Welcome to BUS 245 Spring 2024 
Introduction to Business – Hybrid

Dear Student:

Welcome to the Hybrid version of Introduction to Business. My name is Neil Higgins and I will be your instructor for this course. This letter is to inform you of some of the important details prior to the start of our Spring 2024 course.

Instructor Contact Information

Instructor:           Neil Higgins
Phone:                805.776.3008 (mobile)
Email:                 nhiggins@cuesta.edu

Course Overview

Welcome to BUS 245 Introduction to Business, a Hybrid course.  A Hybrid course means we will meet once a week(not twice a week) in person and also complete course work online in a distance education setting. In this course you will be exposed to key business disciplines including Economics, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources, International Business and Ethics.  You will become familiar with concepts and current thinking in each area, and will have the opportunity to analyze and apply these ideas to the business world. This is a course where you will bring your own work experience to our virtual classroom to create a robust learning environment.  Expect your business acumen to grow through group discussions, and thought-provoking case study analysis.

Please be prepared to spend approximately 15-20 hours per week on coursework for this class. Are you wondering how successful you may be at a distance educationor hybrid course? Take the Self-Assessment Survey at http://www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutacad/distance/survey.htmlLinks to an external site..

This course is taught using Canvas and McGraw Hill Connect.  These are Web-based tools used to facilitate teaching an online class. These platforms provide the framework for the BUS 245 class including PowerPoint presentations, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. Using Canvas, you can communicate with other students, and you can share materials and ideas with me the instructor and other course participants via the discussion forum.

We will usually cover 1 chapter each week, In each chapter there will be the following assignments, readings along with reading comprehension questions.  Chapter questions/assignments and chapter quizzes. In person there will be a mix of lecture in class assignments that you will complete.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Understand and apply the various styles of leadership
• Identify the major components of an Income Statement and Balance Sheet for the purpose of evaluating the financial performance of a business
• Describe and analyze the elements of the marketing mix
• Recognize, evaluate, and propose solutions to problems in personnel, ethics, and communication
  

Class Requirements

This class is Hybrid meeting once a week in person on Monday's from 2:30 to 3:50 PM

Textbook: Understanding Business 13th edition with Connect Access
Connect is the textbook’s online learning platform that will contain all of the course textbook reading, homework and exams.

Authors: Nickels

Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Course materials will be delivered digitally via Canvas through the Cuesta Inclusive Access program.  Students will access the course materials through the Canvas website on the first day of class to make sure there are no issues in the delivery.   Students will automatically have access to the course materials on Day One.  After the Cuesta add drop date, the student's bursar account will be billed at a discounted rate for the required course materials representing significant savings for students.   Click here or see the attached file at the end of this page for detailed instructions on how to gain access to the textbook on day one of class.

It is essential that you understand the basic concepts of email, web navigation and online communication to succeed in this course. Please visit Cuesta College’s Distance Education website at http://library.cuesta.edu/distance/index.htmLinks to an external site. for FAQs, online resources, and information on “how to survive an online course.”

First Assignment & Syllabus

I will be posting the syllabus and the first week's assignments in Canvas on the first day of class..

Computer Requirements

The browser requirements and minimum qualifications required for this class are detailed in the following link: https://www.cuesta.edu/academics/distance/faqs_technical.htmlLinks to an external site.

Canvas Support and Connect Support

McGraw Hill Connect & Technical Support 800-331-5094

Canvas Support: http://www.cuesta.edu/student/aboutacad/distance/

College Policies / Assistance

Each student is required to follow all school guidelines and comply with all school deadlines including personal responsibility for adding and/or dropping this class.  Drop dates are available on the academic calendar: https://www.cuesta.edu/student/documents/admissions_records/studentcalendar.pdfLinks to an external site.

If you have any further questions prior to the first day of class, please feel free to email me at nhiggins@cuesta.edu. Otherwise, I look forward to getting to know you during the course of the semester.

Thank you,
Neil Higgins