Fundamentals of Business

Curriculum guideline

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Course
BUSN 1200
Discontinued
No
Course code
BUSN 1200
Descriptive
Fundamentals of Business
Department
Business
Faculty
Commerce & Business Administration
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
201520
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks X 4 Hours per Week = 60 Hours
Max class size
35
Contact hours
Lecture: 2 Hours Seminar: 2 Hours Total: 4 Hours
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Learning activities

Lectures, seminars and/or case discussions.

Course description
This course provides a broad overview of the Canadian business system -- how it functions, and how it relates to specific areas such as marketing, production and finance. The course provides a specific insight into actual business operations and some of the major areas of concern regarding the role of business in society.
Course content

1. Business and its environment

  • The foundations of business
  • Societal issues and business
  • Forms of business ownership
  • Small business and franchising

2. Organization and management of the enterprise

  • Introduction to management
  • The role of organization

3. Management of human resources

  • Human relations in management
  • Personnel: managing human resources
  • Labour-management relations

4. Marketing management

  • Marketing: providing for consumer needs
  • Marketing channels: wholesaling, retailing, and physical distribution
  • Promotional strategy
  • Prices and pricing strategy

5. Production and information

  • Production and operations management
  • Management information and statistics
  • The role of accounting

6. Financing the enterprise

  • Money, the banking system, and other financial institutions
  • The securities market
  • Risk management and insurance

7. Additional dimensions

  • International business
  • Business and the legal system
  • The future of business
  • Careers in business
Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the successful student should be able to:

  1. examine the Canadian business system and its environment including the forms of business ownership and societal issues;
  2. analyze the role of managers and their importance to the effective operation of any organization;
  3. analyze the four functional areas of business: production, marketing, finance and personnel -- focusing on the major responsibilities of management;
  4. examine the position of business in the broader context of society;
  5. identify some of the increasingly rapid changes that may be expected in our society.
Means of assessment
Participation/In-class Discussion       10%
Semester Tests (2-4)  40%
Term Paper(s)  20%
Final Examination  30%
  100%

 

Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

Appelbaum, Steven H. and M. Dale Beckman.  Canadian Business, Latest Ed.  Toronto: Harcourt Brace & Company, Canada, 1994.

OR

Nickels, W.G., J.M. James, S.M. McHugh and P.D. Berman.  Understanding Canadian Business, Latest Ed.  Richard Irwin Inc.

Prerequisites

Academic Math 11