Academic Programs

Art Leaders Forum

CFA FA 510 (4 credits)

The "Art Leaders Forum" is a collective enterprise of critical inquiry, reflection and open discussion about what it means to lead as an artist now. The implications of assuming leadership are vast----vision, exertion, generosity, intelligence, precision, responsibility, compassion ... Furthermore, to lead cannot mean to ignore the complex reality we live in as a society: Inequity, social disparities, structural racism and discrimination are not undesired mistakes, but structural aspects of the world we live in. In other words, the way our society defines what is "leadership" and "who should lead" has the power to perpetuate, or for the same matter, dismantle these issues. Our collective inquiry and discussion will inevitably deal with this pressing reality. A group of global art leaders, activists and entrepreneurs from across the globe will join the forum to illustrate, enrich and guide this discussion. The "Art Leaders Forum" is a co-creation process in need of every voice and every view that engages in it. Tourism is not an option here: taking part in the forum clearly demands something of each of us----to fully listen and to dare to be heard; to be seen and to see others and their reality. To support and enhance such demanding work the course will introduce notions of mindfulness, entrepreneurship, active listening, embodiment and non-violent communication, at the time that will study and explore different models of leadership, activism, community and social impact in the arts.

2022FALLCFAFA510 A1, Sep 6th to Dec 6th 2022

Career Development in the Arts

CFA FA 520 (4 credits)

A blend of self-exploration and business skills that encourages arts leaders to "think like an entrepreneur" in defining their career and personal brand. Develop entrepreneurial skills like branding, networking, marketing, and budgeting. Learn financial basics, tools, and analysis. Apply quantitative reasoning skills to make informed decisions, and oral communication skills to be more persuasive and understood in everyday life. Students will apply these skills to all personal endeavors, from landing a dream job to building your own brand. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning I, Oral and/or Signed Communication.

2023SPRGCFAFA520 A1, Jan 23rd to May 1st 2023

2023SPRGCFAFA520 B1, Jan 25th to May 3rd 2023

Collaborative Arts Incubator

CFA FA 530 (Var credits)

The Collaborative Arts Incubator is a hands-on studio experience and a cross-disciplinary course that offers students within CFA and BU the opportunity to work together on innovative, creative projects. Students work in groups drawing from their own disciplines and are encouraged to venture into unfamiliar creative territories. Students engage in active collaboration, critical thinking and peer interaction with at-risk populations in the surrounding community. The social justice component is a significant element of the course.

2023SPRGCFAFA530 B1, Jan 23rd to May 1st 2023

The Creative Economy and Social Impact

CFA FA 560 (4 credits)

This course explores the creative economy & social impact and where creative professionals intersect with placemaking, industry, and cultural entrepreneurship. The course covers a variety of topics including: creative placemaking; the artist as entrepreneur; business and leadership models for the creative industries. All topics are explored with a Social Impact lens. Through case studies, guest speakers, readings, and group exercises, students learn about innovative entrepreneurial initiatives that straddle the boundaries between the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Guided exercises enable students to assess and develop their skills as future social impact and change agents using an entrepreneurial mindset.

Entrepreneurial Leadership

QST SI 240 (4 credits)

This course helps students to develop the knowledge, confidence, self- understanding, and self-image necessary to pursue entrepreneurial ventures in a broad range of domains such as business, government, and public service. The course is designed to provide a foundation in the fundamentals of entrepreneurial thinking, including problem-solving, risk-taking, dealing with failure, persevering in the face of challenges, understanding the needs of the customer, culture, ethics, and the power and potential of leading others. It is designed to teach not only techniques and processes and ways of thinking, but also to be a source of inspiration and energy in the art and science of bringing entrepreneurial visions to reality.

Managing a Growing Enterprise

QST SI 445 (4 credits)

Designed to help students understand the intricacies of running a small company. The course addresses the major challenges in small companies, including valuation, negotiation, deal structure, personnel and compensation, and marketing and financing. Exposes students to a wide range of business activities, emphasizing significant differences between large and small enterprises. The course uses a competitive computer simulation to provide students with the opportunity to "run" their own business. Please click here to watch a 1 minute video overview of the course.

