Course Description

Survey of the formation, structure, objectives, and ethics of contemporary American business enterprises.  The course emphasizes the significance of the small business, the role of large organizations, and the best practices for the successful development of managerial personnel.  Recommended for students wishing to transfer and/or explore a potential career in business.Course Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

Student Learning Outcomes:

1.  Understand and discuss the basic elements of the business environment including formation, structure, objectives, and ethics.
2.  Identify and analyze the various components of a business plan.
3.  Discover various personal career strategies appropriate for personal abilities and selective economic conditions.

Course Objectives

1. Identify and evaluate the functions of managers in the business world.
2. Delineate the nature and scope of business activity in the private sector
3. Understand the function of the business firm as a key social institution.
4. Identify the problems of business management in a dynamic economic, political, social, and cultural environment.
5. Investigate the applications of social & behavioral sciences within the business environment.
6. Formulate solutions to human relations and related management problems that emphasize rational and objective analysis of relevant information.

Instructor Information

Hello everyone!  My name is Dottie Sutherland.  I'm a retired Professor of Business from Arizona (now adjunct at COD)  and I've taught just about everything including business ethics, management, supervision, management information systems, and even hospitality management courses since 1995. 

I received my MBA from the Eller School at University of Arizona (Academic Honors) and my BS in Public Administration from Georgia State University where I graduated Cum Laude- receiving the President's Plaque for Outstanding Achievement.  After retiring, I simple moved to a different desert...Palm Desert!  It's so beautiful and there's so many things to do!

I have one daughter who is planning a wedding while preparing for medical school.  I also have a black cat named "Salem" and a desert tortoise named Louis Vuitton (yes, he's bougie..lol).  Another fun fact is that I'm a runner.  I run about 9 miles a day.  I ran the Boston Marathon in 2020.  It was a little crazy because I ran it during the pandemic.  I'm excited to get to know everyone and find out some interesting things about all of you

Me at the finish line of the LA Marathon; March 2024.

How You Can Contact Me

• Canvas Inbox ( dsutherland@collegeofthedesert.edu )
• Q & A Discussion
• Office Hours:  By appointment via Zoom or Google Meet
• Response time: I will respond within 24 hours
• Text:  You can text me 24/7 at 520-981-0204

How I Will Contact You

I will be an active participant in this course. You can expect that I will contact you at least weekly, via the following methods:

• Announcements:  I will typically post an announcement each week that will introduce each assignment with a due date reminder.  
• Canvas Inbox messages:  I will reach out and nudge you if you have missed an assignment due date, or to remind you to submit an assignment.
• Discussion Posts:  I will usually post a response to each discussion post.  I will also post a response video with any final remarks or updates about the discussion along with relevant links that often expound on the topic.
• Grading feedback:  I will post personal feedback with any additional information or relevant articles on all submissions.

Required Materials

Course Technology:

In order to complete the homework for this course, you’ll need access to a stable internet connection via a laptop or home computer.  College of the Desert has a limited number of available laptops that can be borrowed from the library.  If you need a laptop  in order to successfully complete the course, please let me know.

Required Text:

Introduction to BusinessLinks to an external site.

Links to an external site.Links to an external site.

OpenStax ISBN-10: 1-947172-55-7

This course participates in an inclusive access program that provides free access to your text.  This is an inclusive textbook model created in collaboration with top publishers that converts books into digital content.  This kind of access program delivers all of your materials as part of your tuition and fees.  Please note that accessing this material is required  in order to successfully complete the section.  Remember, if you do not have access to a computer or laptop, COD can provide you with one.  Your access includes a free e-book, as well as the digital content you’ll access via the Canvas platform.

Other Required Materials:

Access to a computer, smartphone, word processing software, and a stable internet connection to the internet are required for the successful completion of this course.  I also encourage having access to a dictionary and thesaurus.

Grading Policy

GRADING AND INSTRUCTOR POLICIES:

Total Requirements:

Learner Support

Student Support

In this course, you will find a module that contains information and links to many of our student support servicesLinks to an external site.. 

If you are having trouble or need assistance with anything that is not listed in the Student Support Module, please don't hesitate to reach out to me for assistance.  You can text me anytime at 520-981-0204.  Or, you can email me at dsutherland@collegeofthedesert.edu 

The Business Program at College of the Desert is located in the Applied Sciences Building at the Palm Desert Campus.  Students should consult their advisors/counselorsLinks to an external site. to determine courses within and outside the School of Applied Sciences and Business that are most appropriate for individual objectives. Assistance for helping the student make career choices is available at the College’s Career CenterLinks to an external site. as well as with advisors and counselors. Many programs are offered in either Associate Degree [two-year] or 1 year certificate formats. Options are available for the student to earn multiple certificates while earning an associate degree.

For more information, please visit Applied ScienceLinks to an external site. at Palm Desert Campus.

Neil Lingle,
Interim Dean
nlingle@collegeofthedesert.edu

Nori Bambusch,
Administrative Assistant
nbambusch@collegeofthedesert.edu
760-773-2571​​​​​

Institutional Policies and Statements

Participation = Attendance!

Online attendance is marked by your participation and engagement through the submission of course activities and assignments which represents your "physical presence" in a classroom or online.

Guidelines

This course is 16 weeks and will require 7- 11 hours of work per week (on average).

Please plan to:

• Set aside time each week to view all module materials and submit required work
• Log in regularly each week to check for announcements, grades, messages, and comments
• Participate in online discussions, and respond thoughtfully to your peers

Drop Policy

• During the first week: Submit the first discussion and the first quiz in order to mark your attendance and secure your spot!
• Throughout the term: Submit work regularly to show your active attendance. If you do not submit work for 2 modules in a row, you may be dropped for non-participation!

If You Need Help, Have Questions, or Fall Behind...

Your participation is important for the success of this course, but I also recognize that you are human, and life happens. If you've reached a point where you have fallen behind, or can't meet the due dates, please contact me either through email ( dsutherland@collegeofthedesert.edu ) or through SMS text at 520-981-0204. Note!  If you need help or have an urgent question, please send me a text.  I will be able to help you within an hour.  I want to help you succeed in this course!  We'll work together to make a path to success.

Canvas Information

Canvas is the where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

• myinstitution.instructure.com
• For Canvas, Passwords, or any other computer-related technical support contact the IT Service Desk.
• 123 123-1234
• 877 878-8325
• http://it.myinstitution.edu
• itsupport@myinstitution.edu