COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 1 of 10
Commerce 1B03
Business Environment and Organization
Fall 2015 Course Outline
Strategic Management Area
DeGroote School of Business
McMaster University
COURSE OBJECTIVE
This course will examine the relationship between business organizations, their functional areas, and the
environments - social, political, legal and regulatory, and technological - that affect them.
Prerequisite: Registration in Level 1 or above in any Humanities, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, or
Sciences program.
Antirequisite: COMMERCE 1E03. This course is not open to students registered in a Commerce, Business,
or Engineering program.
INSTRUCTOR AND CONTACT INFORMATION
Rita Cossa
cossar@mcmaster.ca
Office: DSB #223
Office Hour: Thurs. at 11:30 a.m.
and by appointment
(905) 525-9140 x26197
Section 1:
Mon. 1:30 p.m.
Wed. 1:30 p.m.
Thurs. 1:30 p.m.
Location: TSH B105
http://avenue.mcmaster.ca
Course Website:
COURSE ELEMENTS
Credit Value:
Avenue:
Participation:
Evidence-based:
3
Yes
Yes
Yes
Leadership:
Ethics:
Innovation:
Experiential:
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
IT skills:
Numeracy:
Group work:
Final Exam:
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Global view:
Written skills:
Oral skills:
Guest Speakers:
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
COURSE DESCRIPTION
All organizations must continuously scan the business environment and understand what is happening from an
economic, social, legal, competitive, technological, and global perspective. Identified trends will create
opportunities and threats that must be addressed in order for organizations to prosper. Your Instructor will
discuss each of these environments in order that you may understand their relevance to Canadian business. In
addition, you will be introduced to the importance of four functional areas of business. They are Human
Resource Management, Marketing Management, Financial Management, and Operations Management.
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COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 2 of 10
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the term, you should be able to complete the following key tasks:




Understand the principles, techniques, and terms used by business practitioners;
Apply the ethical principles and practises in marketing research;
Write a group Report that will effectively integrate your research and analysis; and
Develop your time management, organization, communication, and research skills while working in a team.
REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS AND READINGS
For best academic results, purchase the following items in the Campus Store (GH #B101). Older editions are
discouraged.
Item 1: COMMERCE 1B03 (Fall 2015) Custom Courseware ($9.00 + tax)
Item 2: buy one of the following of Understanding Canadian Business, 8th Canadian ed. by William G. Nickels
et al.: (i) access to Connect, a Web-based learning solution that includes the eBook and an assessment
program ($99 + tax) or (ii) a package that includes the textbook and access to Connect ($163.95 + tax)
EVALUATION
Your final grade calculation will be based on the components and weights noted below. Your overall group
mark may be impacted by submitted Confidential Peer Evaluations. (Details to follow in this Course Outline.)
Extra assignments at the end of the term are not an option.
Components and Weights
Midterm #1
Thursday, October 8 at 1:30 p.m. in class
25%
Midterm #2
Thursday, November 12 at 1:30 p.m. in class
25%
Final Exam
(Non-Cumulative)
Scheduled by the Office of the Registrar
20%
Connect Questions
12 Chapters throughout the Term
12%
Resume and SelfReflection
Mon., Nov. 9 by 6:00 p.m. in Dropbox
3%
Team Contract
Thurs., Sept.24 by 1:30 p.m. in class
0%¹
Company Overview
Mon., Oct. 26 by 1:30 p.m. in class
5%²
Report
Mon., Nov. 23 by 1:30 p.m. in class
10%²
Total
100%
¹A 2% late penalty will apply if this assignment is late up until the first twenty-four hours following the deadline.
²A 2% late penalty will apply if this assignment is late up until the first twenty-four hours following the deadline.
After this, the mark is zero.
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COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 3 of 10
Conversion
At the end of the course your overall percentage grade will be converted to your letter grade in accordance
with the following conversion scheme.
LETTER GRADE
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
PERCENT
90 – 100
85 - 89
80 - 84
77 - 79
73 - 76
70 - 72
LETTER GRADE
C+
C
CD+
D
D-
PERCENT
67 - 69
63 - 66
60 - 62
57 - 59
53 - 56
50 - 52
LETTER GRADE
F
PERCENT
0 - 49
Communication and Feedback
Students who are uncomfortable in directly approaching the Instructor regarding a course concern may send a
confidential e-mail to the Area Chair, Dr. Nick Bontis (nbontis@mcmaster.ca) or the Associate Dean
(adbusac@mcmaster.ca).
If you wish to correspond with your Instructor via e-mail, you must send messages that originate from your
official McMaster University e-mail account. This protects the confidentiality and sensitivity of information as
well as confirms the identity of the student.
Your Instructor will conduct an informal course review with students by Week #4 to allow time for modifications
in curriculum delivery. Your Instructor will provide evaluation feedback for at least 10% of the final grade to
students prior to Week #8 in the term.
Students who wish to have a course component re-evaluated must complete the form that can be accessed at
http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/Students-AcademicStudies/Form_A.pdf. In order for the component to be reread, the following steps will be followed:





The component must be worth 10% or more of the final grade in the course.
Students must pay a fee of $50 in Gilmour Hall, Room 209. The receipt is then brought to the Student
Experience - Academic Office (formerly the Academic Programs Office [APO]) in DSB 104.
The Area Chair will seek out an independent adjudicator to re-grade the component.
An adjustment to the grade for the component will be made if a grade change of three points or greater on
the 12 point scale (equivalent to 10 marks out of 100) has been suggested by the adjudicator that is
assigned by the Area Chair.
If a grade change is made, the student fee will be refunded.
INDIVIDUAL WORK
Review the Course Schedule and complete the assigned work before class. You are responsible for all of the
assigned work even if it is not covered in class. Bring the relevant lecture notes to class as the content will be
covered quickly to allow more time for discussion. You are encouraged to participate in class discussions and
to raise your hand if clarification or repetition is required. Common courtesy is expected throughout the term.
Arrive on time. Stay focused on the course content. Do not be distracted by your devices (e.g., computers).
Cell phones need to be put away before the start of class. Lectures are not to be recorded at any time.
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COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 4 of 10
Exams (70%)
Each in-class midterm is 45-minutes in length. The non-cumulative final exam is two hours in length. Exams
consist of equally-weighted multiple-choice questions. You are responsible for all course content which
includes lectures and videos. Sample questions will be covered throughout the course. Details will be
communicated prior to each exam.
Your student card must be brought to each exam and presented before entering the room. No student card,
no entry. Coats, vests, hats, pullovers, pencil cases, and bags must be deposited in the room before you are
seated by the invigilator. Keep your electronic devices (e.g., calculators, computers, and cell phones) at home
as they should not be at your seat. No food or drinks are permitted at your seat. When you walk down the
aisle, you should only carry a few pencils, an eraser, your student card, and your wallet. Keep in mind that
McMaster University is not responsible for any items that go missing in the exam room.
Connect Question (12%)
Prepare for each chapter by correctly answering all of the Connect questions for that chapter - starting with
Chapter 4 and ending with Chapter 10 - by 6:00 p.m. the night before each chapter is to be discussed in class.
Research supports that this preparation contributes to a stronger academic performance so it is worthwhile to
take this opportunity seriously. If you meet these conditions, you will earn 1% per chapter. Partial marks are
also possible. Review the Course Schedule for deadlines.
Resume (3%)
A resume is often required when applying for a job. You need to follow the recommended guidelines, as
highlighted by the Student Success Centre, when creating this document. To earn full marks, you need to
submit your resume to Dropbox by the deadline (worth 2%) and include a self-reflection of your resume (worth
1%). Details will follow in class. Late submissions will not be accepted.
GROUP WORK
Assignment requirements and exercises are included in the Courseware. In-class exercises will reinforce group
submission expectations. You are encouraged to bring this Courseware to your group meetings and any
relevant classes as per the Course Schedule.
You will form your own group of five or six students in class. Be prepared for your Instructor to assign any
remaining students to a group. Once your group is formed, begin to work on your Team Contract. Take this
document seriously as it will set out the group’s expectations throughout the term.
You are expected to contribute consistently and equally to group work throughout the term. With this in mind,
your Instructor requires the submission of the following Courseware-tools to support group-work participation.
Confidential Peer Evaluation
Your group work-based mark may be adjusted as a result of the completed Confidential Peer Evaluations that
are submitted by the deadline. Using this tool, you can express your impartial opinion about each group
member’s contribution (including your own) over the term. Support your fees with the Group Log. Over the
term, you should also consult periodically with your Team Contract to ensure that all group members are
fulfilling the group’s expectations. While its completion is voluntary, you are strongly encouraged to submit an
Evaluation. If you do not submit this completed form, then you have no voice when your Instructor converts
group marks into individual marks. To be clear, individual marks are based only on submitted Evaluations.
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COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 5 of 10
Group Log
Fill in each group members’ names and make copies of this page. You need to complete this page at the end
of each meeting. This tool should support the fees that you allocate to yourself and to your group members via
the Confidential Peer Evaluation. As well, it will keep you informed of the progress and contribution of each
member over the term. Students that falsify information may be charged with academic dishonesty.
Only one hand-written and complete copy of the whole term’s Group Log – with a stapled Title Page – is to be
submitted by the deadline. Remember to review the Group Log before completing the Confidential Peer
Evaluation. If you do not submit a Group Log, everyone in the group will automatically receive full marks.
Referencing
In addition to the assignment guidelines, the Citation Guide (Fall 2015) summarizes how to format
submissions. Based on the Chicago Manual of Style, 16th Edition, you are required to use this Guide alone.
The use of an alternate citation style (e.g., MLA or APA) will result in a zero grade for the assignment.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning process. Academic
credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity. Academic dishonesty is to
knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned academic credit or advantage. This
behaviour can result in serious consequences (e.g., the grade of zero on an assignment and loss of credit with
a notation on your transcript where the notation reads “Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty”), and/or
suspension or expulsion from the University.
It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various
types of academic dishonesty, please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy located at the following URL:
www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity. As a starting point, three forms of academic dishonesty include:
1.
Plagiarism (e.g., submitting work that is not you own or for which other credit has been
2.
Improper collaboration in group work; and
3.
Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.
obtained);
In this course a Web-based service called Turnitin.com will be used to reveal plagiarism. Students will be
expected to submit their work electronically to Turnitin.com and in hard copy so that it can be checked for
academic dishonesty. Students who do not wish to submit their work to Turnitin.com must still submit a copy to
the Instructor. No penalty will be assigned to a student who does not submit work to Turnitin.com. All submitted
work is subject to normal verification that standards of academic integrity have been upheld (e.g., on-line
searches). To see the Turnitin.com Policy, go to www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity.
REQUESTING RELIEF FOR MISSED ACADEMIC WORK
1.
Students may request relief from a regularly scheduled midterm, test, assignment or other course
component in the following ways:
a)
b)
c)
for absences from classes lasting up to three (3) days; or
for absences from classes lasting more than three (3) days; or
for conflicts arising from Student Experience - Academic Office approved events.
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COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 6 of 10
a)
For Absences from Classes Lasting Up to Three (3) Days
Students must use the McMaster Student Absence Form (MSAF). This is an on-line, self-reporting tool for
which submission of medical or other types of supporting documentation is normally not required. Students
may use this tool to submit a maximum of one (1) request for relief of missed academic work per term as long
as the weighting of the component is worth less than 25% of the course weight. Students must follow up with
their course Instructors regarding the nature of the relief within two days of submitting the form. Failure to do so
may negate the opportunity for relief. It is the prerogative of the Instructor of the course to determine the
appropriate relief for missed term work in his/her course. Details are described below.
If the value of the component is worth 25% or more, students must report to their Faculty Office (e.g., the
Student Experience – Academic Office for Commerce students or the Associate Dean's Office for other
faculties) to discuss their situation and will be required to provide appropriate supporting documentation.
