BUSINESS 111

UNDERSTANDING THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

COURSE OUTLINE
Fall 2016
Prof:
Office:
am
Email:

Sofy Carayannopoulos Sections: A, B, C, and D

Room LH4046
Office Hours: Fri, 9:30-10:30

Prof:
Office:
pm
Email:

Leanne Hagarty
Room LH4072

Prof:
Office:
Email:

Brandon Van Dam

Room LH
bvandam@wlu.ca

scarayannopoulos@wlu.ca
Sections: P2, P3, and P4
Office Hours: Tues, 12:30 2:00

lhagarty@wlu.ca
Sections: P1
Office Hours: Tues, 7:00 8:00 pm

Course website: www.laurierbiz.com

handle: @BU111_WLU
Pearson website:www.laurierbiz.com/pearson
Course calendar: www.laurierbiz.com/calendar

Twitter

Teaching Assistants:
Room LH3025
Phone 884-0710, Ext. 2190
In this outline you will find everything you need to know about the course,
what is required and when it is due, and even resources to help you succeed.
Click on the links below to quickly go to the information you are looking for.
Course objectives
Required materials
Expectations, Procedures and Policies
Methodology
Student Evaluation (lists assignments & due dates) Student Privacy
Additional Resources
Weekly schedule and lab requirements:
Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6,

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Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12

Course Objectives:
Business 111 is designed to provide the introductory business student with
the following:
1.

A basic overview to the external business environment and how it

affects managerial decision making. The concepts advanced in the
course will provide a foundation that will be further developed in
Business 121 and senior business courses.

2.

The development of business communication and teamwork skills.

3.

Instruction and practice in using research resources and properly citing

them.

4.

A basic business vocabulary.

5.

Through active participation in labs, students may develop many

interpersonal and managerial skills required for success in the
workplace.

6.

A clear understanding of the academic, behavioural, and ethical

standards expected of students studying business at Wilfrid Laurier
University. These standards will prepare students for similar
expectations that will be encountered in the workplace.

Required Materials:
Business 111 Lab Manual, Thirty-first Edition: Captus Press, 2016.
Introduction to Understanding and Assessing the Business Environment. 3 rd
Custom Edition for Wilfrid Laurier University: Pearson Publishing, Toronto,
2014 (book is packaged with an access code which you will use to register
and use Pearson online resources/assignments).

Methodology:
In Business 111 three approaches to learning are used:
Readings and Pearson online resources Your text(s) will provide you
with an overview of the topics covered in the course lectures. Notes on
content not addressed in class are not required unless you are specifically
informed otherwise. The Pearson website has many quizzes designed to help
you review course material and prepare for exams.
Lectures - Slides of the lectures will be available prior to each lecture.
These will assist you in identifying the important aspects of the lecture, and
taking organized and complete lecture notes. The lecturer will assume that
students have obtained a copy of and reviewed these slides prior to each
lecture.
Because the slide contents are neither complete nor thorough,
failure to attend lectures and take detailed lecture notes will result in
diminished performance on examinations. Exams will be based primarily on
lecture materials.
Weekly Labs: Each student is required to register in a weekly lab where
smaller groups of students (30) meet with a senior business student, acting
as the Teaching Assistant or lab leader. Labs provide students with the
opportunity to apply and enhance their knowledge, develop many of the skill
sets required of practising managers and obtain extra help with material
covered in lectures. They will also provide an opportunity to earn grades as
explained next.
Your participation grade out of 10 marks is earned in your weekly lab. This
grade will be based on your level of preparation and quality of participation
in labs. A participation rubric is included in your lab manual and your TA will
also discuss participation expectations. You can only earn participation
marks in your registered lab.
Preparation will be calculated as a percentage out of 4 marks based on
performance on quizzes and assessment of other work.
Because so much learning and application takes place in the lab,
attendance at labs is COMPULSORY! Absences are dealt with as follows:
1.

