Introduction to Business
Business Studies Department Mission Statement
Aligning with the Lakewood University mission, our innovative business programs will prepare learners to work as valuable managers and leaders in their respective workplaces, facilitating change for the benefit of the organization, its stakeholders, and society.
BUS100 — Introduction to Business, 3.0 hours
Present the fundamentals of business organization and procedures to acquaint the student with management principles, business terminology, types of business organizations and control
Program Objectives
- Define business and discuss the role of business in the economy.
- Explain and evaluate the free market system and supply and demand.
- Describe business ethics and ethical dilemmas.
- Explain the importance of excellent business communication.
- Differentiate the four basic forms of business ownership.
- Examine reasons to launch a small business.
- Define accounting and describe how stakeholders use accounting information.
- Explain customer relationship management (CRM) in marketing.
- Explain the role of managerial leadership and key leadership styles.
- Explain the importance of human resources management to business success.
- Describe how managers use information to make better decisions.
- Discuss the key responsibilities of operations managers.
Professor
Jim Gepperth, M.P.A. owns and manages a small business in North Olmsted, Ohio. He is a former program director of a large non-profit charity organization serving northeast Ohio and has 22-year experience as a manager in the non-profit sector. Jim holds a Master degree in Public Administration from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Studies at Cleveland State University. He has experience teaching Political Science, Public Administration and Business courses at the college level, as well as training and lecturing as a consultant. Jim continues to be involved with a variety of charity organizations throughout northern Ohio. In his spare time, Jim enjoys reading biographies, watching sci-fi movies and cheering for Cleveland sports teams!
Online Support (IT) and Moodle Navigation
All members of the Lakewood University community who use the University’s computing, information or communication resources must act responsibly. Support is accessible by calling 1-800-517-0857 option 2 or by emailing info@lakewood.edu
Books and Resources
McGowan, James, and Marce Kelly. BUSN, 12th ed. Mason, OH: South Western, 2021
Evaluation Method
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance.
Course Requirement Summary
- Assignments - Total of 100 Points
- Weekly discussion forums-Total of 80 Points
- Midterm Essay - 20 Points
- Final Exam - 50 Points
Grading Scale
Graded work will receive a numeric score reflecting the quality of performance as given above in evaluation methods. The maximum number of points a student may earn is 250. To determine the final grade, the student's earned points are divided by 250.
Your overall course grade will be determined according to the following scale:
A = (90% -100%)
B = (80% - 89%)
C = (70% - 79%)
D = (60% - 69%)
F < (Below 60%)
Assignment and Discussion Forum Post Rubrics
Writing Assignment Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent |
Good |
Poor |
Very Poor |
No Response |
|
Original Posting ____/10 |
Writing assignment was well thought out, coherent, and thoughtfully organized with all parts of the questions addressed along with appropriate grammar and spelling |
Writing was clear and relatively well organized and responded to many/most of the key points with a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Writing was somewhat confusing and not well organized and had little or no focus on the subject matter with significant grammar and spelling errors |
Writing is confusing and hard to follow with no organization while missing the point of the assignment entirely |
No Assignment |
|
Total Points ____/10 |
Additional Comments: |
Discussion Question Grading Rubric
|
Points |
Excellent Pass |
Good Pass |
Poor Fail |
No Response Fail |
|
Original Posting PASS/FAIL |
Original post reflected good focus to the discussion with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Original post responded to the topic in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Responded with little or no focus to the discussion and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Reply to fellow student PASS/FAIL |
Response to fellow student reflected good focus to the post with well thought out ideas and appropriate grammar and spelling |
Response to fellow student in a general fashion but failed to organize them well and had a few mistakes in regard to grammar and spelling |
Little or no focus to the post and contained short, irrelevant and/or confusing commentary with significant grammar and spelling errors |
No posting |
|
Total Points PASS/FAIL |
Additional Comments: |
Academic Integrity/ Plagiarism
Cheating (dishonestly taking the knowledge of another person whether on a test or an assignment and presenting it as your work) and plagiarism (to take and pass off as one's own the ideas or writing of another) are a serious issue. While it is legitimate to talk to others about your assignments and incorporate suggestions, do not let others "write" your assignments in the name of peer review or "borrow" sections or whole assignments written by others. We do get ideas from life experiences and what we read but be careful that you interpret these ideas and make them your own.
