TRINITY VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

SYLLABUS:  BUSINESS PRINCIPLES INTERNET COURSE

BUSG 1301 / Fall 2007

                                                                             

Welcome!  I am pleased that you have decided to enroll in this Internet course. You are about to undertake a challenging and thought-provoking course of study, which analyzes the functions and application of Business in your career and daily life.

 

Instructor Information:

Dorothy Hetmer-Hinds                          Office Phone#  903.675.6366

Ronald C. Baugh Technology Center 227        E-Mail:  dhhinds@tvcc.edu

 

Textbook:

 

Boone, Louis E. and Kurtz, David L. Contemporary Business, 12th edition, Mason, Ohio:          Thomson South-Western Publishers, 2007. ISBN:  978-0-324-64186-8

 

Course Description: 

This course is designed to survey the entire field of business, build a business vocabulary, broaden the student’s perspective of the business field, aid the student in selecting a field of specialization and provide a background for further study.

 

Course Learning Outcomes:

 

     The student will acquire an understanding of the following course learning outcomes:

·        Briefly describe the key features of our business and economic system.

·        Analyze the major forms of business ownership of both large and small businesses.

·        Explain the key aspects of managing a business.

·        Explain how businesses market their products and services.

·        Describe how technology is changing the way businesses operate and compete.

·        Identify the skills that managers need to lead businesses in the new century.

·        Explain the importance of effective communication skills in business.

 

3 Basic Course Step:

1.                  Read Textbook and access WebCT

2.                  Complete Unit homework assignments

3.                  Take Assessments On-Line (Unit 2 Assessment will be proctored)

 

WebCT Log-In Procedure:

This is a WebCT based course.  Go to http://courses.tvcc.edu.  Log in as last name, first initial and last four digits of your social security number (Ex: doej1234).  Use all lower case letters.  The password will be the last four digits of your social security number.  If you cannot log in, call Karen McGrew at 903-675-6324.

 

What Do I Do First?

Once you log in, select the syllabus icon and print the course syllabus.

Next, select the Unit Assignments icon and print them for Units 1 – 4.

Click on the other icons on the homepage and read the data.

Then, begin reading the chapters and working the assignments.

 

Course Format:

This course is divided into three units:

Unit 1:  Chapters 1 – 5

Mid-Term Project

Unit 2:  Chapters 6 –10

Unit 3:  Chapters 11–14

 

Study Tips:

The student will be more successful in this class if you utilize the various tutorials and components available that accompanies this textbook and Internet course. Students can also access the publisher website at http://www.thomsonedu.com/introbusiness

 

 

Testing/Final Grade:

The final grade for each student will be determined using the point system.

Each major test will be worth 200 points for a total of 800 points. Assignments will consist of 6 exercises (worth 40 points each) and will total 240 points. Total possible points will be 1040.  Final grade will be determined using the following scale:

 

A =    931 – 1040

B =    827 –   930

C =    723 –   826

D =    619 –   722

F  =   below   619

 

Note:   Homework and Unit Assessments must be completed by the deadlines listed on the course calendar posted on this course website.  Print the calendar to refer to throughout this semester.

 


Drop Date Policy:

If the student needs to drop a course or withdraw from the college, you must complete an official drop form from the Guidance Office to withdraw from this course by November 16, 2007 or contact the VCT coordinator at your college.

 

Assessment Schedule:

Unit 1 Assessment     Ch. 1 – 5         September 24 – Oct. 1, 2007

Mid-Term Project                          October 15 – 22, 2007

Unit 2 Assessment     Ch. 6 10       November 6 - 13, 2007 (proctored exam)

Unit 3 Assessment     Ch. 11 – 14     November 26 – December 4, 2007

 

 

Introduction to Business Unit Assignments

BUSG 1301/ Internet Course

 

Complete the following textbook assignments and submit to me using Web-CT.  Each unit assignment consists of two separate questions and should be turned in prior to taking each unit assessment. Complete Unit 1 assignments prior to taking Unit 1 assessment.

Unit 1:

A.       Chapter 1:  Assume that to encourage creativity among its employees, Wal-Mart’s head of store operations picks one product in which there is untapped potential and then challenges workers-from managers to clerks- to find ways to promote and sell more of it.  This month’s pick is duct tape. 

1) Suggest a plan for promoting and selling duct tape. 

2) What new uses might you suggest to encourage customers to buy more duct tape? 

3)      What other products might you display the duct tape with? 

4)      How would you display duct tape in the store to catch customers to use duct tape?

 

B.        Mini-Case Situation:  One of your employees enters your office, closes the door, and tells you that she has heard “through the grapevine” that a worker is stealing money from the cash register.  As supervisor, how do you respond to such information obtained through the grapevine?  Assuming the information is correct, what would you do to correct the situation?

 

Mid-Term Project:

 

A.      Internet:  Home-based businesses.  Assume you’re considering starting a small, home-based business.  Select a business opportunity that you feel suits your interests and skills and could be operated from your home, dorm room, or apartment. 

 

1.      Answer the following questions, about your business.

·         How would you explain your idea to a friend?  How does your idea differ from those behind existing businesses?

·         What purpose does your business serve?

·         What is the condition of the industry you are entering?

·         Who will your customers or clients be?

·         How will you market the firm’s goods or services?

·         How much will you charge?

·         How will you finance your business?

·         How will you measure your firm’s success or failure at specific time intervals?

·         What credentials qualify you to run this business?

           

2.  Then visit the following Web site.  www.powerhomebiz.com/index/feature.htm

3.  Click on “Starting a Business”, click on “success factors”:

4.  What are the ten rules for business success that are listed on the Web site?

5.  What are the top ten problems (pitfalls) of working at home?

Based on these lists, how would you modify your business plan?

 

C.       Write a newspaper ad to attract applicants for the position of retail salesperson in your small business.

 

 

  Unit II: 

   Complete the following textbook assignments and submit to me using the WebCT course site. Each unit assignment consists of two    separate questions and should be turned in prior to taking Unit 2 assessment.

 

  1.  Chapter 6:  Starting a business.  Starting your own business requires certain personal skills and abilities.  Visit the following Web site and take the entrepreneur test that measures how ready a person is to start his or her own business.  Based on the results, do you think you’re ready to start a business?

      Why or why not?

http://www.liraz.com  Click on “Take the Entrepreneur Test”

Note:  Internet Web addresses change frequently.  If you do not find the exact sites listed, you may need to access the organization’s or company’s home page and search from there.

 

B.  Chapter 14: Describe an instance in which you received good customer service. Then describe an instance in which you received poor customer service. Did either of these experiences influence whether you returned to buy additional products? Why or Why not?

 

Unit III:

Complete the following textbook assignments and submit to me using the WebCT course site.. Each unit assignment consists of two separate questions and should be turned in prior to taking Unit 3 assessment.

 

  1. Internet: Guide to your Personal Finances: Even though you are still in college, you face a number of important financial issues, everything from paying college expenses to dealing with credit cards. Visit the following Web site and click on “10 Steps to Financial Fitness.” What are the ten steps? Which of these will be easiest for you to complete? Which will be the most difficult?  www.mapping-your-future.org

  2. You want to borrow funds to finance next year’s college expenses. Set up a budget showing your expected income and expenses, and determine how much money you will need to borrow. Then outline a plan for repaying the borrowed funds. Provide enough detail to convince your financing source to lend you the money.