SYLLABUS

COURSE MATERIALS

• UNDERSTANDING BUSINESS CORE 3rd Edition by Nickels, McHugh, McHugh
• ISBN: 9781260137743
• None of the online modules are required for this class.
• There are several ISBNs for this book, depending on the online support materials that are included. The other editions of the book, Editions 1 and 2 or even the 9th 10th, and 11th edition can also work. The chapters don’t always correspond perfectly but if money is an issue, find a used one online at a great price.    

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVE

This course will provide the student with information about business operations and business vocabulary and it will help direct the thinking of each student to the field of business best suited for her/his interest and talent. Subject matter includes an analysis of the specialized fields within the business organization. The course covers concepts of business, management functions, organizational considerations, and decision-making processes. This course is beneficial to business majors and non-business majors. There is no prerequisite.  (If you are trying to make a decision as to the course you should take next, Principles of Management is a good choice for potential business majors.)

PREREQUISITE

Have a working knowledge of the use of computers, email and internet.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. Show up, participate in class (virtual), and be ready for tests.
2. Read the text book.
3. Complete the stock project and your Mission Statement.
4. Take the exams in class on time.

ATTENDANCE

A student at Austin Community College is expected to attend classes in order to progress satisfactorily toward completion of course objectives. Because objectives can vary from department to department and from course to course, the instructor shall inform the student of specific course objectives at the first class meeting. A student who is not meeting course objectives may be withdrawn from the course at the discretion of the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to consult with instructors and seek support services when they cannot meet the course objectives.  Lack of attendance and academic progress are ground for withdrawal of the student by the instructor. The student may appeal instructor-initiated withdrawals within 10 days.

READING

It is important to read the chapters carefully as some questions will be taken from the book. 

EXAMS

Exams will be a compilation of discussions, assignments and reading from the book.

STOCK PROJECT

Students are advised to find any publicly traded (listed on New York Exchange, American Exchange or the NASDQ) American company that they are interested in and to get the most recent annual report (they are available free on Yahoo or through the companies themselves).  The details of the project will be in a handout.

COURSE GRADING

EXAM 1                                                                 25%       

EXAM 2                                                                 25%                       

EXAM 3                                                                 20%                     

FINAL ACTIVITY                                                   10%                                                                                                                                                                                              

STOCK PROJECT                                                20%

TOTAL                                                                   100.00%                            .

WITHDRAWALS

Failure by you to withdraw from the course or successfully complete the course will result in a grade of “F”.  (See below for details)

INCOMPLETES

Incompletes will only be given if the student has substantially completed the course with a passing grade.  The instructor must be notified before the end of the semester if the students need an incomplete and all work must be made up as soon as possible.  Incompletes are not recommended as students will miss the extra credit for finishing on time and many incompletes are never completed.        

COMMENTS FOR SUCCESS

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor for assistance whenever needed.  Refer to my contact info and assistance schedule.  I will be happy to schedule appointments. Many resources are available to help you succeed in this course.  Students can significantly improve their chances of success by using the following tips:

• Reading textbook carefully.
• Attending class regularly
• Getting in a study group if possible.   Work together and prepare for exams together.
• Taking advantage of the free help available at ACC and call the instructor if you have any problems.  If you have any problems reaching me keep trying.  I try very hard to call student right back so if you don’t heard from me something is wrong and you need to try again. 

FREE TUTORING

Free tutoring is available at all the major campuses.  Here is the web site for our tutoring: http://www.austincc.edu/tutor/

If you are have any problems call your professor right away.

Departmental policies for Incompletes, Attendance, and Withdrawal are as follows:

Incomplete Policy:  An incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of I, a student must have completed all examinations and assignments to date, be passing, and have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W.

Attendance Policy:  All students are expected to attend classes.  Non-attendance will have an impact on the student’s grade.

Withdrawal Policy:  It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from a course.  Instructors are allowed to withdraw students but students must not rely on their instructor to withdraw them if they wish to withdraw.

