B.S. Degree Program

The academic program offers courses leading to a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Wine Business Strategies. This option requires that the student apply and be accepted to both the University and the business major. The Wine Business Strategies Program includes specialized wine business courses and a student internship and is intended for the student who wishes to become part of a winery's general management team. Classes are taught by SSU faculty who have a professional academic background and have taken a special interest, completed research or have worked within the wine industry.

Degree Requirements
The student must complete the following:

Computer Competency
All business majors must demonstrate computer competency prior to taking BUS 211, BUS 230A, or any upper-division business core class. Competency can be demonstrated by achieving a grade of “C” or better in BUS 219 or CS 101 or an approved equivalent course or courses. Units earned may apply to general education or electives, as appropriate, but are not counted as units in the major.

Pre-Major Courses
Preparatory courses and lower-division core courses together constitute the Pre-major. A letter grade of “C” or better is required in each pre-major course. In addition to demonstrating computer competency, all the following coursework must be completed as part of the Pre-major program:

Preparatory Courses (units that are necessary but do not count toward the major)
ECON 201A Introduction to Macroeconomics (4 units)
ECON 201B Introduction to Microeconomics (4 units)
MATH 131 Introduction to Finite Mathematics (3 units)
or MATH 161Calculus (4 units)

Lower-Division Business Core (units count in major)
BUS 211 Business Statistics (4 units)
or MATH 165 Elementary Statistics
or ECON 317 Applied Statistics in Business and Economics
BUS 225 Legal Environment of Business (4 units)
or ECON 388 Economics and the Law of Regulation
BUS 230A Principles of Accounting (4 units)
BUS 230B Principles of Accounting (4 units)

Upon successful completion of the Pre-Business requirements (a grade of "C" or better is required in each course listed above), the student can request a Change of Status from pre-business to business administration. Change of Status allows the student access to 400 level courses.

After Change of Status from pre-business to business administration, the student must complete:

Upper-Division Business Program
BUS 316 Production/Operations Management
BUS 319 Management Information Systems or Bus 334 Accounting Information Systems
BUS 344 Organizational Behavior
BUS 360 Introduction to Marketing
BUS 370 Introduction to Managerial Finance
BUS 491 Seminar in Management Strategy & Policy

Required Concentration Courses for Wine Business Concentration
BUS 305W Introduction to Wine Business
BUS 464W Production, Operations and Distribution
BUS 465W Wine Marketing
BUS 499W Internship in the Wine Business

Elective Concentration Courses (one required)
BUS 340W Human Resource Management
BUS 366 Retail Management
BUS 396W Global Wine Industry
BUS 397W The Global Marketplace for Wine
BUS 467W Wine E-Commerce and Direct Sales
BUS 475W Wine Accounting and Finance

Wine Courses

BUS 305W Introduction to Wine Business (4)
An introduction to wine business principles and strategies applicable to the growing of grapes and the making, distribution and marketing of wine. Additional topics include organizational, human resource, family business and financial management, government regulation and social responsibility.

BUS 340W Survey of Human Resource Management (4)
Comprehensive introduction to the management of human resources. Topics include assessing human resource needs, job analysis, recruitment and selection, orientation and training, performance evaluation, compensation and benefits, safety and health, career development, labor relations, and government regulation. Prerequisites: BUS 211 and 225.

BUS 366 Retail Management (4)
Studies business activities that involve the sales of goods and services in the marketplace including retail institutions, merchandising, site selection, market information and retail strategy planning. Prerequisite: BUS 360

BUS 396W The Global Wine Industry (3)
This survey course provides an overview of the global wine industry. Topics include the analysis of global trends affecting wineries, the nature of international competition, the importing and exporting of wine, international business partnerships, and foreign sources of equipment, materials, and products. The course will discuss both the production and consumption of wine around the world, with special emphasis placed on comparing and contrasting domestic versus foreign winery management. [Note - a two-week (or longer) overseas field trip is part of this course so it will be offered only during intersession or summer session.] Prerequisite: BUS 360

BUS 397W The Global Marketplace for Wine (4)
This course provides an in-depth look at the global trends affecting the wine industry. Topics include the changes taking place in wine consumption in both established and emerging wine markets. The role played by imported wine in key markets will be discussed. Industry dynamics will be analyzed with a focus on the export strategy of wine firms and wine producing nations, the formation of joint ventures with international partners and the potential for investment in foreign firms and vineyards. Topics related to the workings of the bulk market for wine will also be presented.

BUS 464W Production, Operations and Distribution (4)
The study of effective operations management techniques and strategies from the perspective of the California wine industry. The course emphasizes the basic concepts of purchasing, operations, logistics, and supply chain management as they apply to the wine industry. More specific topics include value analysis, total quality management, make/buy decisions, negotiation, and supplier development.

BUS 465W Wine Marketing (4)
An in-depth study of marketing from the perspective of the California wine industry. The course emphasizes wine marketing planning, including an analysis of wine consumer segments. The wine industry's economic, legal, social and competitive environment, industry trends, major problems and opportunities, and strategic alternatives as related to wine varieties and brands, pricing, promotion, and distribution. Prerequisite BUS 360.

BUS 467W Wine E-Commerce and Direct Sales (4)
An in-depth study of electronic commerce aspects from the perspective of the California wine industry. Topics include opportunities and challenges associated with electronic commerce (e-commerce/e-business), and impacts of e-commerce with meeting strategic objectives of an organization in wine industry. The course includes topics on database management, direct-to-consumer and government oversight/compliance issues, wine club management, and winery management software as they apply to the wine industry.

BUS 475W Wine Accounting and Finance (4)
This course focuses on financing, investing and accounting decisions facing managers of wine business. It explores the financial reporting issues that are unique to wine businesses and how these issues affect valuation. This course is directed to those interested in careers in accounting and finance as well as those interested in understanding relevant accounting and finance issues for wine businesses. Prerequisite: BUS 370.

BUS 491W Seminar in Management Strategy and Policy in the Wine Industry
Seminar covering current issues in managerial strategy and corporate policy that integrates concepts of organization theory and behavior, marketing, finance, human resources, production/operations, information systems in the wine industry, entrepreneurship, accounting, economics, and international business in the wine industry. This is the capstone for the business administration major and would be expected to be taken in the last semester prior to graduation. Prerequisites: all business core requirements and a passing score on the WEPT exam.

BUS 499W Internship in the Wine Business (1-3)
Field experience in management and administration. For upper-division students in fields of their career or academic interest. Minimum of three hours per week per semester unit. Three units maximum are applicable to the business administration major. GPA of 2.0 is required in major plus two courses in the field of concentration. Cr/NC only. Prerequisite: prior arrangement with internship coordinator.

Last modified 11.20.2007 Rhiannon Isham