Business

711 - INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12

Learn and apply the rules and procedures of accounting for profit-motivated businesses and become familiar with the language of accounting  

Learn through: spreadsheets, hands-on-problems, simulations, tests, projects

Topics: assets, liabilities, owner’s equity, balance sheets, income statements, computer applications, electronic accounting

Skills: proficient in the language of accounting; able to complete an accounting cycle for a sole proprietorship, integrating computer applications and electronic accounting

Perfect for: students interested in business majors and careers, including starting their own business. It will also give you the skills needed to manage your personal finances

713 - ADVANCED ACCOUNTING: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 10-12 

COURSE CURRENTLY NOT OFFERED

Prerequisite:  Geometry or Accelerated Geometry and Introduction to Accounting

Take a deep dive into corporate accounting. Learn how large corporations decide to finance their big projects and how they report to their stockholders. Equivalent to college-level Introduction to Accounting

Learn through: real-world problems, hands-on problem solving, simulations, college-level tests

Topics: financial accounting and financial statement analysis (75%), managerial accounting (25%)

Skills: proficient in the language of accounting, able to use accounting to communicate a corporation’s financial position

Perfect for: anyone interested in pursuing a corporate career, especially those interested in corporate finance

722 - PERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 09-12 [Watch Course Video]

Learn practical information, tools, and strategies that will help you navigate your financial life and achieve long-term financial goals  

Learn through: class lectures and discussions, student presentations, group work, tests, projects

Topics: managing education costs, paycheck taxes, Social Security and Medicare, filing income tax, banking products, investment options, insurance needs, credit cards, and more

Skills: how to make decisions that help you achieve your personal financial goals — from your career choice to cash management, credit and investment strategies and tactics

Perfect for: students who want to learn how to set and meet financial goals throughout all phases of life

723 - MANAGING YOUR INVESTMENTS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

 HYBRID COURSE

Prerequisite:  Independent Money Management or Personal Financial Literacy

Explore a variety of long-term investment strategies and learn how to apply them to your life. Participate in The Stock Market Game™, an online simulation of the global capital markets

Learn through: hands-on projects and simulations, a state-level competition, individual and group work, formative work, quizzes/tests, essays, videos and presentations

Topics: mutual funds, stocks, bonds, commodities and alternative investments

Skills: researching a company’s finances, tracking a stock’s performance, building and managing a portfolio of investments

Perfect for: anyone who wants to understand and manage their money to help them meet long-term goals, like purchasing a home, paying for college, and saving for retirement 

725 - FINANCIAL ALGEBRA: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite:  Algebra 2 or Accelerated Algebra 2

Explore algebraic thinking patterns and functions in a financial context

Learn through: real-world problems and calculations, quizzes, tests

Topics: investing, banking, credit, income taxes, employment, modeling a business, mortgages

Skills: investing in stocks, starting a business, managing checking, savings and credit card accounts, filing taxes, taking out a loan

Perfect for: upperclassmen interested in relevant financial math

740 - AP MICROECONOMICS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite:  Geometry or Accelerated Geometry

Learn how consumers/producers/governments interact within the larger economy and how the principles of economics apply to those interactions. Equivalent to college-level Introduction to Microeconomics

Learn through: class discussions and activities, out-of-class readings, AP-style exams/quizzes

Topics: the nature and function of product markets, including price/production decision-makings and wage determinations; government’s role in promoting efficiency and equity; consumer behavior

Skills: analysis of economic behavior by individuals and businesses

Perfect for: students who plan to take the AP Microeconomics Exam

• • Note: AP Micro + AP Macro + AP Research may be substituted for Senior Social Studies Economics.

741 - AP MACROECONOMICS:  1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite:  Geometry or Accelerated Geometry

Learn how the principles of economics apply to economic systems as a whole. Learn how Macroeconomic concepts will help you make better, more informed decisions about your future. Equivalent to college-level Introduction to Macroeconomics

Learn through: class discussions and activities, out-of-class readings, AP-style exams/quizzes

Topics: GDP, fiscal and monetary policies, inflation, unemployment, economic growth, international economics, national income, economic performance measures, economic growth

Skills: analysis of economic behavior by businesses, problem solving skills needed to better prepare you for your future

Perfect for: students who plan to take the AP Macroeconomics exam and/or students that want to learn skills to prepare for what comes next in life

• • Note: AP Micro + AP Macro + AP Research may be substituted for Senior Social Studies Economics.

