Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences Division
Course Prefix and number: BUSN 110
Course Title: Introduction to Business
Course Syllabus for Students
Fall 2010
PCS/CIP/ID NO.: 1.1-520101
IAI NO. :
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 3 LABORATORY HOURS: 0
Instructor: Mary McMahon
Message by phone: 309-268-8039 FORMAL CHANNEL
Email: Mary.McMahon@heartland.edu
Office Hours: by appointment
Office Location: WDC Workforce Services Office
Catalog Description:
This course focuses on clarifying the complexities of the business world while enhancing
students’ skills in critical thinking, problem solving, diversity, multiculturalism, and
communication, thus providing them with necessary tools for business success.
Within a framework of professionalism, ethical decision making, responsibility, and technology,
students will assess the global, economic, social, and political environments impacting business.
In addition, students will understand the essential elements of organizational structure,
marketing, management, and financial decision making.
Textbook:
William G. Nickels. (2010). Understanding Business. 9th Ed. Burr Ridge, IL: McGraw Hill.
ISBN: 978-0-07-726834-3
Suggested supplies:
A three ring binder is needed to organize daily work, lecture notes, handouts, and other important
information. A flash stick is needed plus a hard drive to store class information and homework.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transferability:
BUSN 110 Introduction to Business is included in the following HCC programs:
* Transfer Business
* Business Essentials – Certificate
* Business Technology Applications – A.A.S.
* Business Technology Applications – Certificate
* Small Business Management – Certificate
** Information Technology – A.A.S. (Management Information Systems Option)
* Required ** Elective
BUSN 110 Introduction to Business fulfills 3 semester hours of elective credit for the A.A. and
A.S. degrees. It should transfer to most colleges and universities as an elective course. However,
since this course is not part of either the General Education Core Curriculum or a baccalaureate
major program described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, students should check with an
academic advisor for information about its transferability to other institutions.
BUSN 110 Introduction to Business is a required core course for most senior institution business
majors, and is articulated at Illinois State University as BUS 110 Enterprise.
Student Learning:
Student learning is a result of a conscientious effort by both the student and the instructor. The
student who makes a sincere and consistent effort to the best of his/her ability dramatically
increases the opportunity for success. Attending class, reading chapters before class,
participating in discussions, and having a positive attitude are essential responsibilities for
achievement.
Instructor’s Role:
The instructor's primary role is creating a positive environment for learning to occur. In that
environment, you will be encouraged, supported, and offered criticism.
Course Learning Outcomes and Course/Lab Outline
Course Learning Outcomes:
Outcomes
Discuss stakeholder consequences
relating to ethical issues in business.
General
Education
Outcomes*
Range of Assessment Methods
PR
ET
RE
TE
1,3,4
1-5
1,2,3
DI 2,3,4
CO 5,6
CT 3
PS 2,4
CT 3
PR
RE
TE
ET
PR
RE
1,3,4
1,2
2,3,4,5
1
3,4,5
1,3
Understand the importance of
entrepreneurship and small
business to the U.S. economy.
CT 1
PR 4
RE 1,3
Oral discussions, writing
assignments, projects,
presentations, quizzes, exams
Examine the advantages and
disadvantages of different forms
of business ownership, and
determine the most appropriate
form for a variety of situations.
Apply management and
psychological theories to solve
management problems.
PS 3
CT 2
PR 4
RE 1,3
Oral discussions, writing
assignments, projects,
presentations, quizzes, exams
PS 3
PR 3,4
ET 1,2,3,4
RE 1,3
Oral discussions, writing
assignments, projects,
presentations, quizzes, exams
Explain how businesses develop
and market their products and
services.
Understand accounting statements
and their value to business
stakeholders.
Describe how businesses manage
their finances and obtain funds.
CT 2
PR 4
RE 1,3
CT 1
ET
PR
RE
PR
RE
Oral discussions, writing
assignments, projects,
presentations, quizzes, exams
Oral discussions, writing
assignments, projects,
presentations, quizzes, exams
Writing assignments, projects,
presentations
Reflect upon your personal
financial condition and identify
strategies for improvement.
PS 3
CT 2,4
Discuss the value of diversity and
multiculturalism in business.
Predict future business opportunities
and threats in the national and global
environment.
CO 5,6
Core
Business
110
Values**
CT 1
Writing assignments, projects,
presentations
1, 2,3,4,5
1,3,5
4
1,3
4
1,3
PR 4
RE 1,3
TE 2, 3
Writing assignments, projects,
presentations
Oral discussions, writing
assignments, projects,
presentations, quizzes, exams
Writing assignments, projects,
presentations
*Additional information regarding the College learning outcomes can be found on the HCC
website: http://www.heartland.edu/committees/assessment/genedoutcomes.html
** HEARTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE BUSINESS THREADS
Professionalism
Shows
respect for
others (PR1).
Shows positive
attitude (PR2).
Embraces new
ideas and
possibilities
(PR3).
Strives for
performance
excellence(PR4).
Ethics
Recognizes
the impact of
unethical
behavior in
the
workplace
(ET 1).
Recognizes
the
pervasiveness
of technology
in everyday
life (TE 1).
Commits to
academic
honesty and
encourages it in
others (ET2).
Respects the
intellectual
property rights of
others (ET3).
Understands the
importance of
maintaining
confidentiality
(ET4).
Shows
appreciation for
scholarship,
research, and
theory (PR 5).
Understands
the importance
of reporting
unethical
behavior (ET5).
Effectively
uses
technology in
meeting
assignment
requirements
(TE 2).
