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Master Course Outline
BUS& 101
Introduction to Business
Course Description: Introduction to Business is a general course designed to provide an understanding
of how the American business system operates and its place in the economy. The course provides
background for more effective and better use of business services in personal affairs as well as
foundation for future courses in various business programs. 5 lecture hours. Satisfies specified elective
requirement for the AA degree.
Credits: 5 Credits
Prerequisites: Math 060 and READ 080 or instructor permission
Recommended Preparation: None
Co-requisites: None
Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand the economic environment of American and international business
2. Examine the nature of economic activity in the business market
3. Identify and understand the main reasons why countries benefit from engaging in international
trade with each other
4. Evaluate the broad approaches to organization and management
5. Describe how the marketing environment affects a firm's market strategy
6. Identify influences on consumer behavior
7. Understand the concepts of segmentation, targeting and positioning
8. Describe and analyze the marketing mix
9. Describe the role of marketing within service firms
10. Explain the importance of finance as a resource within an organization
11. Understand the process of company account preparation and financial statements
12. Apply appropriate techniques to analyze and evaluate financial performance
13. Make financial decisions based on financial information, including balance sheet and income
statement
14. Identify concepts of job requirements, develop job descriptions, and recommend job
qualification
15. Outline and understand the recruitment and selection process by assessing various tools
including testing, application blanks, interviews, references, and resumes
16. Understand major laws affecting personnel practices
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17. Distinguish between various compensation programs and rate different incentive plans as
motivations in particular situations
18. Formulate simple programs of policies and guidelines for motivation of employees, effective
communication, and safety concerns
19. Discuss the importance of the socialization process in developing a dedicated, loyal, productive
employee; and develop a process to bring it about including the essentials of employee training
and management development
20. Be able to solve workplace problems by making effective decisions
21. Understand the role of numerical data in business, develop the tools to analyze and then
effectively communicate / present numerical and verbal information
22. Gather and evaluate complex information from diverse sources through diverse media
23. Analyze and critique production operations decisions using appropriate information and
resources
24. Critically compare operations management systems of world class producers
25. Understand and evaluate requirements for effective inventory management
26. Apply understanding of a control process management system
27. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of the American Legal
system, relevant legal institutions relevant to the operation of a business
28. Critically evaluate the impact of the changing legal environment on the business/organization
situation
29. Identify and investigate 'legal problems' for businesses and suggest solutions to the same
Course Resources/Textbooks/Website: Exploring Business, v1.0 by Karen Collins, Flatworldknowledge.
Academic Integrity: All forms of cheating, falsification, and plagiarism are against the rules of this
course and of Grays Harbor College. Students who are unsure what constitutes academic dishonesty are
responsible for asking the instructor for clarification. Instances of intentional academic dishonesty will
be dealt with severely.
Disabilities: Students who have documented disabilities that require accommodations in compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Disability Support Services coordinator as
well as the instructor of the course in order to ensure that together we create an optimal environment
for educational achievement.
W Day, the final day to officially withdraw from a course, is the Thursday of the seventh week (Thursday
of the fourth week for summer quarter). Students who do not withdraw by that date will receive the
grades they have earned, regardless of whether they are attending the course or completing the work.
Students who are considering withdrawal are strongly advised to consult with the instructor, advisor and
financial aid prior to withdrawing. The only withdrawals allowed after W Day are complete withdrawals
from all courses.
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