NORTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
BUSINESS 101: INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS
COURSE SYLLABUS
WINTER 2013
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Welcome to Business 101! This course is an introduction to business ideas and concepts. In this course you
will learn about the general business environment, financial aspects, development and marketing of products
and services, operations, management, risk and business dynamics.
Class Meeting Time: Mondays & Wednesdays: 5:30 pm – 7:40 pm
Room IB 3317
INSTRUCTOR
Zachary Smulski
Office: IB 3317 Classroom
Office Hours:
Mondays & Wednesdays 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Email:
zasmulski@northseattle.edu
TEXTBOOK AND COURSE MATERIALS
Nickels-McHugh-McHugh: Understanding Business, 10th Edition; ISBN 978-0-07-352459-7
(Used copies are fine. A copy of the textbook, study guide and solutions to select homework problems
are available at the NSCC Library at the reserve desk, available for 2-hour reserve; please don’t write in
or tear out the pages of the study guide or solution manual – make a copy of what you need.)
Facility Profile Website: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/zasmulski/
On the profile website click the link and you will see Business 101. Additional resources for the
class will be made available in-class or online.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
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Understand the nature of business and its environment.
Have developed a general business vocabulary
Have an understanding of management concepts and organizational structures
Have an understanding of the management of resources – human, financial, and natural (resources)
Be familiar with basic marketing concepts
Understand general methods of financing business ventures
Be familiar with commonly encountered securities markets
Be aware of common ethical challenges faced by businesses
Be aware of ways in which issues of diversity in business and the professions strongly influence
realistic and effective decision-making in the previous eight objectives
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The following NSCC General Education Outcomes and Related Instructional Outcomes are met by the Course:
#1. Think critically in reading and writing
#8 Understand major ideas, values, beliefs, and experiences that have shaped human history and cultures
#13 Understand the elements of a global society
CLASS FORMAT
The format will consist of a mixture of lecture, discussions, in-class activities, projects, and papers. In-class
discussion, projects, and working on paper will play a major part in your learning experience throughout this
course. Course work includes reading, projects, papers, and exams. Class attendance and participation in inclass activities will strongly contribute to your mastery of the material.
TIME COMMITMENT
The rule of thumb is two hours of study outside of class for each in-class hour. It’s crucial that you devote a
certain amount of time each week to complete your assignments and stay on schedule. Assigned reading should
be done before covering the material in class.
LATE PROJECTS, PAPERS, AND MAKE-UP EXAM POLICY
All assignments should be turned in on the due date. Assignments may be emailed, but hard copies must be
turned in to my mailbox before the due date if you are unable to attend class. However, students bear full
responsibility and risk for any missing or lost assignments. Late assignments are accepted, but penalties may
apply.
Exams are to be done in class on their scheduled day. If you have extenuating circumstances that may result in
your inability to take an exam, please contact me as soon as possible in advance.
COURSE WORK DETAILS
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Reading: Reading assignments are specified on the schedule, and are to be done before the material is
covered in class. There is no homework other than the work needed to complete papers and projects.
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Papers: There are five (5) research papers worth 35 points each that are assigned covering a range of
business issues and subjects. Except for Paper #2, which everybody must complete a paper pm this
single topic, you will have the opportunity to select from a number of suggested topics for the other
papers. See the list of potential topics on the excel spreadsheet which contains the schedule for the
class. Papers topics will either ask for you to complete a Policy Position or a Business SWOT Analysis.
See Policy Position or Business SWOT Analysis outlined later in this Syllabus.
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Research Projects: There are three projects that are assigned, worth between 20 and 55 points,
covering a range of business issues and subjects. Projects will involve writing, planning, working in
groups, and class activities. Grading will be based on your analysis, questions, grasp of the complexity
of the issues, and the ability to argue both sides of an issue. Additional specific grading criteria will be
provided later in the syllabus.
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Exams: Two mid exams are worth 50 points each and the Final Exam will be worth 100 points. The
exams will be multiple-choice questions with each question worth 1 point. You will have one hour to
complete the midterms, and 2 hours & 10 minutes to complete the final. The exams are graded on
accuracy. Exams are closed book. You may use a calculator, but no computers or phones.
PAPERS SUMMARY
Papers should be 2 to 5 pages; double spaced, 12 fonts, and should follow this format:
Policy Position
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State the Issue:
The Pro position and Arguments for
The con Position and the Arguments against
The counter Argument to the for position
The counter Argument to the against position
Which way would you decide and Why?
The expected or projected positive economic or business impact
The expected or projected negative economic or business impact
Why your decision is good for the market?
Business SWOT Analysis
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State the business concept or idea
Strengths
Weakness
Opportunities
Threats
Your strategy and the reasons why
How you will mitigate weaknesses?
How you will address threats?
No references are needed, just research the subject matter and give me your profound and robust thoughts and
insights. Please see sample examples attached.
Paper will be grade based on the following elements:
Proper Length
Spelling/Grammar
Depth of information presented
Strength and balance of the pros & cons
Presentation of the complexities of the issue
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10%
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30%
30%
20%
Your paper should demonstrate that you made a good effort to discover as many facts about the issue,
meaningfully and critically assess the logic of the information obtained, and evaluated opposing
viewpoints.
Arguments pro and con should be equally balanced. This show vigor in your thought process.
Presenting one-side arguments or viewpoint may show lack of effort, curiosity or desire to
understanding diversity of viewpoints.
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The complexity of an issue forces the student to think vigorously about how to write a well-constructed
thoughts and arguments, and present the information in a thoughtful and coherent manner.
GRADING SUMMARY
You may calculate your grade to-date at any point in the quarter by taking the total number of points you’ve
earned up to that point and dividing it by the total number of points assigned up to that point. Locate the
percentage result on the table below (final grade conversion) to find your decimal grade. A final grade of below
60% will result in no credit/not passing for the class.
ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS LEARNING CENTER
Accounting coaches are available to assist you in the Accounting and Business Learning Center. The coaches
are students just like you - please show professional courtesy for their assistance even if, at times, they may not
help you to the extent you desire - not all coaches will have taken this course. The Accounting and Business
Learning Center (ALC) is open Monday – Friday 1pm – 5pm, except on holidays, and is located in IB3409.
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ACADEMIC COLLABORATION AND INTEGRITY
You are encouraged to collaborate with fellow students in completing homework, tax form, continuing payroll
and accounting problem assignments. All students are expected to embrace the spirit of academic integrity.
Cheating or plagiarism is in violation of NSCC’s code of conduct and contrary to the accounting profession’s
Professional Code of Conduct.
Any student caught cheating on exams or quizzes, or plagiarizing written assignments (including copying the
solutions from the solution manual), will earn a zero on that exam / assignment. You may work together and
collaborate with classmates at any time other than during quizzes and exams.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
In my commitment to student learning I want to support all students. If you have a disability that will affect
your performance in this class please let me know. Students with disabilities are encouraged to use NSCC’s
disability services for support in implementing reasonable accommodations for their disabilities.
Please get help early if you are having difficulty with materials covered in this class!
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