MW 9:00-10:20am
General Learning Goals:
Understand the basic fundamentals of the business environment.Students will: 1) identify challenges businesses face today; 2) discuss key social and economic roles that business serve and 3) discuss the major economic roles of the U.S. government and differentiate between a free-market and planned economies.
General learning goals and represent the skill that graduates will carry with them into their careers. While assessing student performance in obtaining these general learning goals, the Dillard College of Business Administration continuously assesses its programs. These assessments are helpful in improving our curriculum and it’s delivery.
I like these for this class!
Course Specific Learning Goals: After completing this course, students should be able to:
Understand the scope of the business environment.
Understand the types and functions of various economic systems, defining the roles of supply and demand, competition, and government intervention in the economy.
Understand the role of the entrepreneur.
Understand the basic definitions and interaction of multiple business disciplines, i.e., economics, management, marketing, operations management, business legal principles and risk management.
Understand and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of business organizations.
Understand different leadership styles and motivational theories.
Understand the purpose, structure and functions of a comprehensive business plan.
Grading and Evaluation: Student performance will be assessed using the following elements:
1). Exams (4): Each exam will consist of multiple choice and true/false questions. The cumulative
exam points will be divided by 4 to establish a base average grade. Pop quizzes will be factored in
after the average is established and will provide extra credit. Lectures and discussions are the
sources of the examination questions. Absences on the date of the exam must be justified via a
University excuse.
2). Pop Quizzes (4): The average of the pop quizzes will be used as a basis to calculate a
participation grade. They are for extra credit and will not detract from your major exam average.
They can only help you via participation points based on what you earn. However, they must be
passed with a minimum grade of 60 to receive any credit. If you miss a pop quiz, it cannot be made
up. If you don’t pass any of the pop quizzes your grade will based solely on the average of your
major exam scores. Pop quizzes evaluate your participation, i.e., your class attendance, reading
assigned chapters on a timely basis, and quantifying your preparation for class on a periodic basis.
Exam points and pop quiz scores will be weighed in according to the following example:
Element
Points
Grades will be assigned using the following scheme.
Exam I
100
A
90+
D
60-69
Exam II
B
80-89
F
Less than 60
Exam III
C
70-79
Final Exam
Total Exam Points
400
Exam Scores:
EX I 80
EX II 68
EX III 88
EX IV 76
Total 312
Div by 4 = 78
Pop Quizzes (4). Each quiz counts 25% of 4% or 1% for your participation grade. They count as Extra Credit Only @ a total of up to 4% of pop quiz cumulative points added to cumulative exam points divided by 4 for a final average.
Example:
4 pop quizzes = 400 possible points
Quiz Scores:
qz I 60= 1%
qz II 60= 2%
qz III 60= 3%
qz IV 60= 4%
Cumulative points 240
.04 X 240 =
9.6
312 + 9.6 =
322 rounded
Divided by 4=
80 = Grade B
If only 3 Pop Quizzes taken or 75% of available quizzes taken = 3% of total cumulative points from pop quizzes= 180
.03 X 180 = 5.4 point
312 + 5.4 = 317.4
317.4 + 6.3 = 318 div 4 = 79.5 or 80 = Grade B
The grade ranges are firm. For example, a 79 is a "C". Thus you can assess the performance required prior to the final exam. Semester grades will be reported through normal University channels with no exceptions.
How do the earlier pop quizzes fit into the grading scheme?
Attendance Policy: 100% Class Attendance is expected for this class. Roll will be taken each class meeting. Do not miss class unless you are very sick, have a death in the family, or something similar to these major events. Class and/or exam make up must be approved by me. Please do not leave class early. Good prior planning should enable you to make doctors appointments, and other appointments, at times other than class time. Should an exceptional need arise to leave early, please notify me ahead of time. Poor attendance (four or more absences) will detract from your grade. No extra credit may be earned if you have poor attendance. Upon the fifth unexcused absence, you will be dropped for non-attendance and receive a grade of WF for the course. See the MSU Student Handbook page 39-40 for University Class attendance policy.
