AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
AGEC 349—Fall 2014
School of Agriculture - Western Illinois University
INSTRUCTOR
Michael Burns
Cell Phone: (309) 333-6404
WIU Office: Knoblauch B21
WIU Office Hours: T-TH (by appointment)
WIU E-mail: MO-Burns@wiu.edu
1st FCS Business Phone: (309) 833-2302
st
1 FCS Office: 2901 E. Jackson Street
1st FCS E-mail: mburns@1stfarmcredit.com
E-MAILS AND PHONE CALLS
I will check both my WIU and 1st FCS e-mails daily. I have access to my 1st FCS e-mail at all times.
Please allow 24-hours for a response sent to the WIU e-mail address. Do not call my WIU office
phone number. If you wish to speak by phone, please call my cell phone.
NOTICE
Please be advised that this syllabus is tentative. All classes are different and we may or may not be
able to address all of the content areas or stick with the anticipated number of exams. Any deviations
from the syllabus will be announced as soon as possible.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES
AGEC 349 Agribusiness Management explores management functions and economics of agricultural
organizations and operations, including input-output analysis, efficient allocation of resources,
enterprise combinations, and budget analysis. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to
human relationships in management. The prerequisite for this course is Agriculture 220 or
equivalent.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Explain the role of Agribusiness in the U.S. economy.
2. Define the four functions of management and explain how they are interconnected.
3. Apply the case study method for problem solving.
4. Identify and assess managerial strengths and weaknesses.
5. Be familiar with key management trends.
6. Understand the human factor and how it impacts management.
7. Evaluate personal opportunities for association with an agribusiness firm.
8. Be able to develop a basic business plan.
CLASS TIMES AND LOCATIONS
AGEC 349 meets on T-TH from 1:00pm – 2:50pm in Knoblauch 306. This is a four-semester hour
lecture course. However, we will use some of the lectures for lab/discussion sessions.
TEXTS
Beierlein, James G., Schneeberger, Kenneth C., Osburn, Donald D.
Management. Waveland Press. Long Grove, IL. 2014.
Principles of Agribusiness
IMPORTANT DATES
September 8th: Last day to add by permission or delete the course
November 2nd: Last day to drop course with “W” grade
November 24th-28th: Thanksgiving Break (No Classes)
December 15th-19th: Finals Week
December 20th: Commencement
GRADING POLICY
The course grade will be based on the following factors, with weightings as indicated:
Exam I
Exam II
Final Exam (Comprehensive)
Quizzes and Homework
Project Work
Total
20%
20%
25%
20%
15%
100%
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Percentage
100% - 95%
94% - 90%
89% - 86%
85% - 82%
81% - 80%
79% - 76%
75% - 72%
71% - 70%
69% - 66%
65% - 62%
61% - 60%
59% or below
Point Value
4.00 pts
3.67 pts
3.33 pts
3.00 pts
2.67 pts
2.33 pts
2.00 pts
1.67 pts
1.33 pts
1.00 pts
0.67 pts
0.00 pts
Grade breaking points may be lowered, but in no case will they be raised. These breaking points will
be evaluated only after final numerical grades have been calculated.
Exams will consist of true-false, multiple choice, problem solving and short answer. All homework will
be included in your grade. The highest 8 quiz scores will be in your grade. The last 15 minutes of
every Thursday class period will be reserved for a quiz. The final will be comprehensive. Makeup
exams will be given only in extreme situations.
Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. Late assignments will be docked 5% per
day (including the due date). Assignments will not be accepted after the homework has been
discussed in class.
ATTENTION EDUCATION MAJORS
The changes within the state certification require all education majors to receive a grade of a "C" or
better in this course in order to meet these new requirements. With the university +/- grading system,
receiving a "C-" or below will require you to retake this course or find a substitute course to meet
School of Agriculture graduation requirements.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
1. Attendance and Participation: Attendance is a must. We are professionals. Students must
be prepared to interact, analyze and discuss topics related to the course. Absences will
impede your success in the class.
2. Academic Integrity: The rules and regulations outlined in the University's policy on academic
integrity are applied to this course. Any violation of the Academic Integrity Policy in Student
Handbook will result in an automatic failure in the course.
3. Student Rights and Responsibilities: Detailed information regarding student rights and
responsibilities can be found at http://www.wiu.edu/provost/student/. It is your responsibility to
be familiar with the posted information.
4. ADA Compliance and Special Accommodations: In accordance with University policy and
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), academic accommodations may be made for any
student who notifies the instructor of the need for an accommodation. For the instructor to
provide the proper accommodation(s) you must obtain documentation of the need for an
accommodation through Disability Resource Center (DRC) and provide it to the instructor. It is
imperative that you take the initiative to bring such needs to the instructor's attention, as
he/she is not legally permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students. Students
who may require special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should
contact the instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. If
you need special accommodations, please feel free to stop by and discuss your needs or
contact Disability Resources Center at 298-2512.
NEW ONLINE ABSENCE REPORTING SYSTEM
The university has implemented a new online absence reporting system. If at any time you have a
family emergency, funeral, or not felling well, please use the OARS system to report your absence. I
will need the e-mail generated from this system prior to class – not after. For more information please
see: http://wiu.edu/oars.
USE OF TOBACCO
Use of tobacco in any form is prohibited in university buildings/classrooms.
USE OF CELLULAR PHONES
As a courtesy to other students, all cell phones should be turned off or changed to silent mode prior
to class. Texting is not allowed during class. Cell phones may not be used for any reason during an
exam. Continued disregard of this policy may result in the instructor asking for the cell phone and
returning it to the student after the class period.
ACCREDITATION
The School of Agriculture is housed in the College of Business and Technology which is accredited
by AACSB-International.
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