SYLLABUS: BUSN101

SYLLABUS: BUSN101
Fall 2013
Name:
Telephone:
Email address:
Office hours:
Office location:
Henry K. Musoma
(979) 845-1037
hmusoma@mays.tamu.edu
Tuesday 1:30 – 3:00, Wednesdays 1:30-3:00 and by appointment
Wehner (WCBA) 340N
Class meeting times and location: Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 3:00-4:15 / 4:35-5:50 depending on section
** Large lecture and small group meeting times are dependent on registered course section. Large lecture meets in Wehner (WCBA) 114. Small
groups meet in a designated location on campus which will be determined during the first week of class.
Course Description and Prerequisites
Freshmen orientation to business and to Mays Business School; Introduction to majors within the business school and associated career
opportunities; introduction and development of personal and professional competencies, with emphasis on self-leadership, business
communication, ethical decision making, and teamwork. Prerequisite: freshman admitted to Mays Business School or General Studies major.
Learning Outcomes or Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, you will:
 List and comprehend the Seven Core Competencies that will help you be successful in the classroom and your business career with special
emphasis on academic preparation, self-discovery, leadership, communication, ethical decision making and teamwork
 Develop an awareness of the resources and opportunities within the Mays Business School
 Connect with other Mays Business School freshmen as well as FBI peer leaders, faculty, and advisors
 Become an integral part of a learning community within Texas A&M University that will help you make a successful academic and social
transition into college life
 List the different majors offered at Mays Business School and give examples of career options associated with each
 Prepare a professional resume and demonstrate good interviewing skills
 Demonstrate professional etiquette and behaviors in business settings
Textbook and/or Resource Material
Suggested:
 Rath, T. (2009). Strengths Finder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press. ISBN-13: 978-1595620156
 For the final project, student teams will be required to purchase quality poster presentation materials as a group. More information will be
available as the project draws near.
 BUSN 101 Etiquette Dinner Registration Fee. Registration and Fee will be sent once the event is finalized.
 Ruiz, D. (1997). The Four Agreements. Amber-Allen Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-1878424310
Course Topics, Calendar of Activities, Major Assignment Dates
See Appendix A
Grading Policy
Your success in life is greatly dependent on your efforts, and so it is in this class. No grades at Texas A&M University are automatic; you will have
to work for them.
Your grade will be computed from the basic components of the course. The weight of the assignments is distributed as follows:
Personal Currency
Resume
Study Time Log
Reflections
Quizzes
Interview
Health Goals
Evening Panels Attendance/Reflection
Professor Meeting
Service Project
Poster Project
Team Contract
Draft Poster
Group Evaluations
Final Draft/Presentation
Project Summary
Attendance
20
50
20
100
100
80
25
85
20
100
Points
Points
Points
Points
Points
Points
Points
Points
Points
Points
50
50
50
80
100
70
Points
Points
Points
Points
Points
Points
Total
1000 Points
You will have periodic quizzes throughout the semester. The total for all quizzes will account for 100 points of your grade. I will test your recall,
comprehension, application, analysis, and evaluation of the course material from the assigned readings, class lectures, and activities. You will need
two Scantron 882 for the quizzes. The other quizzes will be given in different formats as advised in class.
Your primary class project will consist of separate assignments through the semester culminating in a presentation at the end of the semester. The
assignments are designed to help you develop a quality final presentation that allows you to reflect on the major themes in the course and apply
them to your own circumstances. In the end, you will critically analyze your thoughts and feelings concerning your skills, behaviors, and attitudes as
a college student and future business professionals and on the course content. Reflecting on and applying course content is a vital step in the
learning process.
In collaboration with your small group leaders you will commit to a monthly service to the United Way or Habitat for Humanity. You must show proof
of your service. Please use your creativity to reflect your service. A rubric will be offered on e-campus.
*Parts will not be accepted after the due date unless prior arrangements are made. You need to talk with me prior to the due dates if you find you
are having difficulty.
Bonus Points
There will be multiple voluntary opportunities throughout the semester to earn bonus points which may be added to your final grade. I encourage
you to take part in these activities as they will be valuable to you in your development as student and future business professional.
Grading Scale
90-100
80-89
70-79
A
B
C
60-69
below 60
D
F
Attendance
Attendance in class is fundamental to your academic success in any course. Attendance is required with the exception of University excused
absences as defined in the current issue of Texas A&M Student Rules (http://student-rules.tamu.edu/rule7.htm). Unless you have a University
excused absence, all work is due on the assigned dates. If you have an excused absence, it is your responsibility to determine and complete the
work you missed. It is also your responsibility to provide the required documentation within the timetables listed in Student Rules.
In terms of documentation for an absence that is less than three days (7.1.6.2), I am willing to accept both methods. Please provide one of the
following:
a) Texas A&M University Explanatory Statement for Absence from Class form available at http://attendance.tamu.edu
b) Confirmation of visit to a health care professional affirming date and time of visit.
Handouts and Plagiarism
The handouts used in this course are copyrighted. By handouts, I mean all materials generated for this class, which include but are not limited to
syllabi, quizzes, exams, in-class materials, review sheets, and additional materials. Because these materials are copyrighted, you do not have the
right to copy them unless I expressly grant permission.
As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one's own ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this
definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission
of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot
be safely communicated.
If you have any questions regarding plagiarism, please consult the current issue of the Texas A&M Student Rules, under the section, "Scholastic
Dishonesty."
Academic Integrity - Know the Code
“An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.”
Information about the aggie honor code can be found: http://www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal antidiscrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with
disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for
reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of
Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities in Cain Hall, Rm. B118, or call 845-1637.
Provide the
Freshman
with tools
Week # (Day) Date, Group
Topic
1 (M) August 26, Large Group
Purpose
1 (W) August 28, Small Group
Welcome and Icebreakers
2 (M) September 2, Large Group
Resume and Professional
Dress
2 (W) September 4, Small Group
Interviews and Resumes
Assignment Due
Event
Personal Currency
Resume- Amy,
Professional Dress- Peer
Leaders
Readings
2 (W) September 4, PALOOZA
3 (M) September 9, Large Group
3 (W) September 11, Small Group
4 (M) September 16, Large Group
SelfDiscovery
Working in
Teams
Speaker from Library- Jared
Hoppenfield Objective:
Research and Library
Resources
Study tips, Campus
Resources
Self-Discovery, Strengths
4 (W) September 18, Small Group
Reflect on Strengths Quest
results, review groups'
Statement of the Problem
5 (M) September 23, Large Group
Health
5 (W) September 25, Small Group
Reflection and physical
health
6 (M) September 30, Large Group
Managing Self and Others
6 (W) October 2, Small Group
Managing Self and Others
7 (M) October 7, Large Group
Team building and Group
dynamics Mr. Johnson
Working With Others
activities and lesson
7 (W) October 9, Small Group
8 (M) October 14, Large Group
Resilience Dr. Carter
8 (W) October 16, Small Group
Communication Lesson
9 (M) October 21, Large Group
Leadership
9 (W) October 23, Small Group
Leadership Lesson
10 (M) October 28, Large Group
Business Ethics
10 (W) October 30, Small Group
Ethical Dilemma Lesson and
Activity
Jared Hoppenfield
Resume first draft
Complete Strengths Quest
Four Agreements
Time log and Professor
Meeting assignment due
Health Speaker
Team Contract/ Statement
of the Problem Due
Read the Ladder of
Inference
Health Goals
Mr. Johnson
Tuckman Article
In class Speaker Reflection,
Prepare Questions for
Guest Speaker
Dr. Carter
Group Evaluations and One
page Reflection on Speaker
Read 7 Styles of
Leadership
Jim Olsen
In-Class Speaker Reflection
Leading
others
11 (M) November 4, Large Group
Majors Day
11 (W) November 6, Small Group
Project Work Day
Draft Poster Due
Mock Interview Due
12 (W) November 13, Small Group
Futuristic Thinking- Back to
the Future
Small Group Reflections
13 (M) November 18, Large Group
Globalization and Cultures
Project Presentation
13 (W) November 20, Small Group
Presentation: Final Day
Action Plan
Conclusion
Team Evaluations
11 Date To Be Determined - Etiquette
Dinner
12 (M) November 11, Large Group
14 (M) November 25, Large Group
14 (W) November 27, Small Group
15 (R&F) November 28 & 29 - Thanksgiving
15 (M) December 2 - Redefined Day,
Speaker
Rodney Hill
Service Project Paper Due
Nacirema Article
Read Three
Questions