BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS Bus 92 Course Schedule

SOLANO COMMUNITY COLLEGE Introduction to Business, Bus 005 Fall 2015 Course Syllabus CRN 80056 Credit Units: 3 Mon. Wed. & Fri. – 11:00 am Room 1625 August 17 thru December 20

Instructor: LaVonne Slaton, M.B.A. Office Location: Building 500, Room 513 Office Hours: Monday 1:00 – 5:00pm; Tuesday 12:30 – 1:30pm or by appointment call (707)365-2314 E-mail: [email protected] Office Phone: (707) 864-7000 ext 5821 Cell Phone: (707) 365-2314 Website: http://connect.mheducation.com/class/l-slaton-bus-005-fall-2015-crn-80056

Textbook INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS (cover) – Understanding Business , (inside title) 11th edition, Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh.

Purpose of the Course The purpose of this class is to introduce you to the many facets of the free enterprise system and of the business that operate within it. Since it is the first course in business, Introduction to Business is not going to teach you "everything you wanted to know about business, but were afraid to ask." It is anticipated, though, that through your experiences in this course, you will gain a better understanding of what private enterprise is all about and what is included in each of the several academic areas of study in business at institutions of higher learning such as the one you are attending. It is hoped that this improved understanding will increase your appreciation of the free enterprise system and will assist you in planning both your academic program and future career.

Goals of the Course  Acquaint you with the free enterprise system - the foundation upon which American business is built;  Acquaint you with the American economic system and contrast it to other possibilities:  Acquaint you with the aspects involved with starting a business;  Acquaint you with the various functional areas of business - accounting, finance, management, and marketing, - and how these areas are interrelated by means of information systems;  Acquaint you with the nation's security markets - a dynamic part of your everyday life;  Stimulate you to think about how you are affected by the business system and how you might fit into that system;  Acquaint you with the language of business.

Student Learning Outcomes Recognize the importance marketing, legal, economics, accounting, business forms, financing, risk, and personnel management in business and formulate hypotheses based on these concepts. Resource and Materials Periodicals such as Business Week, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Forbes, Newsweek, Time, U.S. News and World Report, and your daily newspaper; The Library; and the Internet. Ten (10) scantrons Form No. 882-E are needed for exams and class quizzes. A #2 pencil is required to be used on the scantrons.

Method of Instruction A combination of any or all of the following instructional methods will be used: lecture, PowerPoints, discussion student case analysis, controversial topic debates, connect, learn smart, films, and guest speakers.

Power Point Slides The PowerPoint Slides used in lectures are available for use by going to bcs.solano.edu. In the “Main Campus” box, click on “Drive H: Workarea.” Scroll down and click on ”lslaton2”. You then will see a list of courses; Click on “Bus 5.” There, find the appropriate chapter and click on it. You may view them there, or you may print them out and bring them to class to assist in note-taking.

If you wish to print them, at the top Tool Bar, go to “File”, “Print.” You should get a Print box. On the left side of the box, near the bottom, find “Print What.” In the drop-down menu, select “Handouts”, and then click “OK.”

Class Attendance and Participation This is a college-level UC and CSU transferable course. Students must attend class in order to participate in student-involvement activities. Each student is expected to be on time for class and be prepared for each day’s lesson. That is, be prepared to ask questions, answer questions, and otherwise participate in discussion of the topic(s) for that day. Consistent and timely attendance is expected. Past experience indicates a direct relationship between regular attendance and passing grades. Also, with that in mind, each student is expected to read and understand the attached page titled Student Responsibilities, Attendance and Participation as extracted from the Solano Community College Catalog.

Grades and Grading Criteria There will be ten-points or a one-grade penalty assessed on the examination not taken when scheduled. There will be only one (1) makeup exam allowed, and this will not be the Final.

Late assignments will not be accepted. They are due at the beginning of class on the scheduled due date. There will be plenty of notice and sufficient time to complete assignments on time. Assignments may be e-mailed.

