AAB Courses

Based on reasonable projections of faculty availability and appropriate curriculum considerations, the following courses can change as deemed necessary by Baker University to fulfill its role and mission. Completing the 60-credit-hour AAB curriculum requires approximately 24 months.

BU 110* – Introduction to Business Education

This course is an introductory course for adult students pursuing a business degree. Topics include program planning, group interaction, written and oral communication skills, research skills, test-taking, note-taking, and time management. This course will also instruct students in the methods of critical reading and reflection and in the application of these skills in writing. A degree completion plan must be finalized prior to enrollment in any other course work. (3 credits)

BU 220* – Foundations of Business Management

This course is designed to introduce the student to the operation of the business enterprise and its role in U.S. and international commerce. The roles of business as supplier of goods and services, employer participant in public affairs and civic partner are examined. Basic business functions of accounting, management, marketing, finance, and human resources are introduced. Career options in business are also explored. (3 credits)

EN 101* – Written Communication

This course is designed to familiarize the student with fundamental problems associated with the writing of effective expository prose: the research sentence, principles of good organization, problems of coherence and redundancy, and grammatically correct sentence structure. (Satisfies written English requirement) (3 credits)

SC 115* – Oral Communication (Arts and Humanities)

This course is designed to familiarize the student with the principles of speaking in public and in small groups. The course offers practical application of speaking and listening fundamentals in both formal and informal speaking situations. Special emphasis is provided on discussion techniques and solving problems in small groups. (3 credits)

PH 111* – Critical Thinking (Arts and Humanities)

This is an introductory philosophy course that focuses on how to recognize, formulate, analyze, and evaluate arguments. Topics include deductive logic, inductive reasoning, predicate logic, and informal fallacies. Attention is given to applying logic to problems in ethics and values, to constructing and evaluating extended arguments and to understanding the value of sound reasoning. Readings are included from philosophers in the Western tradition: Aquinas, Bacon, Hume, Mill, and Clifford. (3 credits)

BI 120 – Human Ecology (Science)

This is a biology course for the non-scientist. The course is an introduction to the terminology and world view of biological science through a consideration of the impact of modern technology on human ecology. (3 credits)

TH 111 – The Theatre Experience (Arts and Humanities)

This course traces the process by which a script is transformed into a theatrical production. Examples of tragedies, comedies, and tragicomedies are examined as products of their individual societies, and their corresponding periods of theatre and cultural history are examined. Dramatic criticism and the production elements of acting, directing, and technical theatre are explored. (3 credits)

HI 231 – 1945-1980: Decades of Change (Arts and Humanities)

This course closely examines the social, political, and diplomatic history of America in the intense period from the end of World War II until the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. Special attention is given to the civil rights movement, the effects of Communism on Americans (including the Vietnam War), and the legacy of the Nixon presidency. (3 credits)

PY 111 – General Psychology (Social Science)

This course is an overview of the wide variety of subject areas that comprise the study of behavior. Opposing schools of thought are presented in the approach to understanding methodology, learning, memory, language, perception, anxiety and stress, development, and social interactions. (3 credits)

EN 110 – Literature and Ideas (Arts and Humanities)

This course is a study of the artistic conventions and techniques employed by writers in order to structure written language into literary works of art. Selections are drawn from a wide spectrum of contemporary and historical works. (3 credits)

MC 140* – Mass Media and Society

This course is a study of the technological growth and impact of our media environment on the individual and on society as a whole. Special emphasis is placed on the political, legal, economic, sociological, and psychological effects of mass media on American life. (3 credits)

MA 145* - College Algebra

This course includes a study of algebraic equations, inequalities, functions, graphs, polynomials, rational functions, and exponential and logarithmic functions. (Satisfies Math requirement) (3 credits)

PS 115 - Introduction to American Politics (Social Science)

This course introduces the student to the basic concepts of American politics, including its classical roots and theoretical basis, the Constitution, the three branches of government, civil liberties, public policy, the mass media, and foreign policy. At the conclusion, students apply their understanding of the theories to specific current problems. (3 credits)

BU 230* - Financial Planning

This course is designed to introduce the role of a consumer in the economy, develop a basic financial plan, apply budgeting procedures in daily and monthly spending plans, calculate principal and interest, define types of consumer credit and identify types of housing mortgages. The student should be able to determine individual insurance needs and be able to explain employee and retirement benefits. (3 credits)

BI 245 – Human Nutrition (Science)

This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of human nutrition as related to growth, development, and maintenance of good health. In addition to nutritional theory, students learn to analyze and plan nutritional regimes. (3 credits)

BU 240* - Basic Economics

This course provides an introduction to the study of economics as applied to contemporary social issues such as health care, professional sports, crime, unemployment, and taxation. A framework of basic tools is provided to support understanding of fundamental economic principles. (3 credits)

RE 350* – The Bible and Leadership (Arts and Humanities)

This course examines significant characters of the Bible with emphasis on issues of leadership. Though the Bible is a document of the Christian faith, it is not necessary to be a Christian to take the course, nor are students expected to adopt any Christian beliefs. (3 credits)

PY 258 – Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Social Science)

This course helps students understand the factors that influence human behavior in organizational settings. Emphasis is placed on scientific analysis of individual processes, group processes, and organizational structure and design. Topics addressed include research methodology, attitude determinants, communication, performance determinants and evaluations, decision making, and leadership. (3 credits)

BU 250* – Advertising and Promotion

This course provides an introduction to the elements of customer communication and how to apply those principles to target market strategies. Advertising principles and practices are introduced and students develop an advertising plan for a business organization. (3 credits)

BU 260* – Fundamentals of Accounting

An introductory accounting course describing accounting theory and practice, this course emphasizes the use of financial statements for management control. (3 credits)

*Required courses to earn the associate's degree. If you wish to complete the Associate of Arts degree while also completing courses for the bachelor's degree program, you must inform the Academic Records office no later than the 12th course in the above listing. Otherwise you will not be tracked for the AAB degree.