I am aware that many types of assignments are available on the internet and will check these sources when there is legitimate suspicion.
Penalty is a zero on the assignment. In cases where there is a major or continuous breach of trust, further discipline, such as an "F" in the course, may be necessary.
The major consequence of any form of cheating is damage to your character and the result of trust and respect.
Disability Accommodations
Students who have a disability and wish to request an academic accommodation should contact Jim Gepperth, the Disabilities Services Coordinator and Academic Dean. The student can request an accommodation at any time although it is encouraged to do so early in the enrollment process. The student should complete an accommodation request form which begins a conversation between the school and the student regarding the nature of their disability and an accommodation that would help the student succeed in their program. The school may request documentation regarding the disability to address the accommodation request effectively. The school will communicate to the student the type of accommodation arranged. This process typically follows a team approach, bringing together persons from the academic department (including the instructor) and personnel from other departments as necessary. Additional information on disability accommodations may be found in the Lakewood University Catalog.
Disability Services Email: disabilityservices@lakewood.edu
Supplemental Texts
You can use the following resources to assist you with proper source citation.
American Psychological Association Style Guide- https://www.mylakewoodu.com/pluginfile.php/118179/mod_resource/content/1/APA%20Style%20Guide%207th%20edition.pdf
The Purdue OWL website is also a helpful resource for students. Here is a link to the OWL website: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/general_format.html
Library
Mary O'Dell is the Librarian on staff at Lakewood University
She is available by appointment. You can make an appointment with her by emailing her at modell@lakewood.edu or call at 1-800-517-0857 X 730
You may also schedule a meeting at this link: https://my.setmore.com/calendar#monthly/r3a761583354923270/01032020
She can assist you with navigating LIRN, research, citations etc.
Support
Each student at Lakewood University is assigned a Success Coach. Your Success Coach exists to assist you with academic and supportive services as you navigate your program. They will reach out to you, often, to check-in. Please use the resources they offer.
Student Services is available to assist with technical questions regarding Lakewood University and all services available to you.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
info@lakewood.edu
studentservices@lakewood.edu
Career Services
Students are offered Career Services at any point as they journey their academics at Lakewood University.
1-800-517-0857 option 2
careerservices@lakewood.edu
Objectives
- Define business and discuss the role of business in the economy.
- Explain and evaluate the free market system and supply and demand.
- Describe business ethics and ethical dilemmas.
- Explain the importance of excellent business communication.
- Differentiate the four basic forms of business ownership.
- Examine reasons to launch a small business.
- Define accounting and describe how stakeholders use accounting information.
- Explain customer relationship management (CRM) in marketing.
- Explain the role of managerial leadership and key leadership styles.
- Explain the importance of human resources management to business success.
- Describe how managers use information to make better decisions.
- Discuss the key responsibilities of operations managers.
Lessons
- Business Now: Change is the Only Constant
- Economics: The Framework for Business
- The World Marketplace: Business without Borders
Study Course Syllabus
Read Chapters 1, 2, 3
Review PowerPoints and Video - “Introducing the Kaufmann Foundation”
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 1
- Business Ethics and Social Responsibility: Doing Well by Doing Good
- Business Communication: Creating and Delivering Messages that Matter
Read Chapters 4 & 5
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 1
- Business Formation: Choosing theForm that Fits
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Economic Rocket Fuel
Read Chapters 6 & 7
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 2
- Accounting: Decision Making by the Numbers
- Finance: Acquiring and Using Funds to Maximize Value
- Financial Markets: Allocating Financial Resource
Read Chapters 8, 9, 10
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Midterm Writing Assignment
- Marketing: Building Profitable Customer Connections
- Product and Promotion: Creating and Communicating Value
- Distribution and Pricing: Right Product, Right Person, Right Place, Right Price
Read Chapters 11,12, 13
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
- Management Motivation and Leadership: Bringing a Business to Life
- Human Resource Management: Building a Top-Quality Workforce
Read Chapters 14 & 15
Review PowerPoints
Participate in 2 Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 3
- Managing Information and Technology: Finding New Ways to Learn and Link
- Operations Management: Putting It All Together
Read Chapters 16 & 17
Review PowerPoints
Participate in the Discussion Forum
Complete Assignment 4 & 5
Review the PowerPoint
Complete the Final Exam
Request the Next Course
Course Evaluation
THANKS FOR A GREAT CLASS