64185 Aviad
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
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Class Time and Place
Monday and Wednesday
9:15 – 10:30 am
Bowman Hall
Rom 137
Instructor & Office
Diane DeRubertis
438 College of Business Admin Bldg
Contact Information and Office Hours
dderuber@kent.edu
330/672-7301
Monday / Wednesday
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Exploring Business - Class Information
Communication: Students are encouraged to communicate with the professor, graduate assistant or administrative assistant in person, by phone or email. However, information provided in class will not be repeated.
Email: (preferred method of communication) Please allow 36 hours for a response.
Phone: you can call the graduate assistance and leave a message for her or me.
Office Hours: Appointments are encouraged and will be given preference to students who “drop-in” during posted office hours.
When making contact – if you are communicating via email or leaving a message on voice mail please be sure to provide your name, the name of the course in which you are enrolled (I teach more than Exploring Business courses), your class section and your contact information (phone/email).
When emailing, please email the instructor or graduate assistant directly at the above email addresses - not through Blackboard Learn - if you desire a timely response.
Also make sure to check your KSU email and Blackboard Learn for communications from me at least every other day. FYI, due to FERPA regulations, I cannot communicate grades or course-related materials to non-KSU email addresses.
Required Textbooks and Class Materials: The text book with Connect Plus online system (containing an eBook plus exercises) and a current subscription to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) are required for this course.
1. Textbook and Online Education Tool
BUSINESS 3rd Edition with Custom Connect Plus PPK LL for Kent State University
Ferrell, O.C.; Hirt, G.A. & Ferrell L. (2013)
ISBN# 0077779541
New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Bundled with the textbook is a Student Access Code for the McGraw-Hill Higher Education (MHHE) Connect Plus system. The MHHE Connect Plus system will be used Bus 10123-001; CRN 12183 Exploring Business - Fall 2014 Kent State University College of Business Administration
Fall 2010
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
for completing online exercises and quizzes. These exercises and quizzes will be part of your overall grade so it is important that you have access to this online system.
See instructions on Blackboard for ordering your textbook
2. Wall Street Journal Subscription
In addition to the textbook and MHHE Connect Plus system, you will need a current subscription to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
See instructions on Blackboard for ordering your textbook
A. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Understand what is business is and how it functions verses a not-for-profit or government entity
2. Understand business and its impact and role in society
3. Enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills
4. Build foundation for subsequent business course work
5. Recognize importance of current events
6. Recognize effect that politics and government has on business
B. PURPOSE: This course is an introduction to the basic areas of business with an integrated perspective on how the various areas work together. Technological competencies and communicative skills will be developed. Team building opportunities will be announced.
C. PREREQUISITE: There are no prerequisites for this course. It is open to any major but should be taken sometime during student's first 30 semester hours.
D. COURSE ORGANIZATION: Class time will focus on practical application and reinforcement of the text material. This will be accomplished through the use of lectures, discussions, PowerPoint presentations, videos, guest speakers and online demonstrations. Class time will not simply be a rehash of the text material. All students are expected to have read the assigned chapters prior to the beginning of the class.
E. EXPECTATIONS: All students are expected to:
1. Attend class
2. Arrive for class on time
3. Not cause disruptions during class
4. Participate in class discussions
5. Submit homework assignments by the assigned due dates – no exceptions
6. Conduct themselves as a business professional
F. GRADING AND GRADING SCALE
Attendance/Participation: 22 session 110 (5 points each) 22%
Connect Exercises: 16 assignments 160 (10 points each) 32%
Scavenger Hunt: 10 assignments 80 (8 points each) 16%
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
Tests: 4 tests 100 (25 points each) 20%
Final Exam: 1 test 50 10%
Total Points: 500 100%
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A 93% or greater (465-500) C+ 77% - 79.99% (385-399)
A- 90% - 92.99% (450-464) C 73% - 76.99% (365-384)
B+ 87% - 89.99% (435-449) C- 70% - 72.99% (350-364)
B 83% - 86.99% (415-434) D 60% - 69.99% (300-349)
B- 80% - 82.99% (400-414) F 0% - 59.99% (<299)
Note: Grading is subject to minor modifications at the discretion of your instructor
G. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT:
Final grades will be determined based on your performance on writing assignments, general assignments, tests and a final exam. The following point values are available for each element:
1. ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION: Attendance for this class is required and attendance will be taken each scheduled session. If you must miss class, you must contact me before class (by phone, e-mail, in person, etc.). Your attendance will be excused only if you have a university-approved reason.
Note: If you have more than 4 excused absences, or more than 2 unexcused absences, you will not receive an A in the course regardless of your cumulative point average.
