2025-26 CATALOG YEAR

Program description

The IA in Innovation & Entrepreneurship allows students to create and pursue innovative and entrepreneurial ventures in courses and co-curricular activities. It is important to note that we use the word “innovative” in a particular sense, referring to creative, original thinking that leads to new ideas, products, or services that create value for society. Similarly, we use “entrepreneurial” in a specific way, referring to taking initiative and generating positive change in the world. Our use of the word “venture” includes both for-profit businesses and non-profit enterprises, and includes any initiative to deliver a product or service in a sustainable way, including those conducted within an existing organization.  

The Interdisciplinary Area in Innovation & Entrepreneurship is a vital offering of the Business & Entrepreneurship program [see BUEN major section for additional information.]  Taken in conjunction with a disciplinary major, it allows students to augment their core with the skills, methods, and a mind-set that promotes innovative and entrepreneurial thinking.

Innovation, entrepreneurship, and business fit naturally into a liberal education. The cultivation of innovative, entrepreneurial thought and action requires one to approach problems from multiple perspectives, to think creatively beyond the status quo, to create and deliver coherent, persuasive arguments. An understanding of the role, possibilities, and limitations of business in our society further requires study and consideration from multiple perspectives.  These are essential skills that a liberal education aims to impart to its recipients. The IA in I&E program is one place among many where Lawrence’s curriculum attempts to develop the ability to create what did not exist before. Graduates who embrace innovative and entrepreneurial attitudes and methods will be better equipped to create fulfilling lives for themselves—lives that extend beyond their liberal arts experience in college.

 


Required for the interdisciplinary area in Innovation & Entrepreneurship

  1. Three core courses:
    1. I-E 200: In Pursuit of Innovation
    2. I-E 120/BUEN 120: Fundamentals of Accounting
    3. I-E 300: Entrepreneurial Ventures
  2. At least one elective from:
    • I-E 280/MUSI 280: The Entrepreneurial Musician
    • I-E 245/GOVT 248: Social Entrepreneurship
    • I-E 220/BUEN 220:  Foundations of Financial Management
    • I-E 295:  Topics in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    • I-E 440:  Business of You
    • I-E 495:  Topics in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    • BIOL 103:  Biotechnology & Society
    • ECON 223:  Quantitative Decision-Making
    • ECON 405: Economics of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  3. A second course from 2. above OR any I&E course OR any I & E cross-listed course OR approved course on Innovation list. A course may be considered for approval on the Innovation List at the request of a student or faculty member to the B & E director.  At this time the Innovation List includes the following courses:
    • ART 245: Interarts: New Media Projects
    • ART 320: Intermediate Printmaking or Art 520: Advanced Printmaking
    • ART 600: Studio Art Senior Seminar
    • CHEM 112:  Energy, Technology, and the Environment
    • ECON 400:  Industrial Organization
    • ECON 430: Economic Growth & Poverty Traps
    • I-E 250/BUEN 250:  Intro to Marketing
    • I-E 401/GOVT 401:  Field Experience in Development
    • I-E 444/ECON 444:  Political Economy of Regulation
    • I-E 450/ECON 450:  Economics of the Firm
    • PHYS 340: Optics
    • RLST 245: Apple, Google, Facebook
    1. Practicum: A 3-unit or 6-unit course, including Start-up Theatre (I-E 255/THAR 255), KidsGive, Internship in Studio Art (ART 395, 595, or 695), or others, including the option of a 400-level (or higher) IS to continue a project started in a course. Students seeking to count an internship or other non-credit bearing experience equivalent should consult with their advisor and the Director of the B&E program. 

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