BUS 1: Fundamentals of Business

Fall 2009

Section 10204: (Monday 6:00 PM to 9:05 PM)

Room 12, Morgan Hill CampusSyllabus

Instructor: / Sharon Kurtz, Ph.D., M.B.A.
20+ years in corporate business; Product development; marketing; new business/market development; quality assurance; production contracts; strategic planning; performance improvement.
3 years in school business management: Certified Chief Business Official; facilities master planning and funding.
Phone: / (408) 422-5358
Office: / Classroom
Office Hours: / Normally, up to 1 hour after class, or by appointment before class.
E-mail: /
Instructor Profile Page / www.gavilan.edu/dir/index.php
Description: / This course introduces students to business and the array of opportunities that it offers. The course will help students recognize careers that will be of interest to them with consideration of their own skills and aptitudes. Different facets of business will be covered and students will learn about establishing their own business. This course has the option of a letter grade or credit/no credit.
Units: / 3
Advisories:: / Eligible for English 250 and English 260; these are recommended, but not required.
Text Book: REQUIRED / THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS the Essentials; 2008, Third OR Fourth Editions.
Authors: Lawrence J. Gitman and Carl McDaniel
Thomson/South-Western
Class Format / Each class will consist of lecture, class discussion, and individual or team projects. Your participation in class discussions is expected and will enhance the value of the class for all students.
Class Web Site / http://hhh.gavilan.edu/skurtz
Syllabus: You will be provided a copy of the syllabus at the first class meeting.
Class Notes: All lecture notes are posted at this site for each chapter in the book. You have the option to print each presentation prior to class. Copies of the Chapter 1 handouts will be provided at the first class meeting. Thereafter, it is the option of each student to print handouts as desired.
Projects & Exercises: Handouts for each individual exercise/project and for a team project will be distributed in class.
Grading Policy: / Your grade will be earned as follows:
ü  Class Participation (5%)
ü  Two Projects:
o  Company Profile (15%)
o  Business Plan and Presentation (20%)
ü  Midterm Exam I (20%)
ü  Midterm Exam II (20%)
ü  Final Exam (20%)
Grade by Percentage Earned / 95% to 100% A
90% to 94% A-
87% to 89% B+
83% to 86% B
80% to 82% B-
75% to 79% C+
70% to 74% C
60% to 69% D
59% and below F
Exams: / Two Midterms and a Final Exam. The exams are composed of multiple choice and short essay questions. Exams are taken open book/open notes and will cover the assigned reading material, lectures, and exercises. Sample questions will be provided prior to the first exam.
Projects: / There will be two (2) projects as follows:
1. Company/Organizational Profile (completed solo, as an individual)
2. Business Plan (written document and oral presentation, completed as a team of 3-4 students)
A handout will be provided for each of these projects, once we have covered needed background material. The projects must be typed and submitted as a hard paper copy and they will be returned to you in the same manner.
If you do not have access to a computer and Microsoft Word, computers are available for your use in the business computer lab at the Gilroy campus or in the library.
Falling Behind / Tutoring: / If you feel you are getting behind and or lost please see me after class or make an appointment. Although I can't personally tutor each and every student, I may be able to point you in the right direction. Gavilan College does have a Tutoring Center near the Library where tutors can help you in a variety of subjects and courses.
Attendance Policy: / The college policy on attendance, as stated in the catalog is:
“students missing one more class hour than the unit value for
Particular course, without making prior arrangements may, at the instructor’s option, be dropped without possibility of credit”.
Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. If you know you are going to miss class, I expect that you will notify me and make arrangements to make up the missed work, including a missed exam. If you do not notify me, I feel no obligation to make arrangements for you to make up the work or exam.
If something happens that precludes you from letting me know before you miss the class, I expect that you will contact me before the next class, explain the absence, and make up the missed class work/exam, if any.
Dropping the Class / If you decide to drop or withdraw from the class it is your responsibility to submit the appropriate paperwork to the Admissions office. Please advise me if you decide to withdraw or drop.
Credit/No Credit Grading option: / If you decide not to complete this course for a "letter grade" (A, B, etc.), you may take this class on a Credit/No Credit basis. Credit/No Credit will not affect your GPA. If you are planning to use these credits to transfer to another school, it is highly suggested that you speak with a counselor at that school before taking this option.
Student Honesty Policy: / Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and integrity. Violations such as cheating and plagiarism will result in disciplinary action which may include recommendation for dismissal.
Occupational/Vocational Students: / Occupational/Vocational students – Limited English language skills will not be a barrier to admittance to and participation in Vocational Educational Programs.
Special Needs/ADA Accommodation: / Students requiring special services or arrangements because of hearing, visual, or other disability should contact their instructor, counselor, or the Disability Resource Center.

CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS: The following is a general outline of the course schedule and assignment due dates. Some adjustments may be made as necessary. Please come to class having already read the assigned chapter(s).

Date / Lecture/Discussion / Reading Assignment
Completed / Exam or Project
The Business Environment
Sept 14 / Understanding Economic Systems and Business / Ch 1
Sept 21 / Making Ethical Decisions and Managing a Socially Responsible Business
Understanding the Legal and Tax Environment / Ch 2
Appendix / “Your Ethical Orientation” In-class Exercise
Sept 28 / Competing in the Global Marketplace / Ch 3
Business Ownership
Oct 5 / Forms of Business Ownership / Ch 4 / Begin “Company Profile” Exercise
(solo project)
Oct 12 / Entrepreneurship: Starting and Managing Your Own Business / Ch 5 / “Your Entrepreneurial Quotient” In-class Exercise
Managing Organizations
Oct 19 / Management and Leadership in Today’s Organizations / Ch 6 / Midterm I (chapters 1,2,3,4,5)
Oct 26 / Designing Organizational Structures / Ch 7 / Begin “Business Plan” Exercise
(team project)
Business Teams; Business Presentations / Handouts
Nov 2 / Managing Human Resources and Labor Relations
Motivating Employees / Ch 8
Ch 9
Nov 9 / Achieving World-Class Operations Management / Ch 10
Marketing Management
Nov 16 / Creating Products and Pricing Strategies to Meet Customers’ Needs / Ch 11 / Mid-Term II (chapters 6,7,8,9,10)
Nov 23 / Distributing and Promoting Products and Services / Ch 12
Accounting and Finance
Nov 30 / Using Technology to Manage Information / Ch 13
Using Financial Information and Accounting / Ch 14 / “Company Profile” Exercise Due
Date / Lecture/Discussion / Reading Assignment
Completed / Exam or Project
Dec 7 /
Business Plan Team Presentations
Please turn in all late work and complete all make-up exams no later than this date.
/ None / Business Plan hard copy must be turned in. This includes a copy of the actual business plan and of the in-class presentation.
Dec 14 / FINAL EXAM / Comprehensive, multiple choice and short answer questions..

S. Kurtz. Date last updated: 01-SEPT-09

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