BELLEVUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

IBP 069

Introduction to Business,

Section A

Item Number 6710

Spring Quarter, 2008

TTh 10:00a to 12:10p

B257

Instructor:                 John McAlvay

Home Phone: (206) 236-0947 (8:00 am to 8:00 PM only please)

E-mail address: jmcalvay@bcc.ctc.edu

READ THIS ENTIRE SYLLABUS CAREFULLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE QUARTER.  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENTS!

Course Description:

This course provides a general survey of business principles, practices, theory and terminology with emphasis on applications in the business environment.

Course Materials

1.         Required Text:  Nickels, McHugh and McHugh, Understanding Business, 8^th Edition.

            2.         Required:              Four Scantron Cards and a #2 pencil for exams.

                                                              (Do not fold, wrinkle or damage Scantron cards.)

Grades are Based upon 1000 possible points* :

            1.  Assignments Group Activities and Quizzes                                                      100

2.  Interview or Tech Report                                                                           20

            3.  Term Project                                                                                                         100

            4.  Tests (3 at 180)                                                                                                    540

5. Final Exam                                                                                                           180

6. Class Participation:                                                                                              60

            Total                                                                                                                          1000

            (*If more or less than 1000 points are actually assigned during the quarter, the           percentage grade for work actually assigned will be projected to 1000 points.)

Grade Distribution:

960-1000       POINTS         = A      = 4.0

920-959         POINTS         = A-     = 3.7

890-919         POINTS         = B+    = 3.3

860-889         POINTS         = B      = 3.0

840-859         POINTS         = B-     = 2.7

810-839         POINTS         = C+    = 2.3

780-809         POINTS         = C      = 2.0

750-779         POINTS         = C-     = 1.7

670-749         POINTS         = D+    = 1.3

600-669         POINTS         = D      = 1.0

< 600 POINTS                     = F      = 0.0

Tests, Assignments and Participation:

1. In-class activities and quizzes.  Classroom learning experiences in groups, or individually, count for points and will serve as a measure of attendance.   Absolutely No make-ups will be allowed for missed quizzes or in-class activities.

            2. Interview or Tech Report:  (See Handout)

            3.  Term Project:  (See Handout)

4.  Tests:  Tests may cover both assigned textbook readings, handouts, and material presented in class including lectures, videos, guest lecturers, and group discussions. 

Tests are given only once.  If a student does not take a test at the scheduled time, absolutely no early or late makeup is allowed.  The student's grade on the missed exam will be the same percentage grade as the percentage grade received on the next exam (with a 15% score reduction for the missed exam unless an excellent documented excuse is verified -- e.g. a medical emergency) Documentation must be provided before the next exam.  Only one test may be missed. A second missed test will receive a zero score. 

Students may use a dictionary during any test or the final exam.

5.  Final Exam:  The final exam will be comprehensive.  Questions may come           from all materials assigned or covered in the course with possible emphasis on   any chapters that have been covered in class but not previously tested.

6. Class Participation:

Consistent good attitude and active participation in classroom activities are expected by your instructor and strongly influence this component of your grade.  By showing up for each class on time and consistently demonstrating the type of behavior and attitude that contribute positively to the learning environment, you will earn a substantial part of these points.  On the other hand, frequent side communications or other distracting or disrespectful behavior, poor attitude or frequent unexcused absence or tardiness will result in 0 participation points regardless of contributions to class discussions.

IBP students are expected to use only English when speaking to each other at all times when they are in the classroom to get additional practice with the language.

Instructional policy/instructor expectations

1. The learning environment:

The instructor strongly believes that all students deserve to have a positive learning environment.  Although some class lectures may be kept informal to facilitate discussion, you are required at all times to show courtesy and respect to other students, the teacher and the learning environment as a whole.  Conduct that inappropriately detracts from the teaching or learning environment will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action in accordance with BCC policies and procedures.  You will receive no more than two notices of inappropriate conduct.  If there is a third incident, the instructor will, without further notice, contact the appropriate Dean to discuss your removal from the class and / or other disciplinary action.

Spontaneous class comments/humor

Good-natured comments or spontaneous humor from the class can help create a casual and positive learning environment.  This is only true, however, if they are 1) shared with the entire class, 2) relevant to what is going on in class, 3) tasteful and 4) respectful to all students, the instructor, and the learning environment.  Spontaneous class comments that meet all four criteria are encouraged, those that don't are not permitted.

.

Side Communications.

No distracting side-communications are permitted on any subject.

When we work together as a class, only one person may speak at a time, whether that is the instructor, or a student who has the floor.

Distracting side communications are not allowed even if they are course-related. If for example, you ask your neighbor about something you didn't hear or understand in class, your side-conversation may cause another student not to hear, resulting in still another side-conversation.  To avoid this snowball effect, you will be asked to address your questions or comments to the class as a whole, so that everyone in class may benefit from them. 

Side-communications are distracting (and prohibited) if they occur frequently or are lengthy or if they draw the attention of other students or the instructor away from planned classroom activities.  Communications include, but are not limited to, talking, laughing, passing notes, signals, gestures etc.

Students whose side-conversations become a recurring distraction, may be told to leave, be physically separated in the classroom or be required to raise their hand before making any communication.  They may also be subjected to disciplinary action under BCC policies and procedures as indicated in instructional policy 1. 

Bellevue Community College Student Code of Conduct

Cheating, stealing and plagiarizing (using the ideas or words of another as one’s own without crediting the source) and inappropriate/disruptive classroom behavior are violations of the Student Code of Conduct at Bellevue Community College.  Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to: talking out of turn, arriving late or leaving early without a valid reason, allowing cell phones/pagers to ring, and inappropriate behavior toward the instructor or classmates.  The instructor can refer any violation of the Student Code of Conduct to the Dean of Student Services for possible probation or suspension from Bellevue Community College.  Specific student rights, responsibilities and appeal procedures are listed in the Student Code of Conduct, available in the office of the Dean of Student Services.

2.  Attendance/Schedule changes:  Students are expected to be present at all scheduled class sessions and will be held responsible for all announcements and schedule changes during the session.  Students who miss classes should contact a classmate or class partner to obtain lecture notes and class announcements.   Experience shows a high correlation between attendance and test grades. Missed classes almost always hurt your grade.  If you don't think you can or will be able to attend faithfully and on time, you should not take this class.  Significant absences may result in a failing grade.

3. Out-of-class Assignments:  Out-of-class assignments must be of professional quality. Each paper should begin with an APA-style title page.  (See handout)

General Document Guidelines:

A. Margins: One inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, right)         

B. Font Size and Type: 12-pt. Arial         

C. Spacing: Double-space throughout the paper (not 2.5 or Triple spaced!) 

D. Alignment: Flush left (creating uneven right margin)         

E. Pagination:  Page numbers one inch from the right edge of the paper on the first line of every page, beginning with the title page. 

F. Handwritten or unstapled papers will receive a significant score reduction.

G. Copying, word for word, from other sources (such as magazine articles, books, web pages etc.) without crediting the source by using quotation marks is plagiarism and considered cheating.  Use your own words!

Assignments must be submitted by the beginning of the class when they are due.  Except for special circumstances such as a documented medical emergency, late homework will receive a 40% score reduction. Homework not received by the beginning of class on the date of the test next following its due date will receive a zero score.

4.  Student concerns: Students are encouraged to discuss concerns or class problems, if any, with the instructor.  The instructor is also available throughout the quarter to discuss the student's current approximate grade and ways to improve it.  If you have difficulty keeping up with note taking your instructor can give you suggestions that may help. 

5.   Extra Credit:  some hard-earned extra credit may be available for responsible students who regularly attend class and turn assignments in on time.  (Extra credit will not act as a substitute for points lost due to missed classes or late work.)   You may sign up for an extra credit assignment after the second exam.  All extra credit work must be turned in before the third exam.  If class time permits, you may also earn extra credit by arranging a relevant and qualified guest speaker for the class.  Pre-approval from the instructor is required. 

6.  Students With Special Needs:

If you have medical information to share with me in the event of an emergency, please contact me via email or come to see me during office hours. Emergency preparedness is important!

If you need course modifications / adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, I can refer you to our Disability Resource Center (DRC).

    If you prefer, you may contact them directly by going to B132 or by calling 425.564.2498 or TTY 425.564.4110. Information is also available on their website at http://bellevuecollege.edu/drc/

7.  Cheating:  Cheating includes but is not limited to plagiarizing, improper collaboration with another, or using improper methods to complete an exam or assignment.  If you cheat, or aid someone else in cheating the following actions will be taken: 

1. You will receive a grade of zero for the exam or assignment where cheating occurred.  In some cases you may receive a failing grade for the entire course.

2.  A report of the incident will be sent to the Dean of Students (See WAC 132H-120).  The Dean may file a report in your permanent record or take further action such as suspension or expulsion.  If you feel you have been unfairly accused of cheating, you may appeal.

            8.  Incompletes: If a student does not complete the course work, an incomplete grade will not automatically be given.  You may receive a failing course grade. See the instructor before the deadline for withdrawal.  If you drop out of the course without withdrawing and without discussing your situation with the instructor, you will receive a zero grade for all work not completed.

            9.  Inclement weather/emergencies:

For school closure information, check the school's web site (http://status.bcc.ctc.edu), call BCC closure update line (425) 401-6680), listen to radio stations: KING, KIRO, KOMO, KVI, KRKO, KWUZ, KUBE or KPLZ or watch TV stations KIRO, KING, or KOMO.  Conditions may vary throughout the Puget Sound Area so always use your own judgment about safety.

10. Campus resources for students:

Pick up a student handbook in the Student Services building or access it online at http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/stupro/handbook_cd2006/asbcc_sp/programs.asp.  

THE MATH LAB http://scidiv.bcc.ctc.edu/MathLab/ D204 provides free drop-in tutorial assistance to students currently enrolled in a Bellevue Community College mathematics course

THE READING/WRITING LAB http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/writinglab/ReadingLab.html D202 is to give students at Bellevue Community College a single place where they can go for help with any writing assignment or project

ACADEMIC TUTORING CENTER http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/tutoring/ D204 It is the mission of the Academic Tutoring Center to provide the best resources it can to meet the needs of all students who are registered at Bellevue Community College in academic programs.

Under Campus Resources http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/resources/  there are numerous listings including more Student Services sites: http://www.bcc.ctc.edu/resources/services/