Students are also expected to come to class prepared by studying the reading assigned for that day, completing other homework activities and reviewing their notes from previous classes. Students should expect to allocate three hours of outside work for each hour of class on average over the semester. Although there will be some week-to-week variation, the course is designed so that workload should be fairly even throughout the semester, as long as students do not procrastinate.
The active involvement of all students is expected during discussions. Participation can take many forms, including asking questions that clarify the class material, making points about the topic based on outside experience, providing well-reasoned comments on the topic based on the learning points in the class, and volunteering for special exercises.
To assist in knowing who is participating, name cards will be distributed the first session and attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period.
2. CONNECT ASSIGNMENTS: There will be 16 Connect exercises throughout the course. They are meant to give hands-on exposure or practice in key topic areas. All
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
of the exercises will be conducted outside the class, by using a computer. Due dates for all exercises are in the course outline. No late assignments will be accepted and deadlines will not be extended.
Before the posted deadlines, you must log into the McGraw-Hill Connect Plus system and complete exercises for chapters specified in your course outline. In an attempt to improve your exercise scores, you are free to resubmit each exercise as often as you wish, provided each submission occurs by the posted deadline. You are more than welcome to use your calculator, textbook, any course notes and / or collaborate with others taking this course.
3. COMPANY SCAVENGER HUNT: At the beginning of the semester, each student will be assigned a company that is traded on an exchange. There are 40 companies that have been selected from the 2014 Fortune 500 list. These companies will be randomly assigned to students, so there will be multiple students assigned to one company.
During the semester, students will engage in a scavenger hunt, gathering information about their assigned company from numerous sources. The requested information will be presented in the way of assignment posted to BlackBoard Learn and could be in survey, test or assignment format.
The entire assignment consists of 10 separate activities that include:
__________Activity ___________ Associated Lesson / Week
1) Starting and Growing a Business Lesson #1 / Week 2
2) The Importance of Small Bus and Entre Lesson #2 / Week 3
3) Business on a Global Scale Lesson #4 / Week 5
4) Business Structure and Org Design Lesson #6 / Week 6
5) Corporate Ethics and Social Responsibility Lesson #8 / Week 8
6) Managing Human Resources Lesson 10 / Week 9
7) Business Sustainability Lesson #11 / Week 9
8) Traditional Marketing v Digital Marketing Lesson #14 / Week 14
9) Financial Systems &
10) Financial Management Lesson #18 / Week 15
Students are allowed to collaborate on where one might find the requested information but each student must work independently at acquiring the information and posting the results to Blackboard.
4. TESTS AND FINAL EXAM: There will be four multiple-choice exams and a final exam given during the semester. Exams will be taken in a proctored environment (see testing location).
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
All the exams are closed-book, closed-notes, and not cumulative. Questions will be drawn primarily from the textbook but could also include information from lectures, class discussions, cases, and exercises.
The final exam which will be administered during finals week will be closed-book and closed-notes but will also be cumulative.
All are to be taken at the scheduled time. If you miss a test or the final exam due to a legitimate reason (e.g., illness, death in the immediate family), a make-up exam will be provided (you will be required to provide an official university excuse to be eligible for a make-up exam). If you do not provide a legitimate excuse, no make-up exam will be granted.
TESTING LOCATION:
All tests and the final exam will be administered in the computer lab located on the 2nd floor of the College of Business Administration Building, Room A226 utilizing Blackboard. This is known as a “proctored” testing environment.
The computer lab makes every possible effort to manage the proctoring testing in an efficient and effective manner, and to provide excellent service to all students. You are advised, however, that the College of Business computer labs are not responsible for ‘acts of nature’ or other external situations that may cause delays in test taking (power outages, traffic jams, snow days, network problems, etc…).
Also, you are advised that there can be a line of students waiting to take proctored exams in the computer lab during peak hours. In these situations, students arriving for their exam will be required to wait for a seat. The computer lab will maintain posted hours, and will not extend their hours to accommodate students in lengthy lines.
Students who are making commitments or purchases (such as non-refundable plane tickets) are responsible to decide when to take their proctored exam (within the allowed time frame), and they should exercise good judgment by allowing an appropriate amount of time to complete their exam. Conflicts and delays can and do occur. If unanticipated delays in completing a proctored exam occur in the computer lab that results in a conflict with another commitment the student made, the student is solely responsible for the consequences of their decision to take the exam at the time they chose.
The following list of College of Business computer lab rules are strictly enforced for every proctored exam in the College of Business Administration computer labs:
1. A current KSU ID is required for identification before an exam can be administered. Also, Students must also know their Flashline ID and Password to gain access the online tests or exams.
