Course Syllabus
Course Title: Introduction to Business BUS 001
Quarter: Fall 2021
Instructor: Joseph A Caruana
Email: caruanja@laccd.edu
Textbook: Ebert, Ronald J., and Ricky W. Griffin, "Business Essentials, 12th Ed," Pearson Education, Inc., 2015, ISB 10: 0-3-412996-2, ISBN 13: 978-0-13-412996-9
Course Description
This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental concepts of modern business in the current business environment. Topical areas include: the U.S. business environment, understanding business responsibilities and ethics, entrepreneurship, understanding the global business environment, concepts in management and leadership, operational issues, marketing and advertising, the accounting function, information technology, business finance, money and banking.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Identify and diagram the four basic phases in the economic cycle in our capitalistic system.
- Understand business responsibilities in society and identify ethical challenges in business.
- Identify the challenges and benefits of small business in the United States today.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the international business environment and trade issues.
- Identify the characteristics of a successful manager and the various leadership styles.
- Identify the challenges facing today's operation's manager and provide solutions.
- Differentiate through illustration the three basic forms of business ownership.
- Outline the major components of the two principle financial statements.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of the stock market.
- Identify the technology requirements of today's business environment.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the banking system in the United States.
- Students will learn critical thinking and will be able to apply business concepts at a college level.
Course Objectives
- Analyze business issues by identifying business opportunities, challenges, competitors, and compare domestic markets with global markets.
- Construct a business strategy that integrates most business elements, including: attention to domestic and international cultural diversity, and the social and economic impact of business.
- Design a business plan for a given target market.
- Compare and contrast business issues involving product, price, promotion, and placement in different domestic as well as global markets.
- Design and evaluate an operational business plan with sensitivity to cultural diversity.
- Question the ethical consequences of business decisions, and prepare a business plan with attention to social responsibility.
- Formulate a business budget in alignment with the overall business strategy.
- Analyze electronic commerce websites in terms of their potential effectiveness in executing a business strategy, conveying a message to the desired target market, and providing interactive decision-making options and consumer feedback.
- Debate business issues and use consensus-building techniques in a task-oriented team, such as a team designed to formulate a business plan for a new consumer product or service.
Grading
3 Exams - 100 points each
Assignments - 100 points
Discussions - 100 points
Weekly Quizzes - 200 points
Project - 100 points
Total points: 800 *
*The total points for the course may be modified as assignments are added or deleted throughout the semester.
A ≥ 90% of total points
B = 80% - 89.99%
C = 70% - 79.99%
D = 60% - 69.99%
F ≤ 59.99%
Participation
Student participation is critical to enhance the educational experience. Participation includes completing assigned modules each week, posting to class discussions, case analysis, homework and other assigned activities.
If you do not plan to complete the course, you must officially withdraw from the course by the drop deadline through Admissions and Records. Any student who is still enrolled after the drop/withdrawal deadline must receive an academic grade for the course. The grade of incomplete is given only in cases of emergency and when the student is unable to complete the course due to circumstances beyond his/her control usually during the final weeks of the course. Arrangements to receive an “I” must be made with the instructor before the course ends. Click here for more information: Dropping Classes Links to an external site..
Integrity – since you are receiving full credit for the course, the work submitted to earn the credit must be your own. Any instances of cheating will be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for disciplinary actions according to LACCD Disciplinary Policy.
Ethical Reminder
The class operates under an Honor Code that mandates professional decorum. Your adherence to the Honor Code is expected. Any instances of cheating that occur in this course will be dealt with according to the LACCD Disciplinary Policy.
To learn more about disciplinary action, click here: DISCIPLINARY ACTION Links to an external site.
To learn more about due process of disciplinary action, click here: DUE PROCESS OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION Links to an external site.
TOPIC LIST
Course Basics, Introduction, Syllabus, Textbook, Student Introductions
CHAPTER 0 - Business Basics
CHAPTER 1 - The US Business Environment
CHAPTER 2 - Understanding Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
CHAPTER 3 - Entrepreneurship, New Ventures, and Business Ownership
CHAPTER 4 - Understanding the Global Context of Business
CHAPTER 5 - Managing the Business
MID TERM EXAM I
CHAPTER 6 - Organizing the Business
CHAPTER 7 - Operations Management and Quality
CHAPTER 8 - Employee Behavior and Motivation
CHAPTER 9 - Leadership and Decision Making
CHAPTER 10 - Human Resource Management and Labor Relations
CHAPTER 11 - Marketing Processes and Consumer Behavior
MID TERM EXAM II
CHAPTER 12 - Developing Pricing and Products
CHAPTER 13 - Distributing and Promoting Products
CHAPTER 14 - Information Technology (IT) for Business
CHAPTER 15 - The Role of Accountants and Accounting Information
CHAPTER 16 - Understanding Money and the Role of Banking
CHAPTER 17 - Managing Business and Finances
FINAL EXAM (Non-cumulative)
TOPICS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON THE PACE OF THE COURSE