This course is an introduction to the functional areas of business. Topics include business organization, environment, human resources, marketing, accounting, finance, and international concerns. This course is designed to give the students a general overview of the business world today. The main objectives of this course are to identify and understand basic business terminology across a variety of business topics, to examine how business operates in the social, political, and economic climates, to identify common business practices and problems, to explore career opportunities in business, and to recognize the elements/characteristics of free enterprises. Upon completion of the course, the students will have both theory based knowledge and application skills regarding the overall business world.
- It is the student’s responsibility to gather information about the assignments and covered topics during the lectures missed. Regular class attendance is mandatory. Points will be taken off for missing classes. Without 70% of attendance, sitting for final exam is NOT allowed. According to IUB system students must enter the classroom within the first 20 minutes to get the attendance submitted.
- The date and syllabus of quiz, midterm and final exam is already given here, however, announcements will be given ahead of time. There is NO provision for make-up quizzes.
- The reading materials for each class will be given prior to that class so that student may have a cursory look into the materials.
- Class participation is vital for better understanding of sociological issues. Students are invited to raise questions.
- Students should take tutorials with the instructor during the office hours. Prior appointment is required.
- Students must maintain the IUB code of conduct and ethical guidelines offered by the School of Business.
- Students must refrain from any type of cheating and/or plagiarism in a course. Any student acting otherwise will receive an “F” grade in the course. School of Business, IUB, maintains a zero tolerance policy regarding violation of academic integrity.
- Students are not allowed to keep bags, handouts, books, mobile phones, smart watches or any other smart electronic devices with them during any exam. Students are advised to keep everything in the front of the class room before the exam starts. Please note that, just carrying any smart electronic devises (even if the devise is turned off or put it in silent mode) during the exam will be considered as “cheating”. Moreover, during the exam, anything written on hand palms (or anywhere else) and carrying paper materials (whatever is written) will be considered as “cheating”. Any sorts of “cheating” will result in an “F” grade with no exception. During the exam, students are only allowed to carry pen, pencil, eraser, sharpener, ruler, highlighter and calculator in a clear plastic bag.
Type of Evaluation | Nos. | Weight |
Class Attendance and Participation | 100% | 5 |
Quiz (Average of two will be counted) | 2 | 20 |
Project and Presentation | 01 | 20 |
Midterm Exam | 01 | 25 |
Final Exam | 01 | 30 |
Total | 100% |
The following chart will be followed for grading. This has customized form the guideline provided by the school of Business.
A | A- | B+ | B | B- | C+ | C | C- | D+ | D | F |
90-100 | 85-89 | 80-84 | 75-79 | 70-74 | 65-69 | 60-64 | 55-59 | 50-54 | 45-49 | 0-44 |
* Numbers are inclusive
- Nickels, McHugh and McHugh, Understanding Business, 9th Edition, McGraw Hill/Irwin.
Link to virtual learning system: http://103.254.86.4/sb/course/index.php?categoryid=25
(School of Business – Faculty name- Login as a guest- password is 1234).
MORE READINGS:
- Steven J. Skinner and John M. Ivancevich, “Business for the 21st Century“, Irwin
- Additional reading materials, cases and case study questions will be provided before the related sessions.
Sessions | Topic | Learning Outcomes | Readings |
Session -1 | Introduction to Business Issues
Issues related to the Course Outline |
Understanding the relationship between profit and risk and the relevance of business and non-profit organizations to raise the standard of living.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 1 and Course Outline
Page 2-7
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -2 | Introduction to Business Issues |
Identifying the contrast between being an entrepreneur and working for others. Analyze the effect of economic, technological, competitive, social, political, and natural environment effect business.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 1
Page 8-27
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -3 | Understanding How Economics Affects Business | Understanding basic economics.
Knowing what capitalism is and how free markets work. Comparing socialism and communism. Analyzing the trend toward mixed economies.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 2
Page 28-44
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -4 | Understanding How Economics Affects Business | Understanding different economic system and key economic indicators.
Contrasting fiscal policy and monetary policy and knowing how these two affect economy. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 2
Page 45-57
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -5 | Doing Business in Global Markets | Discussing the importance of the global market and the roles of comparative advantage and absolute advantage in global market.
Explaining the importance of exporting and importing, and understanding the key terms used in global market. Illustrating the strategies used in reaching global market. Explaining the role of multinational corporations.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 3
Page 58-71
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -6 | Doing Business in Global Markets | Evaluate the forces that effect trading in global market.
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of trade protectionism. Discussing the changing landscape of the global market and the issue of offshore outsourcing. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 3
Page 72-87
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session-7 | Form of Business | Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of sole proprietorships.
