BUS 120: Introduction to Business
Fall Semester 2015 Class # 1212
Syllabus for Ali Mohareri
Course Mission and Values
Mission: Prepare students for success in the business world through Bus. 120 course lectures, activities, guest
speakers, projects, discussions and exams.
Values: Be on time, respect your peers/team/professor, integrity, participate, effort, take risks and have fun
Course Description
This course introduces the trends and opportunities in today's dynamic business environment as they relate to economics,
global markets, ethics and social responsibility, leadership, business ownership forms, entrepreneurship, management
responsibility, human resources management, marketing, operations, accounting, and financial management. Students gain
important business context and discover many business career and educational opportunities.
In addition, the course links text concepts directly to current business stories and cases, thus providing students with a
practical application of their knowledge. And, guest speakers and field trips to businesses are incorporated to further enhance
the learning experience for students.
Course Details
Semester: Fall 2015 (Aug. 25 – Dec. 15)
Class #: 1212
Units: 3
Prerequisites: None
Meetings Days/Time: Tues./Thurs., 9:30 A.M. – 10:50 A.M. (32 class days or 17 Weeks) Class Location: San Elijo – Room 609
Department Website: http://www.miracosta.edu/business
Class Blackboard Website: https://blackboard.miracosta.edu
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) & Course Objectives
Course Objective: To provide students with a broad understanding of the global business environment with emphasis on
these areas: economics, types of business ownership, ethical/social responsibilities of companies, leadership, marketing,
operations, finance, accounting, business communications, information technology and human resources.
Student Learning Outcomes (“SLOs”): By the end of the semester students who successfully complete this course
should be able to:
1. Research, identify and analyze potential career opportunities to determine future educational and employment
goals.
2. Explain and differentiate the various business disciplines/functions using appropriate terminology and context.
3. Evaluate management performance based on standards discussed in class.
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Instructor Information
Instructor: Ali Mohareri
Phone: 760-757-2121, x1338
Instructor Bio: www.miracosta.edu/home/amohareri/
email: amohareri@miracosta.edu
Twitter: @alimohareri
Office Hours: Tues./Thurs. 12:30 – 1:00 PM by Appointment @ San Elijo Campus Cafeteria , otherwise by appointment
via email or coordinate with me before/after class – If emailing, PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME AND BUSINESS
120 IN SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR EMAIL.
Course Materials
Required Text:
BUSN 8, 8th Edition
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includes CourseMate Printed Access Card
Marcella Kelly Santa Monica College
Chuck Williams Butler University
ISBN-10: 1285775295 | ISBN-13: 9781285775296
368 Pages
Previous Editions: 2015, 2014, 2013
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© 2016 | Published
Course Key: CM-9781285775326-0000082
Availability: MiraCosta College bookstore and other retailers
Cengage: 800-354-9706
www.Cengage.com
You must obtain the book by the second week of class in either NEW or USED form. Chapters 1 & 2 have been scanned and
will be available under course content on Blackboard as well as on my website.
Other requirements:
* 2 scantron forms and a #2 pencil for mid-term and final
* Internet accessibility
* Valid email address
* MICROSOFT WORD and POWERPOINT or equivalent software (available at most libraries)
Other Suggested Resources: San Diego Tribune, WallStreet Journal ($1 per week) or Business Week, YHOO Finance and CNBC
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Course Content
Readings: Students are expected to read the chapter assigned on the weekly schedule prior to the start of each class.
Participation and Attendance: Participation and attendance are essential to your success in this course. Before each
class lecture, there will be current event videos, news articles or case studies that relate to the subjects and contents
discussed in the chapter that was lectured. From the videos, news articles or case studies, we will form groups to discuss
and analyze the real world applications of the subjects and concepts studied in the chapter and lecture.
Team Research Project: There will be a two part group research project that will focus on a Fortune 500 corporation.
The objective of this project is to apply the concepts being studied in the course to a report that will be presented to the
class by each group. Further instructions and directions will be provided during the first two weeks of class.
