Course Description

BMGT 110 - Introduction to Business and Management is offered for students with little or no business background and provides the recommended preparation for many other BMGT courses.  BMGT 110 is a survey of the field of business management. Topics include human relations, technology in business, ethical behavior, the environment, global and economic forces, organization, quality, products and services, functional management, and current issues and developments.

Course Introduction

Why is this course so good? Within the time frame of a few months, you will be introduced to how business operates, and why many business graduates choose to start their own businesses rather than work for others.   You will gain insight into the various functional areas in a successful business and the professionals who build careers in each function. You will learn more about career opportunities, areas in which such opportunities are greatest, typical salaries, and the jobs that best match your personal strengths and interests. You will also learn about how businesses can—and do— with sustained effort, tackle many of society’s more pressing human and social obligations to make our world a better place.  

The goal of this course is to help you begin to develop a foundation of knowledge on a wide variety of business topics that will be explored in more detail in advanced courses. By the end of this course, you should have a good foundation in the following general areas: the contemporary business environment, the structure of American business, leadership and management of the organization, marketing management, management information systems, and financial management. 

Another major goal of the course is for you not only to learn to discuss the various topics, but also to gain experience and confidence in applying what is learned. This process will be facilitated through the use of critical thinking applications and case studies as well as the examination of current events that relate to the topic. 

Course Objectives

This course provides an overall view of business operations, including an analysis of specialized fields within business organizations and identification of the role of business in modern society.

Upon successful completion of Introduction to Business and Management a student should be able to:

• Describe and discuss contemporary business in the free enterprise system.

• Outline the structure and forms of ownership of American businesses.

• List the functions of human resource management.

• Identify marketing planning and strategies.

• Discuss management information systems.

• State financial management aspects and strategies, in light of the economy today.

• Explain the impact of technology, ethical behavior, global and environmental forces, and diversity on business activities.

Course Materials

Required:

• The Future of Business, 6^th Edition, by Lawrence Gitman and Carl McDaniel, 2008, by Thomson/South-Western.
• BMGT 110 CAT course CD-ROM

Optional Publisher Site:

http://websites.swlearning.com/cgi-wadsworth/course_products_wp.pl?fid=M20b&flag=student&product_isbn_issn=9780324537444&discipline_number=407

* In addition to interactive quizzes, downloadable support materials, crossword puzzles, e-lectures, a glossary, and related links, there are two additional chapters that are not covered in the class but are available for download from the publisher’s site.

Course Schedule - Overview of Lessons

Grading Information and Criteria

Overall Grading Criteria & Scale: 

Your grade for this course will be based on total points acquired through four examinations and six required video case problems. All scores will be added together to determine your final grade in the following manner:

Quizzes/Tests

4 exams @ 110 points each (10 extra credit pts) = 440 points

6 Case problems @ 25 points each = 150 points

Total = 590 points

Keeping in mind that 40 points are extra credit points, the final grading scale will be based on 550 total points and will break down as follows:

The grading scale is:

Required Exams

As indicated above, you will be required to complete four examinations during this course. Each exam has a value of 100 points with a possibility of receiving up to 10 extra credit points for each exam. The four exams are closed book and will be proctored by your local Field Representative who will serve as your Test Administrator (or alternate proctor if arrangements are made ahead of time).  Each exam is composed of the following components and point values:

Exam Content:

1. Multiple choice and true/false questions will come from the information in The Future of Business textbook and the video case problems assigned for that module.
2. Short answer essay questions are designed to require you to completely discuss or explain a concept identified in the learning goals of your Student Notebook. To receive credit, you must write clearly, write out the essay question first, and then provide a detailed answer that reflects your understanding of the material.

Required Video Case Problems  

You will be required to complete (6) video case problems during this course. Each case has a value of 25 points and must be completed before the exam noted below. To receive credit for the case problems:

1. The case problem must be completed using the format indicated below. (No credit will be given if the format is not followed).
2. The case problems must be typewritten (preferably in a “Word” or a “Rich text file” format).
3. The entire case must be completed to be graded. You will receive a grade on the case problem from 0 to 25 points.
4. Please email an electronic copy or mail in a printed copy of your case problems to your course manager before taking the examination.
5. The case problems are to be completed from the following list. The video cases are found on the Student Notebook CD-ROM and the Critical Thinking questions are found in the textbook.

Video Case Problem Content & Format: In preparing your case problems during the course, please use the following directions:

1. Do not prepare a title page or cover sheet.
2. At the top right hand corner of each page type: Your name, EMPLID number (student number), & Page number.
3. At the top center of page one type: Business Case Problem, Chapter # & Page #
4. Each video case problem has specific questions listed in your textbook that you need to answer after viewing the video and reading the narrative. You must answer all questions to receive any credit for the case problem.
5. To answer the questions:
1. Type the entire question, including the question number.
2. Type the word “Answer” below the question and then complete the answer.
3. Type the second question, etc.
6. In answering each question:
1. Always explain your answer – never answer simply yes or no.
2. Apply the concepts from the chapter material.
3. Remember that you are not giving your opinion – you are developing an informed answer to a business problem.
4. Pretend that your ‘boss’ has asked you to solve these problems and that you will be in line for a promotion if you prove to be a good problem solver.
7. Please mail in a paper copy or email an electronic copy of the required case problem to your Course Manager.  These are to be submitted before taking each corresponding examination.  Reminders of video case problem due dates are noted throughout your Student Notebook.

Closing Advice

The learning system you will use as you work your way through this BMGT 110 course involves two primary components: a CD-ROM (containing this Student Notebook and individual chapter information) and the course Textbook. To master the 20 lessons of the course, you should use the following sequence of learning activities:

1. Review the Lesson assignments found in Section III of the Student Notebook in regard to:
   1. Textbook reading assignment in The Future of Business
   2. Individual chapter information [summary, key terms, learning goals, lecture outlines, PowerPoint slides, & quizzes]
2. After studying the chapter, test your knowledge of the material with quizzes on the CD-ROM. There are questions for each chapter that will strengthen your business vocabulary and reinforce key concepts from The Future of Business. Immediate quiz scores and customized feedback for incorrect answers provide an excellent tool for preparing for exams.
3. Make sure to complete course requirements: turn in the six video case problems before each designated exam and space out, make arrangements, and take the four exams over the course of the 10 weeks.

Keep in mind that taking personal responsibility for completing requirements in a timely manner will play a large role in your successful completion of this CAT BMGT 110 course.

All the Best!

Academic Honesty

As members of an academic community, which places a high value on truth and the pursuit of knowledge, students are expected to be honest in every phase of their academic life and to present as their own work only that which is genuinely theirs.  Each student has the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and to refrain from cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty. 

According to UMUC policy, academic dishonesty is the failure to maintain academic integrity. Plagiarism is the presentation of another person's idea or product as one's own. The University has low tolerance in cases of academic dishonesty.

Please use the following website to educate yourself on avoiding plagiarism: http://www.umuc.edu/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/modules/plagiarism/guidelines.html. 

*UMUC’s Effective Writing Center also provides help with writing tasks in any of your classes: http://www.umuc.edu/ugp/ewp_writingcenter/ 

UMUC Academic Policies

The following are informational links to specific UMUC policies: 

• UMUC's Policy on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism: http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml

• UMUC's Policy on the Grade of Incomplete and Withdrawal: http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa17071.shtml

• UMUC's Policy on the Code of Student Conduct:

http://www.umuc.edu/policy/stud15100.shtml 

• Procedures on Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading: http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa13080.shtml