744A, 744B - BUSINESS INTERNSHIP/MENTORSHIP AND EXPERIENCE:  2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite:  Completion of an intermediate or advanced Career Sphere class

Experience a job that interests you. Discover how your unique personality and talents can guide your career choice and satisfaction. Develop an employment plan

Learn through: job shadows, eMentors, internship/mentorship, experiences with metro area businesses, networking

Topics/Skills: management and leadership, negotiating and handling conflict, business culture, networking, team building, resume writing, self-management, human resources, career exploration, interviewing

Perfect for: self-motivated students who are interested in connecting the classroom to the real world, networking in the business community, and advancing their professional life 

855 - INDEPENDENT MONEY MANAGEMENT:  1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12   [Watch Course Video]

Learn the basics of economics and personal finance. Acquire skills you need to wisely manage your financial resources.

Learn through: class discussion and lecture, student projects and presentations, group work, test-taking

Skills: applying income and expense principles, maintaining a budget, assessing your options

Topics: paying for college, creating a budget, personal banking/savings and checking accounts, buying a house and car, saving and investing, using credit wisely, buying insurance

Perfect for: students who want to develop personal financial planning skills

731 - SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING & ADVERTISING: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video] 

          HYBRID COURSE

Prerequisite:  Introduction to Marketing

Learn how to create strategic, targeted social media marketing plans that meet business objectives.

Learn through: interactive projects, research, presentations, class discussions, individual and group work

Topics: building a social media presence, creating content for social media platforms, executing social media ad campaigns, launching a career in digital marketing, creating messages traditional advertising platforms and channels

Skills: building a social media presence, creating content for social media platforms, planning and developing social media ad campaigns, understanding digital marketing career opportunities

Perfect for: any student interested in business marketing.

732 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING:  1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12 [Watch Course Video]

Explore and apply marketing concepts through the creation of products, promotions, and plans. Learn the key elements of successful marketing that make companies like Nike, Apple, and Google global giants. Gain the understanding and skills necessary to become successful in various marketing and business careers 

Learn through: interactive projects, simulations, product-development projects and demonstrations, research, presentations, class discussions, individual and group work, industry exams

Topics: key marketing concepts including branding, product development, personal selling, promotion, pricing and distribution; types of marketing careers

Skills: designing product prototypes, developing promotions, preparing marketing plans, creating presentations, teamwork, problem solving

Perfect for: students interested in project-based learning, students wanting to understand how marketing affects their daily life, students interested in pursuing marketing careers

737 -  ADVANCED MARKETING: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video] 

          HYBRID COURSE

Prerequisite:  Introduction to Marketing

Did you know that employment of market research analysts is projected to grow 19 percent from 2021 to 2031 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics) which is much faster than the average for most occupations?  In Advanced Marketing, students will build on what they learned in Introduction to Marketing, explore the role of marketing research and develop career skills. Students will have the opportunity to complete a marketing project for a local business and visit with local businesses 

Learn through: a hands-on research project with a local business, simulations, site visits, guest speakers, class discussions, presentations, individual and group work, industry exams, summative and formative assessments

Topics: marketing research concepts, processes, techniques, and applications; research design; qualitative and quantitative data; using marketing research to make decisions; ethics and social responsibility

Skills: develop awareness of the role and power of marketing in our world; an understanding of the various components of marketing, research, presentation and employability skills

Perfect for: students who have completed Introduction to Marketing and wish to learn more about marketing in general, market/marketing research, business and marketing careers.

Student Testimonial:

• "This class was an absolute blast and made me really enjoy marketing throughout the course. The final project was self paced and expanded my thinking of what goes into a good marketing campaign."

738 - FASHION MERCHANDISING: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite:  Introduction to Marketing

Learn about the fashion business and how brands like Tory Burch, Lauren Conrad, J. Lo, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger have become household names. Create your own fashion merchandising plan for use in a retail environment.

Learn through: hands-on, interactive projects; research; presentations; class discussions; individual and group work

Topics: the fashion apparel and accessories market, the fundamentals of fashion design, marketing, and promotion

Skills: strategic fashion merchandising and design, product development and marketing (production, pricing, promotion, and distribution), communication and collaboration

Perfect for: students interested in careers as fashion buyers, coordinators, designer, and managers.

739 - ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

COURSE CURRENTLY NOT OFFERED

Prerequisite:  Introduction to Marketing

Learn about sports, movies, television, and music marketing concepts and theories. 

Learn through: hands-on projects, research, quizzes, tests, projects, and presentations.

Topics: e-tail, history of sports and entertainment marketing, radio/TV product creation, event promotion.

Skills: presentation, e-marketing.

Perfect for: students who understand the basics of marketing and are ready to take those skills to new heights in sports and entertainment marketing.

744A, 744B - BUSINESS INTERNSHIP/MENTORSHIP AND EXPERIENCE:  2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite:  Completion of an intermediate or advanced Career Sphere class

Experience a job that interests you. Discover how your unique personality and talents can guide your career choice and satisfaction. Develop an employment plan.

