SULLIVAN UNIVERSITY

MGT 114

BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

DAY

 

I.                   TEXT: Nickels, McHugh, McHugh; Understanding Business, Seventh Edition, Homewood, IL, Richard D. Irwin., 2005.

 

 

II.        INSTRUCTOR:        WJ Patterson

                                                            502-456-6504, Ext. 417

                                                            E-mail: wjpatterson@sullivan.edu

 

III.       COURSE DESCRIPTION:

 

This course will provide a practical overview of the various aspects of the world of business.  It will present the concepts and terminology that will set the stage for the remainder of the student’s business education.  Topics will include accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, and the legal and ethical aspects of organizations.

 

IV.             COURSE OBJECTIVES:

 

1.      Compare and contrast the ever-changing constraints and environmental surroundings of the business world.

2.      Examine and develop a working knowledge of the terminology of the business world.

3.      Evaluate the various areas of business while comparing their interrelatedness.

4.      Examine the volatility of the stock and bond market and compare the rise and fall of these within various organizations.

 

V.                OUTCOMES:

 

Upon completion of MGT 114, Business Organization and Management, the student will be able to:

1.       recognize the challenges facing today’s businesses.

2.      note the importance of fiscal and monetary policies and how supply and demand affects our economic system.

3.      comprehend the importance of competing in global markets.

4.      understand the importance of ethical behavior

5.      recognize the importance of business ownership

6.      understand the correlation of managers, leadership, and employee empowerment

7.      recognize the importance of management theorists contributions to the field of management

8.      recognize the importance of human resource management

9.      define the role of labor in management decisions

10.  understand the importance of business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing

11.  understand the importance of using technology to manage information

12.  comprehend the importance of financial and accounting information

13.  recognize the importance of securities markets

14.  realize that all economic systems impact our economy

 

VI.             TEACHING STRATEGY:

 

Lecture and classroom discussions will be of major importance.  Students will be expected to participate.  Reading of textbook assignments will be accomplished prior to class.

 

VII.          COURSE OUTLINE:

 

Week 1:           Introduction of students and instructor.  Cover syllabus and portfolio.

                        Cover chapter 1.

 

Week 2:           Cover chapters 2 and 3.           Exam 1

 

Week 3:

                        Cover chapter 5.

 

Week 4:           Cover chapters 6 and 7. Exam 2

 

Week 5:             Cover chapter 8.

 

Week 6:           Cover chapter 10. Exam 3

                       

                       

                        

 

Week 7:           Cover chapters 13 and 14.

 

Week 8:           Exam 4

                        Cover chapter 18.

 

Week 9:           Cover chapter 19.

                         Turn in written assignment.

 

Week 10:         Cover chapter 20. Exam 5  Review for final.

                        

                         

 

Week 11:         Final

 

 

 

VIII.       EVALUATION:

 

Exams Highest 4 of 5                 40%

Final Exam                  25%

Written Assignment                            25%

Participation/Homework                            10%

 

IX.             GRADING SCALE:

 

A         =          900 - 1000

B         =          800 - 899

C         =          700 - 799

D         =            600 - 699

F          =          below   600

 

Attendance:

 

Students may earn bonus points for attendance, however when a given number of absences is accrued the student will be assessed points.  The student attendance/absence policy is noted below.

 

The student begins with 30 points.  These are participation points. Since the student must be present to participate, the points will be calculated as follows:

 

First absence student loses                              0 points

Second absence student loses                                     0 points

Third absence student loses                          10 points

Fourth absence student loses                          5 points

Fifth absence student loses                            5 points

Sixth absence student loses                           5 points

Seventh absence student loses                       5 points

 

*NOTE--Beginning with the eighth absence the student will lose 25 points per day.

 

X.                WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT:

 

Refer to attachment for the written assignment.

 

 

 

 

 

XI.             POLICIES:

 

There will be no excused absences.  Absences during the bonus phase are for unexpected emergencies like medical appointments, ones’ own illness, ill ness of a family member, transportation problems, funerals, extracurricular activities, etc.  If you enter late, do so as quietly as possible; it is your responsibility to report to the teacher at the end of class to ensure the attendance/tardy record is correct.

 

1.      Due to the carpeted halls and classrooms of the college building, eating and drinking are ONLY permitted in the college cafeteria, the courtyard, and, of course, outdoors.  Do not bring open containers into the classroom.