2. Students taking proctored exams may NOT leave the room until their exam is finished; there are no bathroom breaks.
3. No cell phones shall be visible or checked during a proctored exam.
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
4. No headsets of any kind may be worn during a proctored exam.
5. No electronic translators will be allowed during a proctored exam. A paperback dictionary may be used for international students only.
6. No proctored test can begin when there is one hour or less remaining in the lab hours for the day.
7. No outside calculators or other electronic devices may be used when taking a proctored exam in the College of Business computer labs.
8. No outside websites can be accessed during a proctored exam. Students taking exams that are ‘open book, open note’ must have printed any reference materials PRIOR to starting their exam – online reference is NOT permitted during a proctored exam.
9. Students arriving for a proctored exam must WAIT TO BE SEATED for the exam by the proctor. Students are not permitted to choose their own seat for a proctored exam. The lab proctor will assign seats for exams to ensure the best use of the lab resources while maintaining a secure testing environment.
10. Security cameras are installed in the College of Business computer labs. All students taking proctored exams will be recorded on video. Any issues regarding student compliance with the computer lab rules during a proctored exam will be verified against the video that is captured.
Test dates will be announced in class with days and times the test will be available. No make-up tests or exams will be permitted except in the event of a documented student illness, hospitalization or death of an immediate family member.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT: If you experience problems with Blackboard Learn which prevent you from submitting any work or assignment, you must contact the Instructor via the email address indicated above (not through Learn) PRIOR to the deadline to discuss alternative solutions. Problems with Learn do not excuse late submissions.
KSU Helpdesk – http://www.kent.edu/is/helpdesk/index.cfm
Blackboard Learn Orientation – http://ondemand.blackboard.com
IMPORTANT POLICIES
1. ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Students have a responsibility to ensure they are properly enrolled in classes. You are advised to review your official class schedule (using Student Tools on FlashLine) during the first two weeks of the semester to ensure you are properly enrolled in this class and section. Should you find an error in your class schedule, you have until Sunday, September 7, 2013 to correct the error. If registration errors are not corrected by this date and you continue to attend and participate in classes for which you are not officially enrolled, you are advised now that you will not receive a grade at the conclusion of the semester for any class for which you are not properly registered.
2. ACADEMIC HONESTY:
All work related to this class is to be done individually! Cheating means to misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic work (e.g., tests, papers, projects,
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
assignments) so as to get undeserved credit. In addition, it is considered cheating when one cooperates with someone else in any such misrepresentation. The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offense. It is the University's policy that cheating or plagiarism result in receiving a failing grade for the work or for the course. Repeat offenses may result in dismissal from the University.
3. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
University policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for classroom adjustments through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit http://www.kent.edu/sas/index.cfm for more information on registration procedures).
4. COURSE WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE:
Please note that the last day to drop this class is Sunday, November 2, 2014.
5. EXCUSED ABSENCE FOR UNIVERSITY SPONSORED ACTIVITIES:
Documentation must be presented for signature of Professor DeRubertis prior to the excused absence date. A copy of the documentation must be left with Professor DeRubertis.
6. SYLLABUS CHANGES:
Instructors reserve the right to change the syllabus or attached Class Schedule upon providing verbal notice in class, via email, and/or posting an updated version on the class site in Vista. Check to make sure you have the most up to date version by checking the date at the top.
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
The schedule below is tentative and the instructor reserves the right to make changes.
COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE Wk Date Lecture Topic Readings Activities & Assignments #1
08.25.14
Introduction to the Course
Review syllabus and schedule
Purchase book and Wall Street Journal
08.27.14
Introduction to Connect and the WSJ
Review and familiarize yourself with the Connect system and WSJ website.
