Instructor Contact Details

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY  COLLEGE OF BUSINESS    Hybrid Course (Face-to-Face and Online Instruction) MAN 385 - Entrepreneurship  Wednesday, 4:30 – 7:55 p.m. - JTS, Room 333 or via Zoom   Fall 2025

 

INSTRUCTOR	Ms. Kimberly Penn, M.A. M.A.
PHONE: EMAIL: OFFICE LOCATION:	713.385.4526  pennk@gram.edu   Via Microsoft Teams or Zoom (Email for Scheduling)

Office Hours

DAY	TIME
Monday-Sunday	By Request via Zoom or Phone Call
Monday-Friday	By Request - JTS 341

Course Description:

 

1.  COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of the procedure for starting and operating one's own business including: feasibility study methods for identifying an industry and product line for exploitation; developing business plans for dealing with such start up problems as financing, type of organization, location, government relations, personnel selection and training, and management style; and developing strategies for ensuring the company's survival and growth.

 

2.  PREREQUISITE:  MAN 301 with grade of “C” of better. 

 

3.  REQUIRED TEXT:

Textbook: OpenStax Entrepreneurship, by Michael Laverty and Chris Little.

Access the textbook and associated resources at: https://openstax.org/details/books/entrepreneurship 

ISBN:  978-1-947172-69-2

 

4.  COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND PROGRAM GOALS:

College of Business and Department of Management students who satisfactory complete their program should be able to:

• Demonstrate an effective and acceptable level of written communication skills
• Demonstrate an effective and acceptable level of oral communication skills
• Demonstrate critical thinking to the extent that when given a realistic business problem, should be able to formulate problem statement, analyze the problem, develop alternatives, gather data, evaluate alternatives, decide on course of action and evaluate consequences of course of action
• Demonstrate the capability to recognize and analyze ethical issues in business
• Demonstrate awareness of the global business environment

 

5.  COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the essential procedures for launching and managing a successful entrepreneurial venture. Students will examine feasibility study techniques to identify viable industries and product lines and will develop comprehensive business plans that address critical startup challenges including financing, organizational structure, site selection, regulatory compliance, personnel recruitment and training, and management approaches. Emphasis is also placed on crafting strategic frameworks to support long-term business sustainability and growth.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the meaning of entrepreneurial thinking

• Demonstrate an understanding of how to translate ideas into viable products or services

• Conduct feasibility studies to evaluate potential industries and product lines for entrepreneurial ventures.
• Develop comprehensive business plans that address key startup challenges including financing, organizational structure, and location selection.
• Navigate government regulations and establish effective relationships with regulatory bodies.
• Design strategies for personnel recruitment, selection, and training aligned with business goals.
• Identify and implement appropriate management styles for different business contexts.
• Formulate strategic plans to support the survival, sustainability, and growth of a new business.
• Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world entrepreneurial scenarios.

6.  STUDENT LEARNING RESPONSIBILITY

This course is designed to ensure student engagement with the course content. I expect you to read and study the course material in a timely fashion. You are expected to check your email regularly. You are expected to practice professional etiquette and communication as this was not just about retaining theory. You are expected to have fun. You are required to respect and help your peers. I thank you in advance for your active participation.

7.  TECHNOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE

To participate in this course effectively, a student must have access to a personal computer and/or device with reliable, high-speed Internet.

 

8.  COMPUTER SKILLS REQUIRED

Students registered for this course must have basic computer skills including:  word processing skills, ability to navigate the GSU Learning Management system (Canvas), use email, and search for information on the Internet.

 

9.   CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT

Students are required to abide by the appropriate ethical standards and code of conduct as outlined in the University Catalog and the College of Business Code of Conduct. This includes but is not limited to appropriate netiquette and academic honesty.

 

10.   COMMUNICATION POLICY

To facilitate communication, students are required to: A) Log in to Canvas daily to check announcements and/or assignment updates.  B) Activate their GSU email address. In addition to Canvas, the GSU email address will be used to correspond with students in this course, C) Share a cell number where they can be reached for relevant questions and concerns.

NOTE:  In addition to classroom instruction, the instructor will communicate with students via Canvas inbox, GSU email, and Announcements in Canvas.  Please remember to check your GSU email and class announcements each day.  Announcements will include reminders and any updates on assignments.  The announcements will also include upcoming events, scholarship opportunities, internships, permanent employment opportunities, etc.  Announcements in Canvas will serve as the virtual bulletin board for this course!

 

11.    AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

The Office of Disability Services is located in the Student Counseling and Wellness Resource

Center.  For additional information and/or accommodations, please contact the office at 318-2743277.  Students with specific needs or who are covered under the Americans with Disability Act, should contact me as soon as possible for assistance. 

 

12.  CIVIL RIGHTS AND TITLE IX 

Grambling State University fosters an environment free from discrimination and inequities. This is inclusive of sexual misconduct and gender bias. If a student (or employee) feels as though their campus experience is being negatively impacted or their access to quality education is prohibited, it should be reported to the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX for investigation and resolution.  For more information visit https://www.gram.edu/student-life/titleIX/

 

MAN385 Syllabus Fall 2025 KPenn.pdf