BAS 160 INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS SYLLABUS

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This survey course introduces and examines business careers, terminology, and the interrelationships and complexities of business.
Course Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 45
Course Duration: 15 weeks
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: N/A
This course contains 5 modules 
Module Name	Credit Hours	
BAS 1601	0.6	
BAS 1602	0.6	
BAS 1603	0.6	
BAS 1604	0.6	
BAS 1605	0.6	
Total Credit Hours	3.0	

BAS 1601 The Foundations of Business: Analyzes the essential components of business on a national and global scale.
BAS 1602 Business Ownership, Money, and Quality: Business ownership, monetary systems, and quality principles.
BAS 1603 Introduction to Management: Management functions and proper management techniques.
BAS 1604 Introduction to Marketing: Marketing functions and effective marketing techniques.
BAS 1605 Business Decision Making Tools: An overview of decision making tools and specific applications to business.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS 
Required eResources
E-book links within Module Units for:
BUSN, 1st Edition
Marcella Kelly   |  Jim McGowen
ISBN-10: 0324569890 |  ISBN-13: 9780324569896

GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES
Students should prepare for twenty-first century challenges by gaining: 
A. Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural worlds through study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages, and the arts. 
B. Intellectual and practical skills, including:
•	inquiry and analysis
•	critical and creative thinking
•	written and oral communication
•	quantitative literacy
•	information literacy
•	teamwork and problem solving 
C. Personal and social responsibility, including:
•	civic knowledge and engagement (local and global)
•	ethical reasoning and action
•	foundations and skills for lifelong learning 
D. Integrative and applied learning, including synthesis and advanced accomplishment across general and specialized skills.
 
COURSE MODULE INFORMATION

Learner Competencies and Outcomes
Module BAS 1601: The Foundations of Business
Upon completion of this module, the student should be able to:
1.  Describe the private enterprise system
1.1.   Define business and discuss the role of business in the economy.
1.2.   Explain the evolution of modern business.
1.3.   Discuss the role of nonprofit organizations in the economy.
1.4.   Outline the core factors of production and how they impact the economy.
1.5.   Describe today's business environment and discuss each key dimension.
1.6.   Explain how current business trends might impact your career choices.
 
2.  Identify areas of business social responsibility
2.1.   Define economics and discuss the impact of economics on business.
2.2.   Explain and evaluate the free market system and supply and demand.
2.3.   Explain and evaluate planned market systems.
2.4.   Describe the trend toward mixed market systems.
2.5.   Discuss key terms and tools to evaluate economic performance.
2.6.   Analyze the impact of fiscal and monetary policy on the economy.
 
3.  Describe economic challenges facing U.S. business
3.1.   Discuss business opportunities in the world economy.
3.2.   Explain the key reasons for international trade.
3.3.   Describe the tools for measuring international trade.
3.4.   Analyze strategies for reaching global markets.
3.5.   Discuss barriers to international trade and strategies to surmount them.
3.6.   Describe the free trade movement and discuss key benefits and criticisms.
 
4.  Explain the government's role in the American economic system
4.1.   Define ethics and explain the concepts of universal ethical standards.
4.2.   Describe business ethics and ethical dilemmas.
4.3.   Discuss how ethics relates to both the individual and the organization.
4.4.   Define social responsibility and examine the impact on stakeholder groups.
4.5.   Explain the role of social responsibility in the global arena.
4.6.   Describe how companies evaluate their efforts to be socially responsible.
 
5.  Describe the American legal system as it applies to business
5.1.   Select appropriate information relating to business law to assist in starting and operating a new business.
5.2.   Analyze business contracts and discuss regulations and statutes as they apply to contract law.
5.3.   Interpret legal terminology as it relates to business ownership and operation.
5.4.   Identify and discuss government regulations relating to employee/employer relationships.

