Business Organization & Management David R. Swarts; Fall Semester,  2010
Course Site Map | Syllabus | Textbook Author's Website | Instructor's Home Page | CCC Website

Syllabus

Instructor: Mr. Swarts
Office: Room 543
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday:  9:00 - 10:00; Tuesday and Thursday:  3:30 - 4:00.  Other office hours upon request.
Telephone: (518) 562-4174
Credit Hours: Three (3)
Contact Hours: Three (3) 
Semester and Year: Fall, 2010
E-Mail:  david.swarts@clinton.edu

I. Course Description:

A general survey of business, with an analysis of business enterprise elements and functions. A fundamental consideration is also made of the various areas of business specialization.

II. Course Prerequisite: None

III. Textbook and Other Required Materials:

Business Essentials, Eighth Edition, Ebert & Griffin, Prentice-Hall.  It is recommended that both the text and the Study Guide be purchased.  However, the Study Guide is not required.  Please note that if the text and Study Guide are shrink-wrapped, once the wrapping is removed, the package cannot be returned to the bookstore.

A notebook.

IV. Course Objectives:

After completing this course, the students should be able to answer questions on, and debate and discuss, the following topics:

The contemporary business environment
The business of managing
People in organizations
Principles of marketing
Managing information
Understanding financial issues

Students also should be able to:

Demonstrate an awareness of their rights and responsibilities as citizens, as well as an understanding of the general economic, political, and social principles upon which societies are founded,

Demonstrate an awareness of global interdependence, and

Gain an appreciation for formal and informal lifelong learning in educational institutions and in the community.

General Education Objectives:  N/A

V. Methods of Instruction:

The instructor will utilize the following methods of instruction:

Lecture 
Student responses to end-of-chapter questions and other exercises
Group discussion and group work
Videos, DVD's
Outside speakers 
Some computer work

Students are expected to be attentive in class and to take notes.  Students are encouraged to seek assistance outside class from the instructor, through group tutoring, and through the utilization of tutors available at the College in the Tutoring Center.  Studying in groups is also encouraged.  

Differently-abled students: If you have, or suspect you may have, any type of disability or learning problem that may require extra assistance or special accommodations, please speak to your instructor privately after class or during scheduled office hours as soon as possible to help you obtain any assistance you may need to successfully complete this course. You should also contact Laurie Bethka, Room 419M, in the Accommodative Services Office, for further assistance.

VI. Attendance Procedure:

Attendance, promptness, and participation in all classes are prerequisites to success both in the classroom and in the business world. Poor attendance, tardiness, and lack of participation can affect a student's grade.

Note: If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to e-mail your instructor, visit your instructor's office,  or leave a phone message to find out what was covered in class and to find out your assignments for the following class. You also need to state how you will make up the missed work. If no contact is made, late assignments will not be accepted.

You will be withdrawn from class after you miss five (5) classes.  Two "lates" equal one absence.

VII. Methods of Evaluation:

Three (3) tests will be given. Tests may not be made up.  If a test is missed, the score on the next test will be doubled.

Assignments to be graded are listed in bold in the next section.  Other in-class assignments, as well as outside assignments, may be required.  They are to  be keyboarded with your name on them.  No handwritten assignments will be accepted.  

Use of the Study Guide is strongly recommended.  Past students have frequently stated that their test scores are much higher as a result of using this supplement.

The final grade for this course will be computed as follows:

Tests:            80%
Assignments: 20%

Enter your grades as soon as possible in your notebook or at the end of this syllabus!

Vangonotes in MPE Format:  

You may be able to study on the go with VangoNotes which provides chapter reviews in downloadable MP3 format offering brief audio segments for each chapter.  This includes:  vital ideas in each chapter, a practice test, key terms, and a rapid review.  For more information, please go to www.vangonotes.com.

Author's website:  

This site contains valuable resources for students.  It is suggested that, at your earliest convenience, you visit the website and see what is available.

Assistance and Incentives:

Extra credit may be obtained by making an oral presentation to the class.  Talk to your instructor about topics, length of the presentation, methods of presentation, etc.

You can sharpen your skills and improve your grades by visiting the Tutoring Center located on the Fourth Floor of our Main Building.  A computer lab is available, as well as an Online Tutoring Center.  Want to access the library through the Internet?  Access it from home—or anywhere.  For links to these areas, please refer to the college's website at:  www.clinton.edu or talk with your instructor. 

Reward for Good Attendance:

If you have perfect attendance, your final grade will be increased one grade level.

Grading Scale Including Quality Points):

95 - 100   A     4.0
90 - 94     A-    3.7
87 - 89     B+   3.3
83 - 86     B     3.0
80 - 82     B-    2.7
77 - 79     C+   2.3
73 - 76     C     2.0
70 - 72     C-    1.7
65 - 69     D+   1.3
60 - 64     D     1.0
0   - 59     F      0

Student Conduct.  Students should read the section of the college catalog entitled "Code of Student Conduct," as well as other documents, policies, and the student handbook.  Students are reminded that they should not disrupt or obstruct teaching and learning.

Academic Integrity. All students are expected to behave with academic honesty. It is not academically honest to misrepresent another person's work as your own, to take credit for someone else's words or ideas, to accept help on a test or assignment when you are expected to work independently, to obtain advanced information on confidential test materials, or to act in a way that might harm another student's chance for academic success. Please check the college catalog for more information.

Course Continuity Plan.  In the case that the college officially closes because of an emergency which causes a short-term disruption of this course, we will utilize e-mail to continue this course in the short term (1-3 weeks).  All students need to utilize their campus e-mail to receive course-related information.  

Cell Phones.  Please turn off cell phones during class.  Laptop computers are not permitted to be used in class.

Attire:  It is suggested that, if you wear a hat, you wear it in the usual manner.  Please keep hoods down and wear sunglasses outdoors.

VIII. Course Outline:

Chapter 1:   The U.S. Business Environment

Chapter 2:   Business Ethics And Social Responsibility

Chapter 3:   Entrepreneurship, New Ventures, And Business Ownership

Chapter 4:   The Global Context of Business

Test #1

Chapter 5:   Business Management

Chapter 8:   Employee Behavior And Motivation

Chapter 9:   Leadership And Decision Making

Chapter 10: Human Resources Management And Labor Relations

Test #2

Chapter 11: Marketing Processes And Consumer Behavior

Chapter 14: The Role Of Accountants And Accounting Information

Chapter 15: Money and Banking

Chapter 16: Managing Finances

Test #3

ASSIGNMENTS

Graded Assignments in Bold

(Subject to Periodic Changes)

                               Keep a list of your test grades and assignments below:

Test Scores:  ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Assignments: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

This page last modified on 08/18/2010.

For more information about this site, please contact David R. Swarts.