You are allowed one unvalidated absence from labs, and you are
allowed to make up one lab.

An unvalidated absence means you: a) cannot provide

documentation proving that the absence was unavoidable, i.e. a
doctor's note, and b) you did not attend a "make up lab" during
the same week. You will receive a mark of zero (0) on all
assignments if you have more than one unvalidated

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absence from labs. Assignments are worth 55 marks in
the course.

You may "make up" one missed lab per term so that it does not
count as an unvalidated absence. You must attend a different
lab during that academic week (see course website for a lab
schedule list). To prove that you made up a lab you must print a
copy of the Lab Make Up Form (posted on course website) and
take it with you to the substitute lab. The TA of that lab will sign
and forward it to your TA.

2.

If you are absent due to a serious and unavoidable reason, i.e. serious
illness or medical emergency, e-mail your TA to notify him/her of the
absence as soon as possible and copy your professor. Bring the
documentation, i.e. doctors note, to your professor as soon as possible.
It is best to make up missed labs whenever possible.

3.

Participation marks will be lost for each lab that is missed, regardless of
whether the absence is unvalidated or if the lab was made up.

Labs begin on Monday, September 19th. Registration will be done

online at www.laurierbiz.com. More information will be provided in the first
lecture.

Student Evaluation:
Your mark will consist of the evaluation mechanisms described below. It is
your responsibility to ensure that work is of good quality with appropriately
referenced sources, and is submitted on time. Work submitted late will
receive a grade of zero.
4 marks Research Diagnostics
Due Friday, September 30th BEFORE 12 noon
20 marks Consulting case
10 marks - Individual Write-up Hand-In
Due BEFORE 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 3rd

6 marks (+1 bonus for the group that advances to semi-finals) Group
Presentation*
Presentations made during week of November 14th November
18th
Mandatory question and answer session on October 1 st, 12-1
p.m.
BBA students only: Semi-finals on November 18th and finals on
November 19th

4 marks Individual presentation quality

22 marks - New Venture Project

4 marks Preliminary Report*

Due BEFORE 12 noon on Friday, October7th

12 marks Final Report*

Due BEFORE 12 noon on Friday, November 25th

6 marks Group presentation

Presentations made in Labs #10 or #11 (your TA will assign
presentation order)
Slides Due BEFORE 11:59 p.m. on Sunday November 27th
10 marks Lab Participation (4 marks preparation, 6 marks contribution)
Preparation will be calculated using actual grade achieved on quizzes
plus other work
Midterm Exam**:
4:30 p.m.
Final Exam**:

20 Marks: Sunday, October 23rd, 2:00 p.m. to

24 Marks: Date determined by Examinations Office

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Total

100*** Marks

Group assignments also require peer evaluations.

Schedule for due dates.

See Course

**

Students must pass at least one exam to receive

grade in the course. Both the midterm and the final
CONTROLLED ACCESS exams. Anyone in possession of a
exam will receive a mark of 0 on the exam, and possibly
course.

a passing
exams are
copy of the
an F in the

***BONUS MARK OPPORTUNITIES: You can earn up to 1.5 bonus marks

that will be added to your participation mark. You earn .25 marks for each
non-exam review S.I. session you attend, to a maximum of 1.5 bonus marks.
You can also earn up to two additional bonus marks by creating business
cases.
Super-easy, super-interesting and super-valuable activity. More
details are provided in the Business Case Bonus Mark assignment
document.