2023SPRGQSTSI445 A1, Jan 23rd to May 3rd 2023

Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Impact

QST SI 456 (4 credits)

This course is designed to expose students to the business tools and key foundational learnings (social, environmental and cultural) around social enterprise, scaling and innovation in today's conscious business environment. Students will learn how to operate in a shared economy through the principles of social enterprise, conscious capitalism, and cultural and societal shifts that have led to the rise in social consciousness, corporate social responsibility and the modern enterprise; models of impact that are supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), how Shared Value systems are engaging business leaders today; hybrid models that are occurring in today's business landscape that are blurring the lines between nonprofit and for-profit organizations; social scalers that are changing the dynamic in business today; risk models that are being developed to manage towards the triple bottom line; the rise of benefit corps, BCorps and flexible purpose corporations that are redefining the landscape of organizations; and impact investing as a catalyst for supporting social enterprise efforts and leading towards heightened social consciousness in our society both from the individual investor and institutional markets.

Media Money Trail

COM FT 518 (4 credits)

This course examines the critical financial and strategic challenges that businesses face whether they are in start-up, expansion, or exit mode. Students will use case studies to delve into the lives of the founders and CEOs of some of the world's most innovative and enduring brands and industry game-changers. We'll delve into each company's business model(s) and learn why some evolve to become industry gold standards while others fail.

2022FALLCOMFT518 A1, Sep 7th to Dec 12th 2022

Special Topics

COM FT 552 (4 credits)

Special Topics for Fall 2022. Course descriptions and more info sent out in the FTV newsletter. Email filmtv@bu.edu for more info. | FT 552 A1: Writing the Producible Short (Thompson) Pre-req | FT 310 FT 552 B1: Crowdfunding & Distribution (Geller) Pre-req FT 201. Students encouraged to come in with a script or concept that is already in production | FT 552 C1: Social Purpose Short (Zelnick/Egleson) Application only course | FT 552 B1: Late Nite Laughs pre-req FT 512 or FT 522

2022FALLCOMFT552 A1, Sep 8th to Dec 8th 2022

2022FALLCOMFT552 B1, Sep 6th to Dec 6th 2022

2022FALLCOMFT552 D1, Sep 12th to Dec 12th 2022

2023SPRGCOMFT552 A1, Jan 19th to Apr 27th 2023

2023SPRGCOMFT552 B1, Jan 20th to Apr 28th 2023

2023SPRGCOMFT552 C1, Jan 23rd to May 3rd 2023

2023SPRGCOMFT552 D1, Jan 19th to Apr 27th 2023

2023SPRGCOMFT552 E1, Jan 23rd to May 3rd 2023

2023SPRGCOMFT552 F1, Jan 19th to May 2nd 2023

Media Business Entrepreneurship

COM FT 703 (4 credits)

This course will provide students with the practical knowledge and skills needed to heed the call of entrepreneurship. Classes will include guest speakers from various business sectors including venture capital professionals, angel investors, accountants, attorneys, marketing experts who are skilled in launch phases of PR, as well as media entrepreneurs who succeeded against all odds. Students will also participate in the development of a core business idea, from concept through the creation of a sound business plan as a final project/presentation. 4 cr. Fall

Creating New Ideas

COM FT 728 (4 credits)

This course provides students with the practical entrepreneurial tools and strategies needed to test and refine a new venture concept or existing product innovation that will eventually serve as their Thesis Project for the Media Ventures program. Students will take this idea from concept to working model/wireframe and will present to investors and industry executives at the end of the Media Ventures Program.

2022FALLCOMFT728 A1, Sep 9th to Dec 9th 2022

Financial & Strategic Management for Communication Professionals

COM CM 700 (4 credits)

The focus of the course is on two critical domains of modern business: financial and strategic management. Through lectures, readings, case studies, and team projects, the course will introduce students to the complexities and challenges facing today's communications industry manager along with practical understanding of how businesses operate and even succeed despite the obstacles. The goal of the course is to help students understand the fundamentals of business enterprise with an emphasis on how these apply to the media industries. The course covers the fundamentals of a business plan, including revenue models, marketing, venture capital, finance, and accounting in the context of the media landscape. 1st sem.

2022FALLCOMCM700 A1, Sep 12th to Dec 12th 2022

2022FALLCOMCM700 B1, Sep 12th to Dec 12th 2022

2022FALLCOMCM700 D1, Sep 8th to Dec 8th 2022

Film Analytics

COM FT 553 (4 credits)

Navigating the line between artistry and analytics takes training and experience. In this course, we are going talk about different roles quantitative research plays in film and television. The knowledge and skills practiced throughout the course will enable you to better understand audiences' characteristics, behaviors, and responses. Furthermore, they will empower you to be able to decide what research (if any) should be trusted. You will learn how to assess the quality of research and conclusions, consider your own research, and analyze and interpret conclusions from existing data.

2023SPRGCOMFT553 A1, Jan 19th to May 2nd 2023

Web Promotion and Development

COM FT 810 (4 credits)

The course introduces students to entrepreneurial concepts and provides the practical tools needed to take a creative work to market. Students will learn about online funding sources, Web distribution platforms, social media marketing, legal issues relating to protecting creative work and the business side of the industry.

Hospitality Entrepreneurship

SHA HF 307 (4 credits)

This course is intended to be a capstone experience for students seeking to understand hospitality entrepreneurship and innovation as a professional business system. Student teams will create, develop and design a concise Pro Forma Business Plan for a start-up non-profit or profit-driven hospitality enterprise. At the end of the semester teams will make a competitive presentation integrating the principles and skills mastered in previous coursework to a panel of successful hospitality entrepreneurs. 4cr. Offered Fall.

2022FALLSHAHF307 A1, Sep 6th to Dec 8th 2022

Food & Beverage Management

SHA HF 220 (4 credits)

This courses focuses on principal operating problems facing managers in the restaurant industry. Topics such as concept development and entrepreneurship, menu analysis, cost control, operational analysis, and customer service processes are addressed. 4 credits, offered Fall & Spring.

2022FALLSHAHF220 A1, Sep 7th to Dec 12th 2022

2022FALLSHAHF220 A2, Sep 6th to Dec 8th 2022

2023SPRGSHAHF220 A1, Jan 23rd to May 3rd 2023

No longer offered

ENG EK 409 (4 credits)

No longer offered

Invention: Technology Creation, Protection, and Commercialization

ENG ME 502 (4 credits)

This course provides students with the knowledge and tools necessary to create, protect, and commercialize engineering and scientific intellectual assets. Students will first make use of creativity tools to attack posed engineering problems, then turn to means for protecting their solutions. Rapidly growing areas that are affecting nearly all businesses (e.g., software and the internet) as well as "high-tech" areas including microelectronics, communications, and bioengineering will be emphasized. Extensive patent searches and analysis will be carried out to develop skills for quickly ascertaining the protected technical content of patents, and for recognizing what intellectual property (IP) should be and can be protected. Legal aspects for protecting creative ideas will be studied at a level appropriate for engineers to interact easily and smoothly during their technical careers with IP lawyers. Various business models for the commercialization of intellectual assets will be analyzed. Extensive class exercises and projects will explore in depth all three of these important areas of IP, with emphasis on key contributions during engineering and scientific research and development activities.

2022FALLENGME502 A1, Sep 6th to Dec 8th 2022

2022FALLENGME502 DL, Sep 6th to Dec 8th 2022

Technology Ventures

ENG ME 525 (4 credits)

An introduction to the formation and management of technology-based enterprises for engineers and scientists. Modules include opportunity recognition and evaluation, gathering financial and human resources, and managing and harvesting ventures. Goals include an understanding of basic start-up finance and accounting, writing business plans, presenting venture ideas to industry experts, and venture leadership skills. Students become familiar with fundamental technical and engineering issues in a wide variety of high-tech industries, especially information technology, life sciences, biotechnology and telecommunications. Case studies, lectures, workshops, and projects are utilized.

Product Management

ENG ME 583 (4 credits)

Planning and execution of the process of bringing new tangible and intangible products to market. Review of the new product development process. Establishment of the new product specification. Setting of financial expectations. Formation and dynamics of the product implementation team. Organization of the new product introduction project including matrixed management and financial control. Contingency planning and risk management. Taught through case-based discussions, lectures, and readings.