Every week students are responsible for completing the following assignments: 1) Read assigned textbook chapters 2) Writing Assignments 3) Connect Learn Smart Assignments (three lowest grades dropped) 4) Quizzes (lowest quiz dropped) 5) Exams Grades will be based on your performance on the following:

Examination #1 (ch. 1 – 4) ------150 points

Examination #2 (ch. 5 – 6 & A) ------100 points

Examination #6 Final Exam (ch. 17 – 20) ------150 points

(Final exam to be held on 12/16/15 – 10:30 am – 12:30 pm)

Learn Smart Assignments (25 points each) ------450 points

Chapter Quizzes (15 points each) ------300 points

Current Business News (20 points each) ------100 points

Business Report (100 points) ------100 points

Total Points Available 1,700 Points

Participation------+ / - (Instructor appraisal)

The following grading criteria will be used for this course:

Grade Percent Points A (90% – 100%) = 1,530 – 1,700

B (80% – 89%) = 1,360 – 1,529

C (70% – 79%) = 1,190 – 1,359

D (60% – 69%) = 1,020 – 1,189

F (59.9% and below) = 1,019 and below Extra Credit

Extra Credit may be offered during the semester. There are plenty of opportunities during the semester for students to achieve the grade desired providing that they to put in the effort. Each student can earn up to 25 extra credit points maximum. Students can do this by showing me that you have learned the course material by answering bonus questions, completing short assignments in addition to the class requirements. Please contact me for approval of assignments that may qualify for extra credit.

Student Responsibilities

Attendance and Participation

Students must attend the first meeting of their classes to assure verification of their enrollments. Students failing to appear may be dropped from class rolls.

Regular attendance and participation is required of all students enrolled in courses and laboratories at Solano College. This includes regular attendance, completion of examinations, assignments, participation in class activities and discussions. Instructors shall provide students with written statements describing course requirements, grading standards and course prerequisites.

Regular attendance is an obligation assumed by every student at the time of registration. Absences per semester should not exceed the number of hours or the number of days that a class meets per week. Absences in excess of the maximum may result in students being dropped from classes or having their grades lowered. Students who fail to attend their classes may be dropped by their instructors no later than the end of 62.5% of a full-term class, short-term class, or summer session. Students have the responsibility for verifying their enrollment status. Students who withdraw from classes are responsible for initiating the drop process by the appropriate deadlines.

It is the responsibility of students to know the status of their attendance records and to complete all academic work missed due to absences. Compliance with the above regulations may be waived in the presence of verifiable extenuating circumstances including accidents, illnesses, shift changes and temporary changes in military assignments. Students who are dropped from classes because of unsatisfactory attendance and/or participation may petition their instructors for class reinstatement. Instructors may reinstate a student by signing an add card and writing "Reinstate" on the card. The add card must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records.

Withdrawal from Class

Students are responsible for officially withdrawing from classes. To officially withdraw from a class, students must:

1. Drop the course(s) using online services at www.solano.edu 2. Turn in a completed drop card at the Office of Admissions and Records (Building 100). Refunds are not automatic. If you are entitled to a refund, you must submit a completed “Refund Request” form (available from the Office of Admissions and Records, Building 100). Refer to the current Schedule of Classes for applicable time frames and policies regarding refunds.

A student may withdraw from a class during the first four weeks of instruction. Courses dropped by the end of the first four weeks of instruction will not appear on the student's record.

Courses dropped after 30% of instruction through the end of 62.5% (full term classes only) of instruction will be recorded as a "W" on the student's record. A student must petition the Academic Council for a "W" after the last day to drop if extenuating circumstances apply. Documentation is required.

Short-term or summer session courses, which are less than a full semester in length, dropped during the first 30% of the class will not appear on the student's record. Courses dropped 31% to 62.5% of the term/session will be recorded as a "W" on the student's record. Courses dropped after 62.5% of the term/session may be recorded as a "W" if extenuating circumstances apply. Failure to appropriately drop a class may result in a grade of "F" for the course.

The student must petition the Academic Council and provide documentation to verify cases of accidents, illnesses, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student.

Withdrawal from College

Students who find it necessary to drop all courses during the semester are required to fill out a Withdrawal Card at the Office of Admissions and Records. Seeing a counselor is advised before deciding to withdraw. It is important to clear any debts owed to the College before leaving the College. Failure to withdraw properly could result in a failing grade.

