ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
BA 457
Fall 2006
(INTERIM) COURSE SYLLABUS
Details may change if another instructor is assigned
Instructor: TBA (Dr. Piper) Office: Room125, MBA
Conference room, Lorman
Office Hours: 9:00-11:00 A.M. TH Email:
REQUIRED TEXT: The Small Business Owners Manual, Joe Kennedy
PREREQUISTE: MG 378 ENTRPRENEURSHIP
RECOMMENDED READING:
To become knowledgeable about current issues, trends, and events in business, I recommend you subscribe to (or go to the library regularly) and read Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, Business Week, INC., Nation's Business, etc. To better understand the concepts, I suggest you go to the library and review several of the suggested readings at the end of the text.
COURSE:
Welcome to Small Business Management. This course will provide you with a conceptual and empirical understanding of the principles of entrepreneurship and the skills and tools necessary to start your own small firm. We will analyze and discuss the skills, processes and functions of entrepreneurship. The strategic focus will provide entrepreneurially inclined students with the foundation to open their own businesses with a complete business plan they can take to the bank. This course assumes you have the skills and knowledge taught in MG 378.
METHODS:
The class format is primarily STUDENT discussion with an emphasis on case analysis, readings discussion and participation in analysis of concepts. Keeping up with assigned work will prepare YOU to discuss class assignments. Your participation grade is YOUR preparedness for class and your participation in case analyses and critiques. Class participation will determine your final grade and is worth one letter grade up or down.
You are expected to read and type your analysis of one of the two cases assigned prior to class. Your work should answer the questions associated with the situation. Your notes should identify assumptions, develop and evaluate alternatives, prioritize alternatives, list and prioritize criteria as appropriate to the situation and questions. You will participate in discussion as appropriate.
A professional business plan is required to complete this course. This plan will be ready to take to an investor or bank to secure funding. A portion of your grade will depend on whether or not someone would invest in your firm based on your plan. If your plan is NOT ready to take to the bank the best grade you can get is a “C” and only if it is otherwise an “A” plan.
GRADING:
Business Plan 40%
Written analysis (xxx cases) 40%
Class discussion & participation 20%
----
100%
The instructor will strive to avoid "curving" grades. The final letter grade is on a ten point scale (i.e. A: 90-100%). See attached Grading Standards for additional details.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
Each student will do xxx individual written case analyses. The students will also do a business plan.
Assignments are due on the day assigned at the end of the class period. Work turned in after the scheduled class period will be penalized two letter grades. They are eligible for a grade no higher than a C (and only if the work is otherwise an A or B+). No work accepted if submitted more than two class periods past the due date (except by prearranged consent of the instructor). NO work accepted after the final exam.
All written work will be typed and follow correct form, spelling, grammar, etc.
Papers which, in the opinion of the instructor, employ exceptionally poor grammar and poor quality written communication skills, will be assigned a grade that is one letter lower than would otherwise be assigned. Written work will be graded on substance of arguments, form, organization of material, clarity, and readability. Developing an outline of the analysis before drafting the plan will enable you to organize the material and make it easy for the reader to follow. Use a writing style that is concise and easy to read. A strong thread of logic, adequate headings, good paragraphing, simple words, and avoidance of complex sentences (such as this one) make a plan readable.
Effective display and correct handling of mechanical details will add prestige and conviction to your plan. The following instructions will help you set up your work in an attractive, readable manner:
Reports should be typed on standard 8
2
x 11" unruled white paper of good quality. Dot matrix computer print is acceptable (must be dark print, use new ribbon or double strike).
Never crowd the bottom of the page. Always allow a margin of approximately seven to nine spaces on all four sides. Double space throughout. Use only one side of each sheet of paper.
Staple the sheets in the upper left-hand corner only. Do not fold the work when handing it in. No report covers or folders.
Policies Regarding Class Attendance and Participation in Class Discussion:
Attendance at all class sessions is expected. Students are expected to be in class on time.
Since participation in class discussion counts 20% of your grade, each student must contribute significantly to in-class critiques. Merely coming to class is not sufficient.
You should notify me prior to your missing class. If you discuss your problems with me early in the semester, we can solve them. If you wait until the end of the semester, you will fail the course.
University Policies
University Policies
Refer to the catalog and student handbook. All policies will be enforced.
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