Required Text:
Phone: 825-1114 Office Hours: By Appointment
Required Text:
Understanding Business. 8th Edition. Nickels. McGraw-Hill, 2007
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 and motivating employees to satisfy customers and financing the small business.
Course Outcomes: 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
· 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 the Internet, word processing, and other software
· Communicate effectively through written and oral presentation assignments
· Work effectively as a team member through team projects, case studies and problem analysis
Instructional Method:
Topics presented in the text may be covered through problems, cases, current events and active discussions, with an emphasis on application. We will use a variety of “tools” to accomplish this: self-assessment, professional business journals (print and web-based), the textbook, as well as each other. This is an interactive course in which discussion relevant to the topics being addressed is welcomed and encouraged.
Evaluation: Grades will be determined based on the following:
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Quizzes/Tests/Exams |
35% |
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Stock Market Project |
5% |
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Written Assignments |
30% |
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Teamwork |
15% |
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Class Participation |
15% |
Honors Project – Students wishing to enroll in the Honors Program have the opportunity to work on an Honors Project. This project will vary based on student interest.
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Weeks 1-2 |
Managing within the Dynamic Business Environment |
Chapter 1 |
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Weeks 2-3 |
The Creation & Distribution of Wealth |
Chapter 2 |
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Week 4 |
Competing in Global Markets |
Chapter 3 |
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Week 5 |
Demonstrating Ethical Behavior |
Chapter 4 |
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Week 6 |
Understanding Financial Reports |
Chapters 18-19 |
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Weeks 7-9 |
Marketing: Building Customer Relations |
Chapters 13-14 |
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Weeks 10-11 |
Empowering People |
Chapters 7, 10 |
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Weeks 12-13 |
Business Ownership, Is it for You? |
Chapters 5-6 |
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Week 14-15 |
Projects and Exams |
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Class Policies
1. Class attendance is mandatory. We meet for only 15 weeks and cover a lot of material in that time.
2. Be punctual. As in the business world, being on time is very important.
3. Assignments are to be complete and handed in on the due date specified.
4. Pagers or cell phones are not to be used in the classroom.
5. Unnecessary distractions including talking other students about subject matter not related to the course will not be tolerated.
6. Be prepared: i.e. all necessary studying for quizzes and exams as well as completed assignments.
7. Remember that class participation is a major part of your final grade. Ask questions or give examples of your own experiences as related to the course’s subject matter.
Please see my webpage for additional information including assignments: http://faculty.ccri.edu/kgates/