Benedictine University at Springfield

							Session 2011-2 Spring                                                 Jonathan Pierce, MSMOB
Room: A 104 (Angela Hall)                                                  Office Location D 101
Class Meeting Times 6-10pm                                                      jpierce@ben.edu
Thursday, March 10 and March 17                  Office hours M - F, 2 - 4 pm: 525-1420 Ext. 243
Class only meets for two weeks                          After-hours 6pm - 9pm: 217-691-9859

                          MGT 100 – Introduction to Business Studies
I.      COURSE DESCRIPTION
Description: This course is an introductory course for adult students pursuing an Associates Degree.
Topics include program planning, group interaction, written and oral communication skills, research skills,
personality inventory, and other items. – Credits: 1.00 Prerequisites: none

II.       TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS

          No textbook required for this course. Study notes and other hand-outs will be passed out
          in class.

          Supplemental to be handed out during class meeting:
          Study notes and PowerPoint slides
          A.B.L.E. Adult Accelerated Program Academic Calendar
          Current business articles
          SMARTHINKING
          D2L or Blackboard online learning systems

III.    MISSION STATEMENT
Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students from
diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to liberal arts and
professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine
heritage, we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders
in the world community.

IV.    GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
A. Degree Program Goals
The College of Business degree program goals are as follows:

      1. Evaluate the role of economics and business in the social environment of our culture.
      2. Articulate how the functional areas of business interrelate within organizations.
      3. Improve skills in communication, analytical thinking and appreciating the human element in
         organizations.
      4. Develop specific skills applicable to the various aspects of the functional areas of business.

B. Course Goals/Objectives/Outcomes
As a course requirement within the degree program, MGT 100 was designed with the above goals in
mind. Thus, upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate mastery
of the following objectives and student learning outcomes:

      1. Understanding the fundamental elements of business.
      2. Appreciation for how business principles are utilized at Benedictine University at Springfield
      3. Overview of Benedictine University at Springfield’s policies and procedures and how students can
         more easily navigate its internal processes.
V.      TEACHING METHODS/DELIVERY SYSTEM
This course is a combination of lecture and in-class discussion. Brief quizzes may be administered to
ensure that readings have been completed and will primarily be on paper, though may include discussion
Q&A or online. In order to complete the course successfully, students must come to class and must be
prepared to discuss the reading assignments and to do the in-class work.

VI.     COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance Policy

Due to the accelerated nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which prevents
you from attending any class(es), appropriate medical documentation must be provided immediately in
order to determine what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible.

Attendance is required during the two class sessions. Students may not miss either of the two classes.
Leaving class early may result in failure of the entire course.

A student who misses class more than once will most likely fail the class. If you have to miss class for any
reason, please call or email me before class. This is very important! Also, all assignments are due, even if
you miss the class.

PLEASE get to class on time, and plan to stay for the entire class. If you need to leave early, it should be
only for emergencies. You will be marked absent for one-fourth of a class if you arrive late. Please, no
food in class. We will take a break at about 7 which will give you a chance to eat if you missed dinner.

Reading Assignments, Written Assignments and Projects
There will be two written assignments required for this course.

Due on First Night of Class:
    A two-page, double-spaced, type-written autobiography of yourself, your personal or career
       goals, and the skills you possess that are beneficial to employers. Be prepared to present this
       information in class. Save the file electronically as you will be required to upload it into our
       Blackboard online course delivery system.

Due on Second Night of Class:
    Identify a business in your community and write a two-page, double-spaced, type-written essay
       that contains the following information: Name of business; address; phone number; hours of
       operation; *what product or service they provide; method of payments it accepts; *how it markets
       and advertises its product or service; *who its primary target customer is; *how long it has been
       in business; how many people it employs. Sections with * need to be fully-developed paragraphs.
       The other sections can be individual lines or small sentences.

Other assignments passed out during class – See Topical Course Outline: SMARTHINKING, D2L
(Desire 2 Learn) or Blackboard online course delivery systems, team presentations.

The following constitutes some general standards for good writing:
                         A well-focused central idea.
                         Appropriate and logically organized support for the idea.
                         Stylistic efficiency.
                         Appropriate choice of words.
                         Standard grammar, punctuation and spelling
Type all out-of-class writing assignments. All papers should be typed, double spaced, using Times New
Roman font 12, with one inch margins on all sides.
PARTICIPATION: Come to class prepared. Read all assignments and do all exercises before the dates
they are due. Bring your textbook, paper, and pencil or pen to every class.

Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy
The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university.
Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman
Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all
University students. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification,
destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are violations of these expectations
and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community.

Student’s Responsibility
Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students are expected to
exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic honesty are always serious and may
result in sanctions that could have profound long-term effects. The final responsibility for understanding
the Academic Honesty Policy of the institution, as well as the specific policies for individual courses
normally found in syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt exists about what constitutes academic
dishonesty, students have the responsibility to talk to the faculty member. Students should expect the
members of their class to be academically honest. If students believe one or more members of the class
have been deceitful to gain academic advantage in the class, students should feel comfortable to
approach the faculty member of the course without prejudice.

Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs.
Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a student may face for academic
dishonesty:
     a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;
     dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or
     dismissal from the Institution.

VII.    MEANS OF EVALUATION
          a. General information
                  i. Students are expected to have read the assigned readings from the text prior to
                     each class
                 ii. Class participation in discussions, case analyses and exercises is expected and
                     required
                iii. Missed exams will not be made up (and will receive a zero or grade of “F”)
                     without prior permission of the instructor
                iv. Late assignments are not accepted unless by permission of the instructor. Late
                     assignments will be graded, but will receive a lower grade. Assignments not
                     turned in will receive a zero or a grade of “F”
                 v. The grading of written assignments will be based on content and style. Content
                     is the use of principles/topics/issues found in texts, articles, and from lecture,
                     discussions, and exercises. Style includes neatness, proper usage of English
                     grammar, correct spelling and punctuation, and clarity of expression.
            b. Grading Scale
                      Class participation, preparation and leadership       20%
                      2 papers (15% each)                                   30%
                      2 quizzes (15% each)                                  30%
                      Team assignment                                       10%
                      Presentation                                          10%
                                               Total                       100%

                         90 - 100 = A
                         80 - 89 = B
                         70 - 79 = C
                         60 - 69 = D
                         < 59     =F

Grade Appeal Process
According to the Benedictine University at Springfield Catalog, grade appeals must be initiated 90 days
prior to the end of one semester after the course in question has been completed. The process for
appealing a grade is outlined below.

First, contact the Instructor.
1.       A student must appeal to his/her instructor in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide specific
         reasons why his/her grade should be changed.
2.       The instructor must respond to the student in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide a copy to
         the division chair.
Second, contact the Division Chair.
3.        If the student wishes, he/she may then appeal to the division chair in writing (e-mail is
         acceptable) and provide specific reasons why his/her grade should be changed without the
         instructor’s permission. The student should understand that overwhelming evidence must be
         presented to the division chair to prove that the current grade is incorrect.
4.       The division chair must respond to the student in writing (e-mail is acceptable) and provide a copy
         to the academic dean.
Lastly, contact the Academic Dean.
5.       If the student wishes, he/she may appeal to the academic dean in writing (e-mail is acceptable)
         and provide specific reasons why his/her grade should be changed without the instructor’s or the
         division chair’s permission. The student should understand that overwhelming evidence must be
         presented to the academic dean to prove the grade is incorrect.
6.       The academic dean must respond to the student in writing (e-mail is acceptable). The academic
         dean’s decision is final.

Add/Drop Dates

Last day to drop with 100% refund = prior to beginning of first class meeting
Last day to withdraw with 25% refund = prior to beginning of second class

Incomplete Request
To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a passing
grade, and a student must submit a completed Request for an Incomplete form to the Registrar’s Office.
The form must be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the student’s responsibility (not the
instructor’s) to initiate this process and obtain the necessary signatures.

Student Withdrawal Procedure
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the appropriate form,
with appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the Advising Office. Please refer to the
Student Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals.
VIII.   TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE
Week One
       Welcome to the course. Introductions. Hand in assignment that is due. (Due on First Night of
        Class: A two-page, double-spaced, type-written autobiography of yourself, your personal or
        career goals, and the skills you possess that are beneficial to employers. Be prepared to present
        this information in class.)
       Discuss syllabus and course requirements.
       Team assignments – Ethics article reviews and presentations, due during week 2. Classroom
        time available to discuss and plan.
       Blackboard online course delivery system or D2L – Desire 2 Learn online course delivery system
       Quiz # 1 online – due no later than midnight before second class meeting.
       Assignment for next week. See week two.

Week two
    Due on Second Night of Class: Identify a business in your community and write a two-page,
      double-spaced, type-written essay that contains the following information: Name of business;
      address; phone number; hours of operation; *what product or service they provide; method of
      payments it accepts; *how it markets and advertises its product or service; *who its primary target
      customer is; *how long it has been in business; how many people it employs. Sections with *
      need to be fully-developed paragraphs. The other sections can be individual lines or short
      sentences.
    Team assignments and presentations.
    SMARTHINKING online tutoring – provide the website link and instructions.
    Benedictine University at Springfield policies and procedures
              Syllabi
              Incompletes
              Add / Drop deadlines
              Financial Aid
              Student Accounts
              Faculty communication
              Resource Center
    Quiz # 2 online – due no later than midnight one week following the second class meeting.

IX.      AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Benedictine University at Springfield provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to
participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring
accommodations to participate in campus-sponsored programs, activities, and services, or to meet course
requirements, should contact the Director of the Resource Center as early as possible.

If documentation of the disability (either learning or physical) is not already on file, it may be requested.
Once on file, an individual student’s disability documentation is shared only at that individual’s request
and solely with the parties whom the student wishes it shared. Requests are kept confidential and may
be made by emailing jharris@ben.edu or by calling (217) 525-1420, ext. 306.

X.      ASSESSMENT
Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in this syllabus in
Sections IV and VI. Instructor will use background knowledge probes, one-minute papers, reflective
essays and/or other Classroom Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide
continuous improvement of instruction.