SYLLABUS

BUS 101 - FRESHMAN BUSINESS EXPERIENCE I, 1 credit hour

Spring 2000, MW 11:00-11:50 a.m.

Instructor:

Dr. Jeff Harper, Gongaware Assistant Professor of MIS and School of Business Research Fellow

School of Business, Room 1020Phone: (812)237-7628 (work)
Email: JeffHarper@indstate.edu(812)299-3339 (home)
Web:http://misnt.indstate.edu/harper/
Office Hours:TR 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Catalog Description and Prerequisites

This course will connect beginning students to college life and the School of Business. Students will learn behaviors and skills that will contribute to academic success and will learn about the resources available in the academic community. 

Course Objectives
By the end of the course, students should be able to

1.Identify the values and behaviors that will contribute to academic success
2.Identify personal learning style 
3.Prepare a daily, weekly, and monthly time budget
4.Prepare a personal financial budget
5.Write a brief description of educational goals
6.Explore School of Business and campus learning and educational resources 
7.Use the advising system to support personal and academic goals
8.Explain in general terms the value of diversity in personal development.

Course Policies

Attendance:
You are expected to attend all class sessions on time.If for some reason you must miss a class, contact your instructor before your absence.

Assignments:

You can expect to have a written or an oral assignment for each class session.Some of these will be done during class, and some will be done outside of class.Some will be done individually; others will be done in groups.
You are expected to attend enrichment events and to submit reports of your reactions.A schedule of events will be provided, as will specific instructions.Enrichment events (Convocation events, plays, concerts, speakers, etc.) are important ways to connect you to the ISU community.Your instructor will give you further information about the role of enrichment events in this class.
You are expected to complete a final course evaluation and any other assessments conducted for this class.

Class Materials:

There is no textbook for this course.However, each student must buy a copy of the BUS 101 notebook, Business Connections, available at the ISU bookstore.

You are required also to buy an ISU Planner calendar.

Exams:

There are no exams in this course.

Grading:

The grade you earn in this class is entirely up to you. To receive an “A” in this course, you must:

Miss no more than two class sessions;

Complete all daily course assignments on time and in a thoughtful and professional manner;
Attend and review at least three enrichment events; and
Attend and review at least one meeting of a School of Business student organization.

To receive a B, you must:

Miss no more than three class sessions;
Miss no more than one course assignment;
Attend and review at least two enrichment events; and
Attend and review at least one meeting of a School of Business student organization.

To receive a C, you must:

Miss no more than four class sessions;
Miss no more than two course assignments;
Attend and review at least one enrichment event; and
Attend and review at least one meeting of a School of Business student organization.

To receive a D, you must:

Miss no more than five class sessions and
Miss no more than three daily course assignments.

Professor Policies

This class is what you make it!It is your opportunity to discuss, in a collaborative setting, the things that are on your mind.Any topic is open for consideration, as long as it is presented in an intelligent, adult, and respectful manner.

Be on time.Be attentive.Be involved.Use this class to make yourself a better student and better person!

Course Content
 
Content
Percent Coverage
Values and behaviors for academic success
Learning styles
Study skills
Critical thinking
Time management
Classroom communication
35-50

Goal setting
5-10
Personal finance
5-10
School of Business and Campus resources
School of Business Faculty
School of Business Student Organizations
Career Center
Computing
Tutoring
10-20
Advising
20-30
Diversity in personal development
10-20

Perspectives Coverage

*Ethical and global Issues
Ethical behavior in the academic community is covered during class discussions.
*Influence of political, social, legal and regulatory, environmental and technological issues
These topics are outside the scope of this course.
*The impact of demographic diversity on organizations
The impact of demographic diversity on the students’ lives will be illustrated through discussions and class activities.

Communication Coverage

*Written communication skills
Work sheets and short papers will be required.
*Oral communication skills
Students will work in small discussion groups for some assignments; they will be called upon also to make brief oral reports.

Instructional Resources

*Library usage
This class will not require library usage.
*Computer usage
The students will obtain information for course topics from the Internet.Students are required to communicate with their instructors by e-mail and may complete exercises using computer applications.
*Appropriate instructional technology
Classroom discussions may be augmented by presentations using an overhead projector or a computer projector.

Course’s Relationship to School of Business’ Shared Values

*Lifelong learning skills
A major portion of this course teaches students college survival skills that contribute to lifelong learning.
*Workplace knowledge and skills
The course will introduce time management and diversity, andthese skills are important in the workplace.
*Integration of technology
The students may be required to use the Internet to complete assignments.The will be required also to prepare papers using a word processing package and to communicate via e-mail.
*Development of values and ethics
The development of values and ethics will be covered through classroom discussions and exercises.
*Business community connection
Guest speakers from the business community may be invited to the class.
*Teamwork
Students will be working in small groups to complete activities.

Tentative Detailed Class Schedule

 
Monday/Wednesday Classes
Date/Session Topic
Week 1
Session 1
Overview
Week 2
–Session 2
–Session 3
 
Learning styles
Learning styles
Week 3
–Session 4
–Session 5

MLK Day – no class
Study skills and critical thinking
Week 4
–Session 6
– Session 7
Time management
SB and campus resources
Week 5 
– Session 8
– Session 9
 
SB and campus resources
Goal setting 
Week 6
– Session 10
– Session 11
Diversity 
Diversity 
Week 7
–Session 12
–Session 13
Diversity
Personal finance
Week 8
–Session 14
– Session 15
Advising
Advising
Week 9
No classes
Week 10
– Session 16
Advising
Week 11
– Session 17
Learning styles revisited
Week 12
– Session 18
Personal finance revisited
Week 13
– Session 19
Goal setting revisited
Week 14
– Session 20
Study skills and time management revisited 
Week 15
– Session 21
Assessment and semester wrap up