Quizzes: A 10-15 Multiple Choice/True/False/Short answer quiz covering the material in each chapter will be given
during the start of that chapter’s lecture. This quiz will be given at the beginning of the class and therefore it is important
that you are on time in order to take the quiz. If you are late for the start of the quiz, you will not be able to take the quiz.
NO MAKE UP QUIZ WILL BE GRANTED TO STUDENTS WHO MISS THE QUIZ.
Exams (2): There will be a mid-term (chapters 1-10) and final exam (chapters 11-17) covering all chapters of the book
and the individual class group discussions relating to current event topics. The exams will be worth 100 points each and
will include true/false, multiple-choice and essay questions. Before each exam, we will have an exam review. NO MAKE
UP EXAM WILL BE GRANTED TO STUDENTS WHO MISS THE TEST. Under special circumstances and preapproved
by the instructor, there may be arrangements made for a student to take the exam on another time/day.
Course Grading
Point Grading is based on the following:
Letter Grading is based on the following:
Participation:
50 Pts.
A
(540 – 600 Pts.)
90%+
Mid-Term Exam:
100 Pts.
B
(480 – 539 Pts.)
80-89%
Final Exam:
100 Pts.
C
(420 – 479 Pts.)
70-79%
Team Project Part # 1:
50 Pts.
D
(360 – 419 Pts.)
60-69%
Final Team Project:
50 Pts.
F
Final Team Presentation:
50 Pts.
Quizzes
Peer Evaluations
Elevator Pitch
Total Points:
<359
<60%
175 Pts.
20 Pts.
5 Pts.
--------------600 Pts.
Extra Credit : Possible of 13 Pts. for all students – More details to be given during the start of the term.
10 and 5 Pts. only for top 2 teams based on student evaluations - More details to be given during
the start of the term.
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Students taking the course for Pass/No Pass must receive > 419 points.
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Course Rules & Expectations
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Please be on time and in your seat at the start of class @ 9:30 AM.
Avoid using any digital devices during class time.
Be respectful of your peers, team and professor.
Have assigned reading material read prior to class.
Be engaged during class and contribute to class and group discussions.
Bring course book and writing material to take notes.
If you miss more than 4 classes during the semester, you will be dropped from the class. As well, if you miss any
class during the first 2 weeks of class, you will also be dropped from the class per school policy.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
All assignments, quizzes and exams are to be the work of the individual student,
unless specifically assigned as a group activity. Cheating or plagiarism (copying another person’s work) of any
kind will not be tolerated, including both those who receive and those who give answers. Any items turned in
for a grade that are deemed not the original work of that student will be considered unacceptable and result in
zero points for the assignment for all who participated in the cheating and may result in referral for additional
discipline in accordance with the MiraCosta College Student Code of Conduct and Discipline Procedures.
College Policies & Services
Please see the MiraCosta College Fall 2015 catalog to confirm the following dates:
August 24 – First Day of Fall classes
September 4 – Last Day to ADD classes with instructor permission
September 4 – Last Day to DROP classes without a grade or “W” and get a refund
September 25 – Last day for petition for “pass/no pass” grading option
November 20 – Last Day to Drop classes with option of “W” grade* (Drops after this date receive a letter
grade, generally an “F.” If you discover this course is not for you, or your class performance is not satisfactory,
make sure to drop by this date. The student is responsible for dropping the class.)
November 26-27 – Thanksgiving Break Holiday – No Class
December 15 – Final Exam 9:00 – 10:50AM room SE 609
*Students, not the instructor, are solely responsible for completing all necessary paperwork if they
decide to add or withdraw from the class.
INCOMPLETE GRADE:
Students seeking an “Incomplete” grade must consult with me in person no later than the week prior to finals.
Incompletes will only be considered for emergency or other unforeseeable justifiable reasons at the end of the
term, and only upon agreement of clear conditions for completing coursework. Incompletes are rarely granted
and only if the emergency or other unforeseeable justifiable reason occurs after the date for dropping the class.
Work, vacation, family concerns, class schedules, time management problems, and other normal issues that
all students deal with do not qualify.
PASS/NO PASS GRADING OPTION (for graded classes):
You have the option to choose Pass/No Pass grading for this class. If you choose this option, you must submit
a Petition for Pass/No Pass to Admissions & Records before 30% of the class has elapsed. This option for
grading is nonreversible once selected. The petition form is available online, or from Admissions & Records.