Identifying the advantages and disadvantages of partnerships. Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of corporations. Defining the three types of mergers. Outlining the advantages and disadvantages of franchises. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 5
Page 112-143
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -8 | Entrepreneurship
Quiz 1 |
Explaining why people take the risks of entrepreneurship, listing the attributes of successful entrepreneurs; and describing entrepreneurial teams, intrapreneurs, and web-based businesses.
Understanding the reasons behind small-business failures and successes.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 6
Page 144-159
Handout available on virtual learning system
|
Session -9 | Entrepreneurship
|
Summarizing ways to learn about how small businesses operate.
Analyzing what it takes to start and run a small business. Outlining the advantages and disadvantages of small businesses to enter global market.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 6
Page 160-174
Handout available on virtual learning system
|
Session -10 | Adapting Organizations to Today’s Market | Outlining the basic principles of organization management.
Comparing the organizational theories of Fayol and Weber. Evaluating the choices managers make in structuring organizations.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 8
Page 200- 212
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -11 | Adapting Organizations to Today’s Market | Contrasting the various organizational models.
Identifying the benefits of interfirm cooperation and coordination. Explaining how organizational culture can help businesses adapt to change. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 8
Page 213-227
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -12 | Mid-Term Examination |
Chapter: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 & 8 |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, & 8 |
Session -13 | Human Resources
Briefing on Business Plan Preparation |
Explain the importance of human resource management, and describe current issues in managing human resources.
Illustrate the effects of legislation on human resource management. Summarizing the five steps in human resource planning. Describing methods that companies use to recruit new employees, and explaining some of the issues that make recruitment challenging. Outlining the six steps in selecting employees. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 11
Page 282-296
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -14 | Human Resource | Illustrating employee training and development methods.
Tracing the six steps in appraising employee performance. Summarizing the objectives of employee compensation programs, and describing various pay systems and fringe benefits. Showing how managers use scheduling plans to adapt to workers’ needs. Describing how employees can move through a company, promotion, reassignment, termination, and retirement. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 11
Page 297-315
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -15 | Marketing | Defining marketing and apply marketing concept to both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
Describing the 4Ps of marketing. Summarizing the marketing research process. Showing how marketers use environmental scanning to learn about the changing marketing environment. Understanding market segmentation, relationship marketing and consumer behavior. Comparing business-to-business market and the consumer market.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 13
Page 344-370
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -16 | Developing and Pricing Goods and Services | Explaining the steps in the new product development process.
Describing product life cycle. Identifying various pricing objectives and strategies. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 14
Page 385- 399
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -17 | Distributing Products
Quiz 2 |
Explaining the concept of marketing channels and their value.
Demonstrating how intermediaries perform the six marketing utilities. Comparing the distribution strategies retailers use. Explaining the various kinds of nonstore retailing. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 15
Page 400- 408 & 411-415
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -18 | Using Effective Promotions | Identifying the new and traditional tools that make up the promotion mix.
Contrasting the advantages and disadvantages of various advertising media. Illustrating the steps of the B2B and B2C selling processes.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 16
Page 428- 440
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -19 | Using Effective Promotions | Describing the role of the public relations department and showing how publicity fits in that role.
Assessing the effectiveness of various forms of sales promotion, including sampling. Showing how the word-of-mouth, e-mail marketing, viral marketing, blogging, podcasting, and mobile marketing work.
|
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 16
Page 441- 452
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -20 | Understanding Accounting | Understanding how financial statements differ.
Knowing to prepare income statement. How to calculate cost of goods sold, gross profit, operating expenses, net profit or loss. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 17
Page 468- 471
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -21 | Financial Management | Explain the role and responsibilities of financial managers.
Outlining the financial planning process and explaining the three key budgets in the financial plan. Explaining why firms need operating funds. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 18
Page 486- 495
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -22 | Financial Management | Identifying and describing the different sources of short-term financing.
Identifying and describing different sources of long-term financing. |
Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 18
Page 496- 511
Handout available on virtual learning system |
Session -23 | Presentation of Business Plan | Business plan on an innovative product/service for Bangladeshi consumer market. |
|
Session -24 | Presentation of Business Plan | Business plan on an innovative product/service for Bangladeshi consumer market. | |
Session -25 | Presentation of Business Plan | Business plan on an innovative product/service for Bangladeshi consumer market. | |
Session -26 | Final Exam | CHAPTERS 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 | Nickels, McHugh & McHugh
Chapter 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 & 18 |
Students who are willing to audit the course are welcome during the first two classes and are advised to contact the instructor after that.
Plagiarism- that is the presentation of another person’s thoughts or words as though they were the students’ own – must be strictly avoided. Cheating and plagiarism on exam and assignment are unacceptable.
Please see the green book for further information about academic regulation and policies, including withdrawal and grading, apples and penalties for pilgrims and academic misconduct.
Students with disabilities are required to inform the School of Business/ Department of Economics of any specific requirement for classes or examination as soon as possible.