Learn through: job shadows, eMentors, internship/mentorship experiences with metro area businesses, networking

Topics/Skills: management and leadership, negotiating and handling conflict, business culture, networking, team building, resume writing, self-management, human resources, career exploration, interviewing

Perfect for: self-motivated students who are interested in connecting the classroom to the real world, networking in the business community, and advancing their professional life. 

724 - BUSINESS LAW & ETHICS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

Prerequisite: Introduction to Business

Get a solid foundation in business law and learn about personal law topics that affect your day-to-day life

Learn through: class discussions, current events, case law, tests

Topics: contract law, property law, employment law, and more

Skills: contract, agency, and employment law analysis skills; a general understanding of the relationship between ethics and the law and of the types of civil and tort law

Perfect for: students who want to be challenged to think analytically as they study classic and recently-decided legal cases 

733 - INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS: 1 Term /  1 Credit, Grades 10-12   [Watch Course Video] 

          HYBRID COURSE

Prerequisite: Introduction to Business

The U.S. has the world’s largest economy but represents only 5% of the world’s population. Explore foreign markets from geographic, economic, political and cultural perspectives and identify potential global career opportunities.

Learn through: interactive hands-on projects, simulations, research, presentations, class discussions, individual/group work, industry exams, summative and formative assessments

Topics: legal, political, economic, geographic and cultural arenas of countries that pique your interest; dive into what it would take to open a business in another country

Skills: global mindset with an understanding of international trade; cross-cultural communications, marketing and management practices; increased awareness of career opportunities in the international business and entrepreneurship sector

Perfect for: students with an interest in exploring global business opportunities and concepts

Student Testimonial:

• "The International Business class is the perfect opportunity to learn about the economic, political, cultural, and geographical factors of business across the world."

734 - ENTREPRENEURSHIP: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12 [Watch Course Video]

 HYBRID COURSE

Prerequisite: Intro to Marketing, Business or Accounting

Learn how to use the lean startup method to launch a business; discover the activities involved in owning and operating a business. 

Learn through: class lecture/discussion, student presentations, conducting interviews of potential customers, writing a business plan, working in the school store, reading, test-taking

Topics: characteristics of a good entrepreneur; types of ownership; business plans

Skills: creativity, problem-solving, initiative, employability

Perfect for: students who want a challenge and are interested in becoming an entrepreneur

This class is a hybrid course so students will have opportunities to interact with potential customers outside of school during class time.

This class is concurrently enrolled with Hennepin Technical College so students can earn up to 3 credits from HTC as well as earning high school credit.

735 - INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-11[Watch Course Video]

Introduce yourself to the basics of business economics, communications, and entrepreneurship. Learn about the government’s role in business. Explore business career paths

Learn through: research, quizzes, test-taking, projects, presentations

Topics: marketing, finance, economics, and entrepreneurship; government’s role as regulator and promoter; business ethics and communications

Skills: a broad exposure to business operations and a solid background for additional business courses

Perfect for: anyone interested in business basics or business careers

744A, 744B - BUSINESS INTERNSHIP/MENTORSHIP AND EXPERIENCE:  2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grades 11-12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite:  Completion of an intermediate or advanced Career Sphere class

Experience a job that interests you. Discover how your unique personality and talents can guide your career choice and satisfaction. Develop an employment plan

Learn through: job shadows, eMentors, internship/mentorship, experiences with metro area businesses, networking

Topics/Skills: management and leadership, negotiating and handling conflict, business culture, networking, team building, resume writing, self-management, human resources, career exploration, interviewing

Perfect for: self-motivated students who are interested in connecting the classroom to the real world, networking in the business community, and advancing their professional life 

9991A, 9991B - BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS: 2 Terms / 4 Credits, Grade 12 [Watch Course Video]

Prerequisite:  Introduction to Business or Accounting

Learn how businesses manage the coordination and organization of business activities. Explore how businesses oversee operations and help employees reach their top productivity levels. Research tips and tricks that businesses use to reach their operating and financial objectives. Do all this while identifying emerging trends, understanding how public/private policies influence business and how companies adapt to external economic forces.

Learn through: working on a hands-on, real-world project provided and managed by local businesses; mentor meetings and partnerships; guest lecturers; site visits; class discussions and presentations; individual and group work; industry exams; summative and formative assessments

Topics: Business Management: how for-profit and nonprofit organizations are structured and interact with each other, their customers, and the government; Economics: the study of how society allocates scarce resources; organizational planning, leading, organizing and controlling

Skills: conducting research on real-life problems/policy issues; problem-solving; critical thinking; career development

Perfect for: students interested in professional, experiential learning opportunities involving research, collaboration, problem-solving and working with local businesses and mentors