Intro to Business On-line Syllabus - JoAnn Warren

Additional Information:

BUSN 1010: Introduction to Business

Welcome to Intro to Business On-Line!

This course will be conducted completely on-line using WebCT at: http://webct.ccri.edu. This does not mean that it is self-paced. We will move through the course as a whole class with due dates for assignments. You will have access to the course beginning one week before classes start. You will be contacted by e-mail at your Pipeline account.

Required Materials

Text: The required text Foundations of Business, by Pride, Hughes & Kapoor is available at the Flanagan, Knight, Liston and Newport campuses and may be available on-line at the CCRI Bookstore.

WebCT: Your course will be available to you on http://webct.ccri.edu one week prior to class start date. You will need to have access to the internet on a daily basis.

Is distance Learning for You?

This format is not for everyone. It will require you to discipline yourself to work with the materials on a daily basis. Do you have what it takes? It is strongly recommended that you visit the Website on a daily basis to check your mail and messages on the Discussion Forum. (The Message Board will be our class discussion vehicle.) This is not a self-paced course. You will be required to participate in weekly activities (assignments and class discussions).

Please check the computing and internet access requirements before enrolling in the course at Computing and Internet Access Requirements - Distance Learning - CCRI

Course Description:

A one-semester course with emphasis placed upon both the small and publicly traded business and its strategy for competing in modern economic conditions. Topical areas to be covered: Cultivating a business in a diverse global environment; developing and implementing customer driven strategies; empowering employees to satisfy customers and motivating employees to produce quality goods and services.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Describe and discuss the various factors necessary for cultivating a business in a diverse global environment, including: The Free Enterprise System; Economics and globalization; Ethics and Social Responsibility
Describe and apply marketing concepts including the development of customer oriented strategies focusing on having the right product available, where and when the customer wants it
Describe and apply key aspects of managing a business, including Leadership; Management and Employee empowerment and Operations
Describe and apply financial decisions as it relates to maximizing shareholder value
Distinguish among the various forms of business ownership and various ways of getting a business started
Examine and reflect upon their own individual strengths and weaknesses as it relates to entrepreneurial tendencies
Use computer skills through WebCT, the Internet, word processing, and other software
Improve oral and written communication skills through writing and presentation assignments
Improve team skills through team projects, case studies and problem analysis

Instructional Method/Expectations

This course will utilize the web for all instruction and assessment. A WebCT Platform course has been developed to guide students through the course content. Within the WebCT course students will find instructional materials, assignments, tests/exams, as well as a discussion forum. Students will not be required to meet “face to face” to complete this course. However, if warranted, orientation and seminar meetings may be scheduled based on student needs.

Successfully completing a course on-line, does require students to be self-directed and self-motivated. The course will adhere to a pre-determined schedule, in order to cover the course content. The flexibility allowed in the on-line environment is limited to access, not completion of assignments. All Assignments will be identified in each course module.

Communication with the instructor will be facilitated through the “Message Board” as well as through e-mail. It is strongly recommended that students visit the web-site http://webct.ccri.edu on a daily basis.

See What I expect from you and What you can expect from me.

Class Participation/Homework/Assignments

In lieu of face-to-face discussions, we will use the message board to facilitate discussion. As you proceed through each course module, you will post comments/questions related to that module within a “discussion thread”. Although “more” than “less” is preferred, postings should “add value” to the discussion by posting questions or comments about the module contents. Review "Posting Messages” at the CCRI Student Help Center. or review the WebCT Tutorial. For some assignments you may want to use the "Copy/Paste" function of your word processing software.

Weekly Homework and Semester Assignments will be available in several places within the course website. A schedule of activities will outline each homework assignment and/or activity along with an evaluation rubric. Such activities may include a discussion/dialogue on cases, researching and reporting on various topics, working as a team to deliver a workshop on a contemporary issue/problem and experiential activities (interviewing an entrepreneur). Due dates for all activities will be posted. See Evaluation below.

Testing & Quizzing

All testing and quizzing will be done online. Students will not be required to meet on campus to complete these activities. Study guides will be available as well as other review tools to reinforce learning. See Evaluation below.

Evaluation (See Grading Policy)

Grades will be determined based on the following.	%
Quizzes & Tests Knowledge of key concepts and terminology is often necessary for higher-order thinking and problem solving. There are many resources available to you on the website to help you prepare for these quizzes and tests. Quizzes, Annotated Learning Objectives, Flashcards, as well as Reviews and Summaries for each chapter module. Quizzes: Throughout the semester you will take Quizzes on each of the chapters covered. Tests: Three (3) tests/exams will be offered throughout the semester. Tests will be composed of Multiple Choice Questions. All objective questions for the tests/exams will be drawn from the same bank of questions used for the quizzes. There will be no make-up tests unless approved by the instructor prior to the test. Make-ups may not be in the same format as the regular test. Tests will be scheduled and you will be given a 5-7 day window to complete.	40%
Teamwork Developing teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate on-line is one of the goals for this course. You will have ample time to collaborate using the many features of the WebCT Platform. Chat Rooms will be available for live interactions, e-mail is always available, a private team forum will be created on the message board and then there is the “old” technology of the telephone. Each team member is responsible for completing assignments and contributing equally to the projects.	10%
Class Participation/Discussion In lieu of face-to-face classroom discussions, we will use the message/discussion board to facilitate discussion. As you proceed through each course module, you will participate in an assigned discussion. Although “more” than “less” is preferred, postings should “add value” to the discussion by posting questions or comments.	30%
Assignments Throughout the semester, you will be asked to complete Assignments/Activities that you will submit directly to the instructor via e-mail. These assignments will focus on learning within the major units: Cultivating business in diverse global environments, Managing financial resources, Marketing, Empowering employees and Business Ownership.	20%

Grading Policy:

The Business Administration Department adopted the following Grading Policy.

Grade	GPA	Range
A	4.0	95-100
A-	3.7	90-94
B+	3.3	87-89
B	3.0	83-86
B-	2.7	80-82
C+	2.3	77-79
C	2.0	70-76
D+	1.3	67-69
D	1.0	60-66
F	0.0	<60

Topical Outline: Fall 2009

Week	Topic	Chapters
1-4	Foundations of Business	1-3
4-7	Marketing - Building Customer Relationships	12-14
7-10	Effective Management	7, 8, 10 11
11-12	Financial Management	15, 16
13-14	Entrepreneurship - Is It for You?	5, 6
15	Final Projects

My Philosophy of Teaching and Learning:

My philosophy of teaching and learning has evolved over many years of being both a learner and a facilitator. I have spent approximately 15 years sitting in a classroom as a student (although it was some years ago). I, probably like most of you, returned to college as an “adult learner”, (age 27). It took several years (approximately 25) and a variety of career moves to achieve my goal: to teach. (How old am I?). Perseverance, dedication and commitment to a goal does pay off. I have the best job in America! I love what I do!

I will to the extent possible in this “on-line” world, model what you will be learning in your readings and assignments. You will discover that effectively managing a business requires leadership, communication and good problem solving skills.

Instructions for Logging Into Your Course:

Instructions for logging into the course can be found at the Information Technology website you can view a video as well. Log into WebCT using your Pipeline username and Password. You will self-register for the course by adding BUSN 1010-600 Introduction to Business - Warren to your account.

Need Help?

I will be available to help set up your WebCT account if you need it and will set up a session in the evening at the Knight Campus (Warwick), for anyone having difficulty.

If you have any questions, concerns or issues, please feel free to email me at: jwarren@ccri.edu or call me at: 825-2321. I want this experience to be meaningful, stimulating, and FUN for you!