BUSINESS - UA 3003
FALL 2023 COURSE SYLLABUS
PROFESSOR SMITH CORONA
Welcome to The Art of Business!
Over the next 14 weeks, this discussion based course will examine the evolution of business practices through a modern absurdist lens. You will be expected to come to class with notes from the readings and the majority of your grade will come from thoughtful participation in our Socratic circles. Together, we are embarking on a journey to demonstrate that the style of a business is just as important as its technique. Generating revenue is not enough—a business must leave a cultural impact to truly be memorable.
WEEK 1: THE RENT IS TOO DAMN HIGH
Unsurprisingly, business began with the land and ownership of private property.
WEEK 2: BUY NOW, PAY LATER
The invention of debt is the foundation of our monetary system.
WEEK 3: HOW MUCH FOR YOUR YAMS, MAM?
Agriculture spurred most of early business activity.
WEEK 4: COSA NOSTRA
The concept of corporate entities and partnerships began with family businesses.
WEEK 5: GOD SAVE THE QUEEN (AND OUR PROFITS)
The advent of government backed corporations dramatically expanded the size of businesses.
WEEK 6: AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 FISCAL QUARTERS
The first international corporations were borne on the back of infrastructure improvements.
WEEK 7: BUSINESS IS WAR
Economic activity no longer was at the whim of armed conflict—it could influence the outcome.
WEEK 8: THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
It became increasingly clearer that most technological advancement and discovery in the world came from business, not science.
WEEK 9: HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD WORD?
The invention of the printing press. Need I say more?
WEEK 10: CHOOOOO CHOOOO MOTHERFUCKER!
The Industrial Revolution sped commerce up like nothing else ever had.
WEEK 11: DON'T STOP TILL YOU MAKE ENOUGH
Art began to be commercialized at mass scale.
WEEK 12: WHOSE YOUR DADDY?
The rise of conglomerates with subsidiaries up the wazoo changed the approach to modern business—Russian Dolls of capitalistic creativity.
WEEK 13: WHAT GOES UP, MUST COME DOWN
The popularization of the stock market, and retail investing meant companies had to carefully curate their public images and prioritize short term thinking.
WEEK 14: THE GRAVITY OF AN APPLE
The information age, cult leader CEOs, the rise of freelancers, venture and public subsidies have led us to our present day hellscape.