Syllabus

BUS 302 -THE GATEWAY EXPERIENCE

California State University, Northridge
Summer 2016 M/Tu/Thu
Instructor:
Office:
Office Hours:
Email:

Mohamed S Afandi
JH 4123 Office
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:00 6:00
mohamed.afandi@csun.edu

ABOUT THE COURSE

This course is designed to expand your knowledge of key concepts from your lower division
core courses in financial and managerial accounting, micro and macroeconomics, business
law, and statistics. Using a case study method will enable you to solve real world business
problems by integrating the use of key concepts and tools of analysis, from these core
courses. In addition, class activities and assignments will provide you with an appreciation
for how these business disciplines work together in a business environment. The course is
also designed to develop critical skills that you will need to succeed in todays business
environment. These skills include, building and working in teams, making effective oral
presentations, writing clear business reports, memorandums and letters, and thinking
critically, strategically, and ethically in solving business problems. For more information, go
to the web site at http://www.csun.edu/cobaessc/gateway-course-business-302.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Learn to build and work effectively in teams.

Enhance written and oral communication.

Understand the cross disciplinary nature of business problems and strategies.

Review lower division business core material.

Use ethical thinking in solving business problems.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION

The class will be conducted in an active learning format where you will be asked to
participate. The role of the instructor is to help you develop critical business skills. These
include:

Teamwork Students will work on several assignments (cases and team exercises)
in teams of no more than six people and will be graded both on the quality of the
final output as well as their team contribution.
Develop writing skills Student teams will collaborate on written assignments and
editing for a number of case studies. In addition there will be other individual writing
assignments.
Effective oral presentation skills Each team will formally present one of the
cases to the class, as assigned by the instructor. Each member of the team will be

graded individually on their part of the case presentation. In addition students will
have many opportunities to contribute to class discussion.
Review Lower Division Core You will work in teams on several cases that will
require you to integrate materials across the lower division core.
Strategic, critical, cross-discipline, and ethical thinking Many of the class
exercises and business cases will require you to apply strategic, cross-discipline, or
ethical thinking.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

Junior standing and completion of all Lower Division Core courses (ACCT 220, ACCT 230,
BLAW 280, BUS 105/205 or ENGL 205, COMP 100, ECON 160, ECON 161, SOM 120 or MATH
140, and MATH 102/103/105 or approved equivalents). ALL PREREQUISITES WILL BE
STRICTLY ENFORCED. NONE OF THE PREREQUISITES CAN BE TAKEN CONCURRENTLY
WITH THIS COURSE. Please note that BUS 302 is a prerequisite for all business,
information systems, and accounting majors and must be taken prior to all 400 level classes
in the College of Business and Economics.

WHO MUST TAKE BUS 302

Students in degree programs, listed below, must take Business 302.
1. Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
2. Bachelor of Science in Information Systems
3. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (all options or majors)

BUS 302L
Students in the above programs must also take BUS 302L lab class, and achieve a passing
grade. This lab class provides Lower Division Core (LDC) certification by administering
exams in the six core fields of Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Microeconomics,
Macroeconomics, Business law, and Statistics. For details see 302L section
of http://www.csun.edu/cobaessc/gateway-course-business-302. NOTE: You will not be
able to enroll in 400-level Business classes until you pass both BUS 302 and 302L.

REQUIRED
Response Card QT2 (Clicker): In order to purchase the clicker at a discount ($40), you
must purchase from Turning Technologies website (not from the book store). The website
is https://store.turningtechnologies.com/ use your CSUN email in order to receive the
discount. You must register your device ID on the courses website (moodle). Otherwise,
earned points will not be recorded. NO RESPONSEWARE. ONLY THE DEVICE. You must have
the clicker on or before June 06, 2016. Otherwise, you will not be able to participate in
any of the in class activities or quizzes.

GRADE DETERMINATION
Type of Assignment
Team Building Exercises 1 & 2
COBAE Options Infomercial (Oral
Presentation)
Case Analysis (Oral Presentation)
Case Analysis (Content Grade - 70 points)
(Writing Grade - 30 points), & (WP grade
-- 10 points)
Questioners
Challenge Team
In-Class Writing Assignment
Assignments, announced & unannounced
quizzes
GRAND TOTAL

Number of Assignments

Points in Course

2.00
1.00

50
50

1.00

100

3.00

330

5.00X10
1.00
1.00

50
20
200
200

All sessions

Team/Individual

Team
Team & based on Questioner
Individual & based on
Questioner
Team & based on Questioner
Individual
Individual
Individual
Individual

