The semester and academic year curriculum offers courses and internships.
Courses are offered at the ESEI Business School.
Internships are organized at various companies and organizations.
Most courses are 3 semester credits (equivelent to 15 ESEI credits).
Internships are 3 to 6 credits, depending on time commitment.
Students may enroll in up to 18 credits per semester.
Program transcripts are issued by ESEI or KEI's university of record (accredited in the USA).
COURSES, DESCRIPTIONS & SYLLABI
Courses numbered 1.x are first year (introductory level), 2.x are second-year (intermediate level), and 3.x are third-year (advanced level).
Please note that third-year courses are quite challenging.
Courses are taught in English (except Spanish language).
Click on a course title to view description and download syllabus.
Fall Semester 1.11 Communications for Business
This module is designed to help students appreciate and understand the different types of business communication and their importance in an international context. The module will discuss the basic principles of communications within an international context from three key perspectives: written communication, visual communication and presentations, and non-verbal communication. Topics to be covered will include inter alia: effective communication, business messages, team work and meetings, oral presentations, listening report writing, CV writing, interview techniques, etc.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
1.12 Essentials of Management
An understanding of the many roles and functions of management within a business is key for those aspiring to become managers of the future. This module covers the principles and functions of management. Students are taught the key elements in planning and decision-making and the significance of different controls required in an organisation.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
1.13 Business Mathematics
It is essential to have a basic knowledge of a wide range of mathematical techniques in order to use business data effectively. This module introduces a range of mathematical concepts and techniques. Students will be able to develop their analytical skills in order to make informed business decisions based on a wide range of data sources. The module also develops a student’s ability to present data in a meaningful and systematic way.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
1.14 Fundamentals of Economics
The course starts with a basic but rigorous introduction to economic concepts and tools of analysis. It then moves on to discuss introductory micro-economic supply and demand analysis and different market structures. The macro-economics section of the course commences with the circular flow of income and the multiplier which are used as the bases of a discussion of the impact of government activity and foreign trade upon economic activity. We then turn to consideration of money, banking and monetary policy and the effect of these upon the level of economic activity. This leads into an overview of IS/LM analysis, of the different schools of macro-economic thought and finally of introductory issues of international trade.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
1.15 Spanish Language I (Beginner)
The goal of this course is to enable students to acquire a basic mastery of the following four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course will emphasize practice of grammar and communication skills in the classroom.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.11 Advanced Business Mathematics
Mathematical models and data analysis are foundational within numerous disciplines of management thought. Whether the focus is on understanding the broad economic environment, carrying out market research, optimising the supply chain, diversifying financial risk or another area of business practice, the requirement to be able to use analytical techniques is vital. This module advances existing quantitative skills to a level in which students can formulate, use and interpret mathematical models within a business context. An appreciation of the use of computer software to support such models is also developed.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.12 Understanding Consumer Behaviour
This module explores the factors that influence consumer behaviour including individual influences such as motives, values and perceptions and influences that derive from being part of a group. It also aims to provide insights into why consumers respond the way they do to marketing activities and the relevance of the theories of consumer behaviour to marketing decisions. The focus of the unit is on the consumer as an individual but comparisons will also be made with organisational buying decisions.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.13 Principles of Business Operations
This module is designed to help students appreciate and understand business operations in both the manufacturing and service sectors. The module will discuss the basic principles of operations within a global context from three key perspectives: understanding operations, designing operations and managing operations. Topics to be covered will include inter alia: value chain and global operations, technology, design and layout, capacity and resource planning and management, quality, lean operations, etc.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.14 Information Systems and Organisations
This module introduces participants to the subject of Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) in organisations, taking a broad management perspective. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the current and future role of IS and information in modern organisations, including an appreciation of social, cultural and political aspects that are important to successful adoption of technology.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.15 Spanish Language II (Intermediate)
The aim of this course is for students to be able to meet real communication needs: understand the oral messages of their environment (listening comprehension); pronounce and intone adequately (oral production); identify the written representation of sounds, accentuation and intonation (reading comprehension) and write in Spanish with the greatest orthographic correction possible (written production). Students will acquire the different skills through a sequencing of activities ranging from the study of phonemes to the reflection on intonation.