Academic Honesty Policy

The College community functions best when its members treat one another with honesty, fairness, respect and trust. Therefore, an individual should realize that deception for the purpose of individual gain is an offense against the members of the College community. Violation of the Academic Honesty Policy includes but is not limited to:

1. Plagiarism – from the Latin word for “kidnap” – involves using another’s work without giving proper credit, whether done accidentally or on purpose. This includes not only words and ideas, but also graphs, artwork, music, maps, statistics, diagrams, scientific data, software, films, videos and the like. Plagiarism is plagiarism whether the material is from published or unpublished sources. It does not matter whether ideas are stolen, bought, downloaded from the Internet, or written for the student by someone else – it is still plagiarism. Even if only bits and pieces of other sources are used, or outside sources reworded, they must still be cited. To avoid problems, students should cite any source(s) and check with the instructor before submitting an assignment or project. Students are always responsible for any plagiarism in their work.

An instructor who determines that a student has cheated or plagiarized has the right to give a failing (i.e. “F”) grade, or numerical equivalent, for the assignment or examination. 2. Violation of class assignments, examination rules, e.g., communicating or transferring information to another student, using any materials such as books, notes, etc., other than those expressly allowed for the exam, looking at another student’s exam, etc. 3. Unauthorized preparation, giving, selling, transfer, distribution, or publication, for any commercial purpose, of any contemporaneous recording of an academic presentation in a classroom or equivalent site of instruction, including, but not limited to, handwritten or computer generated class notes, except as permitted by any college policy or administrative procedure.

Accommodations

If a student has a condition such as a physical or learning disability, which will make it difficult to carry out the work or will require accommodations, please notify me as soon as possible. The student will also need to contact the Disability Services Program (DSP) office located in building 400 or phone (707)864-7136. All information and documentation is confidential. Please feel encouraged to make an appointment with me to discuss specific learning needs in this class.

Welcome to BUS 005 This syllabus and the information attached provides essential information about this course. Please plan to refer to it often as questions arise. The tentative schedule attached is an approximate schedule and may be altered as needed for particular topics or unforeseen circumstances. Good luck and enjoy the class!

Professor Slaton SCC Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) Upon completion of Solano Community College’s General Education program, a student will demonstrate competency in the following areas:

I. Communication • Recognize the ethical and legal issues surrounding Students will communicate effectively, which means the ability information and information technologies • Demonstrate to: understanding of academic integrity and honesty A. Read – Students will be able to comprehend and D. Problem Solving –demonstrated by the ability to: interpret: various types of written information in (1) • Recognize whether a problem exists expository prose and imaginative literature (including essays, • Identify components of the problem or issue short fiction and novels), (2) documentation such as manuals, • Create a plan of action to respond to and/or resolve the reports, and graphs. issue appropriately • Monitor, evaluate, and revise as necessary B. Write – Students demonstrate the ability to: • Communicate thoughts, ideas, information, and III. Global Awareness messages in writing Students will demonstrate a measurable understanding and • Compose and create documents such as manuals and appreciation of the world including its: graphs as well as formal academic essays, observing A. Scientific Complexities – Students demonstrate rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling, and using an understanding of: the language, style, and format appropriate to academic • The scientific method and its application in experiments and professional settings • How experiments work • Check, edit, and revise written work for correct • The major differences between social, natural and information, appropriate emphasis, form, style, and physical sciences grammar B. Social Diversity and Civics – Students – Students will be able to receive, attend to, C. Listen demonstrate ability to: interpret, and respond appropriately to (1) verbal, and/or (2) • Communicate with people from a variety of nonverbal messages backgrounds D. Speak and Converse – Students have the ability • Understand different cultural beliefs and behaviors to: • Recognize important social and political issues in their • Organize ideas and communicate verbal or non-verbal own community messages appropriate to the audience and the situation C. Artistic Variety – Students have been exposed to: • Participate in conversations, discussions, and group • The visual and performing arts of one or more cultures activities • Analytical techniques for understanding the meaning in • Speak clearly and ask appropriate questions the arts, and/or II. Critical Thinking and Information Competency • Hands-on experience with creative endeavors Thinking critically is characterized by the ability to perform: IV. Personal Responsibility & Professional A. Analysis – demonstrated by the ability to: Development • Apply appropriate rules and principles to new situations A. Self-Management and Self-Awareness –The • Discover rules and apply them in the problem solving student is able to: process • Accurately assess his/her own knowledge, skills, and • Draw logical conclusions based on close observation abilities and analysis of information • Motivate self and set realistic short and long-term goals • Differentiate among facts, influences, opinions, • Accept that assessment is important to success assumptions, and conclusions • Respond appropriately to challenging situations B. Computation – demonstrated by the ability to: B. Social and Physical Wellness – Students make • Use basic numerical concepts an appropriate effort to: • Use tables, graphs, charts, and diagrams to explain • Manage personal health and well being concepts • Demonstrate appropriate social skills in group settings • Use basic geometrical shapes C. Workplace Skills – Students understand how to: C. Research – demonstrated by the ability to: • Be dependable, reliable, and accountable • State a research question, problem, or issue • Meet deadlines and complete tasks • Use discipline appropriate information tools to locate and retrieve relevant information efficiently • Analyze and evaluate information for appropriateness, relevance, and accuracy • Synthesize, evaluate, and communicate information using a variety of information technologies Bus 005 – Course Schedule – CRN: 80056 (Fall 2015 / M-W-F / 11:00 am) Bus 5 Tentative Course Schedule – Fall 2015 Due Dates – Mondays as assigned