Device Diagnostics and Design

ENG BE 428 (4 credits)

BE 428 is a project-based course developing fundamentals of the design aspects of biomedical devices and diagnostics. Students will identify design needs, evaluate possible solutions, build prototypes and analyze failure modes and their effects. At every stage of the design process, they will present to the rest of the class to obtain feedback on their designs. The course is designed for undergraduates in their Sophomore and Junior years and satisfies a course elective requirement for the Technology Innovation concentration. Case studies of biomedical device designs and hands-on prototyping sessions are used extensively throughout the course. These, as well as guest lectures and discussion sections, are designed to encourage students to consider the broader social contexts of engineering and design. Basic theory, homeworks, and brainstorming sessions will be applied towards problem identification, materials selection, and failure mode evaluation.Topics include: needs identification; materials classes; materials selection for medical devices and diagnostics; failure analysis; biocompatibility; regulatory requirements as they pertain to design, manufacturing and marketing; technology assessment strategies; and engineering ethics. Several case studies of successful and unsuccessful biomedical device design are introduced and discussed throughout the course.

2022FALLENGBE428 A1, Sep 7th to Dec 12th 2022

2023SPRGENGBE428 A1, Jan 19th to May 2nd 2023

2023SPRGENGBE428 A2, Jan 19th to May 2nd 2023

Product Development

ENG ME 517 (4 credits)

Dynamics of converting ideas into marketable products. Choosing products and defining their specifications to achieve competitive advantage. The product development process is decomposed and its elements are examined critically in the context of actual case studies; risk evaluation, concurrent engineering, and impact of new product decisions on the factory. A step-by-step methodology for new product development is derived.

Strategic Planning and Communications

SPH PH 853 (4 credits)

This course focuses on the development and implementation of program and policy interventions that can improve public health by modifying people's health-related behaviors, and on the design and execution of effective oral and written communications to support those interventions. Working through a sequence of written assignments, students will develop: (1) a set of theory-based learning and environmental change objectives; (2) a strategic plan for a program or policy intervention designed to change an important health-related behavior; (3) a management plan for implementing and maintaining that intervention; (4) a supportive communication strategy; and (5) specific media and communications executions to operationalize that strategy. In class writing workshops and individual consultations are designed to give students ideas for their projects and interim feedback on their written assignments.

2023SPRGSPHPH853 A1, Jan 23rd to May 8th 2023

Leadership and Management for Public Health

SPH PH 718 (4 credits)

Public health professionals rarely work alone to make anything happen. Thus, the goal of this course is to develop your ability to be a change agent for public health by furthering your abilities to communicate with, engage, and organize others in the pursuit of specific projects and change efforts. While you may not immediately hold a formal leadership position, you can always "lead from where you are" and/or informally by understanding how to effectively and ethically work with others both within and beyond your particular organizational home, and manage processes to achieve specific objectives, in order to advance the health issues that you care about.

2022SUM1SPHPH718SA1, May 23rd to Jul 6th 2022

2022FALLSPHPH718 A1, Sep 6th to Dec 20th 2022

2022FALLSPHPH718 B1, Sep 6th to Dec 20th 2022

2022FALLSPHPH718 C1, Sep 6th to Dec 20th 2022

2022FALLSPHPH718 D1, Sep 6th to Dec 20th 2022

2022FALLSPHPH718 E1, Sep 6th to Dec 20th 2022

2022FALLSPHPH718 OL, Sep 6th to Dec 20th 2022

2023SPRGSPHPH718 B1, Jan 23rd to May 10th 2023

2023SPRGSPHPH718 OL, Jan 19th to May 10th 2023

Leading to Face Challenges and Achieve Results in Public Health

SPH MC 730 (2 credits)

MC 730 strengthens students to have the confidence and competence to lead to achieve results in public health. The course is an experiential learning process, ideal for public health professionals who aspire to be activists for change. Students work in teams to teach and learn leadership theories and practical exercises to motivate and mobilize groups. The course creates a safe space for exploration and experimentation of leadership practices. We work to create a climate in which all students are able to clarify and question their assumptions, and engage in dialogue with others. We have conversations where obstacles to leading for results in public health are identified and discussed. Students will practice leading, from whatever position they are in, to face the challenges of public health, including the challenges of social and racial justice.

2022FALLSPHMC730 A1, Sep 6th to Oct 25th 2022

Bench-to-Bedside: Translating Biomedical Innovation from the Laboratory to the Marketplace

GMS MS 621 (4 credits)

This course covers intellectual property, licensing, and the core aspects of planning, creating, funding, and building new entrepreneurial ventures. Cross-disciplinary teams are formed to evaluate current BU translational research projects and their potential as the basis for a start-up company. 4 cr, Fall sem.

Transformational Leadership

STH DM 901 (4 credits)

This course explores diverse perspectives and practices of religious leadership and community transformation, drawing upon recent research and literature in dialogue with participants' experiences as community leaders. Students will explore their personal leadership strengths and goals, theological perspectives and social science findings as regards leadership and transformation, and the insights of living communities. The purpose is to engage with critical issues and to construct new approaches to leadership that can contribute to thriving and society-serving communities.

2022FALLSTHDM901 A1, Aug 3rd to Aug 11th 2022

2022FALLSTHDM901 B1, Aug 3rd to Aug 11th 2022

Contextual Analysis and Transformational Leadership

STH DM 902 (4 credits)

This course aims to provide students with theories and practices of leadership and ethics that will assist them in coming into a sense of who they are as transformational leaders and to prepare them for the multiple contexts in which they will lead. Students will have a growing sense of their public role in respect to religious and faith-based communities and to religion as it operates in a variety of contexts.

2023SPRGSTHDM902 A1, Jan 4th to Jan 12th 2023

2023SPRGSTHDM902 B1, Jan 4th to Jan 12th 2023

The Innovation Process: Developing New Products and Services

MET AD 741 (4 credits)

Addresses the specifics of new product and service development and fostering innovation and technology to increase performance. Topics include generating and screening initial ideas; assessing user needs and interests; forecasting results; launching, and improving products and programs; bringing innovation to commercial reality.

2022SUM1METAD741SA1, May 23rd to Jun 29th 2022

2022SUM1METAD741SO1, May 10th to Jun 27th 2022

2022SUM2METAD741SB1, Jul 6th to Aug 10th 2022

2022FALLMETAD741 A1, Sep 12th to Dec 12th 2022

2022FALLMETAD741 A2, Sep 6th to Dec 6th 2022

2022FALLMETAD741 A3, Sep 8th to Dec 8th 2022

2022FALLMETAD741 O1, Sep 6th to Oct 24th 2022

2023SPRGMETAD741 A1, Jan 24th to May 2nd 2023

2023SPRGMETAD741 A2, Jan 19th to Apr 27th 2023

2023SPRGMETAD741 A3, Jan 23rd to May 1st 2023

2023SPRGMETAD741 O1, Jan 17th to Mar 6th 2023

Creative Startups: From Idea to Impact

MET AR 789 (4 credits)

This course explores the field of creative innovation and entrepreneurship. The first part of the course is dedicated to deepening students' understanding of creativity and ideation as building blocks to innovation, creative placemaking, the creative economy, and business models. During the second part of the course students work in teams to develop entrepreneurial projects at the intersection of Arts and Culture; Business and Technology; and Social Impact, while gaining practical entrepreneurial skills, including business models, customer identification, budgeting, pitching, personas, business plans, and delving into design, communication, marketing and networking.

2022FALLMETAR789 A1, Sep 12th to Dec 12th 2022

Managing Performing Arts Organizations

MET AR 771 (4 credits)

A review of topics essential for successful management of performing arts organizations. Examination of both facilities management and company management. Studies include organizational structure, trustee/staff relations, marketing, audience building, fundraising, tour management, box office management, budgeting, mailing list and membership management, human resource management and contract negotiation, performance measurement, and strategic planning.

2023SPRGMETAR771 A1, Jan 25th to May 3rd 2023

Entrepreneurial Management: Starting, Innovating, and Managing Small-, Medium-, and Large-Sized Ventures

MET MG 410 (4 credits)

Covers the four key elements of successful entrepreneurial management: choosing a business, organizing, financing, and marketing. Includes preparing a business plan, becoming an entrepreneur, raising venture capital, selling, negotiating, and building an effective organization. Topics given special consideration are the practice of innovation, the art of leadership, and how to relate talents to succeeding in an innovative managed venture and technology management.

2022SUM1METMG410SEX, May 28th to Jun 25th 2022

2022FALLMETMG410 A1, Sep 7th to Dec 7th 2022

2023SPRGMETMG410 A1, Jan 24th to May 2nd 2023