| Instructor Name | Keith Jones |
|---|---|
| Building/Office Number | Wilson Building (WB), Room 121 |
| Office Hours | We will meet in AC 205 Office hours are at your convenience. I can meet in person or online - email me first to make sure I will be available. Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Email keith.jones@lsco.edu for appointment. |
| Virtual Hours | Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Email keith.jones@lsco.edu for appointment. |
| Office Telephone | (409) 883-7750 |
| Email Address | Keith.Jones@lsco.edu |
Course Description
BUSI 1301 - Business Principles 3-3-0 Provides a survey of economic systems, forms of business ownership, and considerations for running a business. Students will learn various aspects of business, management, and leadership functions; organizational considerations; and decision-making processes. Financial topics are introduced, including accounting, money and banking, and securities markets. Also included are discussions of business challenges in the legal and regulatory environment, business ethics, social responsibility, and international business. Emphasized is the dynamic role of business in everyday life. Course Identifier 52.0101 THIS COURSE IS CROSS-LISTED AS BUSG 1301. AC
Required Textbook & Materials
Introduction to Business
Gitman, L. J., McDaniel, C., Shah, A. J., Reece, M., Koffel, L., Talsma, B., & Hyatt, J. C. (2019). Introduction to business. Rice University.
***See Textbook module in Blackboard**
Upon registration for classes, LSCO students are automatically charged $14 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, lab codes, and electronic books on the first day of class through the Gator Book Pack. Information about the LSCO Gator Book Pack as well as responses to common FAQs can be found on LSCO's webpage. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE UNTIL THE SECOND DAY OF THE SEMESTER TO OPT-OUT OF THE GATOR BOOK PACK.
Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will acquire the following course learning outcomes:
Core Objectives
| Course Learning Outcome | Core Objective | Associated Course Activities/Assignments/Projects |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Identify major business functions of accounting, finance, information systems, management, and marketing. | The student will differentiate between major business functions. |
Business Functions Readings Business Functions Project Textbook Pages 541-548 Textbook Pages 501-507 Textbook Pages 412-419 |
|
2. Describe the relationships of social responsibility, ethics, and law in business. 3. Describe the importance and effects of ethical practices in business and be able to analyze business situations to identify ethical dilemmas and ethical lapses. 4. Explain integrity, ethics, and social responsibility as they relate to leadership and management. |
The student will explore reasons why social responsibility and ethics are critical for successful business. |
Ethics readings and assessments Integrity Project "Illegal, Unethical, or acceptable" Textbook Pages 59-78 |
| 5. Explain forms of ownership, including their advantages and disadvantages. | The student will describe the basic characteristics of a proprietorship, partnership, and corporation. |
Proprietor, partner, corp readings and assessments Corporate Ownership Project "Who owns this corporation?" Textbook Pages 129-158 |
| 6. Identify and explain the domestic and international considerations for today’s business environment: social, economic, legal, ethical, technological, competitive, and international. | The student will be familiar with international considerations. |
International Considerations readings and assessments American Company Project "What nationality is that company?" Textbook Pages 87-118 |
| 7. Identify and explain the role and effect of government on business. | The student will describe the government's power to impose regulations and provide assistance. |
Government influence readings and assessments Assistance and regulations Project Textbook Pages 685-698 |
| 8. Describe basic financial statements and show how they reflect the activity and financial condition of a business. | The student will be able to identify and explain the importance of an income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows. |
Accounting processes readings and assessments Financial Statements Project Textbook Pages 549-566 |
| 9. Explain the banking and financial systems, including the securities markets, business financing, and basic concepts of accounting. | The student will be able to describe the power of compound interest |
Financial Systems readings and assessments Compound Interest Project: "Why the rich stay rich and the poor keep sending them all their money." Textbook Pages 617-621 |
|
10. Explain the nature and functions of management. |
The student will describe management concepts as they apply to the organizational hierarchy |
Management Functions readings and assessments Corporate motivation Project "The reason behind every decision" Textbook Pages 209-237 |
| 11. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of information technology for businesses. | The student will understand the role of IT in the business world |
Information Technology readings and assessments IT SWAT Project Textbook Pages 501-527 |
Course Topical Outline
| Week 1 |
