OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE
Professor’s Course Syllabus
Professor’s Name: Barbara Napolitano
Associate Professor of Business
Course Title: BUSN 131- Introduction to Business Administration
Course Description: A thorough survey of the activities that make up the field of business. Emphasis is placed on topics relating to the environment of business, trends in business today, management and organization, human resources, marketing, business strategy and decision making, and finance and investment. Through interactive PowerPoint lecture, class discussion, real world examples and illustrations the student will be provided with the relevancy of all aspects of the dynamics of business.
Semester: Fall, 2008
Office Location: Instructional Building, Room 321
Office Hours: Monday, Thursday: 12:15 – 2:00
Tuesday, Friday: 12:15 – 2:00
By Appointment
Phone Number: (732) 255-0400 Ext. 2424
E-Mail Address: bnapolitano@ocean.edu
Required Textbook: Understanding Business – Eighth Edition. Nickels, McHugh, McHugh. McGraw Hill, 2008.
Course Learning
Outcome/Objectives: 1. Define business and identify potential risks and rewards.
2. Describe the two types of economic systems.
3. Identify the ways to measure economic performance.
4. Outline the types of competition
5. Understand what is meant by business ethics and the factors that affect the level of ethical behavior in organizations.
6. Explain the two views on social responsibility of business and understand the arguments for and against increased social responsibility.
7. Explain the economic basis for international business and the restrictions nations place on international trade.
8. Identify the institutions that enhance international business.
9. Define and explain the meaning of e-business—the growth, the opportunities, and challenges.
10. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations.
11. Define a small business, the people that start a small business, and assess the contributions that small business makes to the economy.
12. Describe management and the four basic functions.
13. Identify key management skills and different types of leadership.
14. Describe Total Quality Management and its benefit to organizational effectiveness.
15. Describe the use of technology and business application software as a means to organize, communicate, and make decisions.
16. Explain how managers evaluate the financial health of a business and the importance of accounting information.
17. Identify the functions of securities markets.
18. Compare and contrast the differences among debt financing and equity financing.
19. Describe the various stock exchanges where securities are traded.
20. Describe how the Federal Reserve controls the money supply.
21. Classify the various institutions in the U.S. banking system.
22. Evaluate the role and importance of international banking and the role of the World Bank.
23. Describe the six steps of learning to control your assets.
24. Explain ways to build a financial base and outline a strategy for retirement.
General Education Goals: The College-wide general education goals that this course addresses are as follows:
1. To develop the ability to become an independent thinker through mathematical, scientific, and philosophical reasoning.
2. To develop the ability to communicate effectively through reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
3. To develop the ability to solve problems by collecting, organizing, and evaluating information.
4. To develop both the ability and moral sensitivity needed to make informed judgments concerning ethical issues.
5. To develop a historical consciousness, including the ability to reflect thoughtfully and accurately about historical and contemporary issues of local, national, and global importance.
6. To develop a global perspective on problems and issues that humankind faces, and to explore solutions which are morally, socially, economically, politically, and ecologically sound.
7. To develop an understanding of technology and its impact on society and the environment.
Course Standards: Your regular presence in your online class is mandatory. You need to read your textbook chapters thoroughly, view PowerPoint Presentations, check Announcements, Assignments, and the Course Calendar regularly, as well as post to the Discussion Board when assigned.
Grading Scale: A 90 thru 100%
B+ 86 thru 89%
B 80 thru 85%
C+ 76 thru 79%
C 70 thru 75%
D 60 thru 69%
F 0 thru 59%
Course Outline: Chapter 1 Managing within the Dynamic Business Environment
Chapter 2 How Economics Affects Business
Chapter 3 Competing in Global Markets
TEST
Chapter 4 Demonstrating Ethical Behavior and Social Responsibility
Chapter 5 Choosing A Form Of Business Ownership
Chapter 6 Entrepreneurship and Starting a Small Business
TEST
Chapter 7 Management, Leadership, and Employee Empowerment
Chapter 10 Motivating Employees and Building Self-Managed Teams
Chapter 11 Human Resource Management: Finding and Keeping the Best Employees
TEST
Chapter 13 Marketing: Building Customer Relationships
Chapter 16 Using Effective Promotional Techniques
Chapter 17 Understanding Financial Information and Accounting
TEST
Chapter 19 Securities Markets: Financing and Investing Opportunities
Chapter 20 Understanding Money, Financial Institutions, and the Federal Reserve
TEST
Statement of Plagiarism: Plagiarize – “To steal and pass off as one’s own (the ideas or words of another).
Students should refer to the student handbook and review Policy #5180 in regards to plagiarism.
Evaluation of Students: Tests/Assessments 60%
All exams are T/F and Multiple Choice and will be taken online through the Assessments link. For optimum success in this online course, stay closely tuned to the Course Calendar.
Assignments 20%
Each chapter will contain one assignment – two paragraph minimum. You will submit all assignments through the Assignments link. You will write in proper English grammatical format....Instant Messaging format of writing is not acceptable. Late assignments are not accepted...no exceptions. Your assignments will be assessed according to the guidelines of the Grading Rubric located within the Course Information Icon on the Homepage. For optimum success in this online course, stay closely tuned to the Course Calendar.
Discussion Postings 20%
Each chapter will contain one discussion posting contained within the Discussion Board. You are required to read all of the postings. You will respond in a substantive manner to my initial posting (2 paragraph minimum) and to two of your classmates’ postings (2 sentence minimum) by the Calendar due date. Instant Messaging format of writing is not acceptable. Your discussion board postings will not be graded...you will receive credit upon completion of the required postings. Late postings will not be accepted...no exceptions.
For optimum success in this online course, stay closely tuned to the Course Calendar
Campus Resources: Computer Laboratories are available in the following areas:
¨ AOM Lab, Instructional Building Room 319 (Daytime only)
¨ ICCT Building
¨ Media Center/Library – 2nd Floor
There is tutoring available (a) in the Writing Lab for all subject areas, not just English courses, and (b) in the Mathematics Tutoring Center. In addition, Student Success Seminars are scheduled each week and are posted on the college website under “Campus Resources and Services.”
Statement of Accommodation:
Learning disabled students needing particular accommodations should contact me by private
e-mail immediately and contact the Center for Academic Services at (732) 255-0456.
Disclaimer: Reasonable changes to this course outline may be made exclusive of course requirements, course calendar, and grading procedures.
Date Revised: Fall, 2008