Mission and Goals of the General Marine Business and Commerce Program
Part I-Marine Business & Commerce Program Objectives
Upon completion of a Bachelor of Science in General Marine Business & Commerce, the student will be able to:
- Pursue an independent research project, evaluating and using both primary and secondary sources
- Prepare a written report that is coherently organized and argues a substantive point
- Work in a small group to pursue similar research and writing projects in collaboration with other group members
- Discuss the utility of combining a Humanities study background with a professional merchant marine industry vocation
- Discuss the topics that were the subject of their minor concentration pursued during the preceding four semesters of the program
Part II-Marine Business & Commerce Program’s Linkage to the Mission of Maritime College
Maritime College, as noted above in its mission statement, seeks to provide:
a. A learning environment that stimulates intellectual and personal growth, scholarship, and creativity.
Humanities classrooms are equipped with audio-visual technology so that e.g. films may be introduced to supplement stimulating lectures. Internet access contributes to the pursuit of research both individually and in small groups. Power point presentations enhance lectures and inspire student creativity and scholarship. Goals 1-2 above support this aspect of the mission statement.
b. A faculty dedicated to teaching excellence while growing in areas of scholarship, research, and service.
Faculty share research interests with students and guide them in research methods with the assistance of competent library staff.
c. A tradition of innovative, hands-on learning directed by a dedicated faculty
Faculty engage students in learning by encouraging research into topics proposed by individual students.
Goals 1-2 above support this aspect of the mission statement.
d. A structured community emphasizing leadership, responsible citizenship, and self-discipline
Classes are conducted in a manner that encourages leadership, responsible citizenship, and self-discipline for the good of the whole. Goals 4-5 support these elements of the mission statement in maintaining an atmosphere conducive to healthy interaction in discussion, listening to others’ opinions, and arriving at consensus when appropriate.
e. An internationally recognized resource of maritime expertise.
Aside from its relevance to courses such as “Literature of the Sea” and “Maritime History I” this aspect of the mission statement is not directly supported by the MS program.
f. Quality graduate and undergraduate programs in international business, engineering, science, and technology with particular emphasis on the maritime industry
English 452 (Technical Writing), English 103 (Writing for Engineers), Maritime History, and “Research Methods: Special Topics,” are courses in the GMBC program that specifically relate to the maritime industry. Our learning goals, especially 4, support this aspect of the mission statement.
g. The opportunity for its graduates to qualify for licensure as merchant marine officers and for commissioning in the U.S. Armed Forces
Since Goals 1-4 contribute to the critical thinking, written and oral communication skills, and interpersonal relational skills needed by officers and members of the merchant marine and the armed forces, our MS goals are supportive of this aspect of the mission statement.
h. Through its graduates, a quality workforce and prospective leaders for the state, nation, and maritime and international community
MS graduates have entered the workforce as prospective leaders in fields such as education, law, finance, marketing, and sales. Our learning goals support this aspect of the mission statement.
i. A nationally and internationally recognized resource of expertise in its specialized disciplines as they relate to the maritime field
Our faculty, through research, publications, and/or collaboration with colleagues in their respective fields, have won peer recognition nationally and internationally. Several department members have presented papers at national and international Maritime Conferences, have had articles published, and have participated in Maritime’s “Conversations in the Disciplines.” Our GMBC program is stronger as a result and faculty recognition serves to inspire our students, two of whom have given papers recently—one in Russia and one in Baltimore, MD at the 9th Annual Maritime Conference.
This aspect of the mission statement is supported by our goals.
