Instructor:



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BUS 105: Introduction to Business Skills Development

TR 2-2:50am, Bryan 112

Spring 2011

Course Instructor:

Amanda R. Pelon

Office: 301 Bryan Building

Email: arpelon@uncg.edu

Telephone: 336-334-5928

Web:

Peer Academic Leader (PAL):

Roxanne Tave, rrtave@uncg.edu

Majors: Bachelor of Science in International Business and Economics, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Study Abroad: Aarhus School of Business, Denmark

Office Hours: Thursdays 2pm-4pm in 301 Bryan, Other times by appointment, schedule through Starfish. If you have difficulty after attempting to schedule through Starfish call 334-5928 for assistance

The Bryan School of Business and Economics Student Learning Goals

The primary learning goal for the undergraduate program in the Bryan School is to prepare students to perform successfully as business professionals in a global economy. The following learning objectives have been endorsed by the faculty to guide the development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the undergraduate degree programs, and to assure that our graduates are prepared to meet the challenges of the future. These objectives are common to all B.S. majors and concentrations, and are supplemented by additional learning objectives that are relevant to the specific major or concentration.

1. Students will be skilled in critical thinking and decision-making, as supported by the appropriate use of analytical and quantitative techniques.

2. Students can recognize and assess the ethical and social dimensions of management activities and evaluate their impact on management decisions.

3. Students can communicate clearly and correctly, and can demonstrate collaborative and leadership skills.

4. Students understand the core organizational functions and activities and how they interrelate to accomplish an organization’s major goals through effective processes.

5. Students can evaluate the role global markets have on management decisions and formulate appropriate strategies to improve performance in the world economy.

Course Description:

This course is designed to promote the development of business skills determined by employers as critical for success. Fostering the development of skills early in your academic career promotes successful transition into both college and work.

Course Philosophy:

Being successful means mastering and demonstrating basic skills; specifically, technical skills and transferable skills. Technical skills can be easily learned and applied to the work you do as a student and in your future professional life. Transferable skills are habits that you have developed and will continue to develop over your lifetime. Since people and situations are always changing, success requires ongoing learning and flexibility.

This course will cover a broad range of themes associated with technical and transferable skills development. These include the following: self-awareness, transition and task management; time management; study and test-taking skills, communication, and community involvement. All of these skills help you learn about yourself, about leadership in business, and success as you start your academic career and into your professional career.

BUS 105 Course Learning Outcomes:

Students will understand and be able to demonstrate the following at the end of the course:

1. Knowledge of University resources such as Career Services Center, Bryan Undergraduate Student Services Office, Bryan Career and Study Abroad Offices, the Writing and Speaking Centers, Teaching and Learning Center, etc. that will empower students to find campus resources, thus strengthening their chances of academic and professional success.

2. Knowledge of important milestones in higher education, such as joining academic and/or fraternal societies, earning academic honors, preparing for graduation, and exploring graduate and professional school opportunities.

3. Knowledge of the mission of the Bryan School and how the five Bryan School Learning Goals have an impact on student learning and success.

4. Knowledge of the Bryan majors and minors, and career opportunities through class speakers, handouts, websites, visits to campus resource centers, and meeting with academic and faculty advisors.

5. Development of skills imperative to successful learning, building relationships, and personal growth by engaging in activities that foster teamwork and effective communication techniques.

6. Strengthening the critical thinking process to develop academic and professional success.

Required Materials:

Coplin, W. D. (2003). 10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College: The Know-How You Need to Succeed. Berkely, CA: Ten Speed Press.

Haywood, K. (2010). 2010-2011 Undergraduate Bulletin. Greensboro, NC: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. (Available online at )

UNCG Student Calendar Handbook, 2010-2011 (Widely distributed throughout campus during orientation. Also available from the Information Desk at the Elliott University Center while supplies last.)

Additional readings will be assigned by the instructors and posted on Blackboard as needed.

Classroom Instruction: Business Skills Development is a laboratory course rather than a lecture course. This means that many different types of instructional methodologies will be used to enhance student learning and participation. Specifically you will be engaged in group and class discussions and experiential activities, basic research, visits to on-campus offices and departments, readings and assignments with Blackboard online, laptop assignments, and oral reports in class by individuals or groups rather than listening to an instructor lecture or taking extensive notes.