Week Start Date Chapter Assignment 10 Mon 10/19 Chapter 10 & 11 Read Ch. 10 & 11 Group Report Learn Smart Ch. 10 & 11 Quiz Ch. 10 & 11 11 Mon 10/26 Chapter 12 Read Ch. 12 Group Report Learn Smart Ch. 12 Quiz Ch. 12 Business Report 12 Mon 11/2 Chapter 13 Exam #4 Part 4 Textbook Ch.10-12 Mon Review 11/2 & Exam 11/4 11/1 Last Current Business News day drop Read Ch. 13 with “W” Learn Smart Ch. 13 Quiz Ch. 13 13 Mon 11/9 Chapter 14 Read Ch. 14 & 15 Chapter 15 Learn Smart Ch. 14 &15 Quiz Ch. 14 &15 Business Report Veteran’s Day Wed 11/11 No Class 14 Mon 11/16 Chapter 16 Read Ch. 16 Learn Smart Ch. 16 Quiz Ch. 16 Exam #5 Part 5 Textbook Ch.13-16 Review Fri 11/20 & Exam Mon 11/23 Current Business News 15 Mon 11/23 Chapter 17 & 18 Read Ch. 17 & 18 Learn Smart Ch. 17 & 18 Quiz Ch. 17 & 18 16 Mon 11/30 SCFA Holiday Read Ch. 19 & 20 Wed. 11/25 Thanksgiving Holiday Break No Class Wed. 11/25 & Fri. 11/27 17 Mon 12/7 Chapter 19 & 20 Read Ch. 19 & 20 Final Report Learn Smart Ch. 19 & 20 Quiz Ch. 19 & 20 18 Mon 12/14 Review & Final Final Exam #6 Ch17-20 Exam Week- 8 - Part 6 Textbook 12/14- 12/18 Wed. 12/16 @ 10:30am Final Exam Schedule Wednesday, December 16, 2015 at 10:30am - 12:30pm

“ CURRENT BUSINESS NEWS” Assignment

This is an extremely important exercise. The transference of knowledge/understanding from the classroom to real life is an expected outcome of this course. Researching relative information, summarizing it in your own words, and recording your thoughts/comments enhances learning transference.

PROCESS FOR NEWS REPORTS At the end of each Chapter, there is a section labeled “Key Terms.” Choose one of the Key Terms at the end of the chapter section, from the section called, “Key Terms,” and research online or in written publications; find a current news article that contains your chosen Key Term. Summarize it in two or three paragraphs. Include two or three paragraphs with your personal Comments. Note: Each summary/ comment paragraphs must contain only 2-5 sentences. Watch out for plagiarism. This IS NOT a TERM PAPER!!! Only “1” page in length!!!