Important Notes Regarding Procedures and Expectations:

1. In order to achieve a passing grade the student must demonstrate that
he/she can describe and apply concepts and theories without the
assistance of peers or instructors. To demonstrate this ability, the
student must pass either the midterm or the final exam. Failing both
exams will result in an automatic failure in the course.
2. The university and the instructors of this course have strict policies
regarding academic misconduct. University expectations are outlined in
the university calendar. The course Codes of Conduct are on the front
pages of the Lab Manual.
3. All work submitted for marking must be submitted both electronically to
www.turnitin.com and in hard copy to the TA office, by the due date AND
TIME. Any student whose work is not submitted on time will
receive a late penalty on the assignment. Any work that is
found to have been plagiarised will receive mark penalties on
the assignment, and potentially an F in the course, as well as
having the incident noted on his/her record at the University.
4. Group work is an important component of your education and business
skill development.
5. It is the responsibility of the student to actively seek meaningful
participation in group activities and tasks.
Any student not
demonstrating commitment to contribute equally in a group

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exercise may be fired from his/her group by the other members,
according to the procedure outlined in the lab manual, and will receive a
0 on the group exercise.
6. There is no deferred midterm for BU 111. In the case of illness or
unforeseeable and unavoidable conflicts, you must provide
documentation to be approved by your Instructor. Students should
discuss midterm conflicts with the Instructor as soon as they are aware
of them. In the case of illness, this documentation must be on the
Verification of Illness form supplied on the course website no other
documentation will be accepted. This documentation must be obtained
on the day before or the day of the illness, and should indicate that the
doctor confirms that you were too ill to write the exam. Those students
not writing the regular midterm exam will be required to write a
final exam worth 45 percent of their overall mark which may be
cumulative in terms of course content.
7. Final exam deferrals are arranged through the SBE petitions
committee. This committee does not look favourably on petitions for
final exam deferrals due to travel commitments do not book any travel
plans until you see the final exam timetable!

Student Privacy:
During the course, it may be necessary to divulge students names, ID
numbers, or other personal information to other members of the class. Every
reasonable effort will be made to keep the personal information of the
student private and secure. The following measures have been put in place
to balance the requirements of the course with the need to protect personal
information:
1. Exams and assignments will only be released to the student who
submitted them. If a student is uncomfortable with their name being
called in class, he or she should contact the instructor and TA the day
before the assignment is to be returned.
2. Marks will only be released through our online marks website. They will
only be discussed in person with the student, after valid identification has
been provided.
3. The individual circumstances or performance of a student will not be
discussed before, during or after class. A student wishing to review their
performance or discuss personal circumstances affecting their
performance should make an appointment to speak to the instructor
privately in her office. Because the TA office is a shared workspace, if the
student wishes to have a private discussion with a TA, arrangements
must be made with the TA in advance.
4. Group work is a necessary component of this course. This will involve
disclosure of some personal information to other class members in order
to assign topics, arrange groups, submit, evaluate and return work.
Enrolment in the course is deemed to be consent to such necessary
disclosure.
5. Class participation is a vital component of this course. This may involve
the use of class lists, name tags, etc. If a student is uncomfortable with
his or her name being disclosed in these formats, he or she should bring
this matter to the attention of the instructor during the first week of class
so that alternate arrangements can be made.
6. The professor will only respond to student email sent from the students
WLU or UW account. Students should not contact the instructor from any
other email (i.e. hotmail).
7. Peer evaluations will be used in this course. These evaluations will be
held in confidence and will only be disclosed to the student whose mark
is affected. Such disclosure will be in an aggregate form. Individual peer
evaluations will not be disclosed. If this is unacceptable to the student,
prior alternate arrangements must be made with the instructor.
8. The record of the students progress throughout the course will be
maintained by the instructor for a period of one year after completion of
the course.
9. Sign in sheets will be used to record attendance at the midterm. If a
student does not wish to sign the sheet, he or she should bring this fact
to the attention of the proctor before the start of the exam.

9
If a student is concerned or needs to make special arrangements to
accommodate specific privacy issues, he or she must bring these matters to
the attention of the instructor within the first week of classes so that
reasonable accommodations can be made or an alternate course can be
selected by the student.

