Principles of Business

Course Description: The student will learn the major disciplines of business including general business, business ethnics, forms of business ownership, economics, management and leadership, human relations marketing, information systems, accounting, financial management, money and banking, and business law. (3 hr. lecture)

This is a blended course. The first part of the week, students will meet in the classroom. Students will then continue GEB 1011 coursework completing online assignments. The course consists of interactive lectures on the basic principles of ownership, management, marketing, personnel, finance, accounting, business research and law as they affect the operation of a business and industries.

MDC Blackboard link: https://mdc.blackboard.com/ and Blackboard Tutorial link:

http://ondemand.blackboard.com/r91/movies/bb91_myblackboard_global_nav.htm

Required Textbook: Pride, Hughes, Kapoor. (2015). Foundations of Business, 4^th edition, Cengage Learning

Learning Methods: Students will interact with the professor and with classmates through focused discussions related to the course material. A variety of instructional strategies may be utilized as they apply to the context of each session including: lectures, individual and class discussions, experiential exercises, PowerPoint audio-visual presentations, out of class readings, project development and applications, and case illustrations. Students are expected to be prepared to participate in class and discuss assigned readings. Emphasis will be placed on students’ interactions and participation in class discussions so as to foster the development of individual understanding of course materials.

This course will help the student communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills; solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning; demonstrate knowledge of diverse culture, including global and historical perspectives; formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information; and create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.

Course Requirements: Regular, on-time attendance and class participation is required and will be used as criteria to determine your final grade. In addition, since this is a blended class some course work will be submitted through Blackboard. Please note that the student is responsible for any course material if absent from class. Make-up exams are NOT given unless the absence is deemed justified by the professor. All pagers and cellular phones MUST be turned off during class. The student is responsible for assigned materials (textbook, lectures, handouts, assignments) and all assigned coursework made by the professor.

Course Requirements Grading Criteria: The final course grade is calculated as follows:

Attendance/Participation                                                        200 points
Discussions (6 @ 35 points each )                                         210 points
Quizzes (2 @ 50 points each)                                                100 points
Exam (1 @ 40 points)                                                            40 points

Quizzes and Exams: There will be several quizzes and one exam as outlined on the class schedule below. Each quiz is worth 50 points. There will be one exam at the end of the course. The exam is worth 40 points. The quizzes may be multiple choice and/or true and false questions. The exam may be multiple choice, short answer questions, and/or essay questions. Quiz and exam materials will be taken from textbook assigned readings, lectures, and discussions. Further details will be given prior to each quiz or exam in class.

Discussion will take place in Blackboard as assigned. The link to MDC’s Blackboard is:

Students will read, analyze, and respond to questions and comments from the faculty and fellow students.

· Their individual post should answer the main discussion question/s by the deadline stated in the syllabus.

· The number of words of their individual post should be no less than 200 words and proof read.

· Language should be clear, precise, and appropriate for the intended scholarly audience.

Group Presentation Assignment 1: Students will research a current business event and prepare an oral presentation on it. Your group will also need to create a PowerPoint presentation to show in class on the day of the presentations. Things to include: what is your current event, why is it important to the business world, the industry the business is in, how does this affect the company, the brand, consumers, and the economy. The professor will provide instructions on the format of the presentation, acceptable topics as well as instructions on how the event will be analyzed and presented in class. The groups will present to the class an overview of their current business/economic event via a 5-8 minute PowerPoint presentation. A copy of the power point presentation must be uploaded by each student into Blackboard by the deadline. Further details and guidance will be given prior to each assignment.

Group Business Plan Written Assignment and Group Presentation Assignment 2: Students will convene into groups to prepare and write a business plan on a company of their choice. A comprehensive document containing the group’s business plan written case will be completed and uploaded into Blackboard (written assignment is worth 200 points). Students must make an effort to relate the papers to the course material. Students will be graded on clarity of written communication (organization and language use), general APA compliance, critical thinking, problem-solving, and application of course materials. The papers are to be submitted using Times New Roman 12 Font, single-spaced, cover page and appendix. The professor will provide in class instructions as to the written business plan assignment and presentation. Each team member must actively participate in completing the assignment. The presentation (Group Presentation Assignment 2) will be evaluated on the thoroughness, clarity, professionalism, and creativity of the presentation and is worth 150 points. Students will be graded on communication skills (articulate, well-prepared) and presentation skills (used time effectively, spoke clearly and evenly). Further details will be given prior to each assignment.

MDC’s Mission Statement: The mission of Miami Dade College is to provide accessible, affordable high quality education by keeping the learner's needs at the center of decision-making and working in partnership with its dynamic, multicultural community.

Learning Environment Policy: All students are expected to support Miami Dade College’s mission statement and commitment to provide an effective learning environment. Any behaviors and/or events determined to be detrimental to success in any college related academic pursuit at MDC are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, bringing unauthorized visitors, e.g., children, friends, or other family members to classrooms; and usage of cell phones, pagers, radios or radio headsets, especially in campus libraries, classroom, laboratories, computer labs or any location where the MDC learning process takes place. Food and beverages will not be allowed in the classroom.