Set up your accounts
Read Chapter #1 pg 4 – 7
Read Chapters #4
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Scavenger Hunt Activity #1
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates SECTION 1: THE NATURE OF BUSINESS: STARTING & GROWING A BUSINESS & THE FOUNDATION DRIVING BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY #2 09.01.14 LABOR DAY – NO CLASS Have a save and fun day off! Starting and Growing a Business
09.03.14
Lecture1 : Starting a Business
Relating to Section of Chapter 1 “The Dynamics of Business pg 4 - 7” and Chapter 4 “Options for Organizing Business”
Read Chapter #5
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Scavenger Hunt Activity #2
Connect HW#1
Stock Tracking Report #1
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates #3
09.08.14
Lecture 2: The
Read Chapter 1
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001; CRN 12183 Fall 2014 Kent State University College of Business Administration
Fall 2010
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
importance of Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Chapter 5 “Small Business, Entrepreneurship”
pgs 7-19
The Economic Foundation Of Business
09.10.14
Lecture 3: The Nature of Economics and Business
Relating to Chapter 1 “Economics” pg 7 – 19
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Connect HW#2
Connect HW#3
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates #4
09.15.14
Exam Review
Read Chapter #3
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Prepare and complete exam
Company Scavenger Hunt Activity #3
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates 09.17.14 NO LECTURE – NO CLASS EXAM #1: Online in Blackboard. Computer Lab: Closed book / closed note SECTION 2: GLOBAL ECONOMIES AND MANAGING BUSINESS OPERATIONS #5 International /Global Business
09.22.14
Lecture 4: Business on a Global Scale
Relating to Chapter 3 “Business in a Borderless World”
Read Chapter #6
Managing For Quality And Competitiveness Business, Operations And Supply Chain Management
09.24.14
Lecture 5: Business Management
Relating to Chapter 6 “The Nature of
Read Chapter #7
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Company Scavenger Hunt Activity #4
Connect HW#4
Connect HW#5
Scavenger Hunt Activity #4
Stock Tracking Report #2
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
Management”
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates #6
09.29.14
Lecture 6: Management Structure
Related to Chapter 7 “Organization, Teamwork and Communication”
Read Chapter #8
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Connect HW#6
Connect HW#7
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates
10.01.14
Lecture 7: Operations and Supply Chain Management
Relating to Chapter 8 “Managing Service and Manufacturing Options”
#7
10.06.14
Exam Review
Read Chapter #2
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Prepare and complete exam
Scavenger Hunt Activity #5
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates 10.08.14 NO LECTURE – NO CLASS EXAM #2: Online in Blackboard. Computer Lab: Closed book / closed note SECTION 3: CREATING THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE THROUGH BUSINESS ETHICS & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, MOTIVATION AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES #8 Business Ethics And Social Responsibility
10.13.14
Lecture 8: Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
Relating to Chapter 2 “Business Ethics and Social
Read Chapter #9
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
Responsibility” MOTIVATING AND MANAGING HUMAN RESOURCES
10.15.14
Lecture 9: Motivating the Workforce
Related to Chapter 9 “Motivating the Workforce”
Read Chapter #10
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Connect HW#8
Connect HW#9
Scavenger Hunt Activity #6
Scavenger Hunt Activity #7
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates #9
10.20.14
Lecture 10: Managing Human Resources
Related to Chapter 10 “Managing Human Resources”
BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY
10.22.14
Lecture 11: Sustainability
There is no chapter in the book
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Connect HW#10
Stock Tracking Report #3
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates #10
10.27.14
Exam Review
Read Chapter #11
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Prepare and complete exam
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates 10.29.14 NO LECTURE – NO CLASS EXAM #3: Online in Blackboard. Computer Lab: Closed book / closed note SECTION 4: DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH MARKETING AND INCREASING EFFICIENCY THROUGH COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS #11 Marketing Methods And Managerial Marketing
11.03.14
Lecture 12: Traditional
Read Chapter #12
Complete the following activities & assignments:
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
Marketing
Relating to Chapter 11 “Customer Driven Marketing”
Connect HW#11
Connect HW#12
Scavenger Hunt Activity #8
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates
11.05.14
Lecture 13: Marketing Strategy
Relating to Chapter 12 “Dimensions of Marketing Strategy”
Read Chapter #13 # 12
11.10.14
Lecture 14: Digital Marketing
Relating to Chapter 13 “Digital Marketing and Social Marketing”
Computer Information Systems
11.12.14
Lecture 15: Technology
There is no chapter in the book
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Connect HW#13
Track your company stock in the WSJ
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment # 13
11.17.14
Exam Review
Read Chapter #14
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Prepare and complete exam
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates 11.19.14 NO LECTURE – NO CLASS EXAM #4: Online in Blackboard. Computer Lab: Closed book / closed note SECTION 5: FINANCING THE ENTERPRISE # 14 Accounting & Finance
11.24.14
Lecture 16: Accounting
Relating to
Read Chapter #15
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Connect HW#14
EXPLORING BUSINESS – 10123-001;CRN 12183 | Fall 2014
Chapter 14 “Accounting and the Financial Statements”
Connect HW#15
Scavenger Hunt Activity #9
Stock Tracking Report #4 (FINAL)
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates
11.26.14
Lecture 17: Financial Systems
Relating to Chapter 15 “Money and the Financial Systems”
Read Chapter #16 # 15
12.01.14
Lecture 18: Financial Management
Chapter 16 “Financial Management and Securities Markets”
Complete the following activities & assignments:
Connect HW#16
NOTE: see Blackboard for all activity & assignment due dates
12.03.14
Exam Review
# 16 12.08.14 12.13.14 FINAL EXAM: Online in the Bus College Computer Lab.