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Weekly Schedule:
The lecture topics, related and expected readings and lab assignments for
each week are described below. You are expected to have the indicated
readings and/or lab assignments
prepared or at least attempted PRIOR to attending lectures and labs. All
materials needed to prepare for labs each week, i.e. readings, cases,
exercises, are in the lab manual unless otherwise indicated.
Note that any quizzes that are indicated as lab preparation must be
completed BEFORE your weekly lab that week or you will receive a zero on
the quiz and that component of lab preparation for that week.

Week 1 September 8th 14th

Lecture Topics:
Course Introduction
Course Model, Environmental Analysis Models
Reference:
Lab Manual: Codes of Conduct
Textbook: Chapters 1 and 2
Required tasks (execute IN THIS ORDER):
1. Go to www.laurierbiz.com to register for a lab
BBA students: Lab registration begins on Tues. September 13th at
8 a.m.
Non-BBA students: Lab registration begins on Wed. September
14th at 8 a.m.
2. After registering for a lab, complete the BU111 Student Survey
(www.laurierbiz.com/survey) BY 4 PM, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16TH.
3. After registering for a lab and completing your survey, go to
www.laurierbiz.com/Pearson and register on Pearson websites

Detailed registration instructions provided on the course website

Technical assistance with Pearson registration is available on

Thursday, September 15th, 11am-2pm at LH3103
4. Begin completing Research Diagnostics assignment

Detailed instructions provided on the course website

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Week 2 September 15th 21st

Lecture Topics:
Environmental Analysis Models
Reference:
Textbook: Chapters 1 and 2
Required task:
Create a turnitin.com
INSTRUCTIONS)

account

(SEE

COURSE

WEBSITE

FOR

Prepare for Lab #1:

Read:
What is a Case? An Introduction to the Case Method

Review: Case Analysis & Write-Up: Summary Checklist

Case Content Worksheet
Prepare prior to lab:
Complete What is a Case? quiz on Pearson (see course website for
details on how to access Pearson lab quizzes)
Practice case analysis using Joes Java case.
Answer Joes Java case preparation questions in lab manual and
bring to lab
Sign and submit New Venture Disclosure of Information form to
your TA at the beginning of lab
Complete BU111 Student Survey (www.laurierbiz.com/survey)
prior to lab if you have not already done so

WISE CHOICE: BEGIN ATTENDING SI SESSIONS DURING WEEK 2 TO

LEARN AND ESTABLISH FOUNDATIONAL STUDY HABITS. Receive .25
bonus marks for each non-exam review session you attend.

12

Week 3 September 22nd 28th

Lecture Topics:
Understanding Entrepreneurship
Reference:
Textbook:

Chapter 3

Prepare for Lab #2:

Read:
Finding and Using Data
Principles of Good Slide Design
Approach to Team Work in BU111
How to Run Effective and Efficient Team Meetings

Review:

Team Charter (to be completed after the lab)

Team Requirements & Disciplinary Procedure
Peer Evaluation Rubric

Prepare:
1. Become familiar with library databases, conduct research.
2. Using research, prepare ONE slide recommending a course of action
for Joes Java. Put citations for your research sources in the notes
page as well as a few bullet points of what you intend to say. Put your
name in the footer of the slide.
3. Submit the slide to turnitin no later than 24 hours prior to your lab.
See lab manual for instructions and requirements.
4. Engage in social activity with New Venture group and tweet picture
using the hashtag #BU111LabX (replace X with your lab number,
e.g. B09).

BBA students only: CPA Consulting sessions Go to the course website and
register for a session to discuss your NV idea with a CPA consultant on
October 3rd, 4thor 5th.

Research Diagnostics Assignment due BEFORE 12 noon on

Friday, September
30th. Details and instructions on course website.

