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COMM 101: BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS Course Outline

COURSE INFORMATION Division: General Business Course duration: Sept.

6th

– Nov.

Term: 2018 Winter Term 1 29th,

2018

Class: HA 492 for 101-106; HA 491 for 107 Refer to your section and timetable.

Class and tutorial meeting times:

It is important that students attend the section classes and tutorials to which they have been assigned. Students cannot switch in and out of sections or tutorials. Only the UGO can administer a change in your section/tutorial. Professors: 101 Ann Stone & Elicia Salzberg

104 Zorana Svedic & Conor Topley

102 Ann Stone & Elicia Salzberg

105 Zorana Svedic & Conor Topley

103 Ann Stone & Elicia Salzberg

106 Zorana Svedic & Conor Topley 107 Zorana Svedic & Conor Topley

Tutorials: In addition to classes, students also have one Teaching Assistant-led 50-minute tutorial per week as per your timetable. Attendance at tutorials is required. A typical format is as follows: 15 minutes reviewing and practicing a concept or tool from a recent class; 15 minutes working through a live assignment; 15 minutes Q&A; 5 minutes discussing business news. Office Hours: CPA Hall (by Sauder Café) – the Professors will be available at lunchtime on specified days. You can find the list of “Office Hours” on Canvas. Support for questions & expanded learning should go first through the T.A.’s, AFTER you have reviewed applicable announcements or outlines on Canvas, which has detailed and up-todate guidance for you! Course email: Your first point of contact for any correspondence is to email the T.A.’s. Please do not email the Professors directly, unless you have already gone to your section T.A. and then the Head T.A. Section 101: [email protected]

Section 104: [email protected]

Section 102: [email protected]

Section 105: [email protected]

Section 103: [email protected]

Section 106: [email protected] Section 107: [email protected]

Head T.A. for all sections: Theo Guevara ([email protected]) Professors’ emails: see notes above before emailing Professors Ann

[email protected]

Elicia

[email protected]

Zorana

[email protected]

Conor

[email protected]

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COMM 101: BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS Course Outline

COURSE GOALS COMM 101 provides students with foundational business concepts and frameworks that lay the groundwork for the critical thinking and robust decision-making that is a hallmark of success at Sauder and beyond. Business impacts our daily lives: our economy, our environment, our communities, they are all shaped and informed by business. This course will introduce a “big picture” understanding of business specializations, including finance, accounting, marketing, strategic decision-making, and human resource management, prior to students taking singlespecialization classes. COMM 101 is designed for students to bring their unique perspectives and backgrounds into the classroom. It starts at the front of the room: students are taught by two instructors with diverse experience and expertise who challenge each other and students over the semester to engage with business concepts in a multi-faceted and cross-specialization approach. Please read this outline carefully. It is your responsibility to understand the instructions, rules and due dates it contains.

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to: 1. Assess management situations and apply knowledge of the fundamentals of each of the main disciplines of commerce to resolve a basic, real world problem. 2. Develop critical thinking from systematic enquiry through to application of concepts and tools leading to management decisions. 3. Develop effective oral and written communication skills for professional management. 4. Work effectively in a team to achieve a specified outcome. 5. Develop one’s reflective capacity, exploring responses to the experiences, opinions, new activity and information presented in this class as well as considering more deeply its impact upon one’s understanding of business and personal career goals.

PROGRAM GOALS B.COM Critical Thinking Analytical Decision-Making Oral & Written Communication Ethics & Sustainability

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COMM 101: BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS Course Outline

COURSE MATERIALS & REQUIREMENTS There is NO textbook. Required and optional readings links are listed on Canvas. Students are responsible for reviewing the readings ahead of class and should arrive in class prepared to discuss the topics covered. Guidance on how to prepare for each class are posted on Canvas. Instructions will typically involve a series of topics or questions and some suggested resources from which students can start their preparation. Going beyond the suggested resources is encouraged. Registered students are automatically added to our Canvas course site. It is each student’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the Canvas site and all content, as well as check the site at least weekly for new materials released throughout the term. Assignments are also submitted through Canvas. By default, you will receive COMM 101 email notifications when course announcements are released on Canvas. Required Technology: iClicker. Each student will need to purchase and register their own clicker and bring this to each class. They are available for purchase at the UBC Bookstore. You can also use previously owned iClickers. Laptops or Tablets. Students are encouraged to bring mobile devices to class (subject to the “lids down” policy described below) and to utilize them when invited to use them in class for research and other tasks.

ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW Detailed instructions for assignments will be posted on Canvas. Please see Canvas for all specific elements described in the outline. There are no exams in this course. 100% attendance is expected!