Students planning to transfer should consult with a counselor before opting for Pass/No Pass to ensure this
option is accepted by their intended transfer institutions. Check the MiraCosta College catalog or schedule for
more detailed information.
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DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS:
Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need
accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Disabled Students Programs & Services Office
(http://www.miracosta.edu/StudentServices/DSPS/index.htm) as soon as possible to ensure that such
accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. Their phone number is (760) 795-6658 and they are
located on the Oceanside campus in Building 3000-Student Services, Room 3009, adjacent to Parking lot 3C.
You may also contact the Office of the ADA Coordinator (760) 795-6866.
LIBRARY RESOURCES:
The MiraCosta College faculty librarians assist students with their research questions, whether academic or
personal. Students may obtain assistance from librarians either one-on-one at the reference desk, through
class orientations, group workshops, individual appointments, or online. I strongly encourage you to take
advantage of library resources. www.miracosta.edu/library
COLLEGE SUPPORT SERVICES:
Free tutoring in many subjects is available by appointment, either at San Elijo (Bldg. 100, ext. 7748), or at Oceanside
(Bldg. 1200, ext. 6682). The Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC)
http://www.miracosta.edu/StudentServices/Tutoring/forstudents.html and the Writing Center (WC)
http://www.miracosta.edu/StudentServices/WritingCenter/index.html assist students by providing FREE individual and
group services. For more information, call (760) 795-6682 for TASC and 795-6339 for WC.
Free on-line tutoring is also available to MiraCosta students by visiting: http://www.miracosta.edu/etutoring
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Daily Schedule for Fall Term 2015 – Bus 120
Class Schedule (Subject to Change) – Fall 2015
Week Class Date
1
8/25
1
8/27
2
9/1
2
9/3
3
9/8
3
9/10
4
9/15
4
9/17
5
9/22
5
9/24
6
9/29
6
10/1
7
10/6
7
10/8
8
10/13
8
10/15
9
10/20
9
10/22
10
10/27
10
10/29
11
11/3
11
11/5
12
11/10
12
11/12
13
11/17
13
11/19
14
11/24
14
11/26
15
12/1
15
12/3
16
12/8
16
12/10
17
12/15
Scantron
Chapter
Topic/Activity/Due Dates
N/A
Opening Day – Class Rules/Expectations
N/A
Finish Opening Day Activities
1
Business Now- Quiz
2
Economics – Quiz
10
Financial Markets - Quiz
N/A
Group Project Instructions/Activity
3
The World Marketplace - Quiz
8
Accounting - Quiz
9
Finance - Quiz –
5
Business Communication - Quiz
7
Small Business & Entrepreneurship - Quiz
N/A
Guest Speaker – Rogue Brewery
6
Business Formation - Quiz
4
Bus Ethics & Social Responsibility- Quiz
Ch. 1 - 10
Mid-Term Exam Review - Group Project Pt.1
Ch. 1 - 10
Midterm Exam – Bring #2 Pencil and Scantron
11
Marketing – Quiz – Review Mid-Term
N/A
Guest Speaker – Chick Fil-A
12
Product and Promotion - Quiz
13
Distribution and Pricing - Quiz
14
Mgmt., Motivation, and Leadership - Quiz
15
Human Resource Management – Quiz
N/A
Team Project Meetings
16
Managing Information and Technology- Quiz
17
Operations Management- Quiz
N/A
Guest Speaker – HR Manager
N/A
Team Presentations
N/A
Thanksgiving Holiday – No Class
N/A
Team Presentations
N/A
Team Presentations
N/A
Team Presentations
Ch. 11- 17
Final Exam Review
Ch. 11- 17 Final Exam – 9:00 – 10:50AM Bring #2 Pencil and
Class Schedule (Subject to Change)
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This syllabus is subject to change at any time at the complete discretion of the
instructor; notice will be given to the students by email or with an announcement on the class Blackboard
site. It is the student’s responsibility to maintain a current email address in the Blackboard system and to
check their email and the Blackboard site regularly, at least several times each week.
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