Term 1: Analysis of the External Environment
A survey and analysis of the external environment. Topics covered include the analysis of financial statements, financial reporting, an overview of financial markets, the macroeconomic environment, the legal environment, and the analysis of customers, competitors and distribution channels.
Mission Statement
The Stetson School of Business and Economics (SSBE) promotes the advancement and integration of quality business education and practice. In support of Mercer University’s mission, the School provides undergraduate and graduate programs that are designed to enable, enhance, and expand professional careers, civic responsibility and lifelong learning.
Course Descriptions
EBA 631a. Financial Accounting and Reporting (3 hours)
Financial accounting and reporting ensures student understanding of the current accounting regulatory environment and its impact on financial accounting and reporting. Annual external financial reports prepared by business enterprises are analyzed.
EBA 631b. Legal Issues Affecting Businesses (3 hours)
An introduction to the American legal system includes topics such as the court system, litigation, contract law, tort law, business organizations and intellectual property.
EBA 631c. Economic Conditions and Financial Markets (1.5 hours)
Essential economic concepts including GDP, wages and employment, and inflation are introduced. Financial markets, interest rates and risk are examined.
EBA 631d. Marketing Analysis (1.5 hours)
Discussed are the marketing environment factors such as the competition, the consumer, research issues, segmentation concepts, and positioning strategies. This course emphasizes identification and assessment of the variety of marketing factors that will be critical to the development of efficient and effective marketing strategies.
The Instructor Team
Jody Blanke, Legal Issues Affecting Business
, office: 678-547-6313
Howard Ho, Economic Conditions and Financial Markets
, office 770-457-5190
Sean Chen, Financial Accounting and Reporting
, office 678-547-6321
Michael Weber, Marketing Environment
, office: 678-547-6056
Disability Statement
Students requiring accommodations for a disability should inform the instructor as early in their matriculation as possible or by the close of the first class meeting. The instructor will refer you to the Disability Support Services Coordinator to document your disability and determine eligibility for accommodations under the ADAAA/Section 504. In order to receive accommodations, eligible students must provide each instructor with a “Faculty Accommodation Form” from Disability Support Services. Students must return the completed and signed form to the Disability Support Services Coordinator (212 Sheffield Center). For convenience, anyone can send this information through Campus Mail; fax the form to (678) 547-6373 or e-mail the form as an attachment to .
Even students with a documented disability who do not wish to use academic accommodations are strongly encouraged to register with Disability Support Services and complete a Faculty Accommodation Form each semester.
For further information, please contact Richard Stilley, Disability Support Services Coordinator / Assistant Dean for Campus Life, at (678) 547-6823 or visit the website at
Inclement Weather
If severe weather occurs, classes will be canceled in accordance with the Associate Provost’s decision of Mercer-Atlanta. Call the Mercer weather line for information about class cancellations—(678) 547-6111 (Atlanta) or listen to WSB 750 AM.
Mercer University Honor Code and Council
Mercer University expects each and every student to maintain the highest principles of academic honesty and integrity. Violations of academic honesty represent a breach of the University's expectations and will be regarded as a serious matter. See the Mercer 2012-2013 catalog - page **, for a detailed description.
Textbooks
1. Law:Managers and the Legal Environment, 6th Ed., by Constance E. Bagley and Diane W. Savage, Thomson West (2010), ISBN 0-324-58204-8 (any version of the 6th Ed. is fine).
2.Accounting:Financial Accounting for Executives & MBAs, 2nd Ed., by Kenneth R. Ferris and James S. Wallace, Cambridge Business Publishers (2010), ISBN 978-1-934319-62-8.
Additional reading will be posted on Blackboard or assigned in class.
3. Economics:There is no textbook for this class. Wall Street Journal subscription is required. Financial/economic articles will be assigned in class. Optional reference textbooks
(Mercer ebrary): Principles of Economics by Dominick Salvatore , McGraw-Hill (2003);
Introduction to the Economics of Financial Markets by James Bradfield, Oxford University Press (2007).
4. Marketing: None: Readings and notes will be posted to Blackboard.
Reading Assignments
For detailed reading assignments, please see the individual instructor’s Blackboard space.
Exams
1.Law:There will be three exams, on September 15, November 10 and December 8.
2.Accounting:There will be two exams, on October 27 and on December 1.
3.Economics:There will be one take home exam. More information will be provided in class.
4.Marketing: There will be one, individual, take home, essay exam for the Marketing section. The exam will be due on November 10th. Details will be provided in class.
Assignments / Projects
1.Law:There will be no additional written projects.
2.Accounting:There will be five assignments and several quizzes that will be given throughout the
whole module. In addition, there will be a term project presentation on December 8. Further details will be provided in the separate syllabus for accounting.
3. Economics:There will be five submissions of assignments and a team project. Presentation of the
team project is on December 8. More information will be provided in class.
4. Marketing: There will be a project. You will perform the research necessary to create a market analysis report for a business or organization of your choice (real or fictional). The final report will be between 7 and 15 pages in length, with a cover page, table of contents, executive summary, and conclusions/recommendations section. The report shall be well written, and professionally developed as if you were going to present the document to your boss. More detailed information will be provided during class. You must have your business/organization approved by the professor. The project will be due on November 10th.
Grading:
For detailed grading information, please see the individual instructor’s Blackboard space.
Course Calendar:
Weekend 1
Friday, August 17
1:00 – 4:00 pmLaw
Topics:
Sources of Law
Jurisdiction
Court Systems
4:00 – 6:00 pmMarketing
Topics:
The Marketing Environment
Customer Satisfaction
Saturday, August 18
8:45 am – 12:00 pmAccounting
Topics:
Financial Analysis and Spreadsheet Applications
1:00 – 3:00 pmAccounting
Topics:
Economic Environment of Accounting Information (I)
3:30 - 5:00 pmEconomics
Topics:
Economic Conditions and Financial Markets
Weekend 2
Saturday, August 25
8:15 – 11:15 amAccounting
Topics:
Economic Environment of Accounting Information (II)
12:00 – 2:45 pmEconomics
Topics:
Economic Systems
Gross Domestic Product and Gross National Product
Economic Conditions - Recession/Depression/Stagflation/Growth
Economic and Financial Indexes
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmLaw
Topics:
Litigation
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Constitutional Law
Weekend 3
Saturday, September 15
8:15 – 11:15 amAccounting
Topics:
From Accounting Events to Financial Statements (I)
12:00 – 2:45 pmMarketing
Topics:
Analyzing Consumer Markets and Buyer Behavior
Identifying Market Segments and Targets
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmLaw
Topics:
Contract Law
Exam #1
Weekend 4
Saturday, September 29
8:15 – 11:15 amAccounting
Topics:
From Accounting Events to Financial Statements (II)
12:00 – 2:45 pmMarketing
Topics:
Understanding Markets and Market Demand
Analyzing Business Markets
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmEconomics
Topics:
Wages and Employment/Unemployment
The Stock Market
The Real Estate Market – Commercial and Residential
Economic and Financial Indexes
Weekend 5
Saturday, October 13
8:15 – 11:15 amMarketing
Topics:
Competition
Positioning
12:00 – 2:45 pmAccounting
Topics:
Measure Performance: Cash Flow and Net Income
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmLaw
Topics:
Contract Law
The UCC
Employment Law
Weekend 6
Saturday, October 27
8:15 – 11:15 amAccounting
Topics:
Using Financial Statements for Investing and Credit Analysis
Exam #1: Chapters 1-3
12:00 – 2:45 pmLaw
Topics:
Torts
Workers Compensation
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmLaw
Topics:
Product Liability
Intellectual Property
Weekend 7
Saturday, November 10
8:15 – 11:15 amMarketing
Topics:
Project Presentations
Essay Exam Due
Project Due
12:00 – 2:45 pm
Accounting
Topics:
Operating Expenses, Inventory Valuation, and Accounts Payable
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmLaw
Topics:
Intellectual Property
Exam #2
Weekend 8
Saturday, November 17
8:15 – 11:15 amAccounting
Topics:
Operating Cycle, Revenue Recognition, and Receivable Valuation
12:00 – 2:45 pmEconomics
Topics:
Inflation/Deflation/Disinflation
Interest Rates and Term Structures
The Bond Market
Economic and Financial Indexes
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmLaw
Topics:
Intellectual Property
Agency
Weekend 9
Saturday, December 1
8:15 – 11:15 amAccounting
Topics:
Exam #2: Final Exam (Chapters 4-6)
12:00 – 2:45 pmEconomics
Topics:
The Federal Reserve System
Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy
Federal Deficits and National Debt
Trade Deficits and Balance of Payments
The Foreign Exchange Market/Risk
Economic and Financial Indexes
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmLaw
Topics:
Business Organizations
Directors and Officers
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Insider Trading
Corporate Sustainability
Weekend 10
Saturday, December 8
8:15 – 11:15 amAccounting
Topics:
Term Project Presentation
12:00 – 2:45 pmEconomics
Topics:
Team Project Presentations: External Environment -
Economic Impact on the Firm
Exam Due
3:00 pm – 6:00 pmLaw
Exam #3
1