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. Satisfies Dyson Grand Challenges project requirement. Co-meets with AEM 5260.

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.