1000

GRADING SCALE
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF

93 - 100
90 92.99
87 89.99
83 86.99
80 82.99
77 79.99
73 76.99
70 72.99
67 69.99
63 66.99
60 62.99
Below 60

Team grade: Please be advised that your individual score for a team assignment
such as a case analysis report, or COBAE oral presentation is determined on the
assigned team grade by the instructor AND the grade you receive on the
evaluations conducted by your team members (evaluated and determined by the
instructor an evaluation score below 85% will be subject to a grade
adjustment). For example, if the team grade assigned by the instructor for a
written case analysis is 130 points (100%) and you received 70% (below 85%) on
the team evaluations conducted by your peers and evaluated by the instructor,
then your score for this written case analysis would be 91 points (70%). This
means that the only time you will receive the assigned team score by the
instructor is when you receive 85% or above on your team evaluations conducted
by your team members and determined by the instructor. THERE ARE NO
EXCEPTIONS.
2-Attendance: on time attendance is required, including coming back from a
scheduled break. There is NO MAKE UP for any in or out of class
activities/assignments regardless of ANY circumstances. In addition, missing a
class period will result in a 4% deduction from your overall grade per absence.
However, you are allowed a maximum of two absences per semester, provided
that such absences are approved by the instructor for an exceptional
circumstances that are verified and documented. Frequently coming to class
late (more than twice per semester) will lead to a 2% deduction from your overall
grade for each time you are late. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. Regardless, there
is NO MAKE UP for ANY missed activity, EVEN FOR AN EXCUSED ABSENCE. F
grade is recorded for any student with three or more absences.

Grades are FINAL and not subject to change unless a mathematical error
occurred when calculating your grade. Your grade is based on my evaluation of
your performance and not subject to any negotiation. Therefore, you are advised
to plan accordingly.

EVALUATION OF TEAM MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS

each student must submit a confidential evaluation assessing each team members
contribution to each major team assignment. Team evaluations will be completed
using an approved evaluation form that is available on the course website. Forms

must be uploaded via moodle by the deadline indicated on the course agenda. Late
submission will not be accepted. You must enter the names of your team members
(first and last name) exactly as they appear on the class roster. Incorrect spelling of
a team members name will lead to receiving ZERO points for the completed
questioner. A copy of the class roster will be given to you in order to prevent these
issues. HONEST EVALUATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Fabricated evaluations will be
investigated and are subjected to CSUNs Student Conduct Code (p. 536
CSUN 2006-2008 Catalog).

CLASS POLICIES

Ethics and Academic Honesty: Students are expected to act ethically and honestly
in accordance with CSUNs Student Conduct Code (p. 536 CSUN 2006-2008
Catalog).

Assignments: All homework exercises, problems, and cases must be completed by

the deadline outlined on the course calendar and course website. Cases will also be
submitted electronically via Moodle (using Turnitin)
Business Professionalism: Please observe the following rules

TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES & PAGERS BEFORE CLASS BEGINS. LAPTOPS,
IPADS, OR ANY NON APPROVED ELECTRONIC DEVICES WILL NOT BE
ALLOWED DURING SCHEDULED CLASS SESSIONS. NO SIDE CONVERSATIONS
WITH A CLASSMATE WHILE CLASS IS IN SESSION.

Organization, neatness, timeliness, and consistency are prerequisites for

success in business. Make sure both your work and personal appearance
reflect these qualities.

Come to class on time, be attentive, and do not leave during or before the
class session ends. If you miss a class session, it is your responsibility to
confer with your team members regarding class activities.

Class Contribution: This section of your grade is based on the in class activities and
the announced and unannounced quizzes conducted in class. THERE ARE NO MAKE
FOR ANY MISSED ACTIVITY OR A QUIZ. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

CASE PRESENTATION ASSIGNMENTS

Presentation
Day

Title

Coaching Day

Rock Cookware, Inc.

6/9

Citywide Fitness Center, Inc.

6/16

6/21

5,2

1,3

Cruising with Flip Flops

6/23

6/28

3,4

6,2

Canoga Sporting Goods, Inc.

6/30

7/5

6,1

5,4

Written Report Only Due on 6/12

OPTIONS ASSIGNMENTS

Options
Accountancy
Business Law
Economics
Finance
Information Systems
Management
Marketing
Human Resources
Real Estate
Systems & Operations Management
Supply Chain Management

Presented By

Challen
Team

Case #

Group
1
2
3
4
5