Tardiness: Students coming into the classroom late, or leaving early, is very disruptive to everyone. Please keep these activities to a minimum. Be on time (early) and plan to stay the entire class period. Students who are not present when roll is checked will be counted absent for that class. If you must be late, come to class anyway.
Class Participation: Be prepared. Read the text material. Please ask questions. If you would like,
you may submit written questions to me and I will cover your question in class. You will be expected to
participate when called upon in class. Students should always be prepared to answer questions. Good
participation in class is a sign of good preparation out of class.
My pet peeve is students sleeping in class. It will earn you a “0” in class participation. A habit of
sleeping in class will be detrimental to your overall course grade.
Please note: Food and beverages of any kind are not permitted in classrooms at any time. Food and
beverages may be consumed in the public areas. This is a Dillard College of Business rule and is an
effort to keep the Dillard Building beautiful.
Please turn off all cell phones and put them away. The use of computers during class is permitted for
note-taking only; use of the internet and “instant messaging” for any reason, during class, is not
permitted.
If I suspect you are “text messaging or instant messaging” during class you will be asked to leave the
classroom for the day. Use of the internet during class will result in losing computer privileges in class.
Please remove your hats or caps in the classroom. These items are inappropriate in almost all
indoor business situations. Please do not ask “Did I miss anything important”, “Will I miss anything
important”, or “Will we get out early today?” Do not pack up before class is over.
I reserve the right to lower any student’s final grade up to two letter Grades (i.e., A to C, C to F) for:
1) A negative, rude, unreasonably argumentative, or inattentive attitude in class, or
2) Repeatedly disrupting the class for any reason (leaving class early; tardiness), or
3) General disrespect towards the instructor or for fellow classmates’ questions,
opinions or any class presentations
Preparedness, for class and assignments, is expected of all students. The indispensable and ethical
responsibility of a good instructor is to award students the grades they deserve on the basis of
academic performance with no regard to how deserving they may be based on other criteria. While I
am sympathetic to special problems of individual students, grades are determined solely by
performance of the student. If you need my help with course material, please do not hesitate to
call me.
Testing Policy: Each student is responsible, on every pop test or major exam, for material covered in
class, reading, or other work assigned outside of class. This includes all assigned text material and all
lecture material unless the instructor specifically excludes particular items.
1. Make-up for major exams will be given only if the student has been excused from the exam with
“good reason” as determined solely by the instructor. You must make up a major exam before
returning to class. No makeup will be allowed for missed pop quizzes. The instructor shall
determine what constitutes “good reason” and the make-up time for major exams. If you are ill and
cannot make it to class for the exam, please contact me prior to missing the exam, if at all possible. .
2. Tests will consist of True/False and multiple choice questions. You are required to furnish the
Scantron Form No. 882 – E unless otherwise specified, for all exams. In addition there may be
an occasional essay question, case study or other medium by which you will have an
opportunity to demonstrate, by practical application, your knowledge of what is learned in the
course.
On each exam, you are asked to mark your answers on the exam, and then, transfer those
answers to your Scantron form. Incorrect scores on the Scantron form, due to erasures, will not
be changed. Please make sure of your answers before transferring them to the Scantron form.
Medical or Other Serious Problems: Please make the effort to advise me if you have difficulties
which require my attention to properly evaluate your classroom participation and activities. Please
refer to Americans with Disabilities Act stated below.
Late Instructor: I will make every effort to be in the classroom when the class is scheduled to begin.
In most cases, you will be notified in advance if class is not going to be held. (This will be extremely
rare). You are expected to wait at least 15 minutes for me before leaving the classroom.
Academic Integrity – With regard to academic honesty, students are referred to the “Student Honor
Creed” on p.19 of Midwestern State University Undergraduate Catalogue, Vol. LXXVIII.
Academic dishonesty (cheating, collusion, or plagiarism) is taken seriously and will be investigated.
The minimum penalty is an “F” in this course and referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary
action, which may result in expulsion from the University.MidwesternState UniversityStudent Handbook – conflicts and questions not specifically addressed
by this syllabus are governed by the student handbook. Please make sure you have a copy and are
familiar with its contents.
Missed Examination Policy: Only students with authorized absences (see University Class
Attendance Policy), as approved by the instructor, may make up missed examinations. Students must
make up a missed exam before they are allowed to return to class. Pop quizzes may not be made up.
Class communication: Students must communicate with me directly. I will provide course updates,
readings, handouts, examination reviews, and other communication. Please check with me for any
information regarding your grade.
This is also in a later section.
Course Content and General Outline:
Attached is a general outline of material expected to be covered in class. Any changes will be announced
in class. Material covered, and the approximate dates of tests will vary as necessitated by the pace in
which material is covered. You are responsible for all assigned text material whether or not it is covered in
class.
There will be four (4) unannounced pop quizzes during the course. Please make sure that you stay
ahead with your chapter assignments and that you review the terminology and review/discussion
questions provided at the end of each chapter. Any pop quizzes, or extra assignments, will be used to
factor in a participation grade. This will be at instructor discretion and will add extra credit points to your
grade, in addition to the exams. Because the pop quizzes are for extra credit only, questions may come
from past material or one chapter ahead of lecture material.
Due to privacy issues, grades will not be posted. In most cases you will be notified of your grade during
our review of the exam. The review will occur as soon as possible after the exam is taken. I will be happy
to send you your grade via email provided you request it by writing your email address on each exam.
Should you have any questions regarding your grade, please see me after class or by appointment.
Americans with Disabilities Act:
If a student has an established disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like
to request accommodation, that student should please see me as soon as possible (i.e., within the first two
weeks of the semester). Refer to my office hours and phone number shown on page 1. This class follows
the guidelines suggested by the Center for Counseling and Disabilities Services for those students who qualify
for disability services. See MidwesternState UniversityUndergraduate Catalog, Vol. LXXVIII.
Syllabus Change Policy:
This syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change. Any syllabus changes will be communicated
in class.
Additional Information:
1). Grade Appeals: Any student who believes a grade has been inequitably awarded should first contact
the instructor who awarded the grade to discuss the issue and attempt to resolve the differences. A
student has 30 days following the first day of the succeeding semester to file a written appeal with the
dean of the instructor’s college in which the course was taught. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalogue
for further details. See the MSU Student Handbook for University policy on grade appeal.
2). Grade Changes: No grade except I (incomplete) may be removed from a student’s record once
properly recorded. Changes are not permitted after grades have been filed except to correct
documented clerical errors. Requests for error correction must be initiated immediately after the close
of the semester for which the grade was recorded.
3). Awarding and Removal of I: I- incomplete; a non‑punitive grade given only during the last one‑fourth
of a semester and only if a student (1) is passing the course; (2) has reason beyond the control of the
student why the work cannot be completed on schedule; and (3) arranges with the instructor to finish
the course at a later date by completing specific requirements that the instructor must list on the grade
sheet. A student may remove a grade of I within 30 days by completing the stipulated work.
4). Final Grades: I do not post final grades and interim grades. The department staff does not give out
grades. Do not call or stop by the department office to ask for grades. Only a student’s instructor can
release a student’s grade.
5). General policies: Exam dates will be confirmed in class, another reason your class attendance is
important. Those shown in this syllabus are approximate dates. We will adhere to these dates as closely
as possible. The student is responsible to come to class prepared. Please feel free to contact the
instructor as needed. I want to see everyone do well in this course, but a big part of success depends
on the student. I view everyone as an "A" student until proven otherwise. I expect on-time attendance,
preparation, and participation. Your grade will reflect your effort. Students who have a good attitude and
strive to meet these expectations will find me very supportive – I will do whatever I can to help students
succeed, in this course, and beyond.