Module BAS 1602: Business Ownership, Money, and Quality 
Upon completion of this module the student should be able to:
1.     Identify and differentiate between the forms of private business ownership.
1.1.     Discuss the pros and cons of operating a business as a sole proprietorship.
1.2.     Describe the basic features of general partnerships, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships.
1.3.     Explain why corporations have become the dominant form of business ownership.
1.4.     Describe how various types of corporations differ.
1.5.     Explain how a corporation can restructure through mergers and acquisitions.
1.6.     Explain why limited liability companies have become increasingly popular.
1.7.     Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of franchising.
1.8.     Explain the key reasons to launch a small business.
1.9.     Describe the typical entrepreneurial mindset and characteristics.
 
2.     Describe the U.S. monetary system and how it is used by business.
2.1.     Explain the size, scope, and economic contributions of small business.
2.2.     Analyze the impact of fiscal and monetary policy on the economy.
2.3.     Discuss funding options for small business.
 
3.     Explain the foundations of business financing.
3.1.     Discuss funding options for small business.
 
4.     Explain the impact of quality initiatives in business.
4.1.     Analyze the opportunities and threats that small businesses face.
4.2.     Discuss ways to become a new business owner and tools to facilitate success.
 
5.  Gain a working vocabulary of important business topics and concepts.
 
Module BAS 1603: Introduction to Management
Upon completion of this module the student should be able to:
1. Identify the management skills necessary for business in a capitalistic economy.
1.1. Explain the key federal legislation that impacts human resources
1.2. Discuss key human resource issues in today's economy
1.3. Explain the importance of human resources to business success
1.4. Explain how technology has influenced operations management
 
2. Explain the need for human relation skills in managing a business.
2.1. Explain the importance of human resources to business success
2.2. Outline challenges and opportunities that the human resources function faces
2.3. Discuss human resource planning and core human resources responsibilities
 
3. Explain motivation theories and the importance of motivating employees.
3.1. Discuss the role of management and its importance to success
3.2. Explain key theories and current practices of motivation
3.3. Explain the role of managerial leadership and the key leadership styles
3.4. Discuss the organizing function of management
 
4. Describe a variety of management careers and management specialties.
4.1. Discuss the role of operations management in business
4.2. Describe the key responsibilities of operations managers
4.3. Explain the movement toward lean production

BAS 1604: Introduction to Marketing
Upon completion of this module the student should be able to:
1. Describe the need for marketing skills that are necessary for a business.
1.1. Discuss the objectives, the process, and the scope of marketing
1.2. Identify the role of the customer in marketing
1.3. Explain each element of marketing strategy
1.4. Describe the consumer and business decision-making process
1.5. Discuss the key elements of marketing research
1.6. Explain the roles of social responsibility and technology in marketing

2. Describe the key marketing functions of product, price, distribution, and promotion.
2.1. Explain "product" from a marketing standpoint
2.2. Identify consumer and business product classifications
2.3. Describe product differentiation and the key elements of product planning
2.4 Discuss innovation and the new product development process
2.5 Describe the product life cycle and its relationship to marketing

3. Describe the key marketing functions of product, price, distribution, and promotion
3.1. Define distribution and differentiate between channels of distribution and physical distribution
3.2. Describe the various types of wholesale distributors
3.3. Discuss strategies and trends in store and non-store retailing
3.4. Explain the key factors in physical distribution
3.5. Outline core pricing objectives and strategies
3.6. Discuss pricing in practice, including the role of consumer perceptions

4. Describe the need for marketing skills and key functions of product, price, distribution, and promotion
4.1. Explain promotion and analyze the current promotional environment
4.2. Explain integrated marketing communications
4.3. Discuss development of the promotional message
4.4. Discuss the promotional mix and emerging and traditional promotional tools
4.5. Explain key considerations in choosing an effective promotional mix

Module BAS 1605: Business Decision Making Tools
Upon completion of this module the student should be able to:
1. Explain the importance of current and accurate financial information
1.1. Define accounting and explain how accounting information is used by a variety of stakeholders.
1.2. Discuss the career opportunities open to accountants
1.3. Identify the goals of generally accepted accounting principles
1.4. Describe the key elements of the major financial statements
1.5. Explain how horizontal, vertical, and ratio analysis can provide insights into financial statements
1.6. Describe how managerial accounting can help managers with product costing, incremental analysis, and budgeting
 
