Course Syllabus

Spring 2024 | BUS-2740-VO02 - Business Analysis & Decision Making

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Richard Arend
View Faculty Credentials
View Faculty Statement
Hiring Coordinator for this course: Nick Molander

Course Description

This capstone course for the Business degree requires students to apply their theoretical and practical knowledge of management, economics, accounting, technology, business law, and marketing to case studies involving a variety of business environments. Students are required to apply knowledge of financial statements in case studies and business scenarios, reviewing business practices, and making recommendations or decisions for future actions within a business setting. Prerequisites: Introduction to Business, Financial Accounting, Principles of Management or Small Business Management, and Principles of Marketing or Small Business Marketing.

Essential Objectives

1. Describe what managers do, how businesses operate, and how markets behave.
2. Use information technologies to improve individual and organizational performance.
3. Use knowledge and analytical skills to frame and solve business problems.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of legal, ethical and professional issues that arise within businesses.
5. Practice effective business writing and communication skills.
6. Apply theory to business situations through case studies and simulations.
7. Identify and explore career and transfer options to meet personal goals and objectives.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV IT Support page. https://support.ccv.edu/general/computer-recommendations/

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

*** This is a no cost textbook or resource class. ***

This course only uses free Open Educational Resources (OER) and/or library materials. For details, see the Canvas Site for this class.

Methods

We will address the complexity and ambiguity of analysis and strategic decision making through discussions of case studies that provide rich descriptions of situations faced by real companies that either fail or succeed. In order to obtain the full benefit of the case approach, it is necessary that everyone participate in the online discussion focus questions. This does not mean that you must have solved the case or are expected to have all the answers to the case. Invariably, given the complexities of the real world, there is no single best answer. By actively participating in the discussions, you will sharpen your own insights, and those of your classmates. Thus, you will not only become familiar with the content of the course, but perhaps more importantly, you will also learn to master the process of analysis that is a central aspect of the effective strategic management of organizations.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to tackle the excitement and challenges of researching and developing a strategic plan for starting a new business. This project is a major component of the course and has been designed to guide you throughout the semester by helping you focus on the job of evolving and crafting your new business strategy for success.

Finally, you will develop your own personal strategic career plan that will guide you to reaching your five-year career goals. It is no surprise that when you have clear career goals and objectives, you know exactly what you are working towards. Having greater focus means you will be able to prioritize important actions like education, experience, or upskilling in areas you could improve upon. In asking “how does this help me reach my goals?” you will be able to ensure your decisions and actions actively contribute to helping you achieve your objectives.

Evaluation Criteria

Summary of Course Requirements	Points		% of Grade	Essential Objectives
Business Case Studies		180	22.5%	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6
Participation in Case Discussions (2 cases 60 points each)	120
Oral Case Analysis Presentation	60
Strategic Plan Project		200	25%	1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
13 Written Section Assignments (each worth 10 points with lowest score dropped)	120
Final Strategic Plan	80
Examinations		120	15%	1, 3, & 4
Two Examinations (each worth 60 points)
Discussion Forums		100	12.5%	1, 2, 3, & 5
13 Discussions (each worth 10 points with lowest three scores dropped)
Career Planning		100	12.5%	7
Personal Strategic Career Plan	70
Written Resume	30
Financial Statement Analysis		100	12.5%	3
Key Financial Ratios	45
Analysis	55
Total		800	100%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Participation Expectations

Each week starts at 12am Tuesday morning and ends the following Monday at Midnight (11:59pm). Student participation is evaluated base upon participation in the weekly discussion forums.

a. There is a 3 post minimum, one initial post and two reply posts, for each discussion forum. Your initial post is to provide your response to the prompt presented in the discussion assignment and two reply posts are your responses to other students’ initial post. You are welcome to post early and/or more frequently, as your schedule allows. If you post 2 times or fewer you will not be eligible to earn any points for the discussion.

b. In order to qualify for full credit your initial post must be before midnight (11:59pm) Friday. This is because other students will need a few of days to respond to your initial post which is what broadens the discussion and makes it work well. Should your initial post be after midnight on Friday you will receive a two point reduction of your grade.

a. Once you have qualified with the number of posts at the proper intervals, then the quality of your posts will be evaluated to determine the number of points you will receive for the discussion. For the quality evaluation criteria, please refer to the discussion grading rubric attached to the discussion forum assignment in Canvas.

Missing & Late Work Policy

All assignments are expected to be completed and turned in on time . A late assignment, with the exception of discussions, will be accepted for one week after the due date and will result in a 10% point deduction for that assignment. Should an assignment be over one week past the due date, that assignment will receive zero points.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity