Woods College of Advancing Studies

Woods College Graduate Fall Electives

fall 2011


AD 70401  Accounting and Financial Analysis
AD70401 Syllabus   
Course develops a user perspective to accounting to better understand what the numbers say. Explores the accounting cycle, the various statements that are the product of the process and the implications the data carry. Reviews areas where alternative methods of reporting are allowed. Designed for those using, not preparing data. Little or no formal accounting background needed.
Fall, Mon, 6:45–8:30, Sept 12–Dec 19,
Tuition $1980, Professor John Glynn

AD 70501  Law and Social Responsibility
AD70501 Syllabus  
Laws define and reinforce personal and professional relationships. Course explores how laws influence society and how society influences the law. Considers the broad social and professional contexts connecting individuals, families and organizations. Presents an overview of the structure of the Federal and Massachusetts Courts as well as the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Examines civil laws applicable to the family, including the legal aspects of marriage, child custody, adoption, divorce and liability for conduct. Addresses issues of ethics, equality and privacy.
Fall, Tues, 6:45–8:30, Sept 6–Dec 13,
Tuition $1980, Professor Heather Lewis

CANCELLED  - AD 70601  Communication in a Global Work Environment
Successful organizational leaders recognize the enormous potential of globalization, and the absolute need to interact competently with complex multicultural work environments. Students learn to better understand the subtle cultural dynamics and nuances that build and maintain relationships at work and at home as well as in corporate negotiation. Topics include addressing the tension between “culture” as something fixed, and the push for change, the dynamics of men and women working in partnership, leaders as influencers of a collaborative culture. Media influences, nonverbal cues, and the formation of worldviews are examined. Explores values, stereotyping and cultural biases through readings, presentations and films.
Fall, Thurs, 6:45–8:30, Sept 8–Dec 15,
Tuition $1980, Professor Marilyn Matelski

AD 70701  Conflict Resolution: Negotiation Skills
AD70701 Syllabus   
Negotiation is a central process in decision making and conflict resolution. Course examines the theory and practice of negotiation in a variety of contexts, including labor-management relations, buying and selling, mergers and acquisitions, civil liability suits, international diplomacy, and intra-organizational bargaining. Topics include target ­setting, concession making, power and influence, team ­management and negotiations, strategy and tactics and phases of ­competitive and cooperative negotiations.
Fall, Wed, 6:30–8:45, Sept 7–Dec 14,
Tuition $1980, Professor Richard Nielsen

AD 70901  Interactive Systems Unbound
AD70901 Syllabus  
As information systems change radically, all traditional passive data systems becoming interactive. This requires professionals to become well acquainted with the operation and effective application of such systems. Course focuses on the description, content and future trends of all applications forced by globalization which impacts the Information Society. Covers Internet technology, security, content, decision-making, and behavioral changes. In this hybrid distance-learning format, students attend six classroom meetings. A dynamic and fluid learning environment will involve immersive and distance learning techniques.
Fall, Wed, 6:45–8:30, Sept 7–Dec 14,
Tuition $1980, Professor William O'Keefe


AD 71201  The New Professional: Making Room for Morality in Corporate America
AD71201 Syllabus
What does it mean to be a professional in the new millennium? Does it mean we can make the tough decisions and justify any collateral damage as being just the "cost of doing business" or do we have an obligation to the world and to ourselves to personally engage and make decisions in a moral context? Do we compromise ourselves by disengaging from our own moral compass? Course explores the difficult struggles professionals face as they try to integrate values and morals into a profession where the bottom line often defines the corporate culture.
Fall, Mon, 6:45–8:30, Sept 12–Dec 19,
Tuition $1980, Professor Katherine Lev


AD 71401  Focusing the Message: Creative Formats
AD71401 Syllabus    
Course encompasses all levels and forms of literature to enhance communication in professional and social settings. Imagination and creativity are the prevailing vehicles through which the reader delves into literature. In an
informal, encouraging atmosphere students adopt new
perspectives in presenting persuasive, ceremonial and
expository positions.
Fall, Wed, 6:45–8:30, Sept 7–Dec 14,
Tuition $1980, Professor Stuart Hecht


AD 71601  Managing Life’s Transitions: Facilitating Growth
AD71601 Syllabus
Understanding and successfully managing life's inevitable transitions offers opportunities for professional and personal growth. Course examines transitions through the lifespan: graduations, career choices and changes, moving,  marriage, raising children, caring for aging parents, economic disruptions. Examines specific behavioral, cognitive, and social factors influencing motivation, goal setting, self confidence, making decisions, and risk taking. Addresses practical skills for creating a life balance.
Fall, Thurs, 6:45–8:30, Sept 8–Dec 15,
Tuition $1980, Professor Cathy Utzschneider


