BUS 1: Fundamentals of Business
Fall 2009
Section 10204: (Monday 6:00 PM to 9:05 PM)
Room 12, Morgan Hill Campus
Syllabus
Instructor:
Sharon Kurtz, Ph.D., M.B.A.
20+ years in corporate business; Product development;
marketing; new business/market development; quality
assurance; production contracts; strategic planning;
performance improvement.
Phone:
Office:
Office Hours:
E-mail:
Instructor Profile Page
Description:
3 years in school business management: Certified Chief
Business Official; facilities master planning and funding.
(408) 422-5358
Classroom
Normally, up to 1 hour after class, or by appointment before
class.
skurtz@gavilan.edu
www.gavilan.edu/dir/index.php
This course introduces students to business and the array of
opportunities that it offers. The course will help students
recognize careers that will be of interest to them with
consideration of their own skills and aptitudes. Different facets
of business will be covered and students will learn about
establishing their own business. This course has the option of a
letter grade or credit/no credit.
Units:
Advisories::
3
Eligible for English 250 and English 260; these are
recommended, but not required.
Text Book: REQUIRED
THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS the Essentials; 2008, Third OR
Fourth Editions.
Authors: Lawrence J. Gitman and Carl McDaniel
Thomson/South-Western
Class Format
Each class will consist of lecture, class discussion, and
individual or team projects. Your participation in class
discussions is expected and will enhance the value of the class
for all students.
Class Web Site
http://hhh.gavilan.edu/skurtz
Syllabus: You will be provided a copy of the syllabus at the
first class meeting.
Class Notes: All lecture notes are posted at this site for each
chapter in the book. You have the option to print each
presentation prior to class. Copies of the Chapter 1 handouts
will be provided at the first class meeting. Thereafter, it is the
option of each student to print handouts as desired.
Projects & Exercises: Handouts for each individual
exercise/project and for a team project will be distributed in
class.
Grading Policy:
Your grade will be earned as follows:
 Class Participation (5%)
 Two Projects:
o Company Profile (15%)
o Business Plan and Presentation (20%)
 Midterm Exam I (20%)
 Midterm Exam II (20%)
 Final Exam (20%)
Grade by Percentage Earned
Exams:
95% to 100% A
90% to 94% A87% to 89% B+
83% to 86% B
80% to 82% B75% to 79% C+
70% to 74% C
60% to 69% D
59% and below F
Two Midterms and a Final Exam. The exams are composed
of multiple choice and short essay questions. Exams are taken
open book/open notes and will cover the assigned reading
material, lectures, and exercises. Sample questions will be
provided prior to the first exam.
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Projects:
There will be two (2) projects as follows:
1. Company/Organizational Profile (completed solo, as an
individual)
2. Business Plan (written document and oral presentation,
completed as a team of 3-4 students)
A handout will be provided for each of these projects, once we
have covered needed background material. The projects must
be typed and submitted as a hard paper copy and they will be
returned to you in the same manner.
If you do not have access to a computer and Microsoft Word,
computers are available for your use in the business computer
lab at the Gilroy campus or in the library.
Falling Behind / Tutoring:
If you feel you are getting behind and or lost please see me after
class or make an appointment. Although I can't personally tutor
each and every student, I may be able to point you in the right
direction. Gavilan College does have a Tutoring Center near the
Library where tutors can help you in a variety of subjects and
courses.
Attendance Policy:
The college policy on attendance, as stated in the catalog is:
“students missing one more class hour than the unit value for
Particular course, without making prior arrangements may, at
the instructor’s option, be dropped without possibility of credit”.
Attendance will be taken at every class meeting. If you know
you are going to miss class, I expect that you will notify me and
make arrangements to make up the missed work, including a
missed exam. If you do not notify me, I feel no obligation to
make arrangements for you to make up the work or exam.
If something happens that precludes you from letting me know
before you miss the class, I expect that you will contact me
before the next class, explain the absence, and make up the
missed class work/exam, if any.
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Dropping the Class
If you decide to drop or withdraw from the class it is your
responsibility to submit the appropriate paperwork to the
Admissions office. Please advise me if you decide to withdraw
or drop.
Credit/No Credit Grading option:
If you decide not to complete this course for a "letter grade" (A,
B, etc.), you may take this class on a Credit/No Credit basis.
Credit/No Credit will not affect your GPA. If you are planning
to use these credits to transfer to another school, it is highly
suggested that you speak with a counselor at that school before
taking this option.
Student Honesty Policy:
Students are expected to exercise academic honesty and
integrity. Violations such as cheating and plagiarism will result
in disciplinary action which may include recommendation for
dismissal.
Occupational/Vocational Students:
Occupational/Vocational students – Limited English language skills
will not be a barrier to admittance to and participation in Vocational
Educational Programs.
Special Needs/ADA Accommodation: Students requiring special services or arrangements because of
hearing, visual, or other disability should contact their instructor,
counselor, or the Disability Resource Center.
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CLASS SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS: The following is a general outline of the course schedule
and assignment due dates. Some adjustments may be made as necessary. Please come to class having
already read the assigned chapter(s).
Date
Reading
Assignment
Completed
Lecture/Discussion
Exam or Project
The Business Environment
Sept 14 Understanding Economic Systems and
Ch 1
Business
Sept 21
Making Ethical Decisions and Managing a
Socially Responsible Business
Ch 2
Understanding the Legal and Tax
Environment
Sept 28
Appendix
Competing in the Global Marketplace
“Your Ethical Orientation” Inclass Exercise
Ch 3
Business Ownership
Oct 5
Oct 12
Forms of Business Ownership
Ch 4
Begin “Company Profile”
Exercise
(solo project)
Entrepreneurship: Starting and Managing
Your Own Business
Ch 5
“Your Entrepreneurial
Quotient” In-class Exercise
Managing Organizations
Oct 19
Management and Leadership in Today’s
Organizations
Oct 26
Designing Organizational Structures
Nov 2
Nov 9
Ch 6
Midterm I (chapters 1,2,3,4,5)
Ch 7
Begin “Business Plan” Exercise
(team project)
Business Teams; Business Presentations
Handouts
Managing Human Resources and Labor
Relations
Motivating Employees
Ch 8
Ch 9
Achieving World-Class Operations
Management
Ch 10
Marketing Management
Nov 16 Creating Products and Pricing Strategies to
Ch 11
Meet Customers’ Needs
Nov 23 Distributing and Promoting Products and
Services
Mid-Term II (chapters 6,7,8,9,10)
Ch 12
Accounting and Finance
Nov 30 Using Technology to Manage Information
Ch 13
Using Financial Information and
Accounting
Ch 14
5
“Company Profile” Exercise
Due
Date
Reading
Assignment
Completed
Lecture/Discussion
Business Plan Team Presentations
Dec 7
Dec 14
Please turn in all late work and complete all
make-up exams no later than this date.
None
Exam or Project
Business Plan hard copy must be
turned in. This includes a copy
of the actual business plan and of
the in-class presentation.
Comprehensive, multiple choice
and short answer questions..
FINAL EXAM
S. Kurtz. Date last updated: 01-SEPT-09
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