ASSESSMENT SUMMARY Active Learning

35%

Online Discussions

10%

Individual Assignments (8%, 12%)

20%

Group Business Plan Assignments (4%, 8%, 8%)

20%

Final Reflection Paper

15%

Active Learning – 35% Developing business professionalism means learning to actively listen, think critically, and effectively communicate ideas in groups and to work as a positive and productive contributor. Therefore, students are expected to read assigned materials and prepare for each class. Participation is highly valued. Quality beats quantity. Verbal contributions that add value will be noted by the Professor and T.A.s. (NOTE: Name cards will be provided in the first week and will be used to identify student’s contributions in-class; NO name card, NO credit!) You must be in class to complete the activities. No make-up classes, activities or assignments will be offered. This component of the course grade will be calculated as follows:    

Completion of online class-prep quizzes: 10% Completion of in-class group activities: 10% Individual participation (asking and answering questions in class es & tutorials): 10% In-class iClicker participation: 5%

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COMM 101: BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS Course Outline

Online Discussions – 10% The study of business is enriched by individual exploration of personal views on, experience with, and observations of the field and its broad applications. For this reason, students will be encouraged to share their individual insights and questions arising from their growing knowledge of the field through discussion posts on the course website. This assignment requires 3 Discussion Posts scheduled throughout the term. Stronger posts will move beyond simple opinion and link to course concepts and show evidence of critical thinking. In addition, you will be required to Peer Review 3 classmates’ discussion posts and provide both quantitative s core and qualitative feedback. Check Canvas for more details on this assignment and specific deadlines for Discussion Posts and Peer Reviews.

Individual Assignments – 20% A key component of your development as a business-person is your ability to analyze a problem, understand its root causes through the disciplined application of analytical tools and frameworks that you have learned, and finally, make recommendations on how to solve the problem. Through the use of business cases, we can simulate real business problems and give you the opportunity to practice these skills. Twice in the term, cases will be posted on Canvas for you to review and submit a written case analysis. The first of these is worth 8% the second 12%.

Group Business Plan Assignments – 20% A business plan is created by an organization to give it a road map for growth and to assist in decision-making. Being able to effectively read, evaluate, and create business plans is a key business skill. Students will apply the course concepts to analyses and planning for fictional organizations in this assignment. Working in assigned teams, students will be given a fictional business plan as the basis for their group assignments during the course. Details about each assignment will be provided (see due dates in Course Schedule and Canvas course site):   

Create a work plan for the assignment: 4% Critique and improve the business plan: 8% Present the business plan, including improvements: 8%

Group Peer Evaluations will be completed at an interim stage during this project to provide students with feedback on how team members think each member is contributing. At the end of the semester, students will again complete a peer evaluation of each group member’s contribution (including their own) to the team’s assignments. Individual grades on group assignments may be subject to adjustment following the Professor’s review of peer evaluations. Reductions can be significant, ranging from a decrease of 10% to a decrease of 100% if an individual has contributed little or nothing to the team’s work. Since most team members are reliable and contribute, most students will experience no adjustments to their mark. Students are required to complete both of these peer evaluations by the specified deadlines. Failure to complete the interim evaluation will result in a 10% reduction on the individual’s mark received for Business Plan Part 1. Failure to complete the final evaluation will result in a 10% reduction on each of Business Plan Part 2 and Business Plan Part 3 marks. Please ensure that you complete the Group Peer Evaluations on time.

Final Reflection Paper – 15% Over the term, students will be introduced to many diverse business concepts, tools, and ideas. Being able to reflect and consider how the ideas integrate is an important part of learning. This assignment gives students an opportunity to demonstrate that they can reflect on their knowledge from COMM 101. Full assignment description will be posted on Canvas . To effectively complete this assignment, it is important to take good notes in each class and summarize your learning throughout the course.

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COMM 101: BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS Course Outline

Interim Self-Assessment There will be an interim self-assessment activity for each component of participation. Each student will selfevaluate against the supplied grading rubric. Students will then get feedback to help them understand if they are either on track or if they need to make adjustments in the second half of the course. Failure to complete the interim self-assessment may result in deductions to a student’s participation mark, at the discretion of the Professor s.