Please refrain from text-messaging or Internet browsing during class. Portable devices should be turned off or set on silent mode before you enter class. No recording devices are permitted without explicit permission. Any violations of acceptable student conduct may result in the student being asked to leave the classroom. Final discretion for any and all portions of this policy rests with the professor.

Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all classes as noted below on the class schedule, on time and stay for the duration of the class period. Absences may negatively impact learning. Attendance for all class sessions will be taken at the beginning of each class period. Please note that students may be dropped from the class due to excessive absences. Absences and/or chronic tardiness will negatively impact the final grade assigned for the course. An absence from class does not relieve the student from securing coursework information and fulfilling the course requirements. It is important to contact the professor to inform of an absence from class. Attendance and promptness is mandatory. Generally, there are no make-ups. Inadequate attendance or arriving late and leaving early during the term will decrease your attendance and participation percentage. The professor will make every reasonable accommodation for the student, but this arrangement is reciprocal.

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is defined as an action inconsistent with the ethical standards of Miami Dade College. Academic dishonesty includes the following actions, as well as other similar conduct aimed at making false representation with respect to a student’s academic performance. Cheating is defined as the attempt, successful or not, to give or obtain aid and/or information by illicit means in meeting any academic requirements, including examinations. Plagiarism is defined as the use, without proper acknowledgement, of the ideas, phrases, sentences, or larger units of discourse from another writer or speaker, including information found through the Internet. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following: cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating of information or citations, facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others, having unauthorized possession of examinations, submitting work of another person or work previously used without informing the instructor, falsifying records, or tampering with the academic work of other students. Typical penalties include (but not limited to): resubmitting the assignment or taking a new examination; a failing grade on the assignment or examination; or a failing grade for the course. In the event that students are suspected of classroom cheating, plagiarism, or other misrepresenting their work, they will be subjected to procedural due process. Some actions of academic dishonesty, such as stealing examinations or course material and falsifying records, may be processed through the Student Disciplinary Procedure (SDP). For further information on SDP, check the Student’s Right & Responsibilities Guide on page 20.

Withdrawals “W” Grade: To withdraw from a course students must complete an official drop notice to the Registrar’s office prior to withdrawal deadline. Not doing so will result in a final grade of "F". Please check the official MDC Calendar for important dates: http://www.mdc.edu/academics/calendar/

Incomplete “I” Grade: An incomplete grade may be given only to a student who has been attending classes on a regular basis and promptly submitting assignments and completing tests. The student may be given an incomplete or “I” grade as long as the student has completed 80% of the assigned work. The request to complete required coursework must be made by the student and agreed to by the faculty member. The Agreement for Grade of Incomplete form must be completed by the instructor and student. This agreement will determine the requirements for a course grade, including due dates for assignments, projects or tests; which must be completed by the end of the next major term, or a failing grade is assigned. It is the student's responsibility to arrange with the instructor for satisfactory completion of course requirements. Students should note that incompletes (I) are rarely given and students should make every effort to complete course work or withdraw with a grade of “W” prior to the last day to withdraw.

1) Communication – An open line of communication is critical in all areas of your life; whether school, work or home. The only “bad” question is the one you do not ask.

2) Numbers/Data Analysis - Whether you realize it or not, numbers are everywhere-from the calorie content of your favorite soda, to the popularity polls of presidential candidates. All students should be able to process, understand and accurately analyze numerical data.

3) Creative/ Critical Thinking – In the business world one must be able to analyze the numbers or general information you working with to project budgets and sales for future periods.

4) Information Literacy - Do you consider "Wikipedia a primary source of information? By the time you graduate, you'll know the pros and cons of information in internet resources and be able to rate information sources based on their relevance and accuracy.

5) Global, Cultural, & Historical Perspectives – For a business to be successful it must be able to look at financial projections and understand what outside influences there might be. Knowing that a products success can be affected by the aforementioned categories gives a business a head start on fulfilling customers’ needs and wants.

6) Social Responsibility - John Donne said, "No man is an island." Everything you do and say has an impact on those around you. While at MDC, you'll develop skills to fulfill not only your personal responsibilities, but also your roles as a citizen and member of a global community.

7) Ethical Thinking & Social Responsibility - It is not just a matter of how you interact with other individuals; but it also is how you act ethically and morally in a business situation. You must consider what the “best” overall is; this may not necessarily be what is best for you only.

8) Computer / Technology Usage -You can probably surf the net and send e-mails already, but there are many other powerful tools at your fingertips. Before you graduate, you will learn how to use word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation programs.

Make-ups and Late Assignments: Assignments are due when indicated on the syllabus (bottom part) for full credit. All late assignments must be approved by the instructor. Late submissions without prior approval will not be graded; consequently you will earn a zero for the assignment. Upon approval for the late submission your assignment will be graded according to the following scale:

After 6 days, assignments will not be accepted and the student will receive a zero grade.

Students with documented disabilities should contact ACCESS Disability Services in advance for information on appropriate policies and procedures for obtaining assistance.

Note: This syllabus is a guide to students. The assignments and activities are flexible to the extent of the pace of learning. The professor reserves the right to change, alter, or amend items in this syllabus if circumstances indicate a change is warranted.