This course presents a broad introduction to the functions and operations of business enterprises within the U.S. economic framework. You will be introduced to economic systems and the essential elements of business organization such as finance, marketing, production, risk management, and human resource management. Emphasis is placed on the social and economic environments of business operations.

Prerequisites/Expectations/Recommended Knowledge and Skills: There are no prerequisites for this course.  A satisfactory placement score for ENG 111 is strongly recommended.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the relationships between government and business.
• Understand how the free market system fosters the development of new businesses.
• Understand the evolution of social responsibility.
• Explain the forms of ownership, entrepreneurship, and small business.
• Describe the process of organizing.
• Describe the process of management.
• Review the factors that influence worker performance and attitudes.
• Describe the broad field of human relations and labor relations.
• Describe operations management.
• Describe marketing, including product development, packaging, pricing, distribution, and promotion.
• Describe accounting, computers, and management information systems.
• Understand money, banking, and credit.
• Explain financial management.
• Review business law.
• Describe the relationships between government and business.
• Describe international business.

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Required textbook for this course :

• Nickels, McHugh, and McHugh. Understanding Business, 8th ed. McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Copyright 2008.

Optional: Dictionary and Thesaurus.

Your course grade is based on the following assignments, points, and percentages.

You can earn up to 600 points for the entire course. Final grades will be assigned according to the total number of points you have earned. NOTE: For BUS 100, you must take all four (4) exams and pass two (2) out of four exams in order to pass the course, regardless of how well you do on the other assignments.

There are four (4)online proctored exams. All exams are closed book. Examinations will cover material that has been covered in your textbook, your written assignments, and any Internet exercises that you may have been given. Exams will consist of multiple-choice questions, identification, and short essay questions.

Since ELI courses are self paced, you take exams when you are ready. You must take the exam at one of the six NVCC Campus Testing Centers. See ELI Policies and Procedures for the locations and telephone numbers of the Testing Centers, as well as information about proctors for students who live outside the Northern Virginia area.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail: tbrady@nvcc.edu
Telephone: (703) 878.5712

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.