Austin Community College policies for Academic Freedom, Scholastic Dishonesty, Student Discipline, and Students with Disabilities are as follows:

Academic Freedom Statement:  Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Scholastic Dishonesty Statement:Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework” (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 32). Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an F in the course and/or expulsion from this institution.

Student Discipline Statement:  Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 32.

Students with Disabilities Statement:Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester” (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 14).

Other general rules:

• Cheating will not be tolerated
• Please turn off all beepers and cellular phones so as not to disrupt class
• Do not arrive to class late as it is disruptive
• Do not leave in the middle of class without checking with the Prof. first
• Your attitude, attendance, and class participation is very important as it is in business

SCANS

The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Workplace Skills (SCANS) is a project of the Secretary of Education and Secretary of Labor.  The consensus is that students must develop and cultivate workplace skills as part of their college courses. 

The SCANS competencies (workplace skills) that will be assessed during this course include:

Responsibility

Exerts a high level of effort and perseverance toward goal attainment; works hard to become excellent at doing tasks by setting high standards, paying attention to details, and displaying a high level of concentration even when assigned an unpleasant task; and displays high standards of attendance, punctuality, enthusiasm, vitality and optimism in approaching and completing tasks.

Communicate Information

Selects and analyzes information and communicates the results to others using oral, written, graphic, pictorial or multimedia methods.  Competently performing the tasks of communications and interpreting information to others includes determining information to be communicated; identifying the best methods to present information (e.g., overheads, handouts); if necessary, converting to desired format and conveying information to others through a variety of means.

Assessments

Communicates mastery of the material through examination and written assignments.

Meets with instructor to gain additional assistance as needed.

Assists other students to better learn the material.

Academic Freedom Statement

Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Scholastic Dishonesty Statement

 Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework” (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 32). Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an F in the course and/or expulsion from this institution.

Student Discipline Statement

Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 32.

Students with Disabilities Statement

Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities.  Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester” (Student Handbook, 2002-2003, p. 14).

Summary          

These competencies will be assessed throughout the course as indicated above and through the student’s exams.

COURSE MATERIALS

• UNDERSTANDING BUSINESS CORE 3rd Edition by Nickels, McHugh, McHugh
• ISBN: 9781260137743
• None of the online modules are required for this class.
• There are several ISBNs for this book, depending on the online support materials that are included. The other editions of the book, including the 1st or 2nd edition (or even the 9th 10th, and 11th edition) can work. The exact chapter details don’t always correspond perfectly but if money is an issue, find a used one online at a great price and it will work. I test you on what is said in class anyway (vs. the exact info from the book)

The Economist is also great supplemental reading, which will help you keep up to date on happening in the world, giving you a broader perspective on global business.

SUBJECTS COVERED

Introduction to Course and Orientation

Mission Statement (Business Version)

Managing within the Dynamic Business Environment: Taking Risks and Making Profits

How Economics Affects Business: The Creation and Distribution of Wealth

Competing in Global Markets

Demonstrating Ethical Behavior and Social Responsibility

Choosing a Form of Business Ownership

Entrepreneurship and Starting a Small Business

Management, Leadership, and Employee Empowerment

Adapting Organizations to Today’s Markets

Producing World-Class Goods and Services

Motivating Employees and Building Self-Managed Teams

Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees

Dealing with Employee-Management Issues and Relationships

Building Customer Relationships

Marketing Developing and Pricing Products and Services

Distributing Products Quickly and Efficiently

Using Effective Promotional Techniques

Understanding Financial Information and Accounting

Financial Management

Securities Markets: Financing and Investing Opportunities

Understanding Money, Financial Institutions, and the Federal Reserve

Managing Personal Finances

 

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES

1.     Understand the Basic management functions of Planning Organizing Leading and Controlling     
2.     Understand how ethical practices are applied in Business and in life      
3.     Understand Business organization, structure, roles and responsibility.
4.     Understand the basic domestic and international environments for Business
5.     Understand the Basic issues for Small businesses and Entrepreneurship
6.     Apply basic management and HR principles
7.     Apply basic marketing principles
8.     Ability to understand basic Financial information
9.     Understand Governments role and effect on Business