AEM 3260 - Cooperative Business Management

(CU-CEL)

Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: AEM 1200 or AEM 2200 or AEM 3020 or ILRID 1700, or permission of instructor. Fulfills Grand Challenges Project requirement.

T.M. Schmit.

An evaluation of the fundamental principles, structure, finance, management and governance associated with the cooperative business model, with a focus on agricultural cooperatives. Analyses of the cooperative business organization within the modern economy are emphasized through a mix of lectures, guest speakers, case study discussions and, and experiential learning projects with cooperative businesses.

Outcome 1: Identify economic justifications for the cooperative as a business entity.

Outcome 2: Illustrate unique characteristics surrounding the governance, finance, and management of cooperative businesses.

Outcome 3: Analyze contemporary issues facing modern cooperatives with an emphasis on challenges and opportunities facing cooperatives that compete with investor-owned firms.