Considers the
perspective of
others before
reacting
(RE 2).
Uses Technology
to create new
written text and/or
other ways of
representing
information
(TE 3).
Is accountable for
own actions
(RE 3).
Locates and
evaluates online
materials to solve
problems (TE 4).
Engages in the
responsible use
of technology
(TE 5).
Realistically
assess own
contribution
(RE 4).
Reaches out to
help others
(RE 5).
Technology
Responsibility
Follows
through on
commitments
and meets
deadlines
(RE 1)
Course/Lab Outline:
1. Ethics
2. Global Business/Multiculturalism
3. Business Trends
4. Economic Impacts
5. Global Environment
6. Business Ownership
7. Management
8. Marketing
9. Business Finance
10. Personal Finance
Method of Evaluation
The final grade in this course will be determined by the total points earned through completion of
selected activities from the following:
Course Requirements
Requirements
14 Daily Worksheet Assignments @ 5 pts. each.
Points without Final
70 pts
30 pts
Personal Finance Project
200 pts
Critical Thinking Writings
10 single-spaced pages of writing assigned
throughout the semester
5 Unit exams @100 points each. Multiple choice 500 pts
format
Comprehensive Final Exam
Students missing an exam due to an emergency
will need to provide written documentation
within one week of the absence, and will take a
comprehensive final exam in the college testing
center during Final Exam week as the make-up
exam.
Extra Credit*
40
TOTAL
800
* Extra credit points are not added into the cumulative point total shown above. These are bonus
points available for students whose attendance is considered excellent. Any student who only
misses three (3) classes or less during the semester will be awarded these extra credit points.
Students who are late to class will be penalized. Two late occurrences count as one absence.
Grading Scale
Percentage
A
B
C
D
F
90 - 100
80 - 89
70 - 79
60-69
59 or below
Points
720 -- 800
640--719
560--639
480--559
479 or below
Make up policy:
o Daily Worksheet Assignments are due at the beginning of class. A one point penalty is
accessed for each class period the assignment is turned in late.
o Critical Thinking Writings and projects are due on the specific deadline listed in the
course calendar and on each assignment. Late work is accepted, but the penalty is one
letter grade deducted for each class period the writing assignment is late.
o Exams--There is no make up exam given for students missing any exams in this class.
Only one “grace” exam is allowed for students who provide written documentation within
one week of the absence. These students will be allowed to take a comprehensive final
during finals week to replace one missed exam.
Only work submitted by the student is accepted. Work turned in by another individual
is not allowed.
Guest Lecturer Policy:
Specific dates are found in the course calendar and class announcements are provided when
guest lecturers will be visiting our class. Every day each student is expected to be in his/her seat
promptly when class begins; however, on guest lecturer days if a student is late, the student will
not be able to attend class that day. The student will be counted as late.
Required Writing and Reading:
Students are assigned readings from the textbook, articles, and reference materials as indicated in
the Course Calendar. All written assignments are designed to enhance the student's writing skills
and critical thinking skills by analyzing concepts discussed in the course. All written assignments
must be typed and single-spaced.
Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Democratic Ethic
Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College
and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because
grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of
their fellow students. The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as a serious
offense requiring disciplinary measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion
from the College. In addition, an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far
beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning
cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification
of academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or
administrative records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in the college
catalog.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper,
create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work,
except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is
considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source
Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it were
your own.
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if it were
your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism.
The penalties for plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work,
failure in the course or expulsion from school in extreme cases.
[Adapted from the Modern Language Association=s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research
Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26]
Democratic Ethic:
A democratic ethic asks us to consciously inquire into difference of opinion, attitude, belief,
value and philosophy when these differences appear in public discourse. A democratic ethic is a
belief in how we ought to act and to communicate when we know that there are many differences
among us. A democratic ethic means that all citizens are invited and feel welcome to participate
in the dialog or conversation. With respect to difference, it is important to reflect on our own
perspectives yet consider the views of others. Our class will subscribe to a democratic ethic.
Adapted from Heartland Community College English Department’s Course Guide.
Support Services
Heartland Library Information: www.hcc.cc.il.us/library
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides
Heartland students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases,
videos, newspapers, periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist
in locating information.
For more information please call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292
Tutoring Center:
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at not cost to
Heartland students at the Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at the Pontiac
and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are available at convenient times throughout the week.
Study groups, group tutoring facilitated by a specially-trained tutor, are also available by
request. For more information about services available at each location, please call the
ASC in Normal (309) 268-8231; the Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777; the Lincoln Center
(217) 735-1731.
Testing Center:
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment for students to complete make-up exams,
online exams, and exams for students with special accommodations. Students may be able to
complete exams in the Testing Center if arrangements are made with their instructor. Photo
identification is required. Cell phones and backpacks are not permitted in the testing area. For
more information, contact the Testing Center at (309) 268-8231.
Disability Statement:
Any student who feels she or he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability
should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Any student who has a documented
disability should contact the Office for Disability Support Services . The telephone number is
309-268-8029.
Notice of Canceled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be listed under Cancelled Class Meetings in
the A-Z Index and under Academic Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web
site. Go to http://my.heartland.edu to learn what classes have been cancelled for that day and the
upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column, which might contain a message from the
instructor.
HCC Portal:
Just a reminder that to access WebCT, IRIS, and your Heartland Student Email, you will need to
log into myHeartland, at https://my.heartland.edu.
Syllabi disclaimer:
Changes in the Course Calendar and Assignment Schedule will be communicated to students in
advance.