BUS 101 First Year Seminar

BUS 101
Course Overview

This course begins your academic preparation for a successful experience in higher education. The primary goals of the course are to facilitate students' understanding of the discipline of business and the development of the competencies and attitudes necessary for success in the College of Business as well as your future professional career. The activities and assignments of the course are designed specifically with the following in mind:

• Understanding the Ecology of Business: Through a number of assignments and course activities you will be introduced to the discipline of business, including general information about the functional areas of business, innovators in the field, the social/economic/historical context of business and ethical issues facing businesses and business professionals.
• Learning the Language of Business: The course is conducted in the 'language of business.' For example, you will learn to write memos, make marketing, management and financial decisions when running a business. The course syllabus is in the form of a Policy and Procedures manual; and the course is designed as a learning organization.
• Enhancing your Personal/Professional Development: Students are expected to conduct themselves as if they were at work. You are responsible for demonstrating personal and professional integrity, attending and being prepared for all class discussions and activities, producing 'business-ready' written work and oral presentations, and being an effective and cooperative team member. The course is specifically designed to engage you in informed class discussion, effective teamwork, critical/analytic thinking, effective written and oral communication, effective time management, and personal/professional planning.

Bright Beginnings, Inc.

Our course name and logo are the award-winning creations of a former BUS 101 student. The name reflects the fact that BUS 101 is a learning organization in which students and faculty are contributing stakeholders. The light bulb logo illustrates the role BUS 101 serves to 'shed light' on the discipline of business and to answer may of the questions of the first year experience.

Structure of the Course

 3 Credits, graded

• 1 credit, lecture
• 2 credits, seminar discussion
• 19 sections @ 15 (Fall term)
• Majority of sections have junior associates (upper classmen) who co-teach course. Junior associates generally volunteer but may receive university credit for the experience.
  
• Required for all options: Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Management
• Fulfills MSU University Seminar (US) requirement
• Coordinated by Dr. Christine Lamb, Assistant Dean, and Dr. Nancy Dodd, Associate Professor of Management

Objectives of the Course
 

•  Develop connections with Montana State University
• Develop understanding & appreciation of higher education
• Improve students' potential for success at MSU through engagement in academic & professional development and planning
• Provide opportunity for students to build support network with faculty and peers

• Develop connections with the College of Business
• Expose students to organizational culture/expectations of MSU & COB
• Foster development of critical thinking, oral and written communication and leadership -- the mission of the COB
• Foster faculty-student interaction & mentoring
 
• Develop connections with the "Ecology of Business"
• Engage students in critical issues facing the business (and the world) community: economic, political, environmental & ethical dimensions of business
• Expose students to the "language of business": strategic planning, memo writing, leadership/management styles

Student Development & Assessment

Personal Strategic Plan: students are required to develop a complete academic and professional development plan with their faculty and peer mentors

Faculty Development

 Annual retreat for seminar faculty (before Fall term): includes development of discussion techniques, assignment norming & mentoring

• Weekly debriefing & team building: faculty meets weekly to discuss readings, techniques & guest speakers

National Recognition
 

• 1994 Instructional Innovation Award, Decision Sciences Institute

• 1995-96 Leavey Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education

Course Coordinators:

Chris Lamb  Assistant Dean  Phone: 994-4681  Office: Reid 338

Nancy Dodd  Associate Professor of Management  Phone: 994-6195  Office: Reid 318

File name:  http://www.montana.edu/cob/BUS101current/index.html
Auditor: Chris Lamb
Last audited: 9/01/06
Last updated: 11/20/06