Community College of Rhode Island

BUSN 1010-107: Introduction to Business – Fall, 2009

 

Instructor: Kent A. Gates, Jr., MBA                                    E-Mail:  kgates@ccri.edu                 

CCRI Business Office – Knight Campus                   Webpage:  http://faculty.ccri.edu/kgates/

Phone: 825-1114                                                         Office Hours:              By Appointment        

 


Required Text:


Foundations of Business – 2009 Edition; Pride, Hughes and Kapoor

 

Course Description:

A one-semester course with emphasis placed upon both small and publicly traded businesses and strategies for competing within modern economic conditions. Topical areas to be covered: Cultivating a business in a diverse global environment; developing and implementing customer driven strategies, social responsibility, financial resources and organizational management.

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 lectures, problems, cases, current events and active discussions, with an emphasis on application.  We will use a variety of “tools” to accomplish this: 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: 

Exams

35%

Stock Market Project

  5%

Written Assignments

30%

Teamwork

15%

Class Participation

15%

 

 

 

 

Grading Scheme:

 

Grade              GPA                Range                          Grade              GPA                Range

A                     4.0                   95-100                         C+                   2.3                   77-79  

A-                    3.7                   90-94                           C                     2.0                   70-76

B+                   3.3                   87-89                           D+                   1.3                   67-69

B                     3.0                   83-86                           D                     1.0                   60-66

B-                    2.7                   80-82                           F                      0.0                   <60

 

Extra Credit    

Students who have demonstrated a commitment to their own learning, but for some reason, have not performed as well as they would like, will have an opportunity to earn extra credit. Students must request this option.  The instructor reserves the right to decline this request.

 

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. 

 

Tentative Topical Outline

 

 

Weeks 1-2

Business and Economics

Chapter 1

Weeks 2-3

Business Ethics

Chapter 2

Week 4

Global Business

Chapter 3

Week 5-6

Forms of Businesses

Chapter 5, 6

Week 7-8

Accounting; Financial Management (moved from weeks 13-14)

Chapter 15, 16

Weeks 9-10

Motivation; Marketing

Chapter 11, 12

Weeks 11-12

Creating and Pricing Products

Chapter 13, 14

Weeks 13-14

Understanding the Management Process; Organizations (moved from weeks 7-8)

Chapter 7, 8

Week 15

Projects and Exams

 

 

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/

 

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