A key factor in laboratory learning is interacting with others. A good give-and-take discussion allows students to articulate their ideas, respond to their classmates’ points, and develop skills in evaluating the evidence for their own and others’ positions. Thus, all students are expected to participate actively in all class activities. This course will be more worthwhile and interesting when students come prepared. Informed participation is vital to success in this, and every, course.

Academic Integrity Policy: Academic integrity is based on and includes the following five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. In all cases, every student should understand and abide by the UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy. Each member of the Bryan School and UNCG academic community must be accountable for his or her actions. Each student is expected to uphold in their own work the spirit of academic honesty and not to tolerate its abuse by others.

As a Bryan School and UNCG student you are required to:

1. Recognize your responsibility to uphold the Academic Integrity Policy and to report apparent violations to the appropriate persons.

2. Sign the Academic Integrity Pledge given below on all major work submitted to an instructor. A student's work will not be graded until he/she has signed the statement.

Academic Integrity Pledge Statement:

I HAVE ABIDED BY THE UNCG Academic Integrity Policy ON THIS ASSIGNMENT.

Student's Signature Date

Incompletes and Extensions: Incompletes and extensions are not encouraged as they have a tendency to hang over you. However, life happens to all of us and can affect our ability to meet deadlines and perform well. It is up to the individual instructor’s discretion to allow for incompletes or extensions.

Extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be requested by the student before the due date. It is your responsibility to call or email the instructor before class and propose when you will turn in the assignment. Instructors are more concerned about patterns of doing untimely work than an occasional request. Patterns will be reflected in a no-pass grade for the assignment and/or course in the fairness to others who have done timely work.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Disability Services to establish reasonable accommodations. For an appointment with a disability specialist, call 334-5440. Please see all of your instructors within one week from the first class meeting for additional support.

Religious Observances: Instructors will work with you if class meetings or assignments conflict with your religious practices. Please set up an appointment with your instructor as soon as possible to make necessary arrangements.

Electronic Devices Policy: Cell phones, pagers, iPods, and other electronic devices should neither been seen nor heard during class. Electronic devices draw attention away from class and detract from the quality of learning for all. Use of laptops will be strictly limited to note-taking or in-class activities and not for e-mail, chat, or casual internet browsing during class. Failure to adhere to this policy can result in a no-pass grade.

Evaluation of Performance:

Instructors do not “give” grades – your grade is up to YOU!

For every assignment that you complete according to instructor expectations you earn points. This is as true for this class as any other you will take as a UNCG student. Your final grade in this course will be based on the points received from these assignments:

ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE IN ENTIRETY AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS AND

EACH ASSIGNMENT MAY BE DEDUCTED POINTS IF NOT TURNED IN ON TIME.

|Attendance & Participation |30 points |

|Reflective Assignments (5) |25 points |

|Campus Activities Written Assignments (2) |10 points |

|Individual Assessment |10 points |

|Leadership Interview |10 points |

|Personal Learning Plan |10 points |

|Service/Leadership Project | |

|Service/Leadership Hours |30 points |

|Service/Leadership Meetings |30 points |

|Service Reflective Assignments (5) |25 points |

|Service Final Project |20 points |

| | |

|Total: |200 points |

Guidelines for ALL Written Assignments: Written assignments must conform to and will not be given full credit if they do not meet the following guidelines:

1. Include your full name, course instructor’s name, course name with department code and section, assignment title, a typed Academic Integrity Pledge statement and matching student signature with date at the top of the first page or on a separate cover page

2. All typing must be in a clean readable font of 12 pts (Times New Roman or Garamond are appropriate font types)

3. On 8.5 x 11 inches page, aligned left justified and double-spaced

4. Pages must have consistent margins of 1 inch on all sides

5. To be considered “1-page” it must include original, student-created text that covers at least 66% (or two-thirds) of the page which does not include the required identification requirements listed above

6. Multiple pages must include student name, assignment title, and page number in the header

7. If turned in as a hard copy all pages must be printed on white paper with clear and readable black ink and secured with a staple

Assignment Summaries:

Attendance & Participation

Class attendance: Attendance is mandatory for this class. Absences in excess of two (2) will result in a 2 point deduction for each additional absence. “Excused” absences are at the discretion of the instructor. If you miss class you are responsible for missed content and must collaborate with a classmate to get needed material. You may be required to complete a compensatory assignment in lieu of in-class activities that were missed due to absence.

Supplemental Class Time: To meet the requirements for this class all students must engage in supplemental class time. You are required to fulfill this requirement and assignments will depend on student participation in out-of-class activities including assignments not specifically listed on this syllabus. Specific information on qualifying activities will be given separately. Failure to fulfill the supplemental class time will affect a student’s attendance and participation grade. Alternative arrangements for fulfilling this requirement will only be made in consultation with your instructor prior to assignment due dates.

Reflective Assignments

Reflection is an important part of learning both inside the classroom and in the work world. For each reflective assignment a set of questions will be provided and you must address the questions as directed to receive full credit for each assignment. These assignments cannot be turned in late as they will serve as a basis for in-class discussion and will reflect assigned reading. Students are reminded to uphold the Academic Integrity Policy in all coursework.

Campus Activities Written Assignments

To be prepared for class you are expected to take part in two (2) campus activities outside of class. A list of activities that would be acceptable for credit will be presented to you by the instructor. Once you take part in the campus activities you must then complete a written evaluation for each of the activities. The written assignment portions will be one (1) page in length for each activity.

Individual Assessment

You will be asked to complete one individual assessment that addresses personal, academic or career-related skills and goals. These types of assessments are a systematic and structured way of organizing information based on information you provide about yourself. Once you have completed the online assessment you will need to print out your results and answer the questions on the assignment sheet. You must turn in both your results and the assignment sheet for full credit.

Leadership Interview

Leadership is the interactive effect of leaders and followers. As future business leaders you should be aware of leadership concepts, strategies, styles, and effectiveness. Students will be expected to interview a leader, provide evidence of the interview and complete a written evaluation on that interview. This written assignment should be two (2) pages in length.

Personal Learning Plan

Setting and achieving goals is an important tool for success. You will be expected to develop a personal learning plan, which identifies a specific learning goal and how you will achieve that goal. Additional details for this assignment will be provided separately.

Service/Leadership Project

Each student will take part in a Service/Leadership Project as part of actively developing and demonstrting skills essential for being successful in college and business. Additional details for this assignment will be provided separately.

Grading Scale:

|98% - 100% |A+ |93% - 97% |A |90% - 92% |A- |

|88% - 89% |B+ |83% - 87% |B |80% - 82% |B- |

|78% - 79% |C+ |73% - 77% |C |70% - 72% |C- |

|68% - 69% |D+ |63% - 67% |D |60% - 62% |D- |

| | |0% - 59% |F | | |

Extra Credit: Extra credit is only given at instructors’ discretion.

Class Evaluations: Course evaluations will be based on the instructor and content will be presented through Blackboard for completion at the end of the semester.

Adverse Weather & Class Cancellation Policy: Offices and classes normally remain open during periods of inclement weather. On rare occasions of severe weather, scheduled classes may be delayed or canceled. A decision made by the Chancellor to delay or cancel classes will be reported to the media. In addition, the University’s Adverse Weather number (334-4400) may be accessed for up-to-date campus closure information. Students are advised to listen for radio or television announcements when weather is particularly severe. If no announcement of closing is broadcast, the University may be presumed to be open and holding classes.

When instructor illness or other extenuating circumstances prevent your instructor from reaching campus, the Undergraduate Student Services Office (232 Bryan) will be informed as early as possible, whereupon a cancellation notice will be placed on the classroom door. Notice of cancellation will also be made through Blackboard announcement.

It is your responsibility to check Blackboard every day for changes in course plans or activities including assignment due dates.

Students may also contact the instructor for additional information.

* Schedule and syllabus are subject to change without notice *

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Faculty and Student Guidelines [i]

Preamble – Our Commitment

The administration, faculty, staff, and students of the Bryan School of Business and Economics at UNCG are committed to professional and ethical behavior in all areas of their academic and professional lives. The principles and expectations established in this document and the addendums encompass many aspects of professional behavior and integrity. It is not an exhaustive list, since change is part of life both inside and outside the university.

This set of Guidelines constitutes a statement of values and expectations; concerns and issues are still best addressed by conversations between the individual faculty member and student. If further discussions are necessary, please contact the faculty member’s Department Head.

Expectations of All Learning Community Members

The first sentence of the UNCG Student Code of Conduct is: “Members of the UNCG community respect fundamental principles for ensuring a campus environment conducive to peaceful and productive living and study. These principles include five values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility.” All university members (students, faculty, and staff) have a responsibility to uphold these five values, and this is true in the Bryan classroom environment and related academic activities.

Expectations of Students

Students in the Bryan School must conform to all existing principles found in UNCG’s Academic Integrity Policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Further details may be found at the following sites: and . The attached addendum lists specific expectations of students regarding the learning process and environment at the Bryan School.

Addendum: Expectations of Students

1. Class Attendance, Preparation, Participation and Conduct

Students in the Bryan School of Business and Economics are expected to

• Abide by the instructor's attendance policy with regard to absences and class starting and ending times.

• Respect their fellow classmates and the instructor; avoid side conversation during class.

• Prepare for each class.

• Participate appropriately in each class.

• Turn off and store away cell phones and all electronic devices unless permission has been otherwise granted.

• Refrain from class disturbances; avoid eating and drinking in classrooms.

• Abide by the deadlines, drop dates, and final exam dates as set forth by the Academic Calendar.

2. Assignments and Exams

Students in the Bryan School of Business and Economics are expected to

• Complete all assignments and exams honestly, punctually, and to the best of my ability.

• Cite sources appropriately in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

• Read and abide by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy and other University policies relating to student conduct.

• Report observed violations of the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy.

• Refrain from asking for special grade considerations, including extra credit that is not part of the syllabus.

• Refrain from giving or receiving inappropriate assistance.

3. Professional Values and Integrity

Students in the Bryan School of Business and Economics are expected to

• Conduct themselves ethically, honestly, and with integrity.

• Treat fellow students, faculty, staff, and administrators fairly and impartially.

• Make every effort to discourage discrimination and harassment.

• Behave and speak professionally, respectfully, and courteously.

• Use the college’s property, facilities, supplies, and other resources in an ethical manner.

• Be fair in their evaluation of administrators, faculty, staff, and fellow students.

• Make good use of time by engaging in appropriate activities, and if possible, participating in worthwhile organizations and activities on campus and in the broader community.

Expectations of Faculty

Faculty in the Bryan School must conform to all existing UNCG codes and policies, and their teaching roles are of particular relevance to these Guidelines (see for further details). The attached addendum lists specific expectations of faculty regarding the learning process and environment at the Bryan School.

Addendum: Expectations of Faculty

1. Course Preparation and Classroom Conduct

Faculty members of the Bryan School of Business and Economics are expected to

• Remain current in their area of expertise.

• Present course material in an organized, coherent manner.

• Be on time for classes; conduct a full class.

• Avoid canceling classes unnecessarily; make efforts to obtain a substitute before canceling.

• Cover material relevant to the course.

• Maintain a professional demeanor in the classroom.

• Encourage appropriate discussion and questions from students.

• Respect the opinions and responses of student.

• Encourage feedback and, when appropriate, make changes based on it.

2. Assignments, Exams and Course Grades

Faculty members of the Bryan School of Business and Economics are expected to

• Develop meaningful assignments that contribute to student mastery of course and program competencies.

• Make expectations and criteria for assessment clear to students.

• Write exams that fairly reflect the course content and coverage.

• Use due care and thought in grading all assignments and exams.

• Provide appropriate and timely feedback for all assignments and exams. Due to the number of students in a course and the nature of the activity, the time frame for returning graded material will vary. The faculty member should inform students of the expected return date.

• Communicate clearly the factors that will go into the calculation of the final grade.

• Provide students with a reasonable opportunity to discuss assignments and grades without reprisal.

• Assign final grades with care and fairness.

• Set and enforce standards for academic integrity so students who behave with honesty are not disadvantaged.

3. Professional Values and Integrity

Faculty members of the Bryan School of Business and Economics are expected to

• Conduct themselves ethically, honestly, and with integrity.

• Treat students, fellow faculty, staff, and administrators fairly and impartially.

• Make every effort to prevent discrimination and harassment.

• Behave and speak professionally, respectfully, and courteously.

• Exercise fair and objective evaluation of all administrators, faculty, staff, and students.

• Safeguard any confidential information.

• Be accessible and maintain adequate office hours.

• Keep appointments and be punctual in all professional settings.

Adopted by the Bryan School Faculty Assembly and the Bryan School Student Advisory Council, Spring 2007.

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[i]This document does not constitute a binding contract between students and the University. Portions of these Guidelines were modeled after the Professional Standards developed by the College of Business at Illinois State University. We thank them for their contributions!

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