2.      Sullivan University believes that education and health are important to every individual.  Sullivan University does not permit smoking anywhere inside the building.  Smokers are encouraged to utilize the atrium as well as the north stairwell entrance outside the cafeteria.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

 

3.      Academic Honesty, Honor, and Integrity:

 

Plagiarism, a form of cheating, is a massive problem in educational institutions nationwide.  The Internet has made this form of cheating easier.  Some websites actually cater to dishonesty by making available to anyone papers and tests on a wide variety of topics – for a fee. 

 

Integrity is a critical trait for success in life.  The consequences of dishonesty and cheating can be severe, both in the academic world, and in the worlds of business and industry.  You don’t want to work or association with dishonest people and neither do I.  By taking this class, you are entering an implied contract with me to be responsible for your own work.  Some class activities may require or allow working together as a group with classmates; some may require you to work alone.  When in doubt, ask!  Verified instances of cheating or plagiarism will result in the awarding of a grade of “0” on the specific test, project, or assignment and may include failure of the class or other disciplinary action as stated in the Student Handbook.  Your conduct will also be reported to the appropriate Dean or Director for further action.

 

4.      Many of you have chosen to enter the world of business where more conservative dress is the rule rather than the exception.  Rather than tell you what to wear, we ask that you dress in good taste and use common sense.  Remember, Wednesday is Professional Dress Day.

 

5.      “Plus Friday” is one of Sullivan University’s unique approach to assist students academically.  This academic “extra” is designed to provide a more individualized help for students who are behind in their studies, miss class during the week, or just want to get ahead for next week.  I am on campus from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 to provide assistance.  Attendance for some students on “Plus Friday” may be mandatory at the discretion of the instructor.

6.      Make up exams will be administered at the discretion or the instructor.  They will be administered on Plus Fridays.  No Bonus Points will be awarded to make-up exams.  The student will have one Plus Friday beyond the date the exam was given to make up an exam, or during the 4th, 7thor 9th week in library.

7.      There will be no extra credit work in this class.

8.      No children are allowed to accompany parents to class.

9.      No cell phones will be used in the classroom.  If a student must be contacted due to an “Emergency” contact must be conducted through the administrative office.

10.  If you plan to sleep during my class please do not occupy a seat.

11.  No headgear of any type is to be worn in the classroom.

12.  NO flip flops will be worn (summer months).

 

 

*This syllabus is subject is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor (due to time constraints or other extenuating circumstances).

 

*Many of the policies listed above are extracted from the Sullivan University Handbook.  

 

 

BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

AND MANAGEMENT

MGT 114

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT

 

 

Assignments

 

Week 2            Choose a company you would like to work for, and explain why you chose that company.  A word of caution-small privately held companies may refuse (and rightfully so) to share financial or other sensitive data.  Therefore, you need to choose a publicly held company, so that you have access to all the information you will need for this project.

   

Week 3            How does your company demonstrate ethical behavior and social responsibility?  What is the form of business ownership of your company (sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation)?

 

Week 4            What is your company’s vision, and how do its leaders realize that vision?  Explain how its leaders accomplish organizational goals through planning, organizing, directing, and controlling people and other organizational resources.

 

Week 5            Describe your company’s leadership style.  How does it recruit, train, develop, and appraise its employees?  What types of pay systems, fringe benefits, and scheduling plans does your company utilize?

 

Week 6            Describe your company’s products and services.  What is its marketing plan?  Does it market to industry and business customers or to consumers or to both?  How does your company create product differentiation for its goods or services?  Does it compete strictly on price, or does it place emphasis on non-price differences?

 

Week 7            How does your company distribute its product or service?  Explain the promotion mix your company uses.  Examine your company’s financial statements.  Is it profitable?  Using the firm’s financial statements, calculate three ratios (your choice) and explain the impact they have on your company.

 

Week 8            Using all the information you have gathered, develop a SWOT analysis for your company.  Remember, SWOT is an acronym for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.  Strengths and weaknesses are internal, while opportunities and threats are external.  Companies have some control over opportunities and threats.  Examples of strengths and weaknesses include leadership, training, financial position, ethical responsibility, quality, product or service, employees, and technology.  Examples of opportunities and threats include economic conditions, unions, competition, and government regulations, and the weather.

 

 

Week 9            Written assignment to be turned in Thursday during class.

 

 

While these assignments should be completed each week, they do not need to be turned in until Thursday of the 9th week during class.  This assignment must be typewritten (computer) using a 12 point font and no less than five pages nor more than seven pages.  This does not include a cover page which is to include your name, the name of your company, the name of the class, and the time the class meets.  Do not place this assignment in a plastic container.  It must be submitted during class on Thursday of the 9th week. You may submit this assignment early, however, it will NOT be accepted if it is turned in late.  (NO EXCEPTIONS)