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Transitional                               BA 199—3 cr.

            Learning                        Tu & Th, 1:00-2:20

                        Community            CRN 17178; 326 Bexell

 

Instructors and Office Hours:

 

Brenda Baxter                                                              Dr. James R. Coakley  

COB Academic Advisor                                                COB Associate Dean   

baxter@bus.oregonstate.edu                                          coakley@bus.oregonstate.edu   

541-737-3716 (Office)                                                   541-737-3716 (Office)  

COB Office of Student Services; 214 Bexl                     COB Office of Student Services; 214 Bexl        

Hours: M-F; 9-12 & 1-4                                                 Hours: By Appointment                        

 

Professors Baxter and Coakley will schedule the following office hours. Please be aware that many meetings do come up on short notice during the term. We will try to be available during these hours. Please check with the receptionist in the Office of Student Services to confirm our availability or to schedule another time if needed.

  • Monday/Wednesday 11:00-noon
  • Thursday 2:30- 3:30 pm

 

Textbook:  There is no required text for this class, but there will be required reading which will be handed out in class or on the internet.

 

Mandatory Accessory: Week or Day at a Glance-type organizer planner.  Palm pilots are fine too.  OSU sells what is called a Mortar Board Planner for about $7.  It is nice to have because the OSU important dates and holidays are already pre-printed in it.  It is available at the Bookstore.

Why does this class exist?

Welcome to the College of Business (COB) Transitional Learning Community!   The TLC program is the brainchild of advisors and leaders in Undergraduate Academic Programs who see the value in creating a community of learners.   There has been a lot of research in the area of learning communities, and what these researchers are finding is that students who enjoy the support of their peers in their learning via study groups and discussion have a greater chance of succeeding in the classroom. The purpose of the TLC is to help you get acclimated to Oregon State, to present you with materials about academic success in college, and to have you connect with a group of your peers who have a common schedule and interest in business.

 

BA 199 has been designated as a 3 credit graded class (you may not take this course S/U grading).  When all is said and done, you will receive a letter grade that will also have bearing on your OSU and COB GPA.

 

What classes do I share with my peers in this class?

In addition to BA 199, you all have three classes in common:

·         BA 131 – Business Productivity Software – M/W/F 9:00-9:50 – 2 cr.

·         GEO 106—Geography of the Western World—T/R 11:00-11:50 (lecture) & R 12:00-12:50 (recitation)—3 cr.

 

These courses will introduce students to the global business environment and help you understand how information technology is important to support businesses in a global economy.  Since you share these courses, it would be ideal to study together for them too.  As a TLC student, you will more than likely get more out of these classes than your non-TLC peer because the BA 199 class should help you understand aspects you may not otherwise think about.

 

What are the Learning Outcomes for this class?

The College of Business has created specific learning outcomes for each business major (see http://www2.bus.orst.edu/faculty/coakley/COB_Outcomes.doc).  This course will contribute towards achievement of the following learning outcomes:

·         Each student shall be able to converse and to write at an acceptable level for business communications in English.

·         Each student shall have an appreciation of the importance of the global perspective in business.

What Are The Goals And Objectives?

·         Build a learning community and get to know some of your peers and faculty in your college.

·         Explore how the content in your classes can be integrated.

·         Understand the purpose, value, and expectations of higher education.

·         Develop skills for Academic Success in college and your major.

·         Lay the foundation for a successful college experience.

·         Address specific concerns you have about your courses this term, and work towards a first term learning experience and G.P.A. that you deem “successful”.

·         Connect your current academic experiences to future personal and career goals.

·         Increase familiarity with and engagement in OSU campus resources and activities.

·         Have a good time.

What Learning Environment And Strategy Will Be Used?

The course will use a variety of means to attain the course goals and objectives. Readings and class discussions will be used to introduce you to a number of key concepts and timely issues related to the international aspects of business, including the use of information technology.  Readings, class discussions, activities and assignments will be used to help you develop skills that lead to academic success. Our desire is to see everyone in this class succeed.  Succeeding here involves four key components:  coming to class prepared, actively participating in class activities, actively participating in class discussions, and completing assignments.  The graded components of the class are discussed later in the syllabus and on the class web page.

What Are The OSU And COB Policies For This Class?

Academic Honesty: Students are encouraged to discuss the assignments out of class and share ideas.  However, unless specified as a group assignment, each student must individually complete and submit his/her own work.  The submission of work to be graded which is not your own will be consid­ered a violation of the rules of academic honesty and will be dealt with in accordance with regulations of the University (see http://www.orst.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm).  Possible penalties include, but are not limited to, a failing grade for the work in question, a failing grade for the course, and/or suspension from the College or Univer­sity.

Behavior In Class: Behavior in class should be professional at all times. The atmosphere within the classroom should be the same as you might expect in a casual business meeting. People must treat each other with dignity and respect in order for scholarship to thrive.  Behaviors that are disruptive to learning will not be tolerated and may be referred to the Office of the Dean of Students for disciplinary action.

