Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Introduction to Business is designed to expose the interested student to many functions of modern business. The course shows the student how these functions exist in a changing society and the type of decisions which must be made within that environment. The course is also designed to expose the student to the multitude of career fields in the areas of business. The importance of business in the modern society is also stressed throughout the course.
Topics such as business environment, management, organization, marketing, finance, accounting, and data processing are discussed in an introductory manner. Credits will be acceptable as required and/or elective for Portland community College's Business Administration and Business Technology Certificate or Degree Programs.
This course is not designed to provide for entry level employment or job upgrading except to provide background knowledge of business.

Upon successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. Explain the role of business in society.
2. Identify the different forms of business.
3. Describe the importance of entrepreneurship in the economy.
4. Explain the main functional areas of business, including accounting, finance, human resources, management and leadership, marketing, and operations.
5. Explain the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business contexts .
6. Describe how economics and globalization impact business decisions and operations.

Introduction to Business is one of the most vital classes in business or office administration. It is often the student's first exposure to contemporary business. As a result, the introductory business course can produce lifelong impressions and attitudes. Introduction to Business may be one of the most influential courses a student takes in business administration.
At the beginning of the course, the instructor will detail methods used to evaluate student progress and the criteria for assigning a course grade. The methods may include one or more of the following tools:
 

• examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, small group problem solving of questions arising from application of course concepts and concerns to actual experience, oral presentations, and a stock market game.

Instructors may use a variety of methods in teaching the course depending on their background and experience. Suggested alternatives include:
 

1. Student Interaction groups involved in discussion, decision making, and reporting.
2. Guest business "expert" lecturers and speakers.
3. Student tours of profitable, progressive, and active business firms.
4. Panel discussion of pros and cons of various business issues.
5. Taped presentations of various short business subjects
6. Discussion and lecture on various business topics.
7. Student involvement in discussing current happenings in business.
8. Student discussions of decisions on problems, questions, cases, etc., from the student supplement, textbook, Wall Street Journal, or situations provided by the instructor.
9. Student participation in individual or group projects dealing with various aspects of business including audio-visual term papers, market surveys, market experimentation, development of small business (on paper), and reporting to class.
10. Stock Market Game, having students follow a few listed stocks on the NYSE or AMEX, or unlisted OTC stock. Research the selected companies using materials found in public libraries. Read and understand stock market quotations.
11. Wall Street Journal Readings assigned for discussion and/or summary reports

THEMES, CONCEPTS, ISSUES:
 

1. The environment of business
2. Being ethical and socially responsible
3. Exploring global business
4. Navigating the world of e-business
5. Choosing a form of business ownership
6. Small business, entrepreneurship, and franchises
7. Management and organization
8. Human resources
9. Building customer relationships through effective marketing
10. Using accounting information
11. Money, banking, and credit
12. Effective written and oral communications
13. Critical thinking

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:
 

1. Identify and describe the economics of business including how macroeconomic issues affect business.
2. Understand the business environment and how our multi-cultural society has implications for business.
3. Describe the global business environment.
4. Analyze and apply social responsibility and business ethics in the workplace.
5. Detail the forms of business organization and differentiate between sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations.
6. Understand entrepreneurship, small business and franchising.
7. Apply understanding of management in the business world.
8. Identify and apply marketing strategy.
9. Understand the finance and accounting area of business, describing the impact of computers on the decision framework.
10. Demonstrate an understanding of the securities markets and ability to read stock market quotations.
11. Identify the rules in the legal and tax environment and describe the concept of risk and insurance with its application to the business world