MOR 599 - Special Topics

This is a great class that is very discussion based and helpful topic to be thinking about actively. There is quite a bit of reading, but the class is only once a week so it's a good balance to have during a full semester. There aren't many busy work assignments.

Lots of group discussions but no group projects, very laid back reflection assignments Who is this class for? Anyone interested in a leadership class that is more personally introspective and less business-oriented

Intriguing class discussion and will definitely broaden the perspective about sustainabiity and climate change issues - in the lens of business. Lots of interesting and C-level guest speakers, diverse students from all Marshall schools

Interesting class. Chatting about sustainability. Cool guest lectures. Nice professor. Not a lot of work.

The course is great if you are willing to buy in to the improv process and engage with the class fully. While it is an easy class in terms of not having much work at all to speak of, in class you are still fully involved and participating at all times.

This has been my favorite course I've taken at Marshall. Each class we do a variety of improv exercises, then briefly discuss how these skills can apply to the business world. Only take this class if you are willing to lean into improv activities and want to have fun!!

You'll immerse yourself in the world of AI and technology strategy, which is going to play a central role in every business during our careers. A con for this class is that there are people who know a lot already and then others who don't know anything. It's very hard to facilitate meaningful conversation when there is such a wide gap.

This is a new class with many topics discussed that are not contemplated in any other Marshall classes. Both professors are very enthusiastic and knowlegeble about the subjects, promoting discussions and bringing new concepts from academic research and guest speakers. The class is structured in several modules focusing on different settings of markets in developing economies or developing sectors such as tech, fintechs, online services, etc. The class doesn't have a heavy workload and the cases are very interesting, covering many types of industries and countries to highlight the different issues in each context and how to manage or deal with them.

Nan and TJ are both super kind and incredibly enthusiastic about the course. I went into the class not knowing what to expect, but I am pleasantly surprised at how many topics we have covered that are relevant to so many other subjects that have been touched upon across the business school curriculum. Though the course focuses on emerging economies, there is also substantial discussion around emerging markets within developed countries, so much of the material is a lot more relevant than I initially thought (since I don't personally plan to go work for a business based in an emerging economy). The course has some aspects in common with our required Global Strategy class, but with very different points of emphasis based on the professors' interests. (Sampling of some topics covered so far: different forms of corporate governance, family ownership, dealing with political risk, the uses and impacts of AI, operating in relationship-based economies.) Assignments include 5 "debates" (where we turned in 1-2 pages of notes on a given topic), a group project, and a midterm and final. The assignments haven't been too challenging since the professors are very clear about the points that they want us to remember, and they are fairly casual about their expectations on deliverables, likely in part because this is a new course.

You should take this if you're going into consulting or strategy, even if you're not headed for PwC. Nahass tries to be a "cool dad" kind of professor, but his guest speakers are pretty cool (the non-PwC ones. jk). Work load is not super intense, but deadlines can sneak up on you since it's only a once a week class. Performance metrics are clearly outlined in the syllabus; work submitted should be "client ready." D. Weaver is just as annoying in this class as she is in recruiting, so hopefully she won't be your TA here.

The professor is a really nice guy, and he has great speakers come in to give lectures. If you are interested in consulting or the strategy behind M&A you will love this class. Even if you aren't in consulting it's still interesting subject material