3 credits. Prerequisites: Beginning Spanish
Contact KEI for syllabus
2.16 Spanish Society & Culture
Description of the main aspects of Spanish life and culture from an intercultural perspective in the search for the knowledge of the Spanish and European reality of the 21st century as well as breaking down the frequent clichés regarding this. The course is conceived as an open structure adapted to the students´ needs for integration in the Catalonian academic and social life. Subjects include the family, education, gastronomy, Spanish university life, political structure, music, cinema, geography, etc. This course will open if seven or more students enroll.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.11 Strategic Operations Management
An efficient production process is essential for a business to be profitable. An understanding of this process and how to manage it can make it more efficient, it is therefore important to students for their future career to have an appreciation of the area of strategic operations management. This module will give students an insight into the role of strategic operations management within businesses. The module will consider the elements required for successful strategic operations management as well as the strategies for achieving efficient production.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.12 Business-to-Business Marketing
The marketing of products to other businesses is very different to marketing directly to consumers and therefore it is important to understand the distinctions between these forms of marketing and appreciate the aims and scope of business-to-business marketing. This module focuses on the scope and nature of business marketing, unique aspects of business marketing strategy development, and analysis of issues that face business marketers. Students will also study areas such as developing and maintaining customer relations, relationship marketing, customer satisfaction, quality, services marketing, consumer and industrial buyer behaviour, personal selling and ethical marketing conduct.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.13 Management of Financial Control
The ability to understand and interpret financial data is important in order to help plan effectively and aid decision making. The business world relies heavily on this data to monitor performance and an understanding of financial management is imperative for those wishing to follow a career in business. This module aims to enable students to develop the key skills necessary for use in the financial management of organisations and builds upon the learning outcomes of the Fundamentals of Financial Control module from the International Diploma in Business and the Applications of Financial Control module from the International Advanced Diploma in Business. This module will emphasise the acquisition and application of skills and knowledge for planning, decision -making and control within an organisation and provide the underpinning skills and knowledge for postgraduate and professional studies.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.14 Research Methods
An understanding of business research and how it is conducted is important for business students when conducting academic business research for assignments and when conducting business research within an organisation. This module aims to introduce students to the methods and techniques used in business research with particular reference to the use of academic literature. The skills learned here will be used across all modules in a final year degree programme.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.15 Spanish Language III (Advanced)
The aim of this course is for students to be able to meet real communication needs: understand the oral messages of their environment (listening comprehension); pronounce and intone adequately (oral production); identify the written representation of sounds, accentuation and intonation (reading comprehension) and write in Spanish with the greatest orthographic correction possible (written production). Students will acquire the different skills through a sequencing of activities ranging from the study of phonemes to the reflection on intonation.
3 credits. Prerequisites: Intermediate Spanish
Contact KEI for syllabus
3.16 Independent Study in Spanish (Art, History and/or Literature)
Professor supervised self-guided study of Spanish language, society and culture through examination of Spanish art, literature and/or history. Research topics and projects are decided by the student in consulatation with the supervising professor. Students meet with their professor weekly to discuss their research and project development. The language of instruction can be English or Spanish, depending on student's needs.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.17 Internship: Professional
Internships allow students to gain practical experience not attainable in a classroom setting. Placement is based on available positions and student interest. See INTERNSHIP section for more information.
