Introduction to Business Syllabus

Spring 2016
INSTRUCTOR: Katherine Silver Arias, PHR, MBA
E-MAIL: Katherine.Arias@bakersfieldcollege.edu
OFFICE HOURS: 30 minutes before class and by appointment only
Mon & Wed, 7:30am 8:00 am

BSAD: B20 CRN: 30771

BUILDING ROOM: B7
OFFICE ROOM: B6

REQUIRED TEXT:
You will only need one of the textbooks below.
Option 1: Bovee &Thill, Business in Action 6th Edition, ISBN10: 0-13-282878-2 or ISBN13: 978-0-13-282878-9
Option 2: Bovee & Thill, Business in Action 7th Edition, ISBN13: 978-0-13-377389-7 or ISBN10: 0-13-377389-2

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A survey in business providing a multidisciplinary examination of how

culture, society, economic systems, legal, international, political, financial institutions, and human
behavior interact to affect a business organizations policy and practices within the U.S. and a global
society. Demonstrates how these influences impact the primary areas of business including:
organizational structure and design; leadership, human resource management, organized labor practices;
marketing; organizational communication; technology; entrepreneurship; legal, accounting, financial
practices; the stock and securities market; and therefore affect a business ability to achieve its
organizational goals.
STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Identify the roles of GOVERNMENT in the organization, reporting, and operating businesses in the
US.
2. Cite the various ways the U.S. government affects, restricts, and protects business.
3. Compare and contrast the advantages/disadvantages in each form of business ownership.
4. Define business ethics and explain the role of social responsibility in an organization.
5. Compare and contrast the primary economic systems.
6. Identify how business operates in an international/global environment including legal, social, cultural,
and interdependence and integrated financial markets.
7. Identify and describe the basics of business law including contracts, torts, intellectual property, and the
American legal system.
8. Summarize the components of risk management and basic insurance concepts.
9. Identify and explain the role of MANAGEMENT IN Business.
10. Define and describe the key management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
11. Identify current production and operations processes. Address sustainability.
12. Identify key human resource management functions and laws.
13. Identify and explain the role of MARKETING in Business.
14. Identify the marketing mix and key tools, terms and strategies related to each element.
15. Describe and identify how technology impacts all the primary functions of business.
16. Identify and explain the role of ACCOUNTING in Business.
17. Evaluate the basic components of financial statements and ratio analysis.
18. Explain the importance of finance to the operations of business; the various types of financing; and the
process of internal and external financing and controls.
19. Identify securities markets including investment options, mechanisms of investing, and how to
conduct basic analysis of business financial information.
1

METHODS OF EVALUATION AND ASSESMENT:

1. Tests
2. Written Homework Assignments
3. Individual Oral Presentation
4. Class Participation
5. Extra Credit Assignments
GRADING POLICIES:
Percentage of
Total Points
Available
90 and Above

Grade Earned

Assignment

80-89

70-79
60-69
59 and below

C
D
F

10 Chapter Tests
(Drop Lowest Score)
Individual Oral
Presentation
Homework
Final Exam
Participation

Points Available
40
10
30
10
10

1. There are no make-ups for chapter test without prior consent from the instructor. If a chapter test is
allowed to be made up, it must be done prior to the next class date no exceptions. An appointment can
be made to schedule a time for the make-up test.
2. Homework assignments must be completed on time in order to receive full credit. On time means at
the beginning of class on the due date. Late homework will not be accepted and the assignment will be
graded as a zero. All homework assignments much be given to the instructor in class, no email.
3. Participation includes attending class, participating in class discussion, and attending class on time
including from breaks
4. Extra credit is available for five additional points. I will let you know when extra credit is available
throughout the semester. Please check with me prior first if extra credit is available for activities
outside of Bakersfield College activities.
5. Students are expected to have read the assigned material prior to class and be ready to participate in
class discussions.
A grade of A means a student has demonstrated excellence in achieving the objectives of the class. A
grade of B means the student has made good progress in achieving the objectives; a grade of C
equates to satisfactory progress; a grade of D means the student has demonstrated less than satisfactory
progress; and, a grade of F means the student has failed to meet the objectives of the class. This
determination of whether a particular students overall achievement in the course is excellent, good,
satisfactory, etc., is a determination made by me based on objective assessments tools, e.g., multiple
choice and true/false questions, as well as many subjective assessments, e.g., demonstration of critical
thinking, verbal skills, peer collaboration, etc. in arriving at the determination. I utilize a numerical
structure in my assessment of individual assignments and the overall level of achievement demonstrated
by a student.
The responsibility for learning is primarily on you. I am here to help you learn. I will guide and support
you in that effort by helping you understand the course materials and the relevance of the materials to the
business world outside of academia.