2. Explain the impact of the quality initiative in business.
2.1. Explain how maximizing financial value relates to social responsibility
2.2. Describe how financial managers use key ratios to evaluate their firm
2.3. Discuss how financial managers use a cash budget
2.4. Explain the significance of working capital management
2.5. Explain how financial managers evaluate capital budgeting proposals
2.6. Identify the key issues involved in determining a firm's capital structure
 
3. Explain the foundations of investing and risk management.
3.1. Describe the three basic types of securities issued by corporations
3.2. Explain how securities are issued in the primary market and traded on secondary markets
3.3. Discuss how the government and private organizations regulate securities markets
3.4. Compare several strategies investors use to invest in securities
3.5. Explain the investor appeal of mutual funds and exchange traded funds
3.6. Describe how investors can track the performance of their investments
 
4. Explain the value and operation of a management information system.
4.1. Explain the basic elements of computer technology—hardware, software, and networks—and analyze key trends in each area
4.2. Describe how data becomes information and how decision support systems can provide high-quality information.
4.3. Discuss the role of information technology in e-commerce
4.4. Describe the problems posed by the rapid changes in Internet based technologies, and explain ways to deal with these problems
4.5. Discuss the business opportunities created by new technologies
 
Course Outline
Module BAS 1601: The Foundations of Business
Unit 1: Nature of Business and the Free Enterprise System
           A.  Profit and loss
           B.  Capabilities of business in a free economy
Unit 2: Capitalism and Contemporary Economics
           A.  Capitalism in the United States
           B.   Economic Indicators and the business cycle
Unit 3: International Business and Influences on the U.S. Economy
           A.  Growth and importance of international business
           B.  Methods of entering international business
           C.  Role of Government and Challenges Facing the U.S. Economy
                   1. Governmental influences
                   2. Technology, Outsourcing, and other economic challenges
Unit 4: Business Missions & Social Responsibilities
           A.  Purpose and variety of mission statements
           B.  Social responsibility purpose, levels, and objectives
Unit 5: The American Legal System, Business Law, and Government Regulations
 
Module BAS 1602: Business Ownership, Money, and Quality 
Unit 1:    Forms of Business Ownership, and Franchises
           A.  Sole Proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and LLCs
           B.  Franchising Process
Unit 2.   Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Institutions
           A.  Advantages/disadvantages of small business and small business importance
           B.  Keys to successful entrepreneurship
Unit 3.   Quality Initiatives, Money and Financial Institutions, and Proper Business Vocabulary
           A.  Quality Initiative
                 1.  Historic quality initiatives
                 2.  Introduction to quality tools
                 3.  Establishing a quality environment
           B.  Money and Financial Institutions
                 1.  How to secure investment capital
                 2.  The monetary system
                 3.  Operation of banks and financial institutions
           C.  Proper Business Vocabulary
 
Module BAS 1603: Introduction to Management
Unit 1: Functions of Management and Essential Management Skills
A.    Controlling, planning, organizing and directing
B.    Characteristics of effective managers
C.   Organizational structures
1.    Job design and departmentalization
2.    Span of Management, line and staff and organization design
D.   Human relations, motivation and performance
1.    Historical perspectives on motivation
2.    Key motivation techniques
Unit 2: Human Resource Management
A.    Legal aspects of employee management
B.    Selecting and compensating employees
Unit 3: Productions Management
A.    Planning for production and operations control
B.    The conversion process and impact of quality
Unit 4: Organized Labor
A.    Union and management perspectives
B.    Labor-Management legislation
 
BAS 1604: Introduction to Marketing
Unit 1: Principles and Essential Skills of Marketing
               A.  The marketing concept
               B.  Marketing information and consumer buying behavior
Unit 2: Products and Brands
               A.  The product life cycle and the product mix
               B.  Types of brands and brand strategies
Unit 3: Prices
               A.  Pricing products
               B.  Pricing objectives
               C.  Pricing methods and strategies
Unit 4: Distribution
               A.  Channels of distribution
               B.  Marketing intermediaries and physical distribution
Unit 5: Promotion
               A.  Advertising
               B.  Sales Promotion
               C.  Personnel Selling
               D.  Public Relations