3 to 6 credits (can be extended to 12 credits, depending on time commitment). Prerequisites: none Spring Semester 1.21 Understanding Business Organisations
The ability to understand the structure of an organisation and the factors that shape structures is an important skill in business. Managers need to have a good appreciation of the changes that they can make in order to improve organisational performance. This module introduces the objectives, roles, functions and various forms of business organisation as they adapt to a dynamic and changing environment. Students will also look at the role of information and technology within an organisation and how organizational efficiency and performance can be monitored.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
1.22 Introduction to Finance
This module is designed to introduce the basic concepts and techniques of financial accounting and management accounting. It is designed for students who have never studied business subjects before and who may not be native speakers of English. The material is not intended to be a test of computational ability. Numbers will be used to explain some topics but it is the ideas presented in the topics that are the most important. It is best if students try to approach these topics without any preconceptions. A significant feature of this course is guided private study. Students are encouraged to complete all the exercises required for private study in order to prepare for the examination.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
1.23 e-Business
In an increasingly competitive business environment, the adoption of eBusiness technologies is critical to business survival. In this module students examine how organisations can use all aspects of eBusiness to create new products and services, reduce the cost of existing business processes and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. The module then explores the typical revenues models that can be adopted, the key role of eMarketing, the development of business-to-business strategies and the increasing importance of online auctions and virtual communities. It investigates the various security threats that can be posed to eCommerce systems and the appropriate countermeasures that can be adopted. The module also considers various electronic payment systems, and concludes by reviewing the main components of a business plan for implementing eCommerce successfully.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
1.24 Principles of Marketing
The objective of this module is to give students an understanding of the basic principles of marketing in the modern business environment. Students will study the traditional theories and models of marketing and how these are applied to real-life marketing practices. Students will also look briefly at the link between marketing and sales.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
1.25 Spanish Language I (Beginner)
The goal of this course is to enable students to acquire a basic mastery of the following four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course will emphasize practice of grammar and communication skills in the classroom.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.21 Business Economics
This module introduces students to a range of managerial economics topics, which relate to the organisation and decision making of modern firms. Building on some of the theory introduced by the Fundamentals of Economics module, it examines areas of real world analysis and decision making such as firms’ objectives, pricing, demand estimation, forecasting and cost estimation. In addition, it examines aspects of firm growth such as mergers and acquisitions, plus the development of multinational companies. Further topics cover issues of contractual relationship and the analysis of the competitive environment, while the related issues of privatisation and regulation are dealt with from both theoretical and practical perspectives.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.22 Marketing Management
This module highlights the need for managers to view the role of marketing as critical to their organisation. The crucial role of marketing in contributing to the success of organisations will be emphasised.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.23 Human Resource Management
This module covers the dynamic role of human resource management policies and practices in contemporary organisations and their contribution to organisation goals. It defines and critically examines the major philosophies, policies, procedures and practices related to the management of human resources.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.24 Applications of Financial Control
This module is designed to build upon the general financial intelligence students will have accumulated in the pre-requisite module. Students will not be expected to demonstrate in depth knowledge of existing accounting standards.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
2.25 Spanish Language II (Intermediate)
The aim of this course is for students to be able to meet real communication needs: understand the oral messages of their environment (listening comprehension); pronounce and intone adequately (oral production); identify the written representation of sounds, accentuation and intonation (reading comprehension) and write in Spanish with the greatest orthographic correction possible (written production). Students will acquire the different skills through a sequencing of activities ranging from the study of phonemes to the reflection on intonation.
3 credits. Prerequisites: Beginning Spanish
Contact KEI for syllabus
2.26 Spanish Society & Culture
Description of the main aspects of Spanish life and culture from an intercultural perspective in the search for the knowledge of the Spanish and European reality of the 21st century as well as breaking down the frequent clichés regarding this. The course is conceived as an open structure adapted to the students´ needs for integration in the Catalonian academic and social life. Subjects include the family, education, gastronomy, Spanish university life, political structure, music, cinema, geography, etc. This course will open if seven or more students enroll.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.21 Strategic Management
The aim of this module is to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the role that strategic management plays within organisations and its effects upon organizational performance and survival. The module focuses upon strategic analysis by using techniques to analyse the position of a company in both its actual and potential marketplace. The approach adopted encourages students to question and evaluate different perspectives of strategicmanagement.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.22 Business Systems Analysis and Decision Support
The use of statistical information for the creation of business models and using these models to aid decision making is an important part of business. This module aims to extend the students' practice in qualitative and quantitative analysis in business, both to develop their base for diagnosis and as a contribution to the creation of a firm basis for decision making.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.23 International Marketing Strategy
An understanding of the international market place and how best to promote products within this market place can greatly aid students looking for careers in international business. This module compares and contrasts export, international and multinational marketing. Upon completion students will be able to differentiate between the marketing policies appropriate to industrialised, developing and underdeveloped economies. This module also aims to identify the sources of information, methods of information collection and the methods of information analysis suitable for international marketing planning.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.24 Management and Organisations
An understanding of how management and staff development can contribute to the achievement of a more effective organisation is important to grasp before moving into industry. This module covers the analysis of effective management in organisations with emphasis on the functions of management and the behavioural processes of change, conflict, leadership, motivation, communication, innovation, and group dynamics.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.25 Spanish Language III (Advanced)
The aim of this course is for students to be able to meet real communication needs: understand the oral messages of their environment (listening comprehension); pronounce and intone adequately (oral production); identify the written representation of sounds, accentuation and intonation (reading comprehension) and write in Spanish with the greatest orthographic correction possible (written production). Students will acquire the different skills through a sequencing of activities ranging from the study of phonemes to the reflection on intonation.
3 credits. Prerequisites: Intermediate Spanish
Contact KEI for syllabus
3.26 Independent Study in Spanish (Art, History and/or Literature)
Professor supervised self-guided study of Spanish language, society and culture through examination of Spanish art, literature and/or history. Research topics and projects are decided by the student in consulatation with the supervising professor. Students meet with their professor weekly to discuss their research and project development. The language of instruction can be English or Spanish, depending on student's needs.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
3.27 Internship: Professional
Internships allow students to gain practical experience not attainable in a classroom setting. Placement is based on available positions and student interest. See INTERNSHIP section for more information.
3 to 6 credits (can be extended to 12 credits, depending on time commitment). Prerequisites: none
Select courses that best match your academic and professional interests.
Note that summer programs are integrated, which means courses are taught by professors from ESEI Business School as well as visiting professors from universities/colleges in the USA. Credit is awarded by the professor's home university/college. All courses are 3 credits (note that 8 European credits is equivalent 3 US credits).
International Marketing and Strategy Professor Geir Bergvin; gbergvin@tusculum.edu 3 credits; awarded by Tusculum College
This course will focus on the basic principles, concepts, and terminology of inetrnational marketing and strategy, as they pertain to deciding whether or not to internationalize, what markets to enter, market entry strategies, the design of a global marketing program and implementing and coordinating the global marketing program
Travel Industry Marketing Professor Xuan Tran; xtran@uwf.edu 3 credits; awarded by University of West Florida
Travel Industry Marketing is a required course within the Hospitality, Recreation and Resort Management curriculum of the University of West Florida for which three credit hours are earned. The course consists of three elements: (1) describing the differences between Europe and the world in marketing and sales in travel industry, (2) providing key techniques in sales and advertising of travel tourism in Europe, and (3) researching marketing strategies to different segments of travel markets in Europe.
Spanish Language I (Beginner)
The goal of this course is to enable students to acquire a basic mastery of the following four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course will emphasize practice of grammar and communication skills in the classroom.
3 credits. Prerequisites: none
Spanish Language II (Intermediate)
The aim of this course is for students to be able to meet real communication needs: understand the oral messages of their environment (listening comprehension); pronounce and intone adequately (oral production); identify the written representation of sounds, accentuation and intonation (reading comprehension) and write in Spanish with the greatest orthographic correction possible (written production). Students will acquire the different skills through a sequencing of activities ranging from the study of phonemes to the reflection on intonation.
3 credits. Prerequisites: Beginning Spanish
Contact KEI for syllabus
Internship: Professional
Internships allow students to gain practical experience not attainable in a classroom setting. Internships are available in business, marketing, finance, law, tourism, hospitality and sport management. Students are placed in local and multinational companies. Internships require a minimum commitment of 240 hours, a term paper and regular meetings with an internship supervisor.
See INTERNSHIP section for more information.
6 credits. Prerequisites: none
Professional internships are available in business, marketing, finance, law, tourism, hospitality and sport management.
Students are placed in local and international companies and organizations.
Internships require a minimum commitment of 120 hours (3 credits), term paper and regular meetings with an internship supervisor.
Students can also participate in community service at humanitarian organizations, schools, orphanages and other organizations.
Community service does not require a minimum commitment; schedules are more flexible than for internships.
There is no credit for community service.
Students who need academic credit should consider the internship option.
Placement
Placement is based on personal interest, availability of positions and proficiency in Spanish.
A limited number of positions is available in English.
Students who speak Spanish at the intermediate or advanced level have more options.
Below is a list of possible companies. Note that actual placement may be at a different company.
Citibank
Deutsche Bank
Hewlet Packard
Gallina Blanca
Telefonica
La Caixa
Real Properties
Aimark
IBM
Deloitte
Majestic Hoteles
Melia Hotels
Credit
Credit for internships is awarded based on the number of contact hours.
In general, 1 credit is awarded for every 35 to 40 hours.
A minimum commitment of 120 hours (3 credits) is required.
Community service is not awarded credit.
Learn about internship guidelines...
