How Courses Are Classified
Every course in this teaching portfolio is classified along two dimensions: its function — what educational work the course performs — and its type — whether it proceeds primarily through quantitative or qualitative reasoning.
These two dimensions are independent. A theoretical course can be quantitative or qualitative. A practical course can be either. Understanding the classification helps students know not only what a course covers, but how it will ask them to think.
Course Functions
Function describes what a course does — the kind of educational transformation it is designed to produce. A course can perform more than one function, but one typically dominates.
The theoretical function presents the academic background of a course. It introduces students to the foundational concepts, theories, models, and thinkers that shaped the field. Theory is important because students cannot meaningfully apply concepts that they do not first understand. Theory provides the intellectual structure through which business problems can be interpreted.
- —What pioneering research led to the development of this field?
- —Who are the relevant key figures?
- —What impact did these ideas have at a national or global scale?
- —Which theories and approaches were derived from them?
- Conceptual reading and close analysis
- Structured discussion of competing frameworks
- Written synthesis and theoretical critique
Accurate reproduction of core ideas combined with the capacity to apply them to novel cases and identify their limits.
The practical function analyzes the real-life application of theories, methods, and models. Students examine how ideas are implemented in actual business contexts. This function helps students understand that business knowledge is not purely abstract — the value of an idea depends partly on how it performs in practice.
- —How did a specific company implement this theory or method?
- —What were the apparent benefits and drawbacks of this case?
- —What is considered a strong implementation in the industry?
- —What happens when theory meets real organizational constraints?
- Case analysis with real organizational data
- Role-based simulations
- Applied project work with defined deliverables
Competent execution of the relevant method under realistic constraints, with transparent documentation of decisions.
The business development function teaches students how to use theories, practices, and techniques to create business value. Students focus on start-ups, business models, feasibility, market opportunities, incentives, legal structures, public support mechanisms, and government-related opportunities.
- —Is this a real opportunity or a compelling story?
- —What is required to make this viable?
- —What would failure look like, and how early could it be detected?
- —What legal structures, incentives, or public mechanisms are relevant?
- Feasibility analysis across market, technical, financial and organizational dimensions
- Structured project critique and revision cycles
- Competitive landscape mapping
A rigorous, defensible analysis that arrives at a clear recommendation — pursued, revised or abandoned — with full reasoning.
The technical function focuses on the tools, systems, and applied know-how required in modern professional life. Business education is increasingly connected to neighboring fields such as information technologies, communication systems, management information systems, software development, analytics, and decision-support systems.
- —How do I calculate this correctly?
- —What does this output actually mean?
- —Where does this method introduce error or distortion?
- Data collection and cleaning
- Statistical analysis and interpretation
- System operation and output evaluation
Accurate execution with transparent methodology, honest reporting of limitations and correct interpretation of results.
Course Types
Type describes the primary mode of reasoning the course employs. It is not about difficulty — a qualitative course can be far more demanding than a quantitative one, and vice versa.
Quantitative courses are method-oriented courses. While some theoretical background is always necessary, these courses focus primarily on application, calculation, measurement, and analysis. For example, in a course such as Trade Indicators, the main focus is not on who first developed each indicator, but on how to calculate, analyze, and interpret them.
- Application of statistical and mathematical methods
- Measurement and data interpretation
- Analytical reasoning from numerical evidence
- Methodological accuracy and replicability
- Transparent reporting of uncertainty
Qualitative courses focus on the bigger picture. Their aim is to familiarize students with a field by explaining its conception, evolution, current state, and major debates. In other words, these courses follow a narrative. They focus more heavily on theory, interpretation, cases, and business development, with less emphasis on technical calculation.
- Theoretical literacy and conceptual connection
- Case analysis and contextual interpretation
- Literature engagement and synthesis
- Narrative construction and argumentation
- Identification of implications and limits
Combined Classification Matrix
A course can contain all four functions while still being predominantly quantitative or qualitative. The matrix below shows the typical emphasis of each function within each type. No cell is empty — every function appears in some degree in every type.
Trade Indicators is classified as Technical in function and Quantitative in type. Students collect real export and import data, apply standardized statistical methods, and interpret outputs in an economic context. The course has a secondary Practical dimension — students must produce analysis that could be used by actual trade practitioners — but its dominant character is methodological precision. Assessment is primarily closed-book examination with data problems.