SCHEDULE OF READING AND ASSIGNMENTS:

Class Date
Wed,
1/20

Topic
Developing a Business
Mindset
(M) Understanding Basic
Economics
(W) Appendix A
The Global Marketplace

Reading
Due
Chapter 1

Homework Due

Chapter Test

None

None

Chapter 2

Yes

Yes

Chapter 3

Yes

Yes

Mon,
1/25

Wed,
1/27

Mon,
2/1

Wed,
2/3

Mon,
2/8

Wed,
2/10

Mon,
2/15

Wed,
2/17

Mon,
2/22

Wed,
2/24

Forms of Ownership

Chapter 5

Mon,
2/29

Wed,
3/2

Management Roles,
Functions and Skills

Chapter 7

Mon,
3/7

Wed,
3/9

Appendix C

Mon,
3/14

Wed,
3/16

Human Resources
Management

Mon,
3/21

Wed,
3/23

SPRING BREAK MARCH 21-25

Mon,
3/28

Wed,
3/30

The Art and Science of

Marketing

Mon,
4/4

Wed,
4/6

INDIVIDUAL ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Mon,
4/11

Wed,
4/13

Financial Information and

Accounting Concepts

Mon,
4/18

Wed,
4/20

Financial Management

Mon,
4/25

Wed,
4/27

Appendix D

Business Ethics &

Chapter 4
Yes
Corporate Social
Responsibility
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 -NO CLASS WASHINGTON DAY HOLIDAY

Yes

Appendix B

No

Yes

Chapter 11

Chapter 13

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Chapter 17

Yes

Yes

Chapter 18

Yes

Yes

Mon,
5/2

Wed,
5/4

Wed,
5/11

FINAL OVERVIEW AND STUDY GUIDE

FINAL WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 11 AT 8AM-9:50AM

Important dates:
Last day to drop without receiving W: January 31, 2016
Last day to withdraw and receive a W: April 1, 2016
DROP POLICY: Only students who are currently enrolled in the class may attend class sessions. It is
each students responsibility to maintain his or her own record at the admissions and records office.
During the first two weeks of the course, any student who misses any part of any class session will be
dropped from the class. After the second week of class, as soon as a student has missed more than four
sessions, he or she will be dropped. The Bakersfield College policy states that students who miss two
weeks of class at any time during the semester are considered to have dropped. Accordingly, any student
enrolled in the class after October 30th who misses more than four class sessions during the semester will
receive a failing grade. Late arrivals, long breaks, and early departures will be counted as one-half session
missed. You should communicate with the instructor your reason for not being in class.
CLASSROOM RULES:
1. No pets
2. No outside visitors
3. Be respectful of the instructor and your classmate, do not speak while others are talking
4. Please be respectful regarding cell phones. Omit any type of noise or distraction during instruction.
5. Ask questions! If you are unsure about anything, ask the instructor.
DISABLED SERVICES: Students with disabilities needing accommodation should make requests to
Disabled Students Programs and Services, SS 40 (661) 395-4334. All requests for accommodations
require appropriate advance notice to avoid a delay in services. Please discuss approved accommodations
with me.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION: Bakersfield College is committed to creating and fostering a positive, safe
and conducive learning environment based on open communication where diversity, equity, and inclusion
are recognized, valued and inform thoughtful decision-making and action. BC embraces individual
difference and expects all employees and students to respect these differences and accept an
understanding that individuals have unique perspectives, behaviors, and worldviews that may be different
from their own.