Discrimination And/Or Harassment: Discrimination and/or harassment will not be tolerated in the classroom.  In most cases, discrimination and/or harassment violates Federal and State laws and/or University Policies and Regulations.  Intentional discrimination and/or harassment will be referred to the Affirmative Action Office and dealt with in accordance with the appropriate rules and regulations.

Unintentional discrimination and/or harassment are just as damaging to the offended party.  But, it usually results from people not understanding the impact of their remarks or actions on others, or insensitivity to the feelings of others.  We must all strive to work together to create a positive learning environment.  This means that each individual should be sensitive to the feelings of others, and tolerant of the remarks and actions of others.  If you find the remarks and actions of another individual to be offensive, please bring it to his/her attention.  If you believe those remarks and actions constitute intention­al discrimination and/or harassment, please bring it to my attention.

Disabilities: Students with documented disabilities who may need accommodations, who have emergency medical information the instructors should know of, or who need special arrangements in the event of evacuation, should make an appointment with us as early as possible, no later than the first week of the term.

Arbitration:  There will be a one-week arbitration period after graded items (quizzes, exams, projects, assignments, etc.) are returned.   Within that one-week period, you are encouraged to discuss any assumptions and/or misinterpretations that you made on the activity that may have influenced your grade. 

Attendance: If you are unable to attend a class session, it is your responsibility to acquire the class notes, assignments, announcements, etc. from a classmate. The instructor will not give private lectures for those that miss class.  Missing announcements in class does not constituent a valid excuse for missing a course milestone.

Updates to Course: This course will make extensive use of e-mail to notify students of changes to lectures, readings and assignments. It is your responsibility to check your business e-mail account frequently for course updates.  Not reading your e-mail does not constituent a valid excuse for missing a course milestone.

Submission of Assignments: Your performance in this course will depend on your ability to meet established milestones (that is, submit your work on time).  Work must be submitted on the milestone date. (Note: A computer/network/printer crash is not an acceptable excuse for late submission of work.)

 

If you have a legitimate personal emergency (e.g., health problem) that may impair your ability to turn in an assignment on time, you will be expected take the initiative to contact the instructors before the due date/time (or as soon after your emergency as possible) to communicate the situation.

 

What Resources Are Available To Support This Class?

Your instructors and teaching assistant are meant to be resources; however, the resources listed below may be of help in certain situations too:

Academic Success:  http://www.osusuccess.com

Answer Desk:  http://www.answerdesk.orst.edu

COB Advising Office:  214 Bexell Hall

OSU Academic Success Center:  101 Waldo Hall

Your Resident Advisor

 

How Will Grades Be Determined?

Course Grades: The College of Business uses the +/- grading system.  The following breakout depicts how grades will be assigned under this system.

Grade:

Percentage

Grade:

Percentage

A

93 to 100

C+

77 up to 80

A-

90 up to 93

C

73 up to 77

B+

87 up to 90

C-

70 up to 73

B

83 up to 87

F

Less than 70

B-

80 up to 83

 

 

 

Evaluation Components:  Individual grades will be based on a weighted average as follows:                                                                      Evaluation Category:                                              Percent

      Participation                                                                        30%

      Assignments                                                                       70%

                   

Participation: Participation will be evaluated based on two components: class contribution and activity participation.

·         Contribution Participation will be evaluated based on the quality of each individual’s contribution to the classroom lecture/discussion and classroom conduct. Full participation points are not given merely for attendance; participation points must be earned by contributing to the learning environment of the class. If an individual comes to class every day, is polite, but does not make a strong attempt to participate in class discussion, then that individual will earn low credit for class contribution (60% of contribution points). Individuals who contribute occasionally (i.e., every week or so), but do not do much to advance the discussion will earn a somewhat higher grade (70-80%). Individuals who consistently contribute to the classroom discussions and advance discussions in a meaningful and productive way will receive the highest grades (90-100%).

·         Activity Participation will be evaluated based on the extent to which each student participates in class or out of class activities.  For example, an activity may be a campus tour or a class small group discussion.                                        

     

Assignments:                                                                 Points                           Due

      Student Info Survey (sent in mail)                                 5                              Tue, 9/27

      Planner Update                                                           5                              Thu, 9/29

      COB Digital Photo taken in Bexell Lab                         5                              Tue, 10/4

      COB email set up in Bexell Lab – send email to us        5                              Tue, 10/4

      5 Questions for 2004 BA 199 Student Panelists            10                              Thu, 10/6         

      Answers to College Expectations Survey                      5                              Thu, 10/6

      5 Questions for each exchange panel (10 total)            20                              Tue, 10/11        

      VARK Learning Style Inventory                                 20                              Thu, 10/13        

      International Business Reading & 5 questions for spkr  10                              Tue, 10/18          

      Ethics Ranking Assignment                                          5                              Thu, 10/20        

      International Speakers/Exchange Destination               30                              Thu, 10/20

