St. Petersburg College of Business

Course Syllabus

GEB 1011 - Introduction to Business

Class Section: 0341Online Class

Spring 2015

Instructor Name: Dr. April Bailey

Office: Tarpon Springs Campus – LY 249

Office Phone Number: 727-614-7084

E-mail:

Email/Voicemail Policy: Allow up to 24-48 hours for a response.

Office Hours: Please send me an email to schedule as I am between Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, and EpiCenter campuses.

Course Description

This is a survey course which acquaints the student with all aspects of business. This includes business ownership, management, marketing, information technology and financial resources. This course will enable the student to more intelligently pursue advanced business courses and to choose a business career. 47 contact hours.

Course Materials

Students in this course are required to obtain a copy of the textbook listed below. These materials are offered at the SPC Bookstores only. Successful completion of this course is dependent on course materials and access to a computer and Internet. The necessary technology is available at all SPCollege campuses for students that do not have access at home or at work.

NEW!!! Students in this course are required to obtain a copy of the textbook listed below from the SPC Bookstore.

BUSN 6 (with SPC Custom Code)

Marcella Kelly; Jim McGowen

ISBN: 978-1305-706-576

*Please note this is a custom textbook available only at the SPC Bookstore.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, you should be able to meet the following objectives:

  • Major economic systems
  • The forms of business
  • The major functions of management as related to business
  • The concept of marketing and the marketing mix
  • Financial resources and institutions
  • Consumer buying motives
  • The legal and social environment in which American business must operate
  • Manufacturing
  • Human-resources management
  • Information systems

Grading and Evaluation

Assessments

This course will challenge you with weekly quizzes, discussion questions, business article reviews, and assignments. There will also be one cumulative project due in Week 6. There will also be a final exam. See the breakdown below:

MyCourses Tutorial Certificate: 20 points

Chapter Quizzes: 14 @ 10 points each = 140

Discussions: 9 @ 20 points each = 180

Business Project: 100 points

Midterm Exam: 50 points

Final Exam: 100 points

Professionalism: 20 points

Total Projected Points (this is subject to change) = 610

SPC grades on an A, B, C scale; they do not offer pluses (+) or minuses (-). The grading scale:

A: 100-90%;

B: 89-80%;

C: 79-70%;

D: 69-60%

F: Below 60%

GradingPhilosophy:

Gradeswillbeassignedbased solelyonstudent performanceandnotonprevailingstudent normsorstudents' perceptionsoftheir performance. This coursesyllabusclearlycommunicatesperformance standards andthesestandards will befairlyandconsistentlyapplied throughoutthe semester. Grading standards havebeendeveloped basedexclusivelyoncourseobjectivesreflectingtheappropriatelevelof contentmastery,includingmasteryofthe subjectmatter aswellasmasteryofthosecorecurriculum componentssuchaseffectivewritingandinformationliteracydeemed appropriateto the course. Althoughabellcurvemay notalwaysbeachieved, nor is itnecessarilydesirable, i t is expectedthat thegrade of Aisawarded onlytothosestudentswhoseworkistrulyexceptional,reflectingbothcontentmasteryandtheabilitytoanalyzeandarticulatethatmaterial. Studentscanexpect that thegrade of Awillbeawarded onlytothosefewstudentswhose work isexceptionalreflectingbothcontentmasteryandtheabilitytocommunicate thatmaterial. Grades ofB andCwouldbeawarded morefrequently implyinglesserdegreesofcontentmastery. Thegrade ofDrepresentsthe lowestpassinggradeand denotes borderlinecontent mastery. Thedefinitionofeachgradelevel isasfollows:

A = Outstanding: Performanceexcelsfar aboveestablishedstandards for university-level performance

B = Superior:Performanceaboveestablished standards

C = Good:Performance meetsestablished standards

D= Substandard:Performanceis belowestablished standards

F = Failure:Performancedoesnotmeetminimumrequirements

Course Policies

Attendance

It is important that you actively participate the first two weeks of class to ensure that you are not dropped from the class. This is an online course and you will be required to submit complete assignments during weeks one and two to be considered active in the class.

Merely logging into your course during the first two weeks does NOT constitute participation. All assignments are due by Sunday night at 11:55pm. You are a “no show” if you do not complete all of your work. Students classified as “No Show” for both of the first two weeks will be administratively withdrawn.

You are not participating/attending if you do not complete ALL assignments.

Late Submissions & Extenuating Circumstances

Late assignments (projects, quizzes, class participation, and exams) are not graded unless you have missed the deadline due to medical reasons. All requests for extensions must be made in writing (via SPC email) and supporting medical documentation will need to be attached for extensions to be granted. Textbook issues

Textbook issues, computer problems, or technology related issues do not constitute an extenuating circumstance. Extra time to complete assignments will not be assigned for these reasons.

Professionalism

Thebehaviorof allstudentsinclass shouldreflecta professional,respectful, andcompassionateenvironment. Inappropriateor inconsideratebehavior willresult indismissal fromtheclassroomand/or penaltiestothe student’scoursegrade. You are to be thoughtful of your comments, actions, and decisions and how it impacts your classmates and your instructor.These points will be assessed for each student based on their performance throughout the semester. For a clearer understanding of what is expected from students in this course please access the link below for an overview of professionalism in business. Also carefully review the section in your syllabus regarding netiquette. All online communications shared in this class will be subject to review as part of the score assigned for professionalism/communications

Netiquette

Interactions in an online classroom are in written form. Your comfort level with expressing ideas and feelings in writing will add to your success in an online course. The ability to write is necessary, but you also need to understand what is considered appropriate when communicating online. The word "netiquette" is short for "Internet etiquette." Rules of netiquette have grown organically with the growth of the Internet to help users act responsibly when they access or transmit information online. As a student, business person or potential entrepreneur you should be aware of the common rules of netiquette for the Web and employ a communication style that follows these guidelines.

Rules of Thumb

  • Be considerate. Rude or threatening language, inflammatory assertions (often referred to as "flaming"), personal attacks, and other inappropriate communication will not be tolerated.
  • Never post a message that is in all capital letters -- it comes across to the reader as SHOUTING!
  • Use boldface and italics sparingly, as they can denote sarcasm.
  • Keep messages short and to the point.
  • Always practice proper spelling, good grammar, punctuation, and composition in all course emails. It is reflection of your student and work ethic.
  • Do not write in “text code” when emailing your professor.
  • Keep in mind that threaded discussions are meant to be constructive exchanges.
  • Remember that your emails are all saved throughout the du-ration of the course and archived with SPC at the conclusion of the term.
  • Be respectful and treat everyone as you would want to be treated yourself.
  • If you receive an upsetting email or post “cool off” before you respond.
  • Spell check!

SPC Expectations for Online Discussions

In this course, online discussion postings will count towards your Discussions grade. You will be doing this in Mycourse (D2L). The purpose of the discussions is to frame and promote collaborative learning. Active and regular participation is not only important for me to see, but also important for you in learning the course content and in developing your thoughts and positions on various topics.

The Three Cardinal Rules for Discussion Board Participation

1. Please remember that the culture of mutual respect that is part of this course extends to the discussions environment.

2. Participation in the discussions is required.

3. Participation alone is not enough; a thoughtful and meaningful approach in your posts is required therefore, quality counts.

Here is the Protocol for Posting and Contributing to an Online Discussion:

• You are expected to participate in discussions a minimum of 2 days a week.

• The weekly initial post must be made by Thursday at midnight.

• The response to other participants’ threads should be posted by Friday, but must be posted by Sunday. Waiting until Sunday night to post a response does not support the goal of an online discussion.

• Participation alone is not enough; a thoughtful and meaningful approach in your posts is required.

Initial Posting

• Minimum of one initial posting.

• Mentions at least two specific points from the article or reading.

• Relates new information to old information learned in the course to date or information in article or reading to personal experience.

• Must be submitted by Thursday.

Additional Postings

• Minimum of two thoughtful responses posted to participants’ posting.

• Minimum of one of the responses posted by Friday.

NOTE: Each Weekly Discussion Forum will be closed on Sunday at midnight. No additional posting can be made after that time. No exceptions without medical documentation. Late postings, assignments, quizzes, or exams are not accepted with medical documentation.

Course Expectations

1. Spelling and Grammar -- Please use proper English when corresponding in this course.

2. Classroom Participation -- Please adhere to the class participation found under Weekly procedures and course required activities and assignments section of this document.

3. Tone and Civility -- This is an online class and therefore cues that often indicate a person’s intent are missing. Read and reread your posts to make sure your words cannot be seen as offensive to others. Remember--don’t ever put anything in writing that you wouldn’t want posted in the newspaper.

Tech Support

Please be sure to contact tech support services if you are having internet and/or computer issues. Try not to wait until the last minute to get help. Your ability to utilize technology is very important to your success in working in this online environment.

SPC Technical Help Desk (727) 341-4357 (HELP)

College Policies

Resource Guide

The following link below will take you to the SPCollege Resource Guide online, where you will find many valuable services to help you be successful here at SPCollege.

