Norris Business Department

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Business Principles and Management

          The first part of this one-semester class looks at the characteristics of business.  The three overriding characteristics of American business are (1) they are profit motivated, (2) the business will change or die, and (3) there is competition from others.

          The “environment” in which American businesses exist and how that environment has evolved are a large part of the first quarter of the class:  These chapters include (1) the social environment, (2) the ethical environment, (3) the economic environment, (4) the international environment, (5) the technological environment, (6) the legal environment.

          During the second quarter, sub-areas of business management are visited.  These units include (1) human resources, (2) marketing, (3) production, (4) information processing, and (5) the management process.

          Grading.   Grades for this class are based on workbook exercises and quizzes and on chapter tests.  The chapter tests count three-four times; the workbook exercises and quizzes are worth one grade each.  The semester test counts 10 percent of the final course grade

          Writing.  Several ethical issues are presented in the textbook.  One of these is chosen as the topic of a reaction paper.  The student must tell what he thinks is the ethical response to the situation and defend that choice.

          In addition essay questions are included on many of the chapter tests. 

          Extra Credit.  A student may do as many as two article reviews each week.  (See “Writing” under the Business Law section for details on how each review is structured.)