AD 72701  Career Strategies for Success
AD72701 Syllabus
Course examines the critical elements involved in self assessment, career exploration, goal setting, adult development, decision making, job search strategies and career progression. Looks at how to integrate career information resources, and explores specific techniques and strategies designed for a competitive job market.
Fall, Sat, 9–3:30, Sept 10–Oct 22,
Tuition $1980, Professor Amy Flynn

AD 72801  Public Relations
AD72801 Syllabus
Public Relations is a vital and versatile communication tool. Course explores the techniques and media used to influence special publics including the news media. Reviews the principles and practices of on-line communication, how
electronic media differs from traditional media, reaching new audiences, advantages and limitations. Students study examples of public relations campaigns and design their own. Focuses on non-profit public relations, corporate problems and the relationship between management strategies and promotional objectives.
Fall, Sat, 9–3:30, Nov 5–Dec 17,
Tuition $1980, Professor Donald Fishman

AD 72901  Labor Relations and Human Resources
AD72901 Syllabus    |
Workplaces are dynamic and fluid environments that are impacted by internal and external forces. Course examines the economic, social, psychological and political factors that influence employee relations systems. Through case studies and role playing course examines basic rights under federal and state statutes, the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining  agreements and the utilization of alternative dispute resolution methods to resolve conflict in the workplace.
Fall, Mon, 6:30–9, Sept 12–Dec 19,
Tuition $1980, Professor Richard Zaiger

AD 73901  Accounting: Nonprofit and Public
Examines nonprofit and state and municipal budgeting policies and practices as well as the fiscal climate within which these organizations operate. Students gain a better understanding of the role of accounting in public and nonprofit organizations and the theories underlying major fiscal policy debates. Topics include constructing budgets and capital improvement plans, and how to successfully generate funds to support nonprofit sector organizations.
Fall, Thurs 6:30–9, Sept 8–Dec 15,
Tuition $1980, Professor John McCarthy

AD 74001  Behavioral Economics: Emerging Perspective
AD74001 Syllabus  
Prerequisite: Principles of Economics
Why do people often behave in ways that are clearly not in their best interest? Integrating an understanding of human behavior into the more traditional economic models offers a fuller explanation of how behavior influences seemingly rational choices and suggests ways to optimize decision making. Course explores impact of the current economic crisis, competition, procrastination, certainty/uncertainty, investments, emerging technologies, career flexibility, obesity and divorce to explain outcomes and performance.
Fall, Mon, 6:30–9, Sept 12–Dec 19,
Tuition $1980, Professor Robert Anzenberger

AD 74301  Mastering the Media: Social and Psychological Effects of Mass Media
AD74301 Syllabus
In depth knowledge of how mass media shapes and reshapes thoughts, attitudes and behavior brings desired expertise to professional responsibilities and personal opportunities. Course explores the theories and data  documenting the impact of mass media and examines the positive and negative effects of different types of media content on different individuals to help tailor decision making and execute solutions. Discusses future innovations and global implications.
Fall, Tues, 6:45–8:30, Sept 6–Dec 13,
Tuition $1980, Professor Bernard Farwell

CLOSED - AD 74401  Leadership: Theory and Practice in OrganizationsHave you ever asked: what makes a great leader? If so, you join countless researchers and practitioners who have been trying to answer this for decades. Are leaders born? Are they bred? What distinguishes them? Course examines a number of theories, and provides a bedrock of leadership practice that can be readily transferred to many different organizations. Focus is on practical applications including an introduction to different leadership theories, case analysis, and hands-on experience with leadership instruments for both the individual and organizations. A hybrid course utilizing required classroom attendance on September 6, 20, October 4, 25, November 8, 22, 29. The other weeks will require monitoring and posting to the virtual classroom on Blackboard Vista 2-3 days each of those on-line weeks to submit work and engage in on-line discussion.
Fall, Tues, 6:45–8:30, Sept 6–Dec 13,
Tuition $1980, Professor Elisabeth Hiles

AD 75001  Introductory Geographic Information Systems:
Transforming and Targeting Markets
AD75001 Syllabus   
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is an information technology used for the management, analysis, and display of geographic - or spatial - data, and is represented by information sets such as common maps and more sophisticated data models. This course introduces the fundamental concepts of spatial technology and the increasing application of GIS in academic research, government and business. The course provides an overview of spatial analysis as a decision support tool, the use and management of spatial data, an introduction to GIS applications, and the unique demands GIS places on IT. Requires no programming experience.
Fall, Wed, 6:30–9, Sept 7–Dec 14,
Tuition $1980, Professor Donald Brady