Entrepreneurship Course Descriptions

As the liberal arts are about making, doing, and understanding, they are a natural foundation and preparation for the entrepreneurship program. Biblically, from creation work was and is a good gift of God. Meaningful labor was part of Christ’s life as a carpenter, which forever changed the liberal arts of classical antiquity. Since Christ, Christian antiquity weaved work into the liberal arts as an integral part of the abundant and flourishing life that Christ came to give. At Christ College, entrepreneurship is the culminating focus of our humanities and liberal arts curriculum. The intellectual, moral, and spiritual formation developed in the humanities curriculum shapes leaders to serve Christ and the common good through professional excellence, whether as a business owner, an employee with an “owner mentality,” or in the non-profit sector bringing peace and virtue to communities. Our program focuses on real life preparation that fosters identifying opportunities for new ventures, making skilled decisions, understanding real world economic dynamics, serving others through thoughtful leadership and people management. Christ College entrepreneurial students understand how to do well while doing good. 

ENT 200 Theology and Philosophy of Work:

This course will examine the theological, philosophical, ethical, and cultural dimensions of work. Students will consider the creational good of meaningful work and reflect on topics such as the creation mandate, vocation, human dignity, justice, and the relation of worldly and heavenly goods. Students will be equipped with a comprehensive understanding of work's significance in the human experience.

ENT 201 Entrepreneurship & New Venture Development:

This course focuses on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset by developing an understanding of the cognitive processes and frameworks that entrepreneurs use to identify emerging ventures. Students will study the thought process of entrepreneurs as they creatively identify new opportunities, navigate financial considerations, and apply cognitive tools to make informed decisions. Students will also be challenged to consider how an entrepreneurial mindset can be nurtured and utilized in different aspects of life.

ENT 301 Philosophy of Economics and Human Action:

This course examines the history and foundations of free market economics in classical liberal thought. An examination of concepts such as spontaneous order, subsidiarity, the rule of law in a civil society, the role of property rights and the mutual benefit of trade. Students will consider how habits of the head and heart foster or hinder a free economy; specifically, abilities and actions such as initiative, innovation, risk-taking, cooperation, and responsibility. 

ENT 302 Accounting and Finance for New Ventures:

This course studies models of accounting and financial management specifically for entrepreneurs engaged in new venture development. The objective is to equip entrepreneurs with a working knowledge of accounting and finance matters directly related to managing an emerging firm. Topics include: financial analysis of balance sheets and income statements, understanding the time value of money, modeling of cash flow, capital budgeting, and tax accounting issues.

ENT 401 Marketing for New Ventures:

This course focuses on developing marketing strategies for start-up and emerging ventures. The emphasis is on assessing the external competitive environment, creating a distinctive price-features profile for the product, generating partnership-referral networks, and cultivating a marketing message around a clear value proposition for target markets. Topics include: product development life-cycles, analysis of the competitive environment and projected future market, and basic marketing research principles and assessment. 

ENT 402 Nature & Principles of Free Market:

Through a blend of economic theory, historical analysis, and contemporary case studies, students will understand the fundamental principles governing market economies. Exploring topics such as supply and demand, competition, price mechanisms, government intervention, and the role of entrepreneurship, this course equips students with the knowledge to critically assess the advantages, challenges, and ethical implications of free market systems in a global context. Students will emerge with insights into how market forces shape industries, innovation, and societal progress.

ENT 405 Social Media Strategies for New Ventures:

This course focuses on the development and on-going management of social media strategies for new ventures. Topics include the launch, start-up and on-going costs, performance metrics, and operating logistics for utilizing widely available social media platforms within a coordinated strategy for success. Also considered will be venture growth and product prototyping and creation.

ENT 303 & 403 Internship:

Students are required to complete two semesters of internships in any area of work: profit/non-profit, church/parachurch, health care, etc…. Students are encouraged to pursue areas of vocational interest and apply their knowledge in a professional setting. Internships are designed to give students an opportunity to experience the types of professional careers they look to pursue.

ENT 304 & 404 Introduction to the Catalyst Project & Catalyst Project Senior Capstone:

The Catalyst Project is designed by Christ College students and addresses real-world challenges in society whether they be intellectual, ethical, social, or cultural. Students can use the Catalyst Project to prepare a career path, develop a new product or service, focus on a particular community need, or serve as a portfolio for graduate school. Students learn by doing in this interactive project as they work through the process from discovery to implementation. 

The “4Ds” or four stages of the Catalyst Project process:

Discovery- identifying the challenge and discovering ideas that will amplify the work of companies, nonprofits, or ministries

Design- narrowing the scope of the idea into a focused answer to the challenge, either as a service to the need or product/venture to resolve

Develop - identifying the resources and requirements to launch the service, venture, or product

Deploy- implementing the plan to successfully offer the service, venture, or product