RICHARD STOCKTON COLLEGE

Fall Semester 2002

GEN 1014: Business Basics (Business and Life) Professor: Marilyn E. Vito

Office H218, Ext.4273

E-mail:

Office Hours:Monday and Wednesday 1:30p.m to 3:00p.m.

Alternating Tuesday or Thursday – By appointment

Prerequisites:High School Algebra

Text:Ebert, Ronald J. and Griffin, Ricky W.; Business Essentials, 4th Edition; Prentice Hall, 2003

Vito, Katz and McShea; A Quantitative Approach to Learning Business: Instructional Exercises for Students New to Business; Richard Stockton College under a grant from the NSF, 2003

Grading Components
/
Grading Scale
Mid - Term Exam(s) / 40% / A / = >90
Final Exam / 30% / B / 80 – 89
Quizzes / 10% / C / 70 – 79
Subjective / 20% / D / 60 – 69
(Subjective = class participation, attendance, homework, etc.) / F / < 60

Q2:This course is designated a Q2 course, defined as courses with at least 20% of class time devoted to quantitative reasoning skills. Students are expected to be familiar with rudimentary mathematics and should be proficient in basic algebra and mathematics. Anyone experiencing difficulty with basic quantitative reasoning skills should visit the Skills Lab in J108 for tutoring.

V: (Pending) The course is designated as a “Values” course. Thus, all course material will integrate consideration and discussion of ethics and diversity issues. Students should expect to engage in dialogue, exercises and projects, both in and outside of class, that will challenge preconceived notions about ethics and diversity.

Incomplete: A grade of incomplete will be considered only in cases of verifiable hardship and only when the requesting student has a passing grade at the time of request. If in doubt about your ability to pass the course, consider the options available under the course withdrawal policy of RSC. A failing grade is not a justification for a grade of incomplete.

Exams: Make-up for mid-term exam will be considered only for cases of verifiable hardship and only when arrangements are made prior to the regular exam being given. Make-up exams will be given at the professor's convenience. NO makeup will be given for the final exam, schedule yourself accordingly.

Homework: Problems from the textbook and supplement will be assigned each week and will be due on the following Monday. Students should be prepared to present their homework solutions on the blackboard or overhead computer for class discussion. Homework will not be accepted after the due date.

Quizzes: Unannounced quizzes will be given periodically during the semester. There will be no make-ups for quizzes under any circumstances.

Academic Honesty:Students are expected to complete their own homework, papers and projects unless otherwise indicated as a group activity. Be sure to credit any quoted sources when completing your papers.

Suggested Reading for Current Business Events:

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Wall Street Journal

NY Times -- Business Section

Philadelphia Inquirer -- Business Section

Forbes Magazine

Business Week

Barrons

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Subjective Grading:Students will be evaluated on their attendance, homework, classroom participation, classroom etiquette (see below), and contribution to group activities.

Classroom Etiquette:

  • Attendance: Students are expected to attend class regularly, arrive on time and stay until the class is dismissed at end of period. Should situations arise requiring absence from class, late arrival or early departure, students should advise the professor at the earliest time possible. Students are individually responsible for acquiring notes and details about missed classes from their classmates. Late arrivals and early departures should be handled with the least amount of disruption possible.
  • Food and Beverages: Breakfast should be consumed before coming to class or after leaving the class, not in the classroom. Anyone bringing food into the classroom should plan on providing enough for the entire class to partake or expect to be asked to leave the room with their food. Beverages will be permitted as long as it does not become problematic.
  • Cell Phones, Beepers and other electronic devices: Allowing cell phones or beepers to interrupt the class is rude. Be sure to turn off the ringers before you come to class unless you want me to answer them. Tape recorders may not be used, except by special arrangement with the professor. Use of all other electronic devices that emit sounds or require repetitive actions are prohibited during class meetings.

Course Schedule and Homework Assignments

Week of: / Textbook Assignment / Supplement Assignment
Sept. 09
/

The X Factor

/ -- reading and writing assignment
Part One: Understanding the Contemporary Business Environment / Part 1 – Basics of the Business Environment
Sept. 09 /
  • Chapter 1: U.S. Business System
/ 1.1The Economics of U.S. Business
Due 9/16/02
Sept. 16 /
  • Chapter 2: Global Context of Business
/ 1.2Implications of the Global Economy
Due 9/23/02

Sept. 18

/
  • Computer Lab
/ D027 – Introduction to Loki, WebCaucus and Internet Research
Sept. 23 /
  • Chapter 3: Business Ethics

Sept. 25 /
  • Writing and Math Skills Lab
/ Introduction to tutoring for writing and math skills development
Sept. 30 /
  • Chapter 4: Entrepreneurship
& Small Business / 1.3Forms of Business Ownership
Due 10/07/02
Oct. 07 / Mid-term exam #1: Chapters 1 - 4
Part Two: Understanding the Business of Managing / Part 2 – Planning and Directing the Business
Oct. 07 /
  • Chapter 5: Managing the
Business Enterprise
  • Chapter 6: Organizing the
Business Enterprise
Oct. 09 /
  • Library
/ Introduction to library resources, research methods, plagiarism avoidance
Oct. 14 /
  • Chapter 7: Managing Operations
and Improving Quality / 2.1 Production
Due 10/21/02
Oct. 16 /

Career Planning

/ Introduction to the Office of Career Planning and available resources
Oct. 21 /

Mid-term exam #2: Chapters 5 – 7

Part Three: Understanding People
in Organizations
Oct. 21 /
  • Chapter 8: Motivating, Satisfying
and Leading Employees
  • Chapter 9: Managing Human Resources and Labor Relations
/ 2.2 Human Resources
Due 10/28/02
Oct. 23 /
  • Academic Advising
/ Introduction to the Office of Academic Advising and available resources
Part Four: Understanding the Principles
of Marketing / Part 3 – Marketing and Distribution
Oct. 28 /
  • Chapter 10: Marketing Processes
and Consumer Behavior / 3.1 Pricing, Advertising and Promotion
Due 11/04/02
Nov. 04 /
  • Chapter 11: Pricing, Promoting,
and Distributing Products / 3.2 Distribution
Due 11/11/02
Part Five: Managing Information / Part 4 – Financial Management for Businesses
Nov. 11 /
  • Chapter 12: Information Systems
and Electronic Commerce
Nov. 18 /
  • Chapter 13: Principles of Accounting
/ 4.2 Financial Accounting and Reporting, Budgeting and Forecasting, and Ratio Analysis; Due 11/25/02
Nov. 18 /
  • Computer Lab
/ Internet access to financial statements and market research
Nov. 25 / Mid-term exam #3: Chapters 8 - 13
Dec. 02 / Part Six: Understanding Financial Issues
  • Chapter 14: Money and Banking
/ 4.1 Money Management, Risks and Rewards; Due 12/09/02
Dec. 09 /
  • Chapter 15: Securities and Investments
/ 4.3 Stocks, Bonds and Financial Markets: Due 12/16/02
Dec. 16 / Final Exam: Cumulative

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