Course Description
This six-week course is offered by the University of Connecticut (UConn) Lieberman Abrahamic Program at no cost. It provides an overview of international entrepreneurship with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The course explores how understanding the shared cultural histories in the region influences small business opportunities and the process by which new businesses are formed to respond to those opportunities. It also highlights how Abrahamic virtues such as trustworthiness, empathy, and critical thinking, which are found in the teachings of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, contribute to entrepreneurial success.
The course identifies key traits of successful entrepreneurs in the MENA region and helps students learn practices that will provide them with the resilience needed for business success. It draws on case studies of joint ventures in an increasingly integrated MENA region with a focus on how to develop business development strategies. Along the way, we explore MENA entrepreneurial ecosystems, including opportunities for mentoring and financing. Participants will work together in teams with students from Bahrain, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, the Palestinian Territories, the UAE and the United States.
In addition to the main presenters, the course will make use of expert guest lecturers and case studies. This is a non-credit course. Students will receive a UConn certificate upon completion.
Course Outline
Week 1: Introduction to the Course and Getting to Know Each Other
Week 2: The Spirit of Entrepreneurship and Shared Abrahamic Values
Week 3: Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
Week 4: Overview of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Resources, Support Systems, and Challenges
Week 5: Case Studies of Successful Joint Ventures
Week 6: Course Wrap-Up and Student Presentations
