Course Syllabus

Division: (Business)

Course name: (Business 001: Introduction to Business)

Section: (16080) / Semester (Spring 2021')

Todd Matosic, Instructor, BA, MBA

Email: matosit@wlac.edu

16 Weeks (Online/Canvas LMS)    

 

Instructor Name: Todd Matosic       School Website: www.wlac.edu

Class Hours: All Online   Address: 9000 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA 90230

Class Location: ONLINE/Canvas LMS    Office Location: CE Building Room #214

 

Welcome!

This semester, you will work to develop your business understanding. You will improve your business vocabulary and critical thinking skills. By the end of this course, my goal is for you to be a well-rounded business thinker who feels confident discussing business concepts and the current challenging issues faced by businesses. The skills you learn here will help you succeed both in and out of class. However, your education is ultimately YOUR responsibility. YOU determine your level of success. Successful college students are self-motivated. Successful college students understand the importance of studying the material, coming to class prepared and practicing skills learned. YOU CAN DO IT and I’m here to help. 

This course is a survey of the fundamental aspects of all phases of business including entrepreneurship alternatives, management/leadership, marketing, financial management and institutions, investing through the securities market, and challenges facing global markets.

Required Texts “FREE E-Book"  *Click on Modules to see the text

 

Recommended Materials

Please take advantage of the WLAC library resources if possible…visit the HLRC on campus.

Dictionary – Webster’s New World College Dictionary or American Heritage College Dictionary

Thesaurus – American Heritage College Thesaurus or Roget’s

Required Materials

• Internet connection
• Course textbook (it's FREE just link to it)
• Computer access

Course Objectives: (use COR / ECD approved objectives)

• Cite the various ways the U.S. government affects, restricts, and protects business.
• Compare and contrast the advantages/disadvantages in each form of business ownership.
• Define business ethics and explain the role of social responsibility in an organization.
• Compare and contrast the primary economic systems.
• Identify how business operates in an international/global environment including legal, social, cultural, and interdependence and integrated financial markets.
• Define and describe the key management functions of planning organizing, leading, and controlling.
• Identify current production & operations processes. Address sustainability.
• Identify key human resource management functions and laws.
• Identify the marketing mix and key tools, terms and strategies related to each element.
• Describe and identify how technology impacts all the primary functions of business.
• Evaluate the basic components of financial statements and ratio analysis.
• Explain the importance of finance to the operations of business; the various types of financing; and the process of internal and external financing and controls.
• Identify securities markets including investment options, mechanisms of investing, and how to conduct basic analysis of business financial information.
• Identify and describe the basics of business law including contracts, torts, intellectual property, and the American legal system.
• Summarize the components of risk management and basic insurance concepts. 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to . . .

1. Produce a business report
2. Analyze a business situation; recommend a plan for improvement

3. Apply legal/ethical principles in business decision-making

Course Requirements and assignment guidelines

Internet Research

NOTE: DO NOT WAIT until the day a response is due to seek help or explain your situation.

Quizzes

Quizzes will be given regularly to ensure that you are keeping up with the readings and attending the virtual class.

Other assignments, as listed below, will occur in class and serve to reinforce learning:           

• Exams: Final

Late Assignments (Reports/Presentations)

There will be no credit given for late assignments of this type.

Grading

 

Assignment Category	# of Assign.	Points Per Assignment	Total Points	% of Total Grade
Quizzes	10	20	200	20%
Discussion Questions	10	20	200	20%
Business Research Report	1	200	200	20%
Improvement Plan	1	200	200	20%
Final	1	200	200	20%
Grand Total	23	-	1000	100%
900 - 1000 = A	800 - 899 = B	700 - 799 = C	600 - 699 = D	599 and below = F

Class Policies 

Attendance

For all online courses at WLAC, the expectation is that you will be attending class.  Students are expected to be routinely accessing the Canvas virtual classroom.  Students that do not access the class during the first week will receive a warning email after the fifth day and then will be dropped from the class. Please make yourself familiar with the navigational tools of the Canvas site and pay close attention to communications from me on the course main page. You can send me personal messages by using the Inbox.

Preparedness

You are expected to be ready to take your online quizzes and to answer your DQs (Chapter Discussion Questions) within correct time frames; you are expected to look for the cut-off dates for these when they are set.

Netiquette

The term netiquette is a combination of the words Internet and etiquette. Online personal attacks, profanity, vulgarity will not be tolerated if and when we use the Internet for course work.  

Contacting Me

E-mail is the best and quickest way to contact me. Thanks to modern technology, my e-mail is linked to my phone. Therefore, excuses such as, “I tried to contact you but (fill in the blank)” will not work. If you have a problem, do not let it snowball. Contact me immediately. Students are expected to ask questions and obtain help from instructor via email and/or during office hours.

Class Policies

In accordance with code 9803.28, academic dishonesty is prohibited and will not be tolerated in this class. Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, the following actions: cheating on an exam, plagiarism, working together on an assignment, paper or project when the instructor has specifically stated students should not do so, submitting the same term paper to more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one’s identity for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade. Academic dishonesty of any type, such as cheating or knowingly furnishing false information, by a student provides grounds for disciplinary action by the instructor or college. In written work, no material may be copied from another without proper quotation marks, footnotes, or appropriate documentation.

• Plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment, possible dismissal from the class and disciplinary action from the college. You will not receive credit for any essay missing previous drafts, citations and/or a Works Cited page if required.

Student Conduct

According to code 9803.15, disruption of classes or college activities is prohibited and will not be tolerated. Refer to the catalog and the Standards of Student Conduct in the Schedule of Classes for more information. These guidelines apply to online courses as well.

http://www.wlac.edu/academics/pdf/WLAC_Catalog_Policies.pdf

Campus Resources

As stated earlier in this syllabus, if you are having problems, don’t let them snowball. Send me an Inbox Message through Canvas to find out about the campus resources available to you.

Office of Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSP&S)

Student Services Building (SSB) 320| (310) 287-4450.

West Los Angeles College recognizes and welcomes its responsibility to provide an equal educational opportunity to all disabled individuals. The Office of Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S) has been established to provide support services for all verified disabled students pursuing a college education. DSP&S students may qualify for: priority registration, registration assistance, special parking permits, sign language interpreters and assistive technology (WLAC College Catalog).

Instructional Support (Tutoring) & Learning Skills Center

Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4486

Improve your reading, language, vocabulary, spelling, math fundamentals and chemistry knowledge with convenient, self-paced computer-aided courses in the Learning Skills Center. Increase your knowledge and learning success: sign up for tutoring in various college subjects (WLAC College Catalog).

Library Services

Heldman Learning Resources Center (HLRC) | (310) 287-4269 & (310) 287-4486

The WLAC Library provides instruction on how to use the online catalog, periodical and research databases. In addition to a large collection of books, periodicals and videos the WLAC Library has course textbooks, which students may use while in the Library. Web access is available in LIRL as well as meeting rooms. The upper floors provide a beautiful view ideal for study (WLAC College Catalog).

http://www.wlac.edu/academics/pdf/WLAC_Catalog_Policies.pdf

Business 001 Class Schedule

Week 1  

(Read Ch 1 and 2) > access the Free e-book here in Canvas.  Read the syllabus.  Read ALL the ANNOUNCEMENTS in Canvas (note the Zoom meeting message).  Notice the cutoff dates for assignments.  Complete the ice-breaker discussion by saying hello on Canvas...create an avatar!

Week 2

Quiz on chapters 1 and 2. 

Discussion Questions for Chapter 1 and 2

Week 3

Read Chapters 3, 4 and 5

Quiz on Ch 3

Discussion Questions on Chapter 3

Week 4

Quiz on Chapter 4 

Discussion Questions for chapters 4.

Week 5

Quiz on chapter 5 and DQ's for chapter 5 due.

Week 6

Read Chapter 6 

Complete Quiz #6 w/DQ's

Week 7

Read Chapter 7

try to complete Quiz #7 w/DQ's

Week 8

Read Chapter 8

Complete Quiz #8 w/DQ's

Week 9

Read Chapter 9

Complete Quiz #9 w/DQ's

Week 10

Read Chapter 10

Complete Quiz #10 w/DQ's

Week 11

Read Chapter 11 in preparation for your final exam.

A practice quiz will be available for you to complete in prep for the final.

Spend this time wisely completing your Research Project

Week 12

Read Chapter 12 in preparation for your final exam.

A practice quiz will be available for you to complete in prep for the final.

Spend this time wisely completing your Research Project 

Week 13

Read Chapter 13 in preparation for your final exam.

A practice quiz will be available for you to complete in prep for the final.

Spend this time wisely completing your Research Project 

Week 14

Read Chapter 14 in preparation for your final exam.

A practice quiz will be available for you to complete in prep for the final.

Spend this time wisely completing your Improvement Plan

Week 15

Read Chapter 15 and 16 in preparation for your final exam.

Practice quizzes will be available for you to complete in prep for the final.

Spend this time wisely completing your Improvement Plan

Improvement Plan is due on the last week.

Week 16

(Final Exam is available to take all week, Chapters 1-16)

All DQs/Quizzes and Reports Due

All other work is due

STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT:  Students are encouraged to see the student handbook/course catalog for details about disruptions in class.  Class disruptions also pertain to online classes like this one.(Business Research Report due…)

ADA Reasonable Accommodations: In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable accommodation will be provided to any student who is registered with Disabled Student Services and who requests accommodation.  Students must contact the DSP&S or call them @ 310-287-4450.