Week 1 - Getting Started and Basic Business Functions Topics: How to succeed in this (or any) college course Simplify Everything Expectations and course structure Etiquette / Netiquette How to communicate with instructor Set up grade sheet Set up portfolio Set up Checklist To Do: Introductions Post Participate in Discussion 1 Submit Discussion 1 Report Submit Project 1 Complete Quiz 1 |
|---|---|
| Week 2 |
Week 2 - Business Functions Topics: Ethics To Do: Read Page 541-553 Complete Quiz 2 Participate in Discussion 2 Submit Discussion 2 Report Submit Project 2 |
| Week 3 |
Week 3 - Forms of Ownership Topics: Sole Proprietorship Partnership Corporation To Do: Read Pages 129-158 Complete Quiz 3 Participate in Discussion 3 Submit Discussion 3 Report Submit Project 3 |
| Week 4 |
Week 4 - International Considerations (May substitute logistics discussion) Topics: social considerations economic considerations legal considerations ethical considerations technological considerations competitive considerations To Do: Read Pages 87-118 Complete Quiz 4 Participate in Discussion 4 Submit Discussion 4 Report Submit Project 4 |
| Week 5 |
Week 5 - Government Topics: Government as a regulator Government as a support To Do: Read Pages 685-698 Complete Quiz 5 Participate in Discussion 5 Submit Discussion 5 Report Submit Project 5 |
| Week 6 |
Week 6 - Financial Statements Topics: Income Statement Balance Sheet Statement of Cash Flows To Do: Read Pages 549-566 Complete Quiz 6 Participate in Discussion 6 Submit Discussion 6 Report Submit Project 6 |
| Week 7 |
Week 7 - Banking and Finance Topics: Banking Financial systems Securities markets Business financing To Do: Read Pages 617-621 Complete Quiz 7 Participate in Discussion 7 Submit Discussion 7 Report Submit Project 7 |
| Week 8 |
Week 8 - Management Topics: Planning Organizing Styles Skills To Do: Read Pages 221-237 Complete Quiz 8 Participate in Discussion 8 Submit Discussion 8 Report Submit Project 8 |
| Exam Week |
Comprehensive Review and Final Exam Portfolios Due at Time of Exam |
| Optional (See Grading Document) |
Week Optional - Information Technology Topics: Networks MIS Planning Safeguarding To Do: Read Pages 513-531 Submit Project 9 |
Major Assignments Schedule
- All assignments due at 11:59 p.m. on due date. Due Date is listed next to each assignment.
- At 11:59 p.m on the due date, Blackboard will lock the assignment submission portal.
- Assignments will not be accepted after the cut-off.
-
The course is designed with extra opportunities for points built into the grade format. Therefore, concessions will not be made for extenuating circumstances. PLAN AHEAD!
Week 2 work due by Sunday, January 28, 11:59 p.m.
Week 3 work due by Sunday, February 4, 11:59 p.m.
Week 4 work due by Sunday, February 11, 11:59 p.m.
Week 5 work due by Sunday, February 18, 11:59 p.m.
Week 6 work due by Sunday, February 25, 11:59 p.m.
Week 7 work due by Sunday, March 3, 11:59 p.m.
Week 8 work due by Sunday, March 10, 11:59 p.m.
Optional Work due by Sunday, March 10, 11:59 p.m.
Final Exam Date
March 6, 2024 - 11:00 AM
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Honesty
Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty. Students must be notified of their right to appeal before the academic penalty is imposed.
Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.
Electronic Communication
LSCO students are required to use either their LSCO Blackboard account or their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.
Email course related concerns and questions ONLY.
Include in the heading line (Student Name, Student R800#, Brief Description)
Email Dr. Jones at keith.jones@lsco.edu
Attendance Requirements
Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun "attending" and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as "not attending" a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course, negatively affecting their financial aid eligibility and disbursement.
Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCO Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.
Hybrid classes are a mix of face-to-face and online environments. Students will be expected to attend a certain number of classes as required by the instructor. (Include the policy on absences and tardiness.) In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.
- This course has no penalties for missing class. Instead, you can earn points for participating in classes as you choose.
- You decide when to participate depending on how many points you want to earn.
- Meetings will be recorded and available in Blackboard.
- If you choose not to participate in a meeting, you can still access the materials - just not the points.
To earn points for a meeting, the student will be:
- Present and ready to work at the designated start time.
- Present for the entire meeting
- Attentive, on-task, and actively engaged.
Make-up Work Policy
This course was built with a simplified grading format that includes enough points to offset extenuating circumstances. Therefore...
LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED
LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED
- Assignments, grading formula, and expectations are known in advance.
- Due dates are firm
- Extra points are built into the grading formula to account for extenuating circumstances
Classroom Etiquette
***For any course taught by Dr. Jones, coffee is considered neither a food nor a drink and therefore it is allowed in the classroom.
