ideation and then learn how to write a “lean startup” business plan for a business that matches their interests.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: Sophomore – Senior

This course prepares students to be good stewards of what God has placed in their hands. Throughout the semester, the class will focus on many important topics to stimulate thinking for the future. As part of the class, students will also learn about vocation/calling and what fields they might best apply their gifts and talents. The main focus of this part of the class will be on money and financial skills. Students will learn about budgeting, investing, savings, insurance, debt, taxes, and tithing to teach them about financial responsibility. Many of the above topics will be presented by members of WCS and local community in order to give the students a real-life perspective.

Required: 1.25 credits (quarter course offered opposite Personal Wellness)

Prerequisite: Junior

Financial Markets is a course that will focus on the major markets in the financial world. There will be a heavy emphasis on studying the stock market but we will spend time looking at other markets like the bond market, currency markets, housing markets and more. We will study how these markets work and what impacts these markets in the short term and long term. Students will get real life experience with these markets. God calls us to be good stewards of what has been given to us and this course will help students as stewards of finances.

Required: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: Sophomore-Senior

This semester-long course recognizes the ever-expanding global marketplace and that many students will eventually have careers in that marketplace. Their peers in other leading world markets are currently studying our customs, cultures, and business practices. International Business will introduce students to the understanding of the interrelationships between different countries’ political and economic policies and business practices.

Areas to be covered include the awareness of the impact of International Business, communication strategies, environmental factors, ethics, finance, management practices, and import/export and balance of trade issues. Awareness of real-world economics as they affect everyday life is an important topic for study. Class presentations and projects are required.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: Junior – Senior

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of business practices and procedures. Students gain knowledge of business and economics helpful in the pursuit of a future degree or career in business, as well as in everyday life. Students explore all functional areas of business including the basics of investing, accounting, management, marketing, product development, manufacturing and distribution, and human resources. Students also explore different leadership styles and interpersonal skills that are important to success in the business world.

Internet research, guest speakers, and group activities are also utilized throughout the course to provide students with up-to-date information on current business trends. The teaching focus will be placed on real-world cases, various current events in the business world, and student discussion and research within the business field.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisite: None

Macroeconomics explores the fundamental economic ideas and the operation of the economy on a national scale. Students will learn about production, distribution and consumption of goods and services, the exchange process, the role of government, the national income and its distribution, GDP, consumption function, savings function, investment spending, the influence of government spending on income and output. The course will also cover monetary policy, including the banking system and the Federal Reserve System.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: Sophomore – Senior

Microeconomics deals with the interactions between individual households and business firms. The concepts of supply and demand will be studied; students will learn what those concepts mean, how they operate, and how prices are determined. Market structure, market failure and income distribution will also be considered.

This course is meant to give students insight into the dynamics of a market-based economy and how through this mechanism scarce resources are allocated. The theoretical and actual role of the government in this market system will also be addressed. The knowledge gained in the course will make students better informed citizens and allow them to follow the debates over national economic policy reported in the news media. The course will also provide a foundation for students who may enter the fields of business, government or political science.

Elective: 2.5 credits

Prerequisites: Sophomore – Senior