UNION COUNTY COLLEGE

SYLLABUS 

BUS-101-300    Introduction to  Contemporary Business   3 Credits

Final Grade:  90-100 = A, 87-89 = B+, 80-86 = B, 77-79 = C+, 70-76 = C, 67-69 = D+, 60-66 = D, Below 60 = F

Grading: 

Your final grade will be determined as follows:     

Policies and Assignments:

1. You are expected to complete the reading assignment in the text and to study by use of the material in the text and other information provided on the WebCT course and the Companion Website.
   
2. Lecture notes in WebCT can  be read.  A Power Point presentation is available. Interactive tests can be taken on the Companion Website.
   
3. Questions to be answered  on the "Discussion Area"  page should be answered.  Also, for each chapter, you should react to at least one other student's answer.    Participation in the Discussion Area  will count approximately 30% of your Class Participation and Assignments Grade.
   
4. Click on Calendar for guideline dates for taking testing, completing Internet-Based Exercises, and current events.   Forward the completed assignments to the professor as an attachment to the E-mail provided in the Web-CT. 
   
5. Internet research of suggested topics will be required and each paper will be graded as a test.   If a link you wish to pursue does not work, a search can be made of the topic.  
6. An on-line chapter test should be taken during the time provided.  Once you start the on-line chapter test, you will have one hour to complete it.  Documentation of a disability will be required for any student needing more time than given.
   
7. Students will summarize and evaluate current events using the Internet or the Library.  This will count 10% of your Class Participation and Assignments Grade.
   
8. Students are encouraged to ask questions on any matters that are not clear to them.
   
9. You are expected to participate in group activities using  the conference, chat rooms, e-mail, instant messaging,  or  whatever means of communication are required between you and your classmates.

Catalog Description 

Overview of all phases of business, including ownership, marketing, personnel, finance, managerial controls, and the relationship of government and business.  The relationship of   business to the social and economic environment in which it operates.  Practical orientation and emphasis on relationships between business concepts and potential business careers. 

Educational Goals:

The educational goals of Introduction to Business are:

1. The student will appreciate the positive and constructive force that business plays by making available the goods and services, jobs, and income that our society must have to exist and thrive.

2. The student will develop a general understanding of different economic philosophies and why and how these differences change the methods by which economic systems attempt to accomplish their common economic function.

3. The student will display an understanding of contemporary business concepts,, principles, and practices that explain how businesses are formed, how they operate to accomplish their goals and functions, and why and how their success depends on effective management.

4. The student will begin building a framework of business terminology.

5. The student will identify potential career paths.

6. The student will begin to develop research techniques and analytical and communication skills.

Instructional Objectives

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

1.     Understand the concepts, principles and operation of the private enterprise system (capitalism) and compare it to other economic systems. 

2.     Examine types of businesses that comprise the business scene, the roles they play, the strengths they have, and their observable similarities and differences. 

3.     Compare sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations as legal forms of business ownership:  the nature of each, the processes involved in creating each, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. 

4.     Recognize the need for management in business organizations and the role of management in developing an organizational structure, acquiring human resources, and creating a supportive work environment. 

5.     Describe the production function, its purposes, elements, and processes. 

6.     Examine the marketing function and describe the concepts and processes involved in designing product strategy, promotional strategy, distribution strategy, and pricing strategy. 

7.     Explore the importance and the role of the financial management function, illustrate the concepts and processes involved in managing the acquisition and allocation of short-term and long-term funds, and demonstrate the importance of the banking system. 

8.     Describe the risk management function and its concepts, processes, and strategies involved in managing risk in a business. 

9.     Explore the information management functions and describe the concepts and processes involved in creating and utilizing a managing information system. 

10.      Identify and describe the influence of the environments created by cultural diversity, labor, government, regulation, social responsibility, technology, law, and the economy as they affect business decisions, actions, and operations both domestically and internationally. 

11.   Demonstrate the ability to use the internet for research purposes and to write coherent and readable paragraphs.

Skills for Living Goals 

The skills for living are intended to provide a framework for the general education that every informed person needs to function effectively in a changing world.  Business 101 provides opportunities to: 

1.     Become more computer literate than before taking the course. 

2.     Be able to explore the Internet and access the library resources to find information and to use that information in a meaningful way. 

3.     Develop critical thinking skills. 

4.     Build team skills by cooperative learning projects by the use of the
Internet and WebCT. 

  5. Research different careers and make an informed decision about
       future goals in life. 

  6.  Improve written and oral communication skills. 

  7.  Be aware of cultural diversity and be understanding and tolerant of
       other cultures and views. 

  8.  Develop realistic attitudes for coping with change in an
       ever-changing technological world. 

  9.  Improve business communications vocabulary. 

10.  Develop an awareness of how the international environment affects
       business.

11.   Develop an awareness of how government decisions can influence business
        environment.  

12.   Improve understanding of how people are motivated in the
        workplace. 

13.   Understand the concept of work ethic.

14.   Develop an awareness of factors that would enhance leadership
        abilities.

15.    Understand the social responsibility of business owners/managers to the community.

16.    Realize that learning is a lifetime endeavor. 

In order to complete  the online course, BUS-101,  Introduction to Contemporary Business,  you will need hardware and software requirements.  Click on  http://www.ucc.edu/DistanceEducation   for further information.  Be sure to click on Internet Connections, Computer Requirements, and Browser Compatability

Course Access procedure 

Course URL:   http://webct.ucc.edu    Dr. R. Henderson's website at http://faculty.ucc.edu/business-henderson