This course provides a comprehensive view of today’s dynamic American business and the global economy. Specific topics include starting a small business, satisfying customers, managing operations, motivating employees, building teams, managing information, managing financial resources and exploring ethical and social responsibilities of American businesses.
Your success depends on your presence in class and your active participation in class discussions and activities. If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what was missed. Missed assignments, quizzes and tests can only be made up with prior approval (once per semester) of instructor and with a late penalty of two points per day.
Nickels, McHugh, and McHugh, Understanding Business, 9th Edition, McGraw-Hill Higher Education
ISBN 978-0-07-351170-2
Website for textbook is at: http://www.mhhe.com/ub9e (go to Student Edition)
SLO #1:
Students will be able to identify the common functional departments within modern businesses, explain the responsibilities of each department, and understand the terminology used within each of these departments. Competency will be assessed by student's ability to demonstrate knowledge of terminology and comprehension of responsibilities for these departments.
SLO #2
Students will be able to define the common forms of business ownership and describe the pros and cons of each ownership type. Competency will be assessed by student's ability to demonstrate knowledge of terminology and identify appropriate ownership forms for different scenarios.
You must complete all reading assignments in the textbook before class. Lectures are based on the fact that you have read the assigned material. All assigned reading in the textbook is fair game for quizzes and tests. Please bring your textbook to each class.
Students with disabilities who may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to notify the instructor and contact Disabled Student Services & Programs (DSP&S) early in the semester so that reasonable accommodations may be implemented as soon as possible. Students may contact DSP&S in person in Room 110 or by phone at 619-644-7112 or 619-644-7119 (TTY for deaf).
Students can enroll in the following supervised tutoring courses if the service indicated will assist them in achieving or reinforcing the learning objectives of this course:
To add any of these courses, students may obtain Add Codes at the Information/ Registration Desk in the Tech Mall.
All Supervised Tutoring courses are non-credit/non-fee. However, when a student registers for a supervised tutoring course, and has no other classes, the student will be charged the usual health fee.
Cheating and plagiarism (using as one's own ideas writings, materials, or images of someone else without acknowledgement or permission) can result in any one of a variety of sanctions. Such penalties may range from an adjusted grade on the particular exam, paper, project, or assignment (all of which may lead to a failing grade in the course) to, under certain conditions, suspension or expulsion from a class, program or the college. For further clarification and information on these issues, please consult with your instructor or contact the office of the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.
Weekly Tasks (this will be modified as the semester progresses and is subject to change.)
|
Week |
Topic (Tentative) |
Chapters |
Quizzes/Tests/Assignments |
#1 |
Class Introduction |
Prologue Ch. 1 |
Get Textbook Read Prologue, Syllabus |
#2 |
Taking Risks; Making Profits + How Economics affects Business |
Ch. 2 |
Quiz Ch. 1 |
#3 |
Global Markets |
Ch. 3 |
Quiz Ch. 2
|
#4 |
Ethical Behavior Legal Environment of Business |
Ch. 4 |
Ch 3 |
#5 |
Forms of Business Ownership |
Ch. 5 |
Quiz Ch. 4
|
#6 |
Starting a Small Business
|
Ch. 6 |
Exam #1 Chs 1-5 |
#7 |
Management, Leadership, and Employment Management; Adapting to the Marketplace |
Ch. 7 Ch. 8 |
Quiz: Ch. 6 – 7 |
#8 |
Producing World-Class Goods
|
Ch. 9 |
Ch. 9 |
#9 |
Motivating Employees |
Ch. 10 |
Quiz Ch. 10 |
#10 |
Finding and Keeping the Best Employees |
Ch. 11 |
Exam #2 Chs 6-10 |
#11 |
Dealing with Employees |
Ch. 12 |
Quiz Ch. 12 |
#12 |
Marketing: “Helping Buyers Buy” |
Ch. 13 |
Quiz Ch. 13 |
#13 |
Developing and Pricing Products and Services |
Ch. 14 |
Quiz Ch. 14 |
#14 |
Distribution |
Ch. 15 |
|
#15 |
Promotion |
Ch 16 -17 |
Quiz Ch. 15, 16 |
#16 |
Securities and Financial Institutions |
Ch. 18, 19, 20 |
Review for Final |
Finals Week |
Final Exam (see schedule) |
Final Exam |
|
This class is made up of a variety of assignments. Your final score will be created based on the following percentages:
|
(approximately 8 @ 10 pts. each) 9 Total: Drop lowest quiz score |
15% |
|
Tests (2 @ 15 % each) |
30% |
|
Final Exam |
20% |
|
Participation (presentations) |
15% |
|
Written tasks |
20% |
|
Total |
percent |
Quizzes and exams will be composed of textbook material, class lectures, and additional course topics (guest lectures, in-class videos, etc.). There are no make-ups for quizzes, but your lowest quiz score will be dropped. If you are going to miss an exam date, please notify the instructor well before the exam date and you will be allowed to take the exam on an earlier date. Proof of illness/dire circumstances are required to take an exam after the due date, and exams taken after the due date will be liable to have points deducted of 10% of the possible grade.
Grading Scale:
90 - 100% = A; 80 – 89.9% = B; 70 – 79.9% = C; 60 – 69.9% = D; and below= F
Note: as of Fall 2009, Plus and Minus grades may be assigned. This will be up to the discretion of the instructor, and grades will be assigned accordingly for the lower and upper 2.4% of each group. Example, 80-82.4 = B- and 87.5-89.9 = B+. There will not be any grades assigned of C-, D+ or D-.