Module BAS 1605: Business Decision Making Tools
Unit 1: Financial Management
               A.  Developing a financial plan
               B.  Sources of short term and long term financing
Unit 2: Managing Risk and Insurance
               A.  Risk management and insurance companies
               B.  Property and casualty insurance
Unit 3: Accounting
               A.  Accounting process
               B.  Income statements and balance sheets
               C.  Evaluating financial statements      
Unit 4: Management Information Systems
               A.  Functions of a MIS
               B.  Effective information management
Unit 5: Security Markets
               A.  Fundamentals of investing
               B.  Buying and selling securities degrees of risk

GRADING CRITERIA 
Pre-Test:
Students are required to complete the Pre-Test, which consists of True/False questions. The Pre-Test is designed to Measure the student's knowledge and skill level prior to participation in the module learning content; as well as helping the learner to identify certain areas he/she will need to focus on in the course module content.
 
Test questions cover module competencies and the feedback is consistent in assisting student to recognize areas in which further study would assist the student with the overall learning process and building on mastery of the subject matter.
 
Credit for Prior Knowledge:
Eligibility for Credit for Prior Knowledge is determined with an overall score of 80% to 100% on the Pre-Test.
If students achieve the required score of 80% to 100%, they will be prompted to answer whether or not they choose to take the Post-Test for the Prior Knowledge Credit Option. The question will present itself in a Test format; asking the student to choose True for YES and False for NO, in order to either open the Post-Test for the student or to allow the student to move onto the Learning Content of the module.  
 
KCTCS Online open-entry course modules are based on the goal that students will demonstrate mastery of content. Through KCTCS Online, students have the opportunity to receive credit for prior learning. To receive this credit, students must demonstrate mastery of the course module competencies through the following steps:
•	Take the pre-test. The pre-test may be taken only once. If the score on the pre-test meets a level of pre-determined competency, the student will have the option to immediately take the post-test.
•	If the student demonstrates mastery of competencies on the post-test, a final grade will be awarded and the student will receive credit for the course. The final grade is based upon the actual score earned on the post-test along with any other assignments affecting the final course grade.
•	If the student does not demonstrate mastery of competencies on the post-test, the student must remain enrolled in the course module until successfully completing all of the course module requirements and the post-test, or until the end date of the course module- whichever comes first. Upon the end date of the course module, the student will receive a final grade earned based on completed assignments and post-test scores. 

Module Components and Quizzes
Unit Assignments:
BAS 1601
The following grading scale will be used to assess your overall average for all course-related, graded assignments and quizzes.  All required assignment submissions account for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module. Each required assignment submission will describe the requirements and expectations for that specific assignment.
BAS 1602
The following grading scale will be used to assess your overall average for all course-related, graded assignments and quizzes.  All required assignment submissions account for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module. Each required assignment submission will describe the requirements and expectations for that specific assignment.
BAS 1603
The following grading scale will be used to assess your overall average for all course-related, graded assignments and quizzes.  All required assignment submissions account for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module. Each required assignment submission will describe the requirements and expectations for that specific assignment.
BAS 1604
The following grading scale will be used to assess your overall average for all course-related, graded assignments and quizzes.  All required assignment submissions account for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module. Each required assignment submission will describe the requirements and expectations for that specific assignment.

BAS 1605
The following grading scale will be used to assess your overall average for all course-related, graded assignments and quizzes.  All required assignment submissions account for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module. Each required assignment submission will describe the requirements and expectations for that specific assignment.

