BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Business is not all business in Jerry Olson’s class. The professor of business administration at Illinois Wesleyan University is encouraging students in his May Term class to explore the convergence of commerce and social responsibility. The class is an example of what students experience during May Term, when they can take a single, intensive class designed to fit an entire semester of material into one month.
Olson’s May Term class is based on the 18th century efforts of the activist and minister Wesley – from whom the University gets its name. Students explore the ties between business and social responsibility by creating their own not-for-profit organization. “Looking beyond John Wesley’s theology and philosophy are a lot of principles that match the University’s modern mission statement, emphasizing the importance of education, sustainability and social activism,” said Olson, who co-teaches the class with Wesley historian the Rev. Mary-Kathryn Pearce.
Along with learning the business aspect of creating a not-for-profit, students are required to volunteer in the community once a week and learn about how Wesley’s efforts transcend to modern day issues from health care and immigration to oil prices. “We draw parallels between Wesley’s labors to close the gap between the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots,’” said Pearce. “His motto was ‘Gain all you can, save all you can, and give all you can’. It was a lesson in business ethics, in how to practice maintaining your identity as a business person.”
May Term classes like Olson’s are tailored to push the boundaries of the traditional classroom setting, according to May Term Coordinator and Associate Dean of the Curriculum Zahia Drici. “May Term opens up an exciting realm for students and faculty,” said Drici. “Students can delve deeply into topics, examine concepts and issues that are not part of the standard curriculum, or discover new cultures through travel. The distinctiveness of May term lies in its emphasis on immersion in learning, and as such May Term is an exceptionally enriching part of the Illinois Wesleyan experience.”