GBUS 8970 INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE NATURE OF STRATEGY

This course is intended for the student whose interest in strategy is intense and who would like to understand and practice strategy as an art. It is based on the logic to be established in class that developing strategy cannot be a deterministic, linear process. Students will discover that the reasons why strategy cannot be a “positive doctrine” form the pillars for its proper understanding. The course relies heavily on reading material from fields that at first may not seem directly related such as biology, military strategy, history, game theory, and games. The course is conducted in the manner of a seminar.

Academic course objectives:

· Familiarize students with the many ways of thinking that can lead to good, creative strategy

· Show students the ways in which they can build on and transcend general frameworks for strategy

Elements of the course grade:

Class contribution                   50%

Individual paper/project          25%

Written exercises                     25%