Post-Test:
BAS 1601
Student mastery level has been determined to be a score of 80% or higher for this course module. If student scores below 80%, student will be directed to areas of weakness for restudy in order to master subject topics, prior to reattempting post-test. The student will have 3 attempts to meet the set mastery score of 80%.  The Post-Test accounts for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module.
BAS 1602
Student mastery level has been determined to be a score of 80% or higher for this course module. If student scores below 80%, student will be directed to areas of weakness for restudy in order to master subject topics, prior to reattempting post-test. The student will have 3 attempts to meet the set mastery score of 80%.  The Post-Test accounts for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module.
BAS 1603
Student mastery level has been determined to be a score of 80% or higher for this course module. If student scores below 80%, student will be directed to areas of weakness for restudy in order to master subject topics, prior to reattempting post-test. The student will have 3 attempts to meet the set mastery score of 80%.  The Post-Test accounts for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module.
BAS 1604
Student mastery level has been determined to be a score of 80% or higher for this course module. If student scores below 80%, student will be directed to areas of weakness for restudy in order to master subject topics, prior to reattempting post-test. The student will have 3 attempts to meet the set mastery score of 80%.  The Post-Test accounts for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module.
 BAS 1605
Student mastery level has been determined to be a score of 80% or higher for this course module. If student scores below 80%, student will be directed to areas of weakness for restudy in order to master subject topics, prior to reattempting post-test. The student will have 3 attempts to meet the set mastery score of 80%.  The Post-Test accounts for an equal percentage of the student's final grade for the module.

Grading Scale
The following grading scale will be used:
 
Grade	Percent
	
A	90-100%
	
B	80-89%
	
C	70-79%
	
D	60-69%
	
E	<60%

POLICIES
Plagiarism Statement
Plagiarism and cheating are serious academic offenses. The KCTCS regulations pertaining to plagiarism and cheating can be found in Sections 2.3.1.1, 2.3.1.2, and 2.3.1.3 of the KCTCS Code of Student Conduct. Penalties for violation of these policies can be found in Section 2.3.2.1 and 2.3.2.2.
Disability Statement
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System would like to help students with disabilities achieve their highest potential in academic studies. In order to receive accommodations on assignments or examinations, proper documentation must first be provided to the Office of Disability Services at your home campus. You must then self-identify and conference with the Director of Disability Support Services or Manager of Disability Services to begin receiving accommodations in the course/module. For more information, contact the KCTCS Online Help Desk.
HELP AND SUPPORT
 Blackboard
The Blackboard Support Center can help provide support via Frequently Asked Questions, email, chat, and phone regarding Blackboard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Help can be accessed by navigating to the top of your course webpage and selecting "Help" in blue. You can also access directly with this link: http://bbcrm.edusupportcenter.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8158
 
Student Services
The KCTCS Online Student Services Help Desk provides Frequently Asked Questions, email, chat, and phone service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Student Services staff can help you with any question you have about the application process, financial aid, registering for classes, tuition payments, and other student services.
You can access KCTCS Online Student Services here: http://kctcs-lod.edusupportcenter.com/sims/helpcenter/layoutOne/SelfHelpHome.seam?inst_name=kctcs_lod&cid=3765 
 
Course-Specific Questions
If you have a specific question about the course or the content, please contact your instructor as soon as possible. Your instructor's contact information is under the "Your Instructor(s)" link on the course menu. Please allow 24-48 hours for your instructor to respond to your questions.
 
Starfish
Starfish is a student support tool that can help you succeed in your course. Your instructor can raise flags if there's a concern about your progress, give you kudos for good performance, or make to-do items for you that will help you succeed. You can also use Starfish to schedule appointments with your instructor or your Virtual Student Success Coach. Be sure to click on "Starfish" from the navigation menu in Blackboard to learn more and to create your student profile!

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS 
Required eResources
E-book links within Module Units for:
BUSN, 1st Edition
Marcella Kelly   |  Jim McGowen
ISBN-10: 0324569890 |  ISBN-13: 9780324569896
  
BAS 160 Introduction to Business by Elizabethtown Community & Technical College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.  Based on a work at http://online2workforce.com/.  Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://elizabethtown.kctcs.edu/.  
DOL Attribution This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the US Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the US Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership.