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 and 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