            Writing Assignment

      Attend COB Distinguished Lecture on Bus.Ethics         5                              Fri, 10/21

      “What is ___?” IT Assignment                                   15                              Tue, 10/25

      Copy GEO 106 notes from 10/25                                  5                              Thu, 10/27

      Ethics Writing Assignment                                          30                              Tue, 11/1

      COB Option Research Outline and Fact Sheet             25                              Tue, 11/1

      How Time Spent Estimate                                            5                              Tue, 11/1

      Time Spent Week Analysis and questions                    20                              Thu, 11/3

      Health Self-Assessment                                               5                              Thu, 11/3

      Stress Management Self-Assessment                           5                              Thu, 11/3

      5 Local Business Research Questions                         10                              Tue, 11/8

      Advising Appt Complete/Plan for next 2 terms             10                              Thu, 11/10

      COB Professor Interview Write Up                            20                              Thu, 11/17

      COB Professor Thank You copy                                  5                              Thu, 11/17

      Option Skills Assignment                                            15                              Tue, 11/22

      10 GEO 106 questions index cards/answer on back      25                              Tue, 11/29        

      Year goals letter to self                                              20                              Tue, 11/29

      Resume                                                                     30                              Thu, 12/1

 

Details of these assignments are provided below.

 

EC: Extra Credit. There may be a few opportunities to earn extra credit throughout the term. The extra credit points can not be used as a substitute for assignments. Extra credit points will only be applied to increase the score of submitted assignments. For example, if you have an assignment where you earned 5 points, the extra credit points could be applied to bring that score up to the maximum points for the assignment.

 

Course Schedule: 

Week

Date

Class Topic

Readings and Assignments Due

1

Tue, Sep 27

·      Introductions

·      Icebreakers

·      Syllabus & handouts                               

·         Complete Student Info survey

 

Thu, Sep 29

·      Icebreakers

·      “How’s first week?” chat

·      Campus Tour Pt 1

·         Planner Update

2

Tue, Oct 4

·      Icebreakers

·      World as 100 people

·      Intro to Global Bus/Culture

·      Campus Tour Pt 2

·         COB digital photo taken in lab

·         COB Email Activation assignment

 

Thu, Oct 6

·      BA 199 2004 class visit

·      Expectations vs. Experience

·      Prof Becker visit

·      Nature of Higher Ed

·         5 Questions for panelists

·         Answers to own personal expectations survey

3

Tue, Oct 11

·      Int’l Exchange Panel (foreign)

·      Int’l Exchange Panel (domestic)

·         5 Questions for each panel

 

Thu, Oct 13

·      Learning styles & activities

·         VARK Assessment

4

Tue Oct 18

·      Prof. Lawton visit—Global Bus.

·      Group check in time

·         Read Global Business Article

·         5 Questions for Prof. Lawton

·         Select “What is” topic

Thu, Oct 20

·      IT Ethics

·      Ethics group activity

·         Int’l writing assignment

·         Ethics Ranking Assignment

5

Tue, Oct 25

·      Info Technology Privacy & Security Issues

·         “What Is” Assignment

Thu, Oct 27

·      Study Skills/student success (ASC)

·      Notetaking

·      Time Budget sheet

·         Copy of  GEO 106 notes from 10/25

6

Tue, Nov 1

·      Option research group presentations

·         Group option research summary

·         Writing assignment on Ethics

·         How time spent estimate

Thu, Nov 3

·      Time Management

·      Health Speaker

·         Time spent chart/Week analysis

·         Health self assessment

·         Stress management self assessment

7

Tue, Nov 8

·      Local Business Tour (Target Distrib?)

·         5 Local Business Research Questions

Thu, Nov 10

·      Technology/global impact

·         Advisor plan/registration date/questions

8

Tue, Nov 15

·      Resumes

 

Thu, Nov 17

·      Interviewing

·         COB Professor interview write up

·         COB Professor “Thank You”

9

Tue, Nov 22

·      Goal Setting Speaker

·      BA 199 Jeopardy

·         Option Skills Assignment

 

Thu, Nov 24

HOLIDAY

·         Eat good food, watch tv, shop and don’t forget to study for finals

10

Tue, Nov 29

·      Meeting w/ Dean Kleinsorge

·      Review of GEO 106/Prof. Becker visit

·         Index cards w/ 10 GEO questions (similar to format of final)

·         Geo confusing concept

·         Goals letter to self

Thu, Dec 1

·      Review session for BA 131

·         Prepared BA 131 questions/problem areas

·         Resume

 

 

Assignment Descriptions:

Note: all assignments are due at the beginning of class, unless otherwise noted.

* = this assignment requires significant advanced planning on your part to succeed

 

STUDENT INFO SHEET: This page was mailed to you late summer.  If you didn’t bring it, Brenda has some.

 

PLANNER UPDATE: Bring planner or palm pilot w/ you to class.  Teacher will check to see that you have recorded all your major assignments and exams\papers in it, including finals week.  Use your syllabi for your classes to do this.