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Week 4 September 29th October 5th

Lecture Topics:
Understanding Entrepreneurship
References:
Textbook: Chapter 3
Prepare for Lab #3:
Read:
The Informal Report Format
Studio Celtia case

Review:

Introduction to Using Sources

How to Use Sources & Avoid Plagiarism (APA)
General Guidelines for Formatting References
APA Documentation Style
APA In-text Citation Format

Prepare:
1. Submit Team Charter to turnitin prior to lab
2. Bring a copy signed by all members to lab for hand-in
3. Analyze and prepare informal report write-up of Studio Celtia case
by filling in the Informal Report Structure form in lab manual
4. Complete Informal Report Format quiz on Pearson
5. Applying your informal report learning: Think about how the headings
of your informal report will be different for your NV proposal

Valuable resource:
material

Chapter quizzes on Pearson website to help review

October 1st Mandatory Case assignment question and

answer session 12-1:00 in 1E1. See details on course
website for room registration and attendance details.

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Week 5 October 6th, October 17th 19th

Lecture Topics:
Economic Factors Canadian Financial System, Investment Instruments
References:
Textbook:
Chapter 6 Make notes on pp. 79-87, 88-89.
Lab Manual: Buying and Selling Equities the Mechanics
Prepare for Lab #4:
Read:
High Tech Bar Top case

Review: Informal Report Structure

Case Content Worksheet

Prepare:
1. Prepare an analysis and recommendation of High Tech Bar Top case
using informal report format (Note: submit to turnitin 24 hours before
your lab; Print two copies and bring to lab with you)

New Venture Preliminary Report due in hardcopy to

ASSIGNMENT DROP BOXES and turnitin BEFORE 12 noon
on Friday, October 7th. Details and instructions on course
website.
Peer Evaluations due BEFORE 11:59 p.m. on Friday,
October 7th.
FALL READING WEEK NO CLASSES OCTOBER 11TH
OCTOBER 14TH
REMINDER: Your midterm is the week after you return, and the
deadline for your Individual Case is just over a week later. You
will need a few days for the Pearson tutor to provide you with
feedback so that you can properly revise your case and complete
the requirements for this assignment. USE YOUR READING
WEEK WISELY.

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Week 6 October 20th 26th

Lecture Topics:
Economic Factors Time Value of Money
Reference:
Lab Manual: Time Value of Money
Prepare for Lab #5:
Extra Investment Instrument Exercises Be sure to make your best
attempt at providing a solution to the extra problems that dont have
solutions provided. Bring your solutions to lab.
Print and review your New Venture proposal and be prepared to share and
critique it with other students in the lab.
Download a copy of the Team Contribution Plan template from the course
website. Review your peer evaluations and complete your Team
Contribution Plan. Meet as a group to discuss each others contribution
plans and give and receive feedback on team performance and areas of
improvement. Sign each others Team Contribution plans and submit
them to your TA at the start of lab. Upload a copy of your plan to turnitin
before Lab 5 (signatures not needed on this copy).
Valuable resource:
problems

Quizzes on Pearson website to practice investment

Midterm:
Sunday, October 23rd from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30
p.m.
Writing locations will be listed on course website.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27TH, 11:59 PM IS THE LAST CHANCE
TO SUBMIT YOUR CONSULTING CASE TO PEARSON TO BE
GUARANTEED THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR REVIEW BACK
ON TIME.

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Week 7 October 27th November 2nd

Lecture Topics:
Economic Factors Time Value of Money
Reference:
Lab Manual:
o Time Value of Money
Prepare for Lab #6:
Prepare: Solutions to Extra Time Value of Money Questions in Lab #6 of
the lab manual
Complete Lab 6 Quiz on Pearson
Valuable resource: Extra time value practice questions on the Pearson
website

Individual Case due in hardcopy to ASSIGNMENT DROP

BOXES and turnitin BEFORE 1 pm on November 3 rd. Details
and instructions posted on course website.
Watch your e-mail ON NOVEMBER 3 rd for consulting case
group assignment information. Group case presentations
are in labs during November 14th 16th.
BBA STUDENTS ONLY: Semifinal and final presentations
will take place on November 18th and 19th. Make sure you
are available for both days for the entire time indicated
if your group advances to semifinals you must attend the
finals to receive your bonus mark
.

