Heartland Community College
Social and Business Sciences Division
Course Syllabus for Students
BUSN 110: Introduction to Business, Section 01, Fall 2009
Credit Hours: 3, Lecture Hours: 3, Laboratory Hours: 0
This course meets:
Tuesdays and Thursdays
8:00am – 9:15am
WDC (Workforce Development Center building), Room 2003
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Introduction:
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the various functions of business administration
through developing an increased proficiency in the College General Education Learning Outcomes
of Communication, Diversity, Problem Solving and Critical Thinking; and the Business Program
Threads of Professionalism, Ethics, Technology, and Social Responsibility.
Catalog Description:
This course presents the influence of economic, social, and political pressures on the business
systems and operating procedures including markets, production, organization, management, and
government regulation of business. Prerequisite(s): None.
Instructor Information:
Name: LaShanya Aikerson
Phone: (309) 268-8590
Email: LaShanya.Aikerson@Heartland.edu
Office Hours: By appointment only
Textbook (Required):
William G Nickels, James M McHugh, Susan McHugh. (2008) Understanding Business
8th Edition. Burr Ridge, IL: McGraw Hill Companies.
Supplies Needed:
USB jump drive, three-ring binder to organize your course work, and a pencil with an eraser. Note, all
exams require the use of a No. 2 pencil.
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions:
Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, are listed under Cancelled Class Meeting in the A-Z
Index under Academic & Enrollment Information in the Current Students page on the HCC Web site.
Go to http://www.heartland,edu/classCancellations/ to learn of classes cancelled for that day and the
upcoming week. Be sure to check the last column for instructor messages.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transferability:
This course will focus not only on business activities and the impact of these activities on our lives, but
also on improving skills, behaviors, and attitudes to enhance your chances for success in both college
and the business world of the future. Assessments and evaluations may include written assignments,
presentations, group discussions, projects, quizzes, and exams.
This course is the equivalent to Illinois State University’s BUS 100 and will transfer as such. For
transferability to other institutions please contact your Academic Advisor. You may also refer to the
IAI web page at www.itransfer.org for more information.
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Course Learning Outcomes:
As a result of taking this course, students will develop increased proficiency in the following College
General Education Learning Outcomes: Communication, Diversity, Problem Solving, and Critical
Thinking. * In addition, students will develop increased proficiency in the following Business Program
Threads: Professionalism, Ethics, Technology, and Social Responsibility.
BUSINESS 110 – Introduction to Business Learning Outcomes:
1. Discuss stakeholder consequences relating to ethical issues in business. (Communication,
professionalism, Ethics, Technology, Social Responsibility)
2. Explain the evolution of management theory including current management roles and functions.
(Communication, Professionalism, Ethics, Technology, Social Responsibility)
3. Discuss the specificities of business marketing. (Communication, Professionalism, Ethics,
Technology, Social Responsibility)
4. Discuss the importance of diversity and multicultural issues in the work environment.
(Communication, Diversity, Critical Thinking, Professionalism, Ethics, Technology, Social
Responsibility)
5. Explain the purpose of basic accounting statements and the relationship of debt and equity
financing to financial decision making. (Problem Solving, Ethics, Technology)
6. Compare Psychological theories of motivation and apply them to effective supervision and
leadership. (Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Professionalism, Ethics, Technology, Social
Responsibility)
7. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of business ownership; select the
most appropriate form for a variety of different situations. (Problem Solving, Critical Thinking,
Professionalism, Ethics)
8. Reflect upon your personal financial condition and identify ways you could improve your position.
(Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Professionalism, Ethics, Technology, Social Responsibility)
9. Predict future trends in the national and global business environment and determine likely threats
and opportunities. (Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Professionalism, Ethics, Technology,
Social Responsibility)
* Additional information regarding the College learning outcomes can be found on the HCC
website: http://www.heartland.edu/committees/assessment/genedoutcomes.html
Course Outline:
1. Business Trends: Cultivating a Business in Diverse, Global Environments
2. Business Ownership: Starting a Small Business
3. Business Management: Empowering Employees to Satisfy Customers
4. Management of Human Resources: Motivating Employees to Produce Quality Goods and
Services
5. Marketing: Developing and Implementing customer-Oriented marketing Plans
6. Managing Financial Resources
Rationale for Course Content:
All topics discussed and assigned are designed to enhance the student’s knowledge of the
components of the business organization in addition to the internal and external forces impacting
organizations. The content in this course will provide both the student transferring to an upper
division school of business, and the student directly entering the work force, with the tools necessary
to understand the basic components of the business world.
Methods of Instruction:
BUSN 110 will include a combination of lectures, written assignments, presentations, group
discussions, projects, quizzes, and exams.
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Methods of Evaluation:
Grading System: The total points earned will determine the final course grade.
Student Presentation
50 points
Mid-Term Exam
100 points
Weekly Quizzes
150 points
Written Assignment
150 points
Final Exam
150 points
Total Points
600 points
Grade assignments:
A = 90% to 100%
B = 80% to 89%
C = 70% to 79%
D = 60% to 69%
F = 0% to 59%
540 to 600 points
480 to 539 points
420 to 479 points
360 to 419 points
359 points or fewer
Students maintain responsibility for keeping track of points earned via your Personal Gradebook. To
calculate your grade at any point in the course simply divide the number of points you earned by the
total number of points possible in the course. Mid-term and final grades will post on
myHeartland.edu/Iris.
Course Success:
To realize success in this course, the instructor advises students to:
● Read the textbook chapter before each class (see calendar for the chapter covered each week).