To earn credit for participating in a class meeting, students will:
- Be on time
- Have all necessary materials
- Be actively engaged for the entire duration of the class
- Remain in the class until dismissed
- Never access cell phones or other electronic devices
- A student who accesses an electronic device during class time will receive no points for the meeting.
Exam Policy
- The final exam will be given in the classroom only.
- The final exam will not be administered at any other time.
- If a student will not be able to be present for the final exam for a legitimate reason (cancer, earthquake, etc.) the student must contact the instructor IN ADVANCE to make arrangements for an alternative exam to be administered prior to the scheduled final exam time.
Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Students should use AI technology responsibly and ethically. This includes refraining from using AI to engage in harmful or unethical activities, such as generating false information, spreading misinformation, or engaging in malicious behaviors. The use of AI should align with the principles of academic integrity, honesty, and respect for others. Students are responsible for adhering to LSCO's Academic Honesty policy found in the Student Handbook. LSCO's full AI policy can be found at AI Policy | Lamar State College Orange (lsco.edu)
Expected Time Requirement for this Course
For every hour in class (or unit of credit) taught in a 16-week session, students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. Example: For a 3-credit hour class taught in a 16-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 6 to 9 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 10-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 10 to 15 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in an 8-week session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 12 to 18 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit hour taught in a 5-week summer session, students should prepare to allocate approximately 20 to 29 hours per week outside of class studying and completing assignments.
Grading and Evaluation Method
Instructor Response Time
The instructor will respond to emails within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. On weekends and holidays, the instructor will respond to emails from students within 24 hours of the first business day following the weekend or holiday.
Participation Requirements
Weekly participation and engagement in the courses are critical for student success. Assignments should be completed by the due date. Students should also refer to the instructor's attendance policy for additional information. (See LSCO Student Handbook, Class Attendance.)
Review of Test Grades
If the student has an issue with his/her grade, the instructor must be contacted no later than three (3) days after receiving the grade.
To contact Dr. Jones about a grade, send an email to keith.jones@lsco.edu with a clear written explanation of the concern.
Student's Responsibility
This syllabus contains information, policies, and procedures for a specific course. By enrolling, the student agrees to read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies, regulations, and ethical standards of Lamar State College Orange as those contained in the current LSCO Catalog and schedule of classes.
Syllabus Content
The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if deemed necessary. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change.
Textbook and Required Materials Access
Every student MUST have access to the required textbooks by the second week of class. The student will be responsible for all assignments given. Failure to have a text may result in being dropped from the class. Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.
STUDENT SUPPORT RESOURCES
Mental Health Resources
TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform that is available 24/7 for all non-dual credit enrolled LSCO students. There is no cost to eligible students for this service. TimelyCare’s providers offer emotional support, mental health counseling, health coaching, psychiatry, and basic needs support. Non-Dual Credit students enrolled in classes can log in to the TimelyCare website or app available at timelycare.com/LSCO.
Advocacy Information
Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the advising office for guidance on how to identify possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.
Affirmative Action
LSCO is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution which provides educational and employment opportunities on the basis of merit and without discrimination or harassment in full compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 503,504); Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972; the Vietnam Era Veterans Assistance Act of 1974; Article 522lk V.A.C.S.; and Executive Orders 11246 and 11758.
Title IX of the Education Amendments
LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student has experienced prohibited conduct should immediately report the alleged acts to the Title IX Coordinator, Patty Collins, at patty.collins@lsco.edu.
Blackboard Resources
LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu and Password. For help in identifying your Username/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.
Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.
Career Coach
Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool. Career Coach assists students through all phases of developing, initiating, and implementing career plans.
Information regarding employment opportunities and career options are provided along with access to live local job postings. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships, are available through Career Coach. Visit https://www.lsco.edu/advising/career-planning.asp for more details on how to use LSCO's Career Coach to plan for and learn more about your future career.
Gator Assistance Services
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled technical students support for daycare costs as well as other services.
Visit https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.
Gator Success Center
Students are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring, support services, or access to an open computer lab. Face-to-face and online supplemental instruction sessions are available to help students through any LSCO course. Reach out to learning.center@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support.
Library Services
Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library's current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection. The library provides over 77 electronic database collections that include eBooks, newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and streaming video. The physical library contains a specialized collection of research materials specifically chosen to support the degrees and courses offered. Additionally, Students with research questions or questions about library services are encouraged visit the library in person, call 409-882-3352, access the chat on the library webpage, or to email their question to lscolibrary@lsco.edu.
Student with Disabilities
Under the Texas State System, Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. We strive to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them.
Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Special Populations Advisor at (409) 882-3393 or visiting the Advising Office located on the first floor of the Ron Lewis Library Building (RLB) room 113. Students are encouraged to apply before the start of the semester when at all possible. The Accommodation Request Form and details regarding the appropriate documentation needed can be found here: https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the Special Populations Advisor must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.
Upswing 24/7 FREE Tutoring Services
Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students with access to online tutoring through a partnership with Upswing, an online tutoring platform. Tutors are available 24/7 online in almost every subject.
Visit https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.
INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES
Campus Closure
In the event of an emergency campus closure in excess of three class days, Lamar State College Orange's classes will continue via the use of Blackboard. In such an instance, the college website, www.lsco.edu, will have information concerning the event and anticipated re-opening plans.
Civility
Please be considerate of other classmates' feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.
The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course. Rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.
Contingency Plans
Students should develop a backup plan should their computer system or their Internet provider fail. Computer or internet connectivity issues are not valid excuses for missing a deadline. The College provides many opportunities for using computer equipment, as do many public libraries. Refer to the LSCO website for operational hours of the Library and Success Center.
COVID Notification Policy
Students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 are required to report their condition to their instructor and to the College via the COVID Notification Form. Guidance on how to proceed will be delivered to the student's email after completing the required notification form.
Credit Transfer
Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.
Criminal Background Policy
LSCO awards some certificates and degrees in which a criminal history MAY disqualify candidates from becoming licensed, certified, and/or employed upon degree/certificate completion. Students with a criminal background enrolling in courses leading to a degree/certificate in Criminal Justice, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing (VN), Registered Nursing (RN), Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, or Teacher Preparation program are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the certification and/or licensing regulations of the program with the program director listed in order to learn more about the current guidelines related to criminal history as well as the right of individuals to request a criminal history evaluation letter.
Drops and Withdrawals
Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal. You remain registered until you request a drop from the instructor. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the LSCO advising office to ensure that all drops/withdrawals are processed as desired.
Grade of "Incomplete"
The grade of "I" may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Students seeking an incomplete should have completed 75% of the course requirements and be passing the course at the time of the request. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made in advance of the end of the semester with the instructor. The instructor will process the Incomplete form online, and a confirmation will be sent to the student's LSCO email.
Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester. If not, the Office of Admission and Records must change the "I" grade to the grade of "F." The course must then be repeated if credit is desired. An "I" grade also automatically becomes an "F" if the student registers for the course prior to removing the deficiencies and receiving a grade change. The instructor may record the grade of "F" for a student who is absent from the final examination and is not passing the course.
Grade Appeals and the Academic Grievance Process
Grade determination and awarding of grades in a course are the responsibility of the instructor and should be calculated according to college policy, procedures, and written details provided in the course syllabus. NOTE: Final grades are available to students within 48 hours of the instructor posting the grade in Banner. Students may view final grades by logging into MyGator and then accessing Gator Self-Service.
An academic appeal process is afforded to students who desire to dispute a grade or any decision that affects the student's ability to complete and earn a grade for the course provided it is not related to a violation outlined in the LSCO Student Code of Conduct. If an informal conference with the faculty member regarding an academic complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the student, the student may initiate the formal process outlined below. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.
Refer to the current catalog or for details on the formal grade appeal process.
Institutional Educational Goals
Lamar State College Orange has identified seven educational goals to specify the knowledge and skills that students should gain from completing academic and technical programs with the College. These goals are:
- Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.
- Communication (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.
- Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.
- Teamwork (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
- Social responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to recognize and acquire a sense of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.
- Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) - Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.
- Professional competency (Technical) - Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills and that depict professional values and employability. If the career has licensure or certification requirements, students may prepare for the licensure and certification in a capstone course and sit for the licensure or certificate at the end of the program.
MyGator and Log-In Credentials
Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: username@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your username/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/.
It is a violation of College policy, state laws, and federal laws for anyone to gain or help others gain unauthorized access to MyGator or any LSCO application or service. All accounts shall be for use by a single individual - the person for whom the account was approved or assigned. This includes Blackboard accounts as well as any application within MyGator. Sharing or loaning accounts is strictly prohibited, can be construed as a form of cheating, and violates College policy, state laws, and federal laws.
Policies and Procedures
LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Faculty Handbook, LSCO Student Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.
Prohibited Items in the Classroom
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. It is inappropriate for minor children to be on campus due to the potential liability to the College, the risk of harm to the children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions.
Student Privacy
The privacy of all students, including Distance Education students, is protected through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. LSCO's statement regarding the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act can be found in LSCO's Student Handbook, page 70. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook, appendix D.