While we find the topics in this program to be both interesting and relevant, the primary purpose of the course is to give you the opportunity to practice college-level coursework, discussion, group work, public speaking, and support-seeking in a real-life college setting, through which develop the skills and habits of mind necessary for a successful college transition. The course objectives are as follows:

• Understand fundamental business topics, such as organizational management, finance, marketing, and business ethics/corporate social responsibility

• Learn and practice the case study method

• Apply fundamental business concepts as well as problem-solving techniques to real-life scenarios through case studies in individual, pair, and group settings

• Learn and practice effective presentation skills

• Define and demonstrate teamwork and leadership skills

• Gain confidence networking with business faculty and leaders in various fields

• Situate military experiences within broader business and industry contexts

• Gain confidence in academic skills and intellectual contributions

• Understand how to access and use digital, campus, and community-based resources

• Build community through interactions with faculty, staff, fellows, and peers

The Business course is composed of the following five components:

• Business Fundamentals Classes. Business Fundamentals classes are 2-hour lecture- and discussion-based sessions taught by host institution faculty that focus on one topic related to business fundamentals, such as organizational management, business ethics, marketing, and finance. These classes are meant to replicate college-level business courses.

• Business Prep Classes. Business Prep Classes consist of three 1.25- to 1.5-hour sessions on the case study method, public speaking, and group dynamics. These classes, taught by WSP fellows, help prepare participants for the individual and group work application of business concepts learned throughout the week.

• Case Study Projects. One of the most common ways to learn business fundamentals is to apply concepts directly via real-life scenarios. All participants will complete multiple case studies throughout the week under the guidance of Case Study Leaders (CSLs) who are faculty or graduate students at the host institution. Cases will progress from simple individual projects to more complex group projects and presentations.

• Talk/demo/tour. Each afternoon will feature a different campus-based activity. These 1.25-hour sessions include a talk, demonstration, or tour with a member of the host campus community.

• College Success Sessions. College Success sessions are 1.25-hour discussion-based classes led by WSP fellows. Each session focuses on a different topic related to accessing and succeeding in college, and particularly in a business-related major.

• Readings from core texts (above) and other sources as assigned (see Schedule below)

• Daily reflections posted to online classroom in WSPConnect

• Case study projects and presentation

The Business & Entrepreneurship boot camp course uses readings from the following books. Any other readings assigned by host faculty or WSP fellows will be posted to your online classroom.

• Ellet, W. (2018). The Case Study Handbook: A Student’s Guide. Harvard Business Review Press.

• Gitman, L. J., McDaniel, C., Shah, A., Reece, M., Koffel, L., Talsma, B., & Hyatt, J. C. (2018). Introduction to business. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-business/

To view the a sample schedule, please use this link.