NOTE: As your instructor, I have a duty to help you succeed. Feel free to contact me if you are having any difficulty with the work in this course and if you need some guidance in finding the resource that will help you grow in this course and during your time at SPCollege.

Academic Honesty

Academic misconduct consists of cheating of any kind with respect to examinations and assignments as well as the unauthorized possession and/or use of exams, papers, and materials. Cheating includes unauthorized use of “crib” notes, “cheat sheets”, cell-phones, PDA’s, I-Pods, and collusion with other students. Additionally the use of test banks, answer keys, stolen exams and instructor’s manuals are expressly forbidden from usage by students at any time during this course.

Plagiarismas defined by the Little, Brown Essential Handbook for Writers, 4th edition, is the presentation of someone else’s ideas or words as your own. Whether deliberate or accidental, plagiarism is a serious and often punishable offense (Aaron, 2001).

Deliberate plagiarism: is copying a sentence from a source and passing it off as your own and, summarizing someone else’s ideas without acknowledging your debt (ex. buying a term paper and handing it in as your own) (Aaron, 2001).

Accidental plagiarism: is forgetting to place quotation marks around another author’s or writer’s words, omitting a source citation because you’re not aware of the need for it, or carelessly copying a source when you mean to paraphrase (Aaron, 2001).

Papers will be routinely and randomly submitted to for review. In the absence of guidance from the instructor, reference the APA Style Manual.

The instructor has the authority to determine whether plagiarism or cheating has occurred. Appropriate action will be taken by the instructor and SPC depending upon the nature of the infraction. Review the information in the link provided to insure a clear understanding of the SPC policies and rules for academic honesty.

Course Schedule

Week
Begins / Mod / Assignments / Due
Date / Points
#1 1/12 / 1 / Read Chapter 1 - Business Now
Complete Quiz Chapter 1 / 1/18 / 10
Discussion – Introduction to Business / 1/18 / 20
Work on completing Part I of the Business Project
Complete: MyCourses Tutorial Training: Drop Box Certificate / 1/15 / 20
#1 1/12 / 2 / Read Chapter 2 - Economics
Complete Quiz Chapter 2 / 1/18 / 10
#21/19 / 3 / Read Chapter 3 – The World Marketplace
Complete Quiz Chapter 3 / 1/25 / 10
Discussion – article review / 1/25 / 20
Work on completing Part II of the Business Project
#21/19 / 4 / Read Chapters 4 and 5 – Ethics/Communication
Complete Quiz Chapter 4 / 1/25 / 10
Complete Quiz Chapter 5 / 1/25 / 10
#31/26 / 5 / Read Chapter 6 – Business Formation
Complete Quiz Chapter 6 / 2/1 / 10
Discussion Question / 2/1 / 20
#31/26 / 6 / Small Business Management
Watch Episode The Profit (TBA) and Answer Discussion Question / 2/1 / 20
Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-6) / 2/1 / 50
#4 2/2 / 7 / Read Chapter 7 - Entrepreneurship
Complete Quiz Chapter 7 / 2/8 / 10
Discussion Question / 2/8 / 20
#4 2/2 / 8 / Read Chapters 8 and 9 – Accounting and Finance
Complete quiz Chapter 8 / 2/8 / 10
Complete quiz Chapter 9 / 2/8 / 10
Complete Discussion on Chapters 8 and 9 / 2/8 / 20
Work on completing Part III of the Business Project
#5 2/9 / 9 / Read Chapter 12 – Product and Promotion
Complete Quiz Chapter 12 / 2/15 / 10
#5 2/9 / 10 / Complete Discussion Question / 2/15 / 20
Work on completing Part IV of the Business Project
#6 2/16 / 11 / Read Chapter 13 – Distribution and Pricing
Complete Quiz for Chapter 13 / 2/22 / 10
Complete Discussion Question / 2/22 / 20
#6 2/16 / 12 / Read Chapter 14 – Motivation and Leadership
Complete Quiz Chapter 14 / 2/22 / 10
Final Business Project Due
(Parts I-IV and Strategy and Conclusion – provide one Word Doc with APA references and Format.) / 2/22 / 100
#7 2/23 / 13 / Read Chapter 15 – Career/HR Management
Complete Quiz Chapter 15 / 3/1 / 10
#7 2/23 / 14 / Read Chapter 17 – Operations Management
Complete Discussion Question / 3/1 / 20
Complete Quiz 17 / 3/1 / 10
#8
2/27-3/3* / 15 / Final Exam (All Chapters we have covered) / 3/3 / 100

* Grades are due to SPC 4pm on 3/5 so I will need 48 hours to grade your assignments.

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