COURSE POLICIES and EXPECTATIONS 1. Preparation. Guidance on how to prepare for each class will be posted on Canvas. It is each student’s responsibility to understand what is required and to complete the necessary readings or other preparation that is directed prior to attending class. 2. Punctuality. Punctuality is extremely important. Late attendance will drop your participation grade. Students who arrive late (or leave early) disturb all others. You should not leave the room during the 80 minutes of class time unless there is a pressing reason to do so. Attendance does not earn you participation grades, but is a pre-requisite to being able to earn participation marks. 3. Professionalism. Professionalism is required both in business and in the classroom. What does it mean in a learning environment? Coming to class on time and being prepared for the topic at hand. Listening to and respecting others (Professors and peers). Giving 100% of your attention to the course. Not distracting others with private conversations or off topic behaviour. Students are expected to contribute during class discussions in order to enrich the learning experience for everyone. However, individual students should not monopolize or dominate discussions, precluding or intimidating others from contributing. When someone is talking, it is expected that everyone will listen and not hold parallel conversations. 4. Assignments are due in the manner specified (either in this outline or otherwise in the relevant assignment outline) by the specified due date (Pacific Time and UBC server time). Late assignments will score zero; this is a firm policy. In exceptional circumstances (major illness, family bereavement), students should contact the UGO in writing—ahead of time if at all possible—and the UGO will bring the matter to the attention of the COMM 101 Academic coordinator. 5. Absences and Extensions. The course policy default is that there will be no make-up work provided, and no extensions to deadlines. Late by one minute is late and will attract the grading penalty indicated – late assignments are graded as zero. The only exceptions for late assignments are for pre-approved absences (in writing) to represent the University (such as varsity sports or music), or in the event of illness or bereavement, then contact the UGO who will advise the Professors. 6. Phones. Your phone should be on silent (vibrate turned off) and should be put away in bags. Do NOT use it in class unless specifically instructed to take photos. If we see you using it in class, we will ask you to leave the room for the remainder of the class so that you do not distract others, and this will negatively impact your participation grade. 7. Laptops or Tablets. Expect to use pen and paper, not your laptop, for note taking in class. The default use of laptops is “lids down” and you should only open up your laptop when Professors ask you to do so for a specific task. 8. Electronic Dictionaries. These devices fall in the same category as Phones, Laptops, and Tablets; they are not to be open in the classroom. Our classes are conducted in business English; if you are struggling with comprehension contact your TA for resources in this area.

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COMM 101: BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS Course Outline

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism The Sauder School of Business places a very high value on academic honesty. The integrity of academic work of faculty and students alike underpins the value of your degree. This is analogous to the role of ethical behaviour in the business world, where honesty and integrity underpin the value of organizations and the people who run them. To this end, the University of British Columbia has a set of policies dealing with academic integrity and related issues. The University of British Columbia's general policies on plagiarism can be found in the UBC Calendar . All UBC students are expected to behave as honest and responsible members of an academic community. Failure to follow appropriate policies, principles, rules and guidelines with respect to academic honesty at UBC may result in disciplinary action. It is the student’s responsibility to review and uphold applicable standards of academic honesty. Instances of academic misconduct, such as cheating, plagiarism, resubmitting the same assignment, impersonating a candidate, or falsifying documents, will be strongly dealt with according to UBC’s procedures for Academic Misconduct. All assignments may be run through a similarity-checking tool, which effectively identifies passages that have been published in a variety of sources previously. If you correctly cite the work of others, including footnotes and appropriate grammar markings, this similarity will also be identified and have no impact on your paper. If you need assistance on the correct way to cite and account for quotations start with resources available at lam.library.ubc.ca. If we identify papers that have a high similarity index that is not explained via citations, then the student is asked to supply, within 72 hours, any written explanation or evidence that might help in the review process. To this end, students should always keep a written record of their work, including drafts. The Course Coordinator will then review the available material and make a recommendation to the Associate Dean, UGO. If the conclusion is that plagiarism took place then the student will get zero for the assignment and may be referred to the UBC PACSD (President’s Advisory Committee on Student Discipline.) The purpose of written submissions is to interpret and add value in your own thoughts and words. You should NOT share your assignment files with other people. Aiding someone else in cheating is considered an equal offence. Study groups can be helpful in early stages of studying, but any write-up that you submit should be the work of the author (or for team assignments, authors).

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COMM 101: BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS Course Outline

COURSE SCHEDULE (subject to change at Professor’s discretion) Date

Class CLASS TOPICS

ASSIGNMENTS

Sept 6

1

Introduction to Management

Sept 11

2

Teamwork

Discussion #1 (Ethics) Due Wed Sept 12 10pm

Sept 13

3

Business Ethics Guests: David Silver & Christie Stephenson

Individual Assignment #1 Due Sun Sept 16 10pm

Sept 18

4

Financial Accounting

Discussion #1 Peer Review Due Wed Sept 19 10pm

Sept 20

5

Business Model Canvas & Case Analysis

Group Business Plan Part #1 Due Sun Sept 23 10pm

Sept 25

6

Finance

Sept 27

7

Strategy

Oct 2

8

Value Propositions

Oct 4

9

Managerial Accounting Guest: Jeff Kroeker

Interim Self-Evaluation & iPeer Team Evaluations Due Sun Oct 7 10pm

Oct 9

10

Performance Management

Mon Oct 8 – Thanksgiving Day

Oct 11

11

Marketing

Discussion #2 Peer Review Due Sun Oct 14 10pm

Oct 16

12

Operations Guests: Mahesh Nagarajan & Greg Werker

Discussion #2 Due Sun Sept 30 10pm

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COMM 101: BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS Course Outline

Date

Class CLASS TOPICS

ASSIGNMENTS

Oct 18

13

Real Estate Guest: Tom Davidoff

Oct 23

14

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Oct 25

15

BTM Lead by Zorana Svedic

Oct 30

16

BMC & Macro Environment

Nov 1

17

CSR & Sustainability

Nov 6

18

Human Resources Guest: Danielle van Jaarsveld

Nov 8

19

Alumni

Discussion #...