Please visit the following page for more information about the MSAF:
http://academiccalendars.romcmaster.ca/content.php?catoid=13&navoid=2208#Requests_for_Relief_for_Miss
ed_Academic_Term_Work.
b)
For Absences from Classes Lasting More than Three (3) Days
Students cannot use the MSAF. They MUST report to their Faculty Office to discuss the situation and will be
required to provide appropriate supporting documentation.
Students who wish to submit more than one request for relief of missed academic work per term cannot use
the MSAF. They must report to their Faculty Office and discuss their situation with an academic advisor. They
will be required to provide supporting documentation and possibly meet with the Manager, Student Experience
– Academic Office for Commerce students or the Associate Dean's Office for other faculties.
c) For Conflicts Arising from Faculty Office Approved Events
Students unable to write a midterm at the posted exam time due to the following reasons: religious; workrelated (for part-time students only); representing the University at an academic or varsity athletic event;
conflicts between two overlapping scheduled midterm exams; or other extenuating circumstances, have the
option of applying for special exam arrangements. See the DeGroote Missed Course Work Policy for a list of
conflicts that qualify for academic accommodation:
http://ug.degroote.mcmaster.ca/forms-and-resources/missed-course-work-policy/. Such requests must be
made to the appropriate Faculty Office at least ten (10) working days before the scheduled exam along with
acceptable documentation. Non-Commerce students must submit their documentation to their own Faculty
Office and then alert the Student Experience – Academic Office of their interest in an alternate sitting of the
midterm.
Adjudication of all requests must be handled by the Student Experience – Academic Office. Instructors cannot
allow students to unofficially write make-up exams/tests.
The MSAF cannot be used during any final examination period.
If a midterm exam is missed without a valid reason, students will receive a grade of zero (0) for that
component.
POLICY FOR APPROVED MISSED ACADEMIC WORK
Students who cannot write a test, and have advanced knowledge and permission as described above, will be
given the opportunity to write an alternate version of the test and at an alternate time.
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COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 7 of 10
Students who did not write a test, and subsequently provide an MSAF submission, or documentation for which
they have been approved by their Faculty Office, will have the weight of the missed work reallocated across
other course components. The student must follow up with the Instructor to understand this process and
decision.
Students who submit an MSAF, or have been approved by their Faculty Office for an assignment deadline, will
be given an extension of three days for the assignment. Please note, the student will ultimately be required to
submit the assignment. As an exception, an MSAF will not be accepted for any group assignments.
STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
Student Accessibility Services (SAS) offers various support services for students with disabilities. Students are
required to inform SAS of accommodation needs for course work at the outset of the term. Students who
require academic accommodation must contact SAS to make arrangements with a Program Coordinator.
Academic accommodations must be arranged for each term of study. SAS can be contacted by phone (905525-9140 ext. 28652) or by e-mail (sas@mcmaster.ca).
For further information, consult McMaster University’s Policy for Academic Accommodation of Students with
Disabilities at this URL: http://www.mcmaster.ca/policy/Students-AcademicStudies/AcademicAccommodationStudentsWithDisabilities.pdf.
COURSE WEBSITE
Avenue to Learn (Avenue) is McMaster University's Web-based management system where you will have free
access to course information (e.g., podcasts and lectures). When applicable, bring the posted notes to the
appropriate class. You need to complete the blanks in addition to new content covered in the class.
POTENTIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE COURSE
The Instructor and McMaster University reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The
University may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type
of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with
an explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of students to check their
McMaster e-mail accounts and Avenue weekly during the term and to note any changes.
PLACES TO GET HELP
Additional resources that you can consider to achieve your academic goals are noted next.
1.
Through Connect, access LearnSmart (an adaptive learning program designed to maximize productivity
and efficiency in learning) and SmartBook (an eBook that adapts to students’ learning patterns). In
addition, you will find study tools.
2.
The Innis Library is located in KTH #104. Library staff can provide research and citation assistance.
3.
The Student Success Centre (http://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/), located in GH #110, engages
students in diverse learning opportunities to support their academic, personal, and professional growth.
This includes workshops and support programs that assist with the development of many academic
and life skills. Register for events on OSCARplus (https://oscarplusmcmaster.ca/).
4.
Consider creating a study group to enhance what you have independently learned.
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COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 8 of 10
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week # and 1st
Class Date
Class
#
Topics and Activities
1
Course Introduction
To Do: Purchase Required Course Materials, Review Chapter 1,
and Bring Slides to Class
2
Taking Risks and Making Profits Within the Dynamic Business
Environment
To Do: Review Avenue and Connect
3
Taking Risks and Making Profits Within the Dynamic Business
Environment, Cont’d
Speaker (McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd.): Connect
4
How Economic Issues Affect Business
5
How Economic Issues Affect Business, Cont'd
Group Work Discussion (bring Courseware)
Group Formation
Last Day for Adding or Dropping Courses
6
Group Work: Team Contract (bring Courseware)
DUE: Title Page (sample on Avenue)
7
Competing in Global Markets
8
Competing in Global Markets, Cont'd
DUE: Team Contract
9
Jennifer Meister (Student Success Centre): How to Prepare for
Multiple-Choice Question Exams
Class
10
Podcast: The Legal Environment
The Role of Government in Business
START: Complete Connect Chapter 4 Questions Night Before
Avenue
4
By 6:00 p.m.
11
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Discuss Midterm Procedure
5
Class
12
Ines Perkovic (Innis Library): Secondary Research
DUE: Informal Course Review
Class
Class
13
Midterm One Q&As
Class
14
Midterm One
Class
1: SEPT. 9
2: SEPT. 14
Chapter/Source/
Document
1
1
Class
2
2
Class
Class
Mosaic
Class
Class by 1:30 p.m.
3
3: SEPT. 21
4: SEPT. 28
5: OCT. 5
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3
Class by 1:30 p.m.
COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 9 of 10
Week # and 1st
Class Date
Class
#
7: OCT. 26
8: NOV. 2
15
Podcast: Citation Guide Overview
Corrections Exercise (bring answers and Courseware)
16
Analysis Exercises (bring answers and Courseware)
Class
17
Group Work: Company Overview (bring Courseware)
Class
18
Forms of Business Ownership
DUE: Company Overview
19
Entrepreneurship and Starting a Small Business
7
20
Management and Leadership
8
21
Kathryn Hryb (Student Success Centre): Resume Workshop
Bring Resume to Class
22
Human Resource Management
12
23
Understanding Employee-Management Issues and Relations
13
DUE: Resume and Self-Reflection to Dropbox
NOV. 9
9: NOV. 9
10: NOV. 16
11: NOV. 23
Chapter/Source/
Document
Mid Term Recess: No Classes
OCT. 12-16
6: OCT. 19
Topics and Activities
Avenue
Class
6
Class by 1:30 p.m.
Class
Resume
By 6:00 p.m.
Avenue
14
24
Podcast: The Social Environment
Marketing: Building Relationships
25
Managing the Marketing Mix
26
Midterm Two
27
Managing the Marketing Mix, Cont'd
28
Group Work: Report (bring Courseware)
Class
29
Group Work: Report (bring Courseware)
Class
30
Andrew Mushing (PepsiCo Canada): Marketing
DUE: Report
DUE: Turnitin.com Submission (instructions on Avenue)
Class
Class by 1:30 p.m.
By 6:00 p.m.
31
Financial Management
DUE: Group Log (stapled with Title Page and one per group)
DUE: Confidential Peer Evaluation (fees based on Group Log)
17
Class by 1:30 p.m.
Class by 1:30 p.m.
32
The Financial Services Industry in Canada
15
Class
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15
18
COMM 1B03 - F2015 - 10 of 10
Week # and 1st
Class Date
Class
#
12: NOV. 30
13: DEC. 7
Topics and Activities
Chapter/Source/
Document
33
The Financial Services Industry in Canada, Cont'd
34
Course Evaluation
Podcast: The Technological Environment
Podcast: Appendix A
Producing World-Class Goods and Services
35
Don Fraser (TD Financial Group): Financial Services
Class
36
Producing World-Class Goods and Services, Cont'd
Course Wrap Up
10
Class
NOTES TO SELF:
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18
Class and Online
Avenue
Appendix A
10