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Week 8 November 3rd 9th

Lecture Topics:
Technology Factors
References:
Textbook: Chapter 2
Lab Manual: Technology readings
Prepare for Lab #7:
Read Creating and Delivering a Great Presentation in the lab manual
Complete Lab 7 Quiz on Pearson

Week 9 November 10th 16th

Lecture Topics:
Technology Factors
References:
Textbook: Chapter 2
Lab Manual: Technology readings
Prepare for Lab #8:
Group case presentations will be taking place during this lab.

Submit a hard copy of your executive summary to

ASSIGNMENT DROP BOXES and an electronic copy to
turnitin by noon on Sunday, November 13th.
Submit a copy of your presentation slides to turnitin by
noon on Sunday, November 13th.
Peer evaluations are due BEFORE 11:59 p.m. on Thursday,
November 17th
BBA STUDENTS ONLY: Semi-final and final presentations
will take place on November 18th (1 pm to 5 pm) and 19 th
(1 pm to 4:30 pm). Make sure you are available for both
days for the times indicated if your group advances to
semi-finals you must attend both the semis and finals to
receive your bonus mark.

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Week 10 November 17th 23rd

Lecture Topics:
Social Factors Demographics, Ethics, Stakeholders, Corporate Social
Responsibility
Reference:
Textbook:
Chapter 7
Lab Manual:
o Two Thirds of Everything
o Boomers and Other Cohorts
o Canadian Demographics Government Data
Prepare for Lab #9:
Prepare: Solutions to Extra Time Value of Money Practice Questions
Complete Time Value of Money Lab 9 Quiz on Pearson
Valuable resource: Extra time value practice questions on the Pearson
website

New Venture Final Report due in hard copy to

ASSIGNMENT DROP BOXES and turnitin BEFORE 12 noon
on Friday, November 25th. (Details and instructions on
course website).
Final Report Peer Evaluations due BEFORE 11:59 p.m. on
Friday, November 25th.
New Venture presentation slides must be submitted on
turnitin no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November
27th (Details and instructions on course website)
Week 11 November 24th November 30th
Lecture Topics:
Political Factors
Reference:
Textbook: Chapters 4 and 5
Prepare for Lab #10:
Prepare: New Venture Project Presentations as assigned
Complete Time Value of Money Lab 10 Quiz on Pearson

19

Week 12 December 1st December 7th

Lecture Topics:
Political Factors
Prepare for Lab #11:
Prepare: New Venture Project Presentations as assigned
Complete Investment Exercises Lab 11 Quiz on Pearson

Complete New Venture Presentation Peer Evaluations

BEFORE 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8th

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Additional Resources
Writing Centre has walk in writing assistance.
Supplemental Instruction (SI) This course is SI-supported.
Each week, your SI Learning Assistant will facilitate learning
groups where you will review the course content and prepare for
exams. SI does not replace lectures or labs; however, it
can significantly enhance your academic performance. For
more information, visit the website at www.wlu.ca/study.
PRISMRESOURCES
Students enrolled full time in the School of Business and
Economics are PRISMRESOURCES Members. PRISM offers
resources to our members, including exclusive access to
computer labs, unlimited training courses and much more. To
read about all of the benefits of being a PRISM member, please
visit www.prismresources.ca/benefits, or speak with a Customer
Service Representative at our Help Desk.
NOTE: Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Lauriers
Accessible Learning Centre for information regarding its services and resources.
Students are encouraged to review the University Undergraduate Calendar for
information regarding all services available on campus. If you are unsure what
resources are appropriate for you or require any assistance with any type of
academic
issues,
contact
the
Central
Academic
Advising
Office
at
http://www.wlu.ca/academicadvising.