Course Code: BUS 481

Course Title: Business Internship

Semester Spring 2020
Section and Campus A, B, C-Main
Number of NDU 1 credit
Credits:
Pre-Requisite(s) Senior Standing

Dr Atef H. Harb
Associate Professor
Faculty of Business Administration & Economics
Department of Management and Marketing
Office hours: T and W 8-9
Office number: B341 (FBAE 1.06)
Class time, section, and Room number: MWF 12:00-1:00 or TTH 12:30-1:30.
Email: aharb@ndu.edu.lb
Telephone Number: Ext. 2454. Tel: 09/208308

Course Description
This course provides students with an opportunity to balance their classroom
experience with work experience. Thus, it provides students with practical
application of theories presented at the university and a chance to participate in an
on-the-job training and experience. Interns will have the opportunity to acquire job
related skills by working under the direction and supervision of an experienced
practitioner; the course will permit them to gain hands on knowledge about their
field of interest, and the opportunity to improve their communications skills, and
gain confidence and experience in a work setting.

Course Learning Objectives

After completing this module, students should be able to:
1. Integrate the link between theoretical concepts taught at the university and
their application in the business world.
2. Experience the work environments and organizational cultures and develop an
awareness of organizational behavior and management skills.
3. Participate effectively in solving on the job problems and devising creative
solutions.
4. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical and professional standards for behavior.
5. Demonstrate the ability to interact and communicate with other professionals
at varying levels (i.e. fellow workers, supervisors).
6. Prepare a written report and present orally the output of their internship
experience.

Program Learning Goals and Objectives

The following program learning goals and objectives are addressed in this
course:
LG1. Business Knowledge: Our Graduates will have comprehensive disciplines
knowledge in business.
Objective 1.1 Students should be able to demonstrate the understanding of core
business knowledge in accounting, economics, finance, management and
marketing.

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LG3. Communication: Our graduates will be effective communicators.
Objective 3.1 Students should be able to prepare clear and concise written
reports using the appropriate style and structure.
Objective 3.2 Students should be able to deliver effective oral presentation well-
focused and rigorously delivered.

LG4. Ethics and social implications: Our graduates will have a sound
recognition of the ethical and social impacts of business practice.
Objective 4.1 Students should be able to identify ethical issues in business
practice.

☒PLO 1.1: Business Knowledge

☐PLO 2.1: Critical Thinking
☒PLO 3.1: Written Communication
☒PLO 3.2: Oral Communication
☒PLO 4.1: Ethics
☐PLO 4.2: Social Implications
☐PLO 5.1: Teamwork

Course learning materials

Supplementary Readings
Students are encouraged to read the following:.
- http://jobsearch.about.com/
- http://www.careers.govt.nz/
- http://www.careeronestop.org/

Library Support
NDU Library is open to students to help you in all your research and class work.
Qualified personnel are available to help you.

Writing Center
The Writing Center provides assistance to all students who wish to discuss their
writing with a trained consultant. An appointment is required.

Blackboard (bb) Software

If you are not familiar with the Blackboard system, it is recommended to attend a
training session at the University Computer Services in order to know how to use the
Blackboard system to enrich the academic communication with your instructor and
your colleagues.

Learning strategies and contents of the course

The Lectures are divided as follows:
- Three times meeting in which the outline and the report are discussed in
detail,
- Regular meeting with students upon needs to review and evaluate
students’ work and pinpoint their mistakes.
- Presentation sessions where students’ experiences and interpersonal skills
are evaluated by the internship instructor.

Assessment criteria and grading scheme

The assessment will call upon students to demonstrate:

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 - Capacity to write a detailed CV, thank you letter, cover letter and a report.
- Senior level on conducting presentations
- Active integration in the professional world.

Assessments include the following items

 Updated Curriculum vita, cover letter, and Thank you letter: 10%
 Supervisor’s Evaluation: 10%
 Internship Experience relevance to Student’s major: 10%
 Report: 25%
 Presentation: 25%
 Sessions Attendance: 5%
 In House Exit Exam: 15%
Students registered in the course will be given one academic year to present their
reports.
Gra Description Quality Point Percentage
de Value Equivalent
A+ Outstanding 4.00 97-100
A Excellent 4.00 93 - 96
A- Very Good 3.70 89 - 92
B+ Good 3.30 85 - 88
B Good 3.00 80 - 84
B- Good 2.70 77 - 79
C+ Satisfactory 2.30 73 - 76
C Satisfactory 2.00 70 - 72
C- Passing 1.70 66 - 69
D+ Passing 1.30 63 - 65
D Lowest Passing 1.00 60 - 62
F Failure 0.00 00 – 59
UW Unofficial 0.00
Withdrawal

The grade “UW” is assigned by the instructor when a registered student has never
attended a class or has ceased attending and has not submitted an official course
withdrawal request to the Office of the Registrar. This grade is computed as an F
grade in the grade-point average.

*****Reports (USB) should be submitted to the

instructor on April 28 and all presentations
will be held on May 5, 2020. *****

Required Documents
Required Documents from Company are:

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 - Acceptance letter: The student should provide an acceptance letter signed
and sealed by the company.
- CV: A professional CV should be handed to the company when applying for
the internship.
- Cover letter: At the beginning of the internship, the student must write a
cover letter and send it to the company joined to a CV. A copy of this letter
should be handed to the instructor.
- Appraisal Form evaluation: After the end of the internship the supervisor
should provide the internship performance evaluation form and significant
performance incidents reports.
- Validated Attendance Attestation sheet record: It should clearly state that the
intern has accomplished the required hours of training
The appraisal evaluation and the attendance sheet should be filled and signed
by the direct supervisor with company seal and returned to the instructor in a
sealed envelope. It is the responsibility of the student to provide the forms
with the report.
- Thank you letter: At the end of the internship, the student must send the
company a signed thank you letter with a copy to me.
- Attitude and conduct during internship: Your attitude and behaviour during
your internship is of utmost importance, as you will be representing yourself
as well as the university, thus; you should consider yourself a full time
employee at the company, required to abide by its rules, namely: punctuality,
dress code, professionalism, chain of command, and professional
performance. You are expected to perform instructions received from
supervisors without comments or complaints.
- Report outline: Student report should be written according to the outline
provided in the guidelines document. You will have to submit a hard copy and
a soft copy (on the safe assignment) of the report. The report will be checked
for plagiarism. Any attempt for plagiarism will be penalized F on the course.
The report must be 15 pages long: (1 cover-page, 1 outline page, 12 body
paper pages, 1 reference);
Time New Roman 12, spacing 1.5, 1” top and bottom margins.
- Each student will have 7 minutes to complete his/her presentation and 3
minutes to answer instructor’s questions. Formal dressing is a must.

Report
The final report should consist of the following four sections (not limited to):
- Description of the host institution: background of the company, types of
products, customers, SWOT analysis, competitor analysis, organizational chart
- Description of tasks performed on the job (Job title, job summary, working
conditions, job relationships, specific duties and responsibilities)
- Output of the internship experience and course relevance: Skills learned;
Growth and knowledge learned
- Personal assessment of job performance (reflection on what you have learned,
challenges faced, possible impact of the experience on your academic and
professional career)

In-House Exit Exam

Students need to do an exit exam on Blackboard covering five areas: Management
(MGT 201), Accounting (ACO 201), Finance (BAF 311), Marketing (MRK 201), and
Economics (ECN 211 and ECN 212). It is made of 25 multiple choice questions; 5

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questions per each area divided into 3 Easy Level and 2 Medium. The duration is 30
minutes.

Disclaimer
This document represents my current plans for the course at the time of writing, but
is subject to change before or during the course and at my discretion as
circumstances dictate. Any changes will be communicated promptly and clearly to
the students. Students absent when announcements are made are responsible for
obtaining this information as well as lecture content.

Final Note
Students should keep this syllabus accessible at all times. It should be read at least
twice at the beginning of the semester. It should be referred to when necessary. You
are responsible for its content along with the rules and regulations in the University
catalog and handbook and any verbal guidelines given in class.

Writing across the Curriculum:

NDU considers that knowledge of a subject is both oral and written. Mastering the
knowledge of a certain course means acquiring the ability to write on subjects
related to that subject matter. Writing a research/term paper requires the
appropriate command of language skills, proper terminology, and correct use of
quotations, footnotes, and references, regardless of the course and topic.

Office Hours

I will be at my office during my office hours and can see students outside my office
hours by appointment. My office is the best place for you to leave messages. If you
are having trouble reaching me, you are kindly required to send me an email
mentioning your request in details.

I encourage you to come to see me during office hours if you are having difficulty
with class material or if you would like to discuss an issue of interest to you. I can
help most if you come with the questions well in advance of exams. If you need to
reach me at a time outside of office hours, you should call in advance to schedule an
appointment.

If you miss a class session, you are required to ask your colleagues about the missed
session and the materials discussed in class. In addition, if you miss a class session,
you cannot pass by my office to ask me to re-explain the materials already missed.
However, I encourage you to read the materials by your own and get the help of a
colleague in your class. Then if you have any question, you are most welcome to pass
by my office and I will answer all your questions. At the end, you will be fully
responsible over any materials discussed, any problem solved and any homework or
assignment given during your absence.

Corporate connections
The internship in done in private companies, it makes students:
- Develop work competencies for a specific profession or occupation;

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 - Explore career options, and gain general work experience.
The Internship office at NDU is constantly working to ensure our students receive
fruitful internship experiences that match their chosen majors.
Students are asked to contact the internship office at NDU to check companies’
internship offers.

International dimensions
In their internship, students are expected to analyse worldwide macro factors on
company’s performance.

Social aspects (Learning to work together)

By interaction with professionals, students:
- Gain self-understanding, self-confidence, and interpersonal skills;
- Learn how to be a team player

Contribution of research
Students will write a professional business report.

Important class rules and academic misconduct

Hard work is required; while understanding that we all are busy with school, work,
and family, your decision to register for this course is an indication that you have
made it a high priority. Thus, extensions of assignment due dates are given only in
extreme situations (death of a close family member, hospitalization, etc.) and require
documentation on your part. Otherwise, due dates are fixed and non-negotiable. