BUSG 1301 – Introduction to Business
CRN 61311 – Fall 2015
Mon-Wed 11:00-12:30
3 Credits / 48 Semester Hours / 16 Weeks Regular Term
Instructor: LeMarcus Lee, MBA
Instructor Contact Information: lemarcus.lee@hccs.edu
Office location and hours
Please feel free to contact me at any time concerning any problems that you are experiencing in
this course. You do not need to wait until you have received a poor grade before asking for my
assistance. Your performance in my class is very important to me. I am available to hear your
concerns and just to discuss course topics. Feel free to contact me by email to schedule an
appointment.
Course Description
Fundamental business principles including structure, functions, resources and operational
process.
Prerequisites
Must be placed into GUST 0342 in reading, ENGL 0300 or 0347 in writing and MATH 0306 in
math.
Program Learning Outcomes
Completion of the course will offer students the opportunity to:
 Describe the scope of business enterprise in the nation and world today.
 Identify major business functions of accounting, management, marketing and
economics.
 Define and apply business terminology.
 Identify essential management skills necessary for career success.
 Describe the relationships of social responsibility, ethics, and law in business.
 Construct a business plan.
 Examine the role of strategic human resource planning in support of organizational
mission and objectives.
Course Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion, you will be able to:
1. Describe the scope of business enterprise in the nation and the world today.
2. Identify major business functions of accounting, management, marketing, and
economics.
3. Describe the relationships of social responsibility, ethics, and law in business.
4. Define and apply business terminology.
BUSG 1301 Spring 2014 – page 2
Learning Objectives
The successful completion of these learning objectives will ensure a meaningful educational
experience. You will:
 Define business and discuss the role of business in the economy
 Explain the evolution of modern business
 Discuss the role of nonprofit organizations in the economy
 Outline the core factors of production and how they affect the economy
 Describe today's business environment and discuss each key dimension
 Explain how current business trends might affect your career choices
 Define economics and discuss the evolving global economic crisis
 Analyze the impact of fiscal and monetary policy on the economy
 Explain and evaluate the free market system and supply and demand
 Explain and evaluate planned market systems
 Describe the trend toward mixed market systems
 Discuss key terms and tools to evaluate economic performance
 Discuss business opportunities in the world economy
 Explain the key reasons for international trade
 Describe the tools for measuring international trade
 Analyze strategies for reaching global markets
 Discuss barriers to international trade and strategies to surmount them
 Describe the free-trade movement and discuss key benefits and criticisms
 Define ethics and explain the concepts of universal ethical standards
 Describe business ethics and ethical dilemmas
 Discuss how ethics relates to both the individual and the organization
 Define social responsibility and examine the impact on stakeholder groups
 Explain the role of social responsibility in the global arena
 Describe how companies evaluate their efforts to be socially responsible
 Explain the importance of excellent business communication
 Describe the key elements of nonverbal communication
 Compare, contrast, and choose effective communication channels
 Choose the right words for effective communication
 Write more effective business memos, letters and emails
 Create and deliver successful verbal presentations
 Describe the characteristics of the four basic forms of business ownership
 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a sole proprietorship
 Evaluate the pros and cons of the partnership as a form of business ownership
 Explain why corporations have become the dominant form of business ownership
 Explain why limited liability companies are becoming an increasing popular form of
business ownership
 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of franchising
 Explain the key reasons to launch a small business
 Describe the typical entrepreneurial mindset and characteristics
 Discuss funding options for small business
 Analyze the opportunities and threats that small businesses face
 Discuss ways to become a new business owner and tools to facilitate success
 Explain the size, scope and economic contributions of small business
BUSG 1301 Spring 2014 – page 3
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Define accounting and describe how accounting information is used by a variety of
stakeholders
Identify the purpose and goals of generally accepted accounting principles
Describe the key elements of the major financial statements
Describe several methods stakeholders can use to obtain useful insights from a
company's financial statements
Explain the role of managerial accounting and describe the various cost concepts
identified by managerial accountants
Explain how the budget process can help managers plan, motivate and evaluate their
organization's performance
Identify the goal of financial management and explain the issues financial managers
confront as they seek to achieve this goal
Describe the tools financial managers use to evaluate their company's current financial
condition and develop financial plans
Evaluate the major sources of funds available to meet a firm's sort term and long-term
financial needs
Identify the key issues involved in determining a firm's capital structure
Describe how financial mangers acquire and manage current assets
Explain how financial managers evaluate capital budgeting proposals to identify the best
long-term investment options for their company
Explain the role of financial markets in the U.S. economy and identify the key players in
these markets
Identify the key laws that govern the way financial markets operate and explain the
impact of each law
Describe and compare the major types of securities that are traded in securities and
markets
Explain how securities are issued in the primary market and traded on secondary
markets
Compare several strategies that investors use to invest in securities
Interpret the information provided in the stock quotes available on financial websites
Discuss the objectives, the process and the scope of marketing
Identify the role of the customer in marketing
Explain each element of marketing strategy
Describe the consumer and business decision-making process
Discuss the key elements of marketing research
Explain the roles of social responsibility and technology in marketing
Explain "product" and identify product classifications
Describe product differentiation and the key elements of product planning
Discuss innovation and the product life cycle
Analyze and explain promotion and integrated marketing communications
Discuss development of the promotional message
Discuss the promotional mix and the various promotional tools
Define distribution and differentiate between channels of distributions and physical
distribution
Describe the various types of wholesale distributors
Discuss strategies and trends in store and non-store retailing
Explain the key factors in physical distribution
Outline core pricing objectives and strategies
Discuss pricing in practice, including the role of consumer perceptions
BUSG 1301 Spring 2014 – page 4
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Discuss the role of management and its importance to organizational success
Explain key theories and current practices of motivation
Outline the categories of business planning and explain strategic planning
Discuss the organizing function of management
Explain the role of managerial leadership and they key leadership styles
Describe the management control process
Explain the importance of human resources to business success
Discuss key human resource issues in today's economy
Outline challenges and opportunities that the human resources function faces
Discuss human resource planning and core human resources responsibilities
Explain the key federal legislation that affects human resources
Explain the basic elements of computer technology -- including hardware, software and
networks -- and describe key trends in each area
Discuss the reasons for the increasing popularity of cloud computing
Describe how data becomes information and how decision support systems can provide
high-quality information that helps managers make better decisions
Explain how internet-based technologies have changed business-to-consumer and
business-to-business commerce
Describe the problems posed by the rapid changes in Internet-based technologies, and
explain ways to address these problems
Define operations management and describe how the role of operations management
has changes over the past fifty years
Discuss the key responsibilities of operations managers
Describe how operations managers face the special challenges posed by the provision
of services
Explain how changes in technology have revolutionized operations management
Describe the strategies operations managers have used to improve the quality of goods
and services
Explain how lean and green practices can help both the organization and the
environment.
