An evaluation of the fundamental principles, structure, finance, management, and governance associated with cooperatively structured businesses, with an emphasis on agricultural cooperatives. Analyses of the cooperative business organization within the modern economy are emphasized through a mix of lectures, case study discussions, and engaged learning projects. Additional industry engagement is expected of graduate students by developing cooperative business educational curricula and delivering to relevant stakeholder audiences in collaboration with Cornell’s Cooperative Enterprise Program.

Outcome 1
Identify and illustrate alternative economic justifications for cooperatives as a business entity relative to other forms of business.

Outcome 2
Distinguish the unique characteristics of the governance, finance, and management of cooperatives and hypothesize and evaluate how they support or hinder business performance.

Outcome 3
Appraise and critique contemporary issues facing cooperatives, with an emphasis on the challenges and opportunities facing cooperatives that compete with investor-owned firms.

Outcome 4
Cultivate business relationships with cooperative industry firms to appraise contemporary issues they face and to formulate, assemble, and recommend solutions and actions that address them.