Introduction to Business

BUS 1113-760

 

Instructor Information:

 

Name:

 Bill Pardue

E-mail:

Bill.Pardue@nscc.edu

Phone:

931-520-0551 ext 109

Office Location:

  Cookeville Campus of NSCC- Office #142

Office Hours:

On-campus Hours observed on Monday through Friday.  Virtual Hours observed throughout week.

 


 

Textbook - Understanding Business, 10th edition  by Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh.

ISBN  0077669096   --   Loose-leaf version packaged w/ UB Online  (available in NSCC Bookstore)

ISBN  978-0-07-352459-7 -- Hardback edition

                    

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION

An introduction to the private enterprise system.  Topics covered include forms of business organizations, business finance, human resource management, production, entrepreneurship, business ethics, marketing, and the changing business environment.

COURSE OUTCOMES

 Course outcomes will be pursued through a combination of lecture, class discussion, student presentations of selected cases or topics, and written assignments. Students will participate in activities designed to enhance their abilities in communication, critical thinking, and problem solving.

         After completing BUS 1113, students should be able to:

  1.  Describe various business system components.

  2.  Discuss US business in relation to the changing global environment.

  3. Explain the advantages, disadvantages, challenges, and opportunities of the major forms of business.

  4. Review the role of management, human resource management, and production and operations management in the business environment.

  5.  Review the role of marketing in a global environment.

6.  Discuss the key principles of the management of business financial resources.

Competencies Which Support Course Outcomes

Without reference to notes or other materials students should be able to:

1.      Identify and explain the components of the private enterprise system.

2.      Describe the major features of the three alternative economic systems.

3.      Identify and define the major contemporary societal challenges facing business.

4.      Discuss the major economic challenges facing American businesses.

5.      Describe the three major forms of business ownership and the advantages and disadvantages of each form.

6.      Specify the challenges, opportunities, and risks of creating, owning, and operating a small   business.

7.      Summarize and explain the functions of management.

8.      Explain the strategic importance of the human resource function in business.

9.      Discuss the functions performed by human resource management.

10. Summarize how the major types of plans are derived from the planning process.

11. List and define the elements of customer-driven marketing.

12. Specify the types of information necessary for management decision making.

13. Contrast the two methods of financing business activities.

14. Explain the significant way businesses must change to remain competitive in a global economy.

15. Debate the appropriate role and potential impact of government in the business community.

16. Defend the importance of ethics in the conduct of business.

17. Explain how supply and demand interact in a market economy to determine what is produced, how much, and at what price.

18. Describe the major aspects of production and operations management.

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1) Read the assigned material in the textbook (see the Schedule)
2) Complete the 4 online tests
3) Submit 4 Video Case Studies and 1 Discussion Assignment

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
There are a variety of online learning materials within each chapter. These are not required but are recommended to help you develop mastery of the subject.

ONLINE TESTS
Test questions for each of the online tests will come from material covered in the textbook and the Web lessons. In order for the online tests to be proctored, you must take them in the Testing Center in the Library on the Nashville Tech campus or at a Nashville Tech off-campus site. Testing Center hours are: 8:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Fridays, and 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (video and web students only on Saturday). Please call me with any questions. You must have a photo I.D. to take tests in the Testing Center. Tennessee Board of Regents rules and regulations require that no children under 12 years of age will be allowed in the Testing Center.

The online tests are timed and one attempt is allowed. You will be allowed two hours to complete a test. You may use one page of notes for each test (8 1/2 X 11, both sides).

 TEST MAKE-UP POLICY
Tests will not be available after the deadline published in the Schedule. Missed tests will receive a grade of zero. There will be a five point per day grade reduction for late tests in the unlikely event that an extension is approved. Clearly, this is to encourage you not to procrastinate until the deadline.

 I suggest that you read Testing Instructions.

VIDEO CASE STUDIES

There are four written case study assignments due throughout the semester.  Due dates are listed on the SCHEDULE and they correspond to the four test due dates. The cases involve a short analysis of the chapter videos that can be accessed through the CONTENTS page of the web course. Specific instructions can be accessed on the CONTENT page or by clicking on the appropriate video case study under TESTS/CASES.

Answer all assignments in a professional manner.  Use complete, well thought-out sentences with no  grammatical errors.             I suggest that you read Etiquette for Email.  

 

EXTRA-CREDIT

Extra-credit can be earned by completing the Practice Tests. Practice Tests are available through the QUIZZES page. You will be able to increase your final average by up to 10%. Credit will be awarded based on the PERCENTAGE of CORRECT responses that you submit during the semester. For example, there are 12 Practice Tests, and if you make a 90% on every test, you will have 9 points added to your final average.  OR if you make 100% on 6 tests, you will have answered 50% of ALL possible questions correctly, and you will have 5 points added to your final average.... (This means that you can improve your average by a whole letter grade by correctly completing all of the Practice Tests.) Practice Tests may be taken multiple times and your highest grade will count.

The Practice Tests are a very valuable study tool. Even if you don't need extra credit, I urge you to use them to help you study for the regular tests!


GRADING CRITERIA
4 Tests @ 100 each

400
4 Case Studies @ 22 each

88
Discussion Assignment (First week of class)

12
TOTAL POINTS

500


GRADING SCALE
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%

 HONESTY
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic dishonesty, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an “F” or a “zero” for the exercise or examination or to assign an “F” in the course.

 ATTENDANCE

Timeliness in this course is critical to success. There are specific due dates set for homework assignments and exams. Homework due dates and test dates will be strictly adhered to and will not be extended. Failure to complete homework and exams by the due dates will result in a grade of zero for that assessment. A student that stops submitting work during the semester and does not withdraw will be assigned a grade of “FA”. FA means failure, attendance related.  A student that never submits work and does not withdraw will be assigned a grade of “FN”. FN means failure, never attended class (unofficial withdrawal).

***Failing to submit two consecutive assignments or failure to take two exams will result in a grade of F for the course.

You do not need to contact me in order to “check in” as long as you are up to date on your assignments.

COMMUNICATION:

***It is the student’s responsibility to check D2L and MyNSCC email on a regular basis.  These are the official communication channels between the college and students. Students are responsible for the information communicated through those channels.  D2L contains specific course information and MyNSCC contains information important for other purposes.

 

WITHDRAWING FROM COURSE/COLLEGE
A student must officially withdraw from a course/college. If a student quits attending class and an official withdrawal has not been processed, the student will be assigned an "F" grade. Please refer to the most recent Nashville State Tech catalog for information on withdrawing.


 ADA POLICY
As a public higher education institution, Nashville Tech adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require an accommodation in order to function effectively in this class, please contact me about it before the end of the first week of the semester.