GRADING CRITERIA Everyone should make 100% on their news reports. However you need to know that it is very strictly graded on the following criteria. You start with 100 and get a -10 for each item incorrect. Check your spelling and grammar, and of course, watch out for plagiarism (copying of others’ words). It takes just as much time to do it wrong as it does to do it right - only your grade will be better with the latter! (See example news report on next page.) .

1. Correct news report header information (must use listed ‘bold’ identifiers) Name: (Your full name) Class Bus 5: (Course # – Days of Week – Time of Day) Article: (Title of article) Article Date: (Date of article) Reference: (Source of article) Chapter: (Chapter #) Key Term: (End of chapter key-term)

2. Use bold/capitalized/underlined sub-titles, i.e., SUMMARY and COMMENTS Leave a blank line (only) after the header and between paragraphs. 2-3 paragraph summary (2-5 sentences per paragraph). 2-3 paragraph comments (2-5 sentences per paragraph).

ONLINE RESOURCES The source for your news article may be a newspaper, magazine, company newsletter, or online news source, such as FlipBoard. The best single source for finding relevant news journal articles is the SCC college library databases. I tried several of the key-terms and got numerous direct hits for each one.

1. Start by going to the SCC home page at: http://www.solano.edu and selecting the Library, in the left menu tree, or go directly to the SCC Library at: http://www.solano.edu/library/ 2. Select "Find Articles" (“Quick Search” at bottom of page), then Business from dropdown menu, then select one of the databases to search a key term, use full text option for article. 3. All you need to login is a SCC or Solano County library card number (your patron ID). Except for the Benicia & Dixon. If you don't have a library card, for this semester you may only use: 21177008334204 4. This will bring you to the search page. 5. Also try: www.findarticles.com Use the menu bar: Business, or any of the online news services. 6. For FlipBoard references, please either re-type the reference and enter it as noted above, or take a screenshot from your handheld and place a copy of it in your article to the right of your writing.

- 9 - - 10 - Current Business Assignment Example Note: Keep report length to one page

Name: John Doe Class Bus 5: 80445 - MWF – 11am Article: The Money Supply Article Date: July 7, 2009 Reference: http://www.ny.frb.org/aboutthefed/fedpoint/fed49.html Chapter: 20 Key Term: Money Supply

SUMMARY While historically the money supply has been believed to influence the economy the Federal Reserve now feels that this influence is not as strong as it once was. The Federal Reserve website states: “In the past few decades the relationship between growth in the money supply and the performance of the U.S. economy has become much weaker, and emphasis on the money supply as a guide to monetary policy has waned.”

The Federal Reserve publishes data weekly on the M1 and M2 money supplies. These two measurements, the M1 and the M2, measure different degrees of liquidity that different types of money have. The M1 is a measure of money in public hands that includes: cash, demand deposit accounts, travelers’ checks, and other accounts against which checks can be written. The M2 money supply includes the M1 money supply along with savings accounts, time deposits under $100,000, and balances in retail money market mutual funds.

Most of the article discusses the different groups of money that historically composed the M1, M2, and M3 money supply measures. The definitions of these measures have changed over time due to laws, new bank products, et cetera. In 2006, the Federal Reserve ceased collecting data and publishing the M3 money supply measure because they felt that the M1 and M2 measures were adequate.

COMMENTS One of the first things that I thought of when reading this article is how cumbersome it must be to collect the data to publish M1 and M2 money supply data. The article states that in April 2008, the M1 was approximately $1.4 trillion, and the M2 was approximately $7.7 trillion.

I will admit that the intricate workings of the Federal Reserve are still somewhat of a mystery to me. While I do understand the “big picture” of what they do, there are still activities of the Federal Reserve that are beyond my comprehension. This chapter in the textbook did explain a lot of topics that I was not very familiar with, and it is always nice to have a greater understanding of something.

The idea of having a centralized banking system, e.g. The Federal Reserve, is a good idea. This makes it possible to unify the country with a uniform standard of money. There are some issues that I am not entirely in agreement with. Primarily, the United States is no longer on the gold standard. To me this was a bad decision. My understanding is that no major world economic force uses this standard; however, if we did I speculate that our economy would be more stable.

- 11 -