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BUSN 1305 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

BUSN 1305 - Introduction to Business

3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

The purpose of this course is to introduce the basic functions of business as a framework for further detailed study into business management and functional areas of accounting, software applications, marketing, leadership, organizational design, etc. Included in the course are vocational/career opportunities, business terminology, and the functions/theories that are utilized in the process of business management.

Course Outcomes:
  • Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
  • Explain basic business fundamentals effectively and efficiently
  • Develop definitions of basic terminology
  • Demonstrate preparedness for further study in a variety of business fields
  • Evaluate their own skills as entrepreneurs and managers
  • Be familiar with aspects of world economies
  • Become familiar with financial markets
  • Understand the basic concepts of business and career options in the field of business
  • Understand and obtain factual knowledge (terminology, concepts, facts) and fundamental principles about the practice of business and organizational management.
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

None

Course Topics:
  • The Business Environment
  • Creating a Business
  • Financing a Business
  • Marketing a Business
  • Managing a Business.
Specific Course Requirements:

Because all assignments will be completed using the Internet, you will need a basic knowledge of the computer, access to the Internet, as well as a commitment of time. Therefore, any student taking an on-line class should be self-motivated, mature, and capable of meeting deadlines without being reminded. The most successful students get started with the assignments immediately and communicate with the instructor on a regular basis. Though taking a web course is not for everyone, it can be a great alternative to traditional face-to-face classes. It not only allows total flexibility of your time, it provides a means of furthering your education without missing work and often without leaving your home. Everything you will need for this course (except the textbook) will be provided to you via D2L. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

None.

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Testing Procedures:

Each chapter will have a timed, objective online test covering the content.

Grading Procedures:

In addition to reading the chapters in your textbook and viewing the other learning materials, each student will participate in on-line discussions, complete chapter quizzes, drop box assignments, a reflection paper and a comprehensive post-test at the end of the course. A brief description of each assignment is below.

Specific details are available within the course.

Grading Scale:

900 - 1,000 Points A
800 - 899 Points B
700 - 799 Points C
600 - 699 Points D
under 599 Points F

Assignments and Projects:

Discussion Board Posts: The discussion board within D2L is a means in which you share your thoughts about a topic. It is not a private venue; your classmates as well as your instructor can view it. When indicated within the module, each student will compose an ORGINAL post in response to a topic provided. Each original post should consist of 200 - 225 words of quality content that is relevant and meaningful to the topic. Each ORIGINAL post is worth 9 points. In addition each student will read and REPLY to two (2) different classmates' posts to provide additional information, opinions, etc. about the topic. Each of the reply posts should be a minimum of 50 words. Each REPLY post is worth 3 points.

Quizzes: At the end of each chapter, you will complete a quiz covering the material for the chapter. Each quiz will consist of 25 multiple-choice questions within a 30 minute time frame. You may take each quiz twice, if desired, with the highest grade recorded. After the deadline for the quiz has ended, you may review any missed questions in preparation for your Post Test.

Dropbox Assignments: One (1) page papers utilizing the 3-2-1 strategy will be due at the end of each major section of the textbook, audio lecture PowerPoints, videos and other assignments. List three (3) terms/ concepts that you discovered, two (2) interesting items that will assist you in your career selection, and one (1) question that you still have in relation to the module learning objectives. You will need to write in complete sentences and elaborate on each section.

Reflection Paper: A formal three (3) page paper based upon what you have learned during the course in relation to the course objectives. Use the course learning objectives, your 3-2-1 papers and Discussion Posts as the base for the paper.

Post-Test: A final exam that will include 50 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute time limit and covering all of the chapters in the book based upon the course objectives. The Post-Test can only be taken one (1) time.

DescriptionPoints
7 Discussion Board Postings, at 15 points each (9 for ORIGINAL and 3 for each REPLY)105
17 Chapter Quizzes, at 25 points each425
5 Dropbox Assignments (3-2-1 papers) at 50 points each250
1 Reflection Papers, at 120 points each120
Comprehensive Post Test at 100 points each100
Total Points1000
Class Participation:
  • Students are required to communicate with other students on the Discussion Board.
  • Students are expected to communicate with the instructor via email within D2L.
  • Students are required to check the course calendar for all assignment and test due dates.
Late Policy:
  • Students are required to to be prepared and participate in assignments and discussion boards.
  • All assignments and discussions board postings must be completed by the due date.

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021