West Valley College, Business Division

Business 51 – 3 units
Introduction to Business

Instructor:	Heidi Diamond
Office:	“G” in the Business Division
Phone number:	741-2426
E-mail:	heidi_diamond@wvm.edu
Webpage:	http://instruct.westvalley.edu/diamond
Course:	wvmccd.angellearning.com
Dept. Website:	http://westvalley.edu/business/bus_admin_re/

Materials Required:

Text: Business Essentials, Ronald J. Ebert and Ricky W. Griffin, (Pearson/Prentice Hall, 5^th ed.)

Course Description:

This introductory course, which is equivalent to Business 10 at San Jose State University, will help students to develop an overall personal concept of the functions of business and their role in society. By covering the functions, objectives, ethics and environment of business, students are able to understand the importance and functioning of our market economy.  Business 51 studies sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, insurance, human resource management, business law, international trade, and business/government relations.  This course is recommended for both transfer and non-transfer students, regardless of major.

Course Outcomes/Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Understand the nature and context of the U.S. business environment.
• Comprehend the global context of business.
• Understand how management, organizational, operations and quality issues influence effective business relationships.
• Articulate the relationship between ethical business practice and success.
• Know the relationship between human resource management, leadership and employee motivation and performance.
• Identify marketing elements and their importance to consumer behavior.
• Understand the importance of effective customer service practices, management information systems, and accounting practices.

Course Outline:

Week:	Chapters:	Topics:
1	1	U.S. Business Environment
2	2	Ethical & Responsible Business
3	3	Entrepreneurship & Business Ownership
4	4-5	Global Context & Business Management
5		Test Review, Test 1
6	6	Organizing the Business Enterprise
7	7	Operations & Quality Management
8	8-9	Management Human Resources & Motivation
9	10	Marketing & Consumer Behavior
10		Test Review,  Test 2
11	11	Customer Service, Distribution, Pricing, Credit, Promotion
12	12-13	Managing Information Systems & Accounting
13	14-15	Banking, Securities & Investments
14		Business Presentations
15		Business Presentations
16		Test Review, Test 3

Class Requirements:

• Attendance is essential.  Attendance, class participation and homework assignments count towards 20 percent of the final course grade.  Students may call or e-mail the instructor regarding missed classes and work.  Students may also go to http://wvmccd.angellearning.com to get class notes & assignments and to send class e-mails.
• There will be three tests.  It is your responsibility to let me know if you are going to be absent on a testing day.  Make up testing will be handled on a case by case basis.
• There will be a group business project and presentation. The project and presentation will be developed in progressive steps throughout the semester.
• There will be extra credit opportunities.

Policy Statements:

• West Valley College makes reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities.  Students should notify the Disability and Educational Support Program (DESP) at 741-2010 regarding special needs.
• If you have a complaint or someone has shared information with you as a student  that is unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment, contact the Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at the West Valley Mission College District Office at 741-2060.
• The College’s policy on academic dishonesty covers in-class cheating, out-of-class cheating, plagiarism, and furnishing false information.  Plagiarism is the unauthorized use of ideas from published or unpublished works as a student’s own work for a grade in a class. (WVC catalog)

Office Hours:

• Office hours are offered so that you may have additional time to meet with your Instructor to discuss class projects, papers and Internet assignments.
• My office hours are posted on my office door “G”.
• To schedule an appointment at a time other than those listed, please contact me at 741-2426 or heidi_diamond@wvm.edu.

Grading	Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit Option
Attendance, class participation	10 percent
Homework assignments	10 percent
Test 1	20 percent
Test 2	20 percent
Test 3	20 percent
Business Project	20 percent

 Updated: May 26, 2008