UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

BUSINESS TRANSFER 1023

BUSINESS FOUNDATIONS

COURSE SYLLABUS

FALL SEMESTER 2005

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION: &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; OFFICE and HOURS:

Gregory B. Swango, MS, CPA &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Office: Burns Hall 2016<= /p>

E-mail:&nbs= p; gswango@nwacc.edu &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Phone: 479.619.4272

Website:&nb= sp; http://faculty.nwacc.edu/gswango/<= span style=3D'mso-tab-count:4'> &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; Ho= urs: Posted on Website

Course Description

This course presents an integrated view of business organizations by studying the business processes that are common to most businesses, including the acquisition of capital and human resources, purchasing, production, and sal= es. This course also develops the accounting model that captures information ab= out business processes and reports results through formal financial statements.=

Prerequisites: COMM 1313 Fundamentals of Communication with a grade of “C” or better, and having satisfied the computer competency requirement. Concurrent enrollment may be consi= dered acceptable.

Value of the Course

Business Foundations provides an overview of what busine= ss is about. It addresses such questions as “what goes on in a typical business,” “what types of decisions need to be made,” and “what is involved in the execution of common business processes such = as processing customer orders, purchasing materials, and acquiring human and financial resources.”

The broad objective of this course is to present you wit= h a business framework that will allow you to see how future business courses a= re related to each other. For example, when you learn about the production of goods and services in a future course, you will then be able to identify the implications that production has on, say, the acquisition and satisfaction = of customers, and the provision of the appropriate human and capital resources. You will also learn that there are no separate production decisions or marketing decisions or accounting decisions for that matter. Instead, all decisions are business decisions; business decisions involve issues = that simultaneously relate to accounting, as well as marketing, and finance, etc= .

This course is not designed to answer questions. = The business world is much too complex to be “covered” in a single course. Instead, this course is designed to generate questions. The answers to those questions will come later as you proceed through the busin= ess curriculum. (If you are not planning to take the business curriculum, then = this course will provide you with a realistic assessment of the complexities of business, which will help you decide in the future when you’ll need assistance from business experts.)

The value of this course is that it presents a hands-on overview of business, combined with an introduction of fundamental business concepts and tools. We will be successful when, upon completion of the cour= se, you conclude that “I don’t yet know how to market a product, bu= t I am ready to learn how.” Or “I don’t quite know how the fi= nancial markets work, but I want to succeed in business, so I’m going to find out.”

Course Objectives =

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

Explain the basics of what is involved in running a typical business, includin= g the types of decisions which need to be made and the common business proce= sses that are involved. =
Explain how the various functional areas of a business (such as marketing, management, accounting, finance, and information systems) contribute to the formulation of common business decisions.
Interpret basic financial statements and explain the underlying accounting principles and techniques upon which these statements are based.<= /o:p>
Describe the nature of the information system that is required to support busin= ess decisions, including technology, processes, and database requirements.=
Effectively work in teams with persons from a variety of backgrounds and experienc= es.
Use and apply common business-related technology.
Deliver effective, concise oral presentations in class, which summarize busine= ss performance and future plans.

Textbook and Other Required Materials

This course is centered around a semester lo= ng computer business simulation. This simulation is supported by a customized textbook and a web-based team development program. You will need to purchase the following materials:

“Founda= tion Business Simulation Manager Guide,” 2006, by Capsim Management Simulations, Northfield Illinois, available at= http://www.capsim.com/home= page.cfm

“Busine= ss Foundations” customized text, Southwestern Thomson Learning, 200= 6, ISBN 0-324-52621-0.

C= ourse Management Software

The only course management software applicat= ion being used for this course is the simulation website.

Class Procedures=

Your regular class meetings will involve a variety of teaching methods --from lectures and class discussions to problem solving and simulation exercises-- so it is important to come to class with advance preparation (reading and assignments) completed. Your grade for the course will depend on both individual work and group work outside of cl= ass, as outlined below:

Group Assignments:<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'> Group assignments will account for a signifi= cant percent of the total course points available. At the beginning of the semester groups of approximately 3 - 5 students will be formed. Each g= roup will be assigned a number of group assignments to be completed outside of t= he classroom. This includes the simulation game as well as Excel and Acce= ss assignments. Group assignments must be completed by the specified deadlines. Otherwise, the assignment is late and penalties will apply.

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<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>COVER SHEET= . Each group assig= nment needs to be accompanied by a cover sheet, signed by each team member= who participated in the assignment. By signing the cover sheet, team members formally declares that they “have participated in the work associated with this assignment, and have contributed in a significant manner to its c= ompletion.” ONLY THOSE TEAM MEMBERS WHO HAVE SIGNED THE COVER SHEET will receive points= for the assignment.

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<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>PROBATION. If there is a te= am member who consistently does not participate in the team, or who cre= ates a significant and continuing disruption of the team process, the team may vote to put that member up for probation. A team member who is placed on probation will receive zero points for all subsequent team assignments. Rules and procedures for placing a member on probation, as well the steps that a member-on-probation may take to be re-instated are will be discussed as needed.

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Peer Evaluations: Employers who recruit college students seek out students who have developed small group skills for the workplace. = For each project your group completes during the semester, the grade on each assignment depends on each member's efforts. Evaluation points will be based on= your individual contribution to your group and your instructor will solicit peer evaluations from your group concerning your contribution to the group's eff= orts for available points. These peer evaluations must be completed online using= the Foundation simulation software. Note that you are not eligible to receive p= eer evaluation points unless you submit an evaluation for each of your fellow g= roup members by the specified deadline.

Individual Assignments: Individual assignments are those w= hich you complete by yourself. Some individual assignments may be completed= in class while others will be completed outside of class.

Special Requirements

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As described above, this course requires you to purchase (1) a textbook, and (2) the Foundation simulation game. It is critical that you purchase these materials, a= nd do so at the beginning of the semester. YOU CANNOT PASS THE COURSE WITHOUT PURCHASING THESE COURSE MATERIALS.

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Many course points= are also earned by using the Foundation simulation software. If you haven’t purchased the access key to t= he simulation software, then you won’t be able to earn those points. With the purchased access key, you will earn simulation points both individually= and as part of a group, as further discussed.

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Examinations

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There are three examinations during the semester with the final examination covering the remaining untested course material. Questions concerning the grading of a particular exam/quiz question must be resolved within a reasonable time per= iod (approximately two weeks) after the exam/quiz is returned. After that, all grades will be final. A machine readable scantron form will be used on all exams so it is advised that you do not fold or mutilate the forms and that = you take care when marking your answers for grading.

Make-up Exam Policy

It is to your advantage to take all exams at the scheduled times. Makeup exams are d= iscouraged and need to be arranged with the instructor’s approval prior to the d= ate of the regularly scheduled exam. If the student has to miss an examination due to a reasonable cause, it is the student’s responsibility to schedule a make-up examination in the tes= ting center prior to the return of the exam results to the class. Exams missed without the prior approval or without adequate documentation of the reason for missing the exam will resu= lt in a recorded grade of zero for the missed exam. Exams missed with prior approval and adequate documentation will result in a score for the mi= ssed exam equal to 10% less than the average of the remaining two exams.<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>=

G= rading

Your course grade consists of many component= s, reflecting the many aspects of this course. You will be able to earn some course point= s by merely completing or submitting an assignment on time; other points will de= pend on the level of your individual and group performance. These items are identified as “group” items below. Upon occasion where changes = in grading components occur they will be discussed in class.=

Students receive the following course points for completion of e= ach component:        = Points        &= nbsp;

Business Goals Assignment   &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; 10       &n= bsp;            = ;

Register with Capsim for Foundation Simulation and complete Rehearsal       &n= bsp;         30

Personality style inventory    &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p; 10

Team Peer evaluation survey   &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =              10

Simulation performance

Completion of “Team Member Guide Lesson 1 and 2”           =             &nb= sp;       20

Completion of situation analysis (gro= up grade)    = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;             <= /span>30

Timely submission of round decisions (8) (group grade)    = ;            &n= bsp;           = 40

            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp; Total points awarded for the completion of items&= nbsp;         150         =

The following items are graded<= /b> and included in the course grade:

Homework (6 sets @ 10 points each; 8 sets @ 5 points each)           &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;      100

Peer evaluations (grade depends on evaluation of other group members) ^{^[1]}       &n= bsp;        50<= /li>
Oral presentations each round (2 @ 5) and overall (40) (group grade) =             &nb= sp;       50

Regular and Final exams (3)   &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            300

Simulation performance ^{^[2]}

“Stars-n-Moons” and relative performance (8) = (group grade)    = ;            &n= bsp;    80

Overall relative competitive team performance (group grade)    = ;            &n= bsp;     20

Excel projects (2) (group grade)<= /u>       &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;    50

Bonus project**(bonus group grade opportunity.)   = ;            &n= bsp;            = ;            &n= bsp;        **<= /li>
Class participation and attendance* &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =     100

            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;    Total points for graded items   &n= bsp;      750

            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;            =       Total course points     =      900

Final letter grades = will be determined on a standard scale where: A =3D 90% of total available points or above, B =3D 80% or above, C =3D 70% or above, D =3D 60% or above, and F = =3D below 60% of total points.

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Attendance Policy=

Because this is an interactive class, learni= ng depends on attendance. Studen= ts are expected to attend all classes. Instructors may choose to use regular class attendance as part of the grading process and have the authority to lower a grade or fail a student b= ased on attendance. This instructor’s observance of consistent attendance* will be used in the grading process as an incentive. All students start with 100 points.= Each missed class results in a 5 point deduction (10 points per night class missed) starting with the second week of classes and no further points will be deducted subsequent to the last day to drop (see below). Information about upcoming assignm= ents, including changes in deadlines and submission dates, may be discussed in cl= ass. Missing a class will never be accepted as an excuse for missing assignments= .

Academic Integ= rity

Ethics and values ar= e very important in the world of business, non-profit and government organizations= . We will consider ethical issues in business throughout this course. Ethics and values are also important in education. Instructors will assume, unless the= re is evidence to the contrary, that you are an ethical student. To help you fulfill your ethical responsibilities as a student refer to the following a= nd the NWACC catalog.

Graded Group Assignments:

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All work is to be performed exclusively by the members of the group and all group members must contribute their fair share to each assignment. If outside research is = performed, sources are to be cited and information discovered via outside research is = to be clearly labeled as such. If outside research is performed, the products = of your research are NOT to be shared with any student who is not a member of = the group. Group assignments should o= nly be discussed with members of your group and your instructor.

Individual Ass= ignments and Examinations:

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All individual assignments and examinations must be the exclusive work of the individual student. If any outside research is allowed, it will be specifically authorized in writing on the assignment or examination. If authorized outsi= de research is used, it must be performed exclusively by the individual student and may NOT be shared with any other student. Individual assignments should not be discussed with anyone other than your instructor. If you have any questions regarding these policies = or who you may work with on an assignment, do not hesitate to ask your instruc= tor.

If you know th= at another student is violating these standards:

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Allowing another stu= dent to obtain course points by deceit contributes to a general lowering of the eth= ical standards of NWACC and contributes to deception of potential employers and other academic institutions. Thus, you have an obligation to take some acti= on when you know another student is violating the course's academic integrity standards. This is a difficult personal trial to face, but it is an importa= nt part of your ethical obligation as a student. If you know that another stud= ent is violating the standards, it is your responsibility to inform the student’s instructor.

Penalty for ac= ademic integrity violations:

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Typically, an academ= ic integrity violation on a graded assignment or exam will result in a mini= mum penalty of a zero for the assignment/exam plus a one-letter reduction in yo= ur course grade; more serious violations will result in more serious penalties= . In accordance with NWACC policy, academic integrity violations may be reported= to the Judicial Committee for review and recommended grading sanctions.

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Inclement Weather Policy=

If it proves necessary to cancel class due to inclement weather, the cancellation announcement will be posted at http://www.nwacc.edu , or you may ca= ll 479.619.4377. Otherwise, assume class will be held.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

The NWACC faculty = and staff strive diligently to ensure all academic and programmatic services of= the college are accessible for individuals with disabilities. Academic accommodations are often = made available to enrolled students who have documented disabilities. In order to procure accommodations, students must first be admitted to the college and submit a completed Intake Form to the Director of Disabilities Services. Students should complete this proc= ess immediately after admission to NWACC.

Deadline for Dropping Course

The student is responsible for being aware of the final date for dropping a class with an automatic “W” on the transcript. The Fall 2005 semester date is Friday, November 18^th.= Please schedule an appointment to = see me if you are in question of your grade status at this point in time; otherwis= e, your overall course grade average will be assigned. NOTE: IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSI= BILITY TO KNOW HIS / HER GRADE STATUS AND TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION (NO EXCEPTIONS).