BUEN 109: Economics for Entrepreneurs

Fall 2008

 

Discussion Response Grading Scale

No deductions Deduct 2 points Deduct 4 points Deduct 6 points Deduct 10 points A separate response was made to another student posting, the response contained at least 75 words and was substantial, no spelling or grammar errors. A separate response was made to another student posting, the response contained less than 75 words or was not substantial, minor spelling or grammar errors. A separate response was made to another student posting, the response contained less than 75 words and was not substantial, some spelling or grammar errors. A separate response was made to another student posting late, regardless of the content. A separate response was not posted or not posted by the deadline.

	All discussion postings are expected to show proper etiquette and respect for other student opinions and discussion.  Students using improper language, being verbally abusive, and/or not showing respect for other students' opinions will receive 0 points for the discussion posting and other disciplinary action may be taken. The current event project assignment involves reading an article in a magazine, newspaper, journal, or a published, reputable Internet source that contains an author and has a format similar to a published article.  The article must relate to at least two economic topics that we have discussed (or will discuss) in class.  The assignment consists of reading and analyzing the article, discussing how the article relates to the topics discussed in class (in detail), defining the economic terms used, and discussing what the student has learned from the article.  The article must not be more than two years old.  Encyclopedias, blogs, Wikipedia and other similar sources are not valid for this project.  You must find an article that discusses at least two of the topics applicable to this course. Each student will then prepare a two page double-spaced paper, 1 inch margins with a 12 pitch font, summarizing the article, the economic terms used along with the definitions, and a discussion about how the article relates to class and what the student has learned from reading the article.  A copy of the article must be attached to the file or copied into the paper.  If you attach a copy of the paper in a file, the file must be in Word or .rtf format.  Do not use more than 1/3 of your paper to summarize the article. Grading of the papers will be based upon your ability to understand the article, the economic terms and theories used, and if they were interpreted properly.  Spelling and grammar are important as well.  Longer articles that contain more complex information, along with your proper interpretation and analysis are likely to help you attain the maximum amount of points.  The current event project is worth 50 points.  Current event projects are due 2 weeks prior to the end of the semester.  You will post your article and paper on the Blackboard website in the discussion board for all students to read.  Postings that do not contain a paper and an article or functioning article link will receive 0 points.  Postings that use links that do not work or require membership will receive 0 points.  Verify that all of the required information is contained in your posting before you finish. Current Event Paper Grading Scale 50 points 40 - 49 Points 30-39 Points less than 30 Points Proper article, complete understanding of economic terms, definitions of terms provided, proper summary length, correct spelling and grammar, paper formatted properly, discussion on relations to class included. Proper article, good understanding of economic terms, definitions of some terms provided, summary length no more than 1/2 paper, minor spelling or grammar errors, paper format is close to desired format, discussion on relation to class included. Article chosen does not meet the requirement, fair understanding of economic terms, definitions missing, summary most of the paper, some spelling or grammar errors, paper not formatted correctly, discussion on relation to class poor or not included. Article chosen does not meet the requirement, poor understanding of economic terms, most of the paper summarizes article, definitions missing, many spelling or grammar errors, paper not formatted correctly, discussion on relation to class missing. Perhaps the most important assignment of this course is the reflection paper. A reflection paper is a collection of your thoughts and perceptions of the course material throughout the semester.  Each week you should write down the major concepts that you have learned, their definitions and the application of the course material to your personal or business life.  At least three major concepts are to be included for each chapter you have completed.  A major concept is a major theory, concept, or subject, which is discussed extensively throughout a chapter many of the learning objectives are major concepts but not all of them.  If you have any doubts about what a major concept is, please email the instructor.  You should write about a page (typed, double-spaced) for each chapter you have studied.  An example of a properly written major concept for a chapter is given below. "This week one of the concepts we studied was called opportunity cost.  Opportunity cost was defined in the textbook as "The most desired goods or services that are forgone to obtain something else".  My interpretation of opportunity cost is that an opportunity cost  is what I give up to have or do something else.  For example, I have only a limited amount of money to spend each week at the grocery store, I make my selections based upon what is needed most and I often buy store brands to save money.  Sometimes the store brands don't taste as well as the name brands, but I buy them anyway to stretch my money.  My opportunity cost is the giving up the better taste of name brands to buy more store brands." The format of your paper is similar to the current event topic paper.  It should be about 15 - 16 pages long, typed double-spaced paper, with 1 inch margins and a 12 pitch font.  The paper needs to be divided into each book chapter, and each major concept must be underlined.  Spelling and grammar are important as well.  The paper is submitted through Blackboard's Course Documents, using the Reflection Paper link no later than 1 week prior to the semester ends.  A cover page needs to be included with your name, course name and number, and date.  The grading rubric below is used to evaluate all reflection papers.  Please keep in mind that the rubric represents an approximate scale.  Many times a student's paper does not fit exactly into the categories listed in the rubric.  The reflection paper is worth 200 points which is about 36% of the course grade. Reflection Paper Grading Scale 187 - 200 Points 165 - 186 Points 145 - 164 Points Less than 145 Points At least three concepts per chapter defined, discussed, and applied properly; paper is of proper length and formatted correctly; proper spelling and grammar used. Some chapters did not have at least three concepts discussed, defined, and applied properly; or, paper is not the proper length and formatted correctly; or, some spelling and/or grammar errors found. Some chapters did not have at least three concepts discussed, defined, and applied properly; and, paper is not the proper length and formatted correctly; and, some spelling and/or grammar errors found. Paper is late; or, significant problems exist within the paper related to the number of concepts, definitions, applications, paper length, format, spelling, grammar.  Paper requirements not followed.
Grading Scale	Total Points Percentage Grade 608 points + 94 - 100% A 582 points+ 90 - 93% A- 562 points+ 87 - 89% B+ 536 points+ 83 - 86% B 517 points+ 80 - 82% B- 497 points+ 77 - 79% C+ 471 points+ 73 - 76% C 452 points+ 70 - 72% C- 432 points+ 67 - 69% D+ 406 points+ 63 - 66% D 387 points+ 60 - 62% D- Less than 387 00 - 59% F
Academic Policies	Attendance Requirements "Timeliness" is a valuable asset to take to the job marketplace.  The Department of Business has on-time attendance, on-time assignment completion, and on-time make-up examinations as priority items in development of course requirements and evaluations.  In this course these issues of "timeliness" are addressed as follows: 1. Regular and timely class attendance is necessary for successful completion of this course.  Taking an on-line class means that you do not have to attend class on a specific schedule.  However, experiences on-line students know that they must develop a personal schedule which sets aside time to read course materials and get on-line. You are responsible for completing the course assignments, projects, discussion board postings, and tests based upon the published schedule.  Find a time that is convenient for you to work on all course materials and limit your distractions.  It doesn't matter if that time is at 9:00 AM, 7:00 PM or 2:00 AM. 2.  When repeated or extended absences reach levels where successful completion of the course is jeopardized, an "excessive absence" report will be sent to the student.  if the absences continue, administrative withdrawal from the course will be initiated. 3.  The last date to drop from a class and obtain a refund, or the last date to withdraw from a class for a grade of W, varies depending upon the course length, start date, and ending date.  Generally students are not able to withdraw from a course that has been running more than 7/8's of the semester.  Contact the KCC Registrar's office for more information.
	Student Email All KCC students are provided with email accounts through the college server.  You will be responsible for checking your KC email regularly and should be prepared to use KCC email as part of student-college interaction.  For email account information follow the email/portal link from the KCC homepage at www.kellogg.edu Email sent tot eh instructor is required to have the following information in the subject line:  BUEN 109 Your Name Subject of Email For example, if you send an email to the instructor about a test and your name is John Smith, your email subject line should look like this: BUEN 109 John Smith Question about Test #3 Due to the large number of emails containing spam and viruses, emails sent to the instructor without this information will be deleted.
Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty	The Kellogg Community College policy on academic integrity is spelled out in the Student Handbook.  If it is suspected that you are cheating, fabricating, facilitating academic dishonesty, or plagiarizing, there may be serious consequences.  The incident will be documented and may be reported to the academic chair and/or program director for possible disciplinary actions up to and including course, program, or college expulsion.
Disclaimer	Information contained in this syllabus was, to the best knowledge of the instructor, considered correct and complete when distributed for use at the beginning of the semester. However, this syllabus should not be considered a contract between Kellogg Community College and any student, nor between any student and the instructor. The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Kellogg Community College, to make changes in course content or instructional techniques without notice or obligation.
Computer Access at KCC	It is assumed that students enrolled in this course have at their disposal appropriate equipment and software to complete the course work and communicate with other students.  If there are problems with your equipment and/or software, it is possible to come the KCC's Campus and use the open computer lab in the Learning Resource Center.  See KCC's web site for campus maps and lab times.
Online Submitting Materials	Students will be expected to use e-mail attachments and the blackboard site for this class to submit materials.
ADA Statement	Kellogg Community College does not discriminate in the admission or treatment of students on the basis of disability.  KCC is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Last modified:  April 01, 2008 by Linda Younglove © Copyright 2003,  Kellogg Community College.  All rights reserved.