● Attend each class, on time. Bring your text book, binder/paper, and a pencil with an eraser.
● Ask questions to clarify any material you do not understand.
● Participate in all class discussions, class activities and class assignments.
● Complete all exams and assignments. Turn in all work in on-time (late assignments will not be
accepted – make up exams will not be allowed).
● Track your own points accumulated (your grade) throughout the course.
● Do NOT take this course for granted. You are required to do the work.
● Dedicate and schedule 6-9 hours per week or more of outside study time for this course.
Participation (Attendance):
All students are expected to attend each class and follow the class schedule. Use of personal
electronic devices during this class is prohibited (i.e. cell phone, blackberry, PDA, etc.) Engaging in
side conversations not part of the class activities is also prohibited.
Incompletes:
An incomplete grade may be given to a student who, by the withdrawal date can reasonably be
expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted only when justified by extreme
circumstances. Incomplete grades are not given for such reasons as justified failure to appear for the
final examination. A written agreement, outlining the requirements to be met, must be signed by the
instructor and the student. The agreed upon requirements must be completed no later than the end of
the following semester. By the agreed upon date, the instructor will assign a grade or the incomplete
will be changed to an “F” if the requirements are not completed.
Make-up of assignments and exams:
All written assignments must be turned in by the dates scheduled. Late assignments will NOT be
accepted and the student will receive a grade of zero points. Make-up exams are not allowed and the
student will receive a grade of zero points. Students are responsible for all of the material covered in
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class. Should you have a legitimate scheduling conflict the instructor will make every effort to
accommodate your needs provided you communicate this ahead of time.
Deadlines:
All assignments will be given a due date as outlined in the syllabus calendar. There are no
exceptions for late assignments. This includes quizzes, exams, presentations and written
assignments.
Required Writing and Reading:
Student should read the required chapters from the textbook, articles, and reference materials as
indicated in the course calendar. All written assignments are designed to enhance the student’s
writing skills and critical thinking skills by analyzing concepts discussed in the course. All written
assignments must be typed, with the use of a personal computer or word processing program.
Student Conduct:
Students should conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.
Instructor’s Role:
The instructor accepts the responsibility to facilitate the learning process, by assuming a leadership
role in the classroom, and providing each student with the encouragement, opportunity, and support
necessary to succeed.
Communicating with the Instructor:
The most effective method to communicate with the instructor outside of the classroom is by e-mail.
Please allow 24-48 hour response time.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College and is
essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because grading may be
competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of their fellow students.
The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonest as serious offense requiring disciplinary
measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an
act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning cheating
or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and misrepresentation of data, falsification of
academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or
administrative records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper, create
a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work, except for that
which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is considered a serious
academic offense and may take the following forms:
1. Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
2. Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
3. Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
4. Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting the source.
5. Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it were your own.
6. Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, using another project as if it were your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism. The penalties for plagiarism may
be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work, failure in the course or expulsion from
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school in extreme cases. [Adapted from the Modern Language Association’s MLA Handbook for
Writers of Research Papers. New York: MLA, 1995:25]
Support Services:
Heartland Library Information
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides
Heartland students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases, videos,
newspapers, periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist in locating
information. For more information please call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292.
Tutoring Center
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to Heartland students at the
Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at the Pontiac and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are
available at convenient times throughout the week. Study groups, group tutoring facilitated by a
specially-trained tutor, are also available by request. For more information about services available at
each location, please call the ASC in Normal (309) 268-8231; the Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777; the
Lincoln Center (217) 735-1731.
Testing Center
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment for students to complete make-up exams, online
exams, and exams for students with special accommodations. Students may be able to complete
exams in the Testing Center if arrangements are made with the instructor. For more information,
contact the Testing Center at (309) 268-8231.
Online Course Evaluations:
During the last 3 weeks of class, you are encouraged to complete an online course at
www.studentevals.com/heartland. More information about evaluations will be provided.
Syllabi and Course Calendar Disclaimer/Changes:
If changes to this syllabus or course calendar become necessary, you will be informed, in class, as
soon as possible. The instructor reserves the discretion to make changes to further enhance effective
instruction. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of any changes announced.
Preferred sources:
Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Fortune, Forbes, Financial Times, Black Enterprise, Hispanic
Business, CIO Magazine, Money Magazine, Inc Magazine, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Journal of
Management, Journal of Business and Psychology, Journal of Applied Psychology, International
Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior, Journal of Personnel Psychology, Organizational
Behavior and Personnel Psychology, Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, Journal of
International Business, and Journal of Marketing.
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COURSE CALENDAR
Week #1
Tuesday
Thursday
Review Course Syllabus and Chapter 1 Presentation
Group Exercise and Quiz, Chapter 1
Week #2
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 2 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 2
Week #3
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 3 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 3
Week #4
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 4 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 4
Week #5
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 5 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 5
Week #6
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 6 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 6
Week #7
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 7 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 7
Week #8
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 10 Presentation and Quiz, Chapter 10
Student Presentation(s) and Comprehensive Mid-Term Exam
Week #9
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 12 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 12
Week #10
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 13 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 13
Week #11
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 14 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 14
Week #12
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 16 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 16
Week #13
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 17 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 17
Week #14
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 18 Presentation and Written Assignment Due
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 18
Week #15
Tuesday
Thursday
Chapter 20 Presentation
Student Presentation(s) and Quiz, Chapter 20
Week #16
Tuesday
Thursday
Bonus Chapter D Presentation and Final Exam Preparation
Continued Final Exam Preparation
Week #17
Comprehensive Final Exam
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