Discrimination
Students should be aware that discrimination and/or other harassment based on race, sex,
gender identity and gender expression, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual
orientation, color or veteran status is prohibited by HCC Policy G.1 Discrimination and
Harassment and D.1.1 Equal Educational Opportunities. Any student who feels they have been
discriminated against or harassed on the basis of race, sex, gender identity, gender expression,
national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, color or veteran status including
sexual harassment, has the opportunity to seek informal or formal resolution of the matter. All
complaints/concerns should be directed to the Office of Institutional Equity, 713 718-8271 or
oie@hccs.edu. Additional information may be obtained online. Visit
http://www.hccs.edu/district/departments/institutionalequity/
Complaints involving sexual misconduct to include but not limited to: sexual assault, stalking,
dating violence, sexual harassment or domestic violence should be directed to the HCC Title IX
Coordinator, Renée Mack at 713 718-8272 or renee.mack@hccs.edu
16 WEEK COURSE CALENDAR
BUSG 1301
BUSG 1301 Spring 2014 – page 5
Weekly Activity Schedule
MEETING
8/24/15
8/26/15
8/31/15
9/2/15
9/7/15
9/9/15
9/14/15
9/16/15
9/21/15
9/23/15
9/28/15
9/30/15
10/5/15
10/7/15
10/12/15
10/14/15
10/19/15
10/21/15
10/26/15
10/28/15
11/2/15
11/4/15
11/9/15
11/11/15
11/16/15
11/18/15
11/23/15
11/25/15
11/30/15
12/2/15
12/7/15
TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS
INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
EXAM REVIEW
Exam 1
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
EXAM REVIEW
Exam 2
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
EXAM REVIEW
Exam 3
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
EXAM REVIEW
Exam 4
FINAL EXAM
Instructional Methods
As an instructor, I want my students to be successful. I feel that it is my responsibility to
provide you with knowledge concerning Business by modeling good teaching strategies and
implementing scenarios and field experiences that allow you to connect the information that you
learn in this course to the real world in Business.
As a student wanting to learn about Business, it is your responsibility to read the assigned
chapters in the textbook, submit assignments on the due dates, study for the exams, participate
in face-to-face classroom activities, utilize the online component of the course, and enjoy
yourself throughout the experience.
Student Assignments
BUSG 1301 Spring 2014 – page 6
Assignments have been developed that will enhance your learning. To better understand a
topic, you will be given assignments on key information that you will need to remember for your
success in Business. To complete this course you will be required to successfully complete the
following:
Assessments
Exams (each)
15%
Midterm
20%
Final
25%
Attendance
10%
Total
100%
Instructor Requirements
As your Instructor, it is my responsibility to:
 Provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades
are to be derived
 Facilitate an effective learning environment through class activities, discussions, and
lectures
 Description of any special projects or assignments
 Inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness and make up
procedures
 Provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any
special projects or assignments
 Arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as needed
To be successful in this class, it is the student’s responsibility to:
 Attend class and participate in class discussions and activities
 Read and comprehend the textbook
 Complete the required assignments and exams
 Ask for help when there is a question or problem
 Keep copies of all paperwork, including this syllabus, handouts and all assignments
HCC Grading Scale
A = 100 – 90;……………………………………4 points per semester hour
B = 89 – 80: …………………………………….3 points per semester hour
C = 79 – 70: …………………………………….2 points per semester hour
D = 69 – 60: …………………………………….1 point per semester hour
59 and below = F………………………………..0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) …………………………………0 points per semester hour
W(Withdrawn)……………………………………0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete)…………………………………… 0 points per semester hour
AUD (Audit) …………………………………… 0 points per semester hour
BUSG 1301 Spring 2014 – page 7
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must re-enroll to
receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing education courses. To
compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total number of
semester hours attempted. The grades “IP,” “COM” and “I” do not affect GPA.
Grading Criteria
I will conduct quizzes, exams, and assessments that you can use to determine how successful
you are at achieving the course learning outcomes (mastery of course content and skills)
outlined in the syllabus. If you find you are not mastering the material and skills, you are
encouraged to reflect on how you study and prepare for each class. I welcome your
observations on what you discover and may be able to assist you in finding resources that will
improve your performance.
Instructional Materials
BUSN 6th Edition
HCC Policy Statements
Access Student Services Policies on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights
Access CE Policies on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines