Foundations of Business 12:20

Pamplin Logo.png

MANAGEMENT 1104: FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS

Spring 2022

SYLLABUS and COURSE CALENDAR 

Instructor:

Denise Cordova

Assistant Professor of Practice

Office: 540-231-4785

Email:  Denisecc@vt.edu

LinkedIn: Denise Córdova | LinkedIn

Office: Pamplin 2087

Zoom Room: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/my/denisecc

Zoom Personal Meeting ID: 8265813628

 

Class:

CRN: 17621

Class Times: M, W, F 

12:20 p.m. - 1:10 p.m.

Locations: PAM 31

Office Hours: Mondays 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 

MGT1104 Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTA)
SPRING 2022
Name Phone / Email Office Hours Office Hours Zoom Link
Abbey Wills 
abbey@vt.edu
Mondays 9 a.m. -10 a.m. https://virginiatech.zoom.us/my/abbeywills

 

 

 

 

Canvas Submission Issues & Tech Support - Home Page - Service Portal (vt.edu) 

Please note that if you run into any struggles with Canvas while submitting your assignment it is your responsibility to contact IT -  Home Page - Service Portal (vt.edu)

Please follow the instructions listed above. Thank you! 

 

Learner Modules.PNG

Click here to jump to the COURSE CALENDAR

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Foundations of Business exposes students to the free enterprise system and the various business functions, such as management, human resources, marketing, production and operations, accounting and finance, as well as to the different types of businesses such as manufacturing and service. Analysis of business functions is performed to help improve understanding of career interests and opportunities, as well as to provide a basic understanding of how a company operates. This course is intended to form a foundation for study for all business majors.

Learning Objectives: Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:

  • Explain the basics of how business works in a free market economy
  • Describe various business functions
  • Utilize essential business terminology
  • Relate current business events to topics in the course
  • Research issues and topics through the ethical and responsible collection, analysis, and use of information (inquiry skills)
  • Design, evaluate, and implement a strategy or strategies to answer an open-ended question or to achieve a desired goal (problem-solving skills)
  • Make connections between ideas and experiences, and to apply them to new learning situations (integration skills)

Daily learning objectives for the course are published under Modules. For a print version of this syllabus, please copy and paste the content into a blank word document.

Prerequisites: None

Required Materials:

Text: This course utilizes a free, open source book provided in online form. Assigned readings are listed in the appropriate module on this course website. Students who prefer a hard copy without printing it themselves may purchase the book at the link provided below.

Link to Order a Print Copy of the Textbook

News: Morning Brew is a business news digest that is specifically intended for a younger audience. To subscribe, simply click on this link. You will receive a daily email with the top stories from the day before. Morning Brew news items will be included on pop quizzes and covered when the items relate to material being covered in the chapter readings.

The Wall Street Journal is a more comprehensive new source. Although we will not use it directly in the course, students who wish to subscribe can do so at a substantial discount. You can order at the following link: https://r.wsj.com/PROFfmdg.

The business simulation CapSim Core will be used in this course. Each student must register for the simulation individually, at a cost of $25 each. If you anticipate having financial difficulties that would prevent you from registering, please contact the Dean of Students office as early in the semester as possible. There are funds available to assist in these cases, but they may be claimed quickly. This simulation represents the only paid materials for the course. We hope you will agree that $25 for a course is reasonable.

ASSIGNMENTS:

See the Assignments tab for complete details on all assignments.

  1. First Year Experience (FYE) Assignments: See Description under individual Assignments 
  2. Business Simulation - Team: See Description under Assignments
  3. Business Simulation - Individual Training: See Description under Assignments 
  4. Quizzes will take place online during class at any point during the semester - they may be announced or unannounced. Questions will come from the chapter readings, videos, and from selected articles from the Morning Brew reading. For grading purposes, the quizzes are equally weighted. There will be three "special purpose" quizzes based on (a) the library material; (b) the VT honor system; and (c) the alumni roundtable. The number of quizzes will not be disclosed in advance. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.
  5. Live Case Assignments: See descriptions in HR Business Case and Marketing Strategies modules (you will only submit one of the two cases but should prepare both for class)
  6. Lyft Focus Group: Working in assigned teams, students will conduct in-class focus groups with each team writing a short report to the Director of Small Market Strategy at Lyft. The director will provide the questions to which the student groups will respond.
  7. Financial Statement Exercise: Students will create an income statement and balance sheet working from a list of basic accounting transactions.

EXAMS:

There will be three exams that will include primarily short answer questions as well as a small number of essays and/or problems. Exams are cumulative and test your retention of material from previous parts of the course, so the percentage grading weight increases for each successive exam.

ATTENDANCE POLICY 

As college students, you are free to attend or not attend class as you wish. However, you should take into consideration that there are pop quizzes which can occur on any given day, the timing of which can vary from one section of the course to another. Students who miss those class dates will earn a zero on the pop quizzes without the possibility of a make-up.

Quiz-day absences covered by documentation from the Dean of Students Office, the Schiffert Health Center, or a verifiable outside physician will be excused, with the corresponding percentage value of the quiz added to the weight of the other quizzes.

MAKE-UP WORK:

Make-up work requires verification of illness or personal emergency through a memo from the Dean of Students Office.

TEACHING ASSISTANTS

The college of business has provided undergraduate teaching assistants (UTA's) for this course. These are students who have already successfully completed MGT 1104 and have made themselves available to help their fellow students. The teaching assistants will hold virtual office hours each week to help you with any questions or special help you may need. These are in addition to the office hours held by the instructor - you may use whichever are more convenient or comfortable for you. The UTA's for your instructor are:

Abbey Wills

Abbey Wills | LinkedIn

abbey@vt.edu

WELLNESS PRINCIPLES

Virginia Tech is committed to protecting the health and safety of all members of its
community. By participating in this class, all students agree to abide by the
Virginia Tech Wellness principles.
To uphold these principles, in this class you must do the following:
● Wear a face covering during class, including as you enter and exit the classroom
● Maintain the designated distancing guidelines of the classroom
● Enter and exit class according to posted signage
If you are exhibiting even the slightest sign of illness, you must not attend an in-person
class. Notify me by email and follow the instructions posted at the following
Link.

One of the MGT 1104 instructors has developed a list of resources to assist students taking the course online, many of which would also be valuable to those taking the course in hybrid format. Students are encouraged to consult this page for more information.

GRADING:

Grading Scale

A = 93 or higher C = 73 – 76.99
A- = 90 – 92.99 C- = 70 – 72.99
B+ = 87 – 89.99 D+ = 67 – 69.99
B = 83 – 86.99 D = 63 – 66.99
B- = 80 – 82.99 D- = 60 – 62.99
C+ = 77 – 79.99 F = 59.99 or below

Please be aware in advance that averages will not be rounded up.

TENTATIVE CALENDAR -

PLEASE NOTE THE BELOW IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE ACCORDINGLY IF CHANGES OCCUR.  

Spring 2022        
Key Dates: VT Classes Start on Tuesday, 1/18 … Spring Break is 3/5 - 3/11  
MGT1104 - Foundations of Business
Class #   Date Topic Reading/Need Tasks Due on this Date
1 W 1/19 Syllabus & Course Expectations    
2 F 1/21 Foundations of Business Chapter 2
Video 
Strength Finder (SF)
3 M 1/24 Strength Finder Results Session Review SF Results  
4 W 1/26 Teamwork Chapter 1  
5 F 1/28 Team Building Exercises (RecSports) SF Results  
6 M 1/31 Ethics & CSR Chapter 4
Video
Article
LIVING Wage Case
7 W 2/2 Economics & Honor Code Chapter 3
Video
 
8 F 2/4 Economics   
9 M 2/7 Global Business Chapter 5  
10 W 2/9 Review Session Exam 1   List of Questions
11 F 2/11 Exam 1 Chapters 1-5 Exam 1
           
Class #   Date Topic Reading/Need Tasks Due on this Date
12 M 2/14
Academic Planning & Research
Support site
Video
Online Library Lessons
14 W 2/16 Forms of Business Ownership Chapter 6
Video
Honor Code Assignment Due
15 F 2/18 Alumni Roundtable Day Alumni Bios Alumni Questions
16 M  2/21 Entrepreneurship  Chapter 7
Video 
17 W 2/23 Entrepreneurial Exercise 3 Videos  Team Video
18 F 2/25 Management & Leadership Chapter 8
Video
19 M 2/28 Operations Management Chapter 10
Video
 
21 W 3/2 Managing Human Resources Chapter 12  
20 F 3/4 Intro to Emotional Intelligence and DEIB Podcast
Goleman Reading
Asychronous Video
21 M 3/14 Real Estate Development   ASYCHRONOUS Video
22 W 3/16 Recap the Real Estate Moduel - Classroom Discussion and then Review Session Exam 2   Students should bring a list of Questions for the Exam review
23 F 3/18 Exam 2 All to date (not Ch 9/11)  
Class #   Date Topic Reading/Need Tasks Due on this Date
24 M 3/21 Union & Management Issues Chapter 13
Video
 
25 W 3/23 Marketing Chpater 14
Video
 
26 F 3/25 Lyft Focus Groups Assignment Details  
27 M 3/28 Pricing  Chapter 15  
28 W 3/30 Hospitality & Tourism Chapter 16
Video
 
30 F 4/1 Accounting & Finance Info 1 Chapter 17  
31 M 4/4 Accounting & Finance Info 2    
32 W 4/6 Practice Accounting   ASYCHRONOUS Video & Practice Problems
33 F 4/8 Financial Statements Assignment Review Stress-Buster Financial Statements
34 M 4/11 Technology in Business    
35 W 4/13 Intro to Business Simulation    
36 F 4/15 Business Simulation Strategy 1   Practice Round Decisions
37 M 4/18 Business Simulation Strategy 2    
38 W 4/20 Business Simulation Live Rd 1    
39 F 4/22 Business Simulation Live Rd 2   Simulation Rd 2 
40 M 4/25 Business Simulation Live Rd 3   Simulation Rd 3 
41 W 4/27 HR Case and Marketing Case - Classroom Review    
42 F 4/29 Business Simulation Live Rd 4   Simulation Rd 4
43 M  5/2 Personal Financial Management Personal Finance - Stock Market Reflection Chapter 18  
44 W  5/4 Review Final Exam     

UNDERGRADUATE HONOR CODE:

The Undergraduate Honor Code pledge that each member of the university community agrees to abide by states: 

“As a Hokie, I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times.  I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.”

Students enrolled in this course are responsible for abiding by the Honor Code. A student who has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the course instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the University community from the requirements and expectations of the Honor Code.  

For additional information about the Honor Code, please visit: https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/  

Honor Code Pledge for Assignments:

The Virginia Tech honor code pledge for assignments is as follows:  

“I have neither given nor received unauthorized assistance on this assignment.”

The pledge is to be written out on all graded assignments at the university and signed by the student.  The honor pledge represents both an expression of the student’s support of the honor code and a commitment to uphold the academic standards at Virginia Tech.  

  1. All assignments submitted shall be considered “graded work” and all aspects of your coursework are covered by the Honor Code. All projects and homework assignments are to be completed individually unless otherwise specified.
  2. The Academic Integrity expectations for Hokies are the same in an online class as they are in an in-person class. Hokies are expected to meet the academic integrity standards at Virginia Tech at all times.
  3. Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute academic misconduct. This listing is not, however, exclusive of other acts that may reasonably be said to constitute academic misconduct. Clarification is provided for each definition with some examples of prohibited behaviors in the Undergraduate Honor Code Manual located at https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/
    • CHEATING: Cheating includes the intentional use of unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aids or other devices or materials in any academic exercise, or attempts thereof.
    • PLAGIARISM: Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, programming, computer code, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and passing off the same as one's own original work, or attempts thereof.
    • FALSIFICATION: Falsification includes the statement of any untruth, either verbally or in writing, with respect to any element of one's academic work, or attempts thereof.
    • FABRICATION: Fabrication includes making up data and results, and recording or reporting them, or submitting fabricated documents, or attempts thereof.
    • MULTIPLE SUBMISSION: Multiple submission involves the submission for credit – without authorization from the instructor receiving the work – of substantial portions of any work (including oral reports) previously submitted for credit at any academic institution of attempts thereof.
    • COMPLICITY: Complicity includes intentionally helping another to engage in an act of academic misconduct, or attempts thereof.
    • VIOLATION OF UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENTAL, PROGRAM, COURSE, OR FACULTY RULES: The violation of any University, College, Departmental, Program, Course, or Faculty Rules relating to academic matters that may lead to an unfair academic advantage by the student violating the rule(s).

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:

If you are in need of accommodations due to a disability recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities office at Virginia Tech (www.ssd.vt.edu) and follow their instructions regarding notification of your professors. Please be aware that testing space at the SSD office will be very limited this semester, so making your requests early will improve your chances of having that space available if you prefer that environment. If you have emergency medical information to share with the instructor or need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please notify the instructor as soon as possible.

Virginia Tech welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. The University promotes efforts to provide equal access and a culture of inclusion without altering the essential elements of coursework. If you anticipate or experience academic barriers that may be due to disability, including but not limited to ADHD, chronic or temporary medical conditions, deaf or hard of hearing, learning disability, mental health, or vision impairment, please contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office (540-231-3788, ssd@vt.edu, or visit www.ssd.vt.edu). If you have an SSD accommodation letter, please meet with me privately during office hours as early in the semester as possible to deliver your letter and discuss your accommodations. You must give me reasonable notice to implement your accommodations, which is generally 5 business days and 10 business days for final exams.

Mental Health and Wellness

Supporting the mental health and well-being of students in my class is of high priority to me and Virginia Tech. If you are feeling overwhelmed academically, having trouble functioning, or are worried about a friend, please reach out to any of the following offices:

Cook Counseling
540-231-6557 to schedule an appointment and/or 24/7 crisis support o ucc.vt.edu for more information

Dean of Students Office
540 231-3787 for general advice
540-231-6411 for after-hours crisis
 dos.vt.edu for more information

Hokie Wellness
hokiewellness.vt.edu for more information about health and wellness workshops and consultations

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
540-231-3788 or ssd.vt.edu  
for more information about accommodations and other disability-related supports. For a full listing of campus resources check out well-being.vt.edu.  

A NOTE ABOUT FYE COURSES

Foundations of Business is a university-approved First Year Experience (FYE) course. The FYE program is designed to equip first-year students at VT with the tools necessary to engage in substantive exploration and discovery of themselves and the world around them. We will pursue this objective through curricular and co-curricular opportunities, in order to help students develop into reflective and responsible learners and citizens. The program is focused on the development of lifelong learning skills - problem solving, inquiry, and the integration of knowledge.

Please click on this link for a full COURSE CALENDAR   

What is listed below is generated automatically by Canvas but only reflects key due dates. Times may be incorrect because of limitations in Canvas.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due
CC Attribution This course content is offered under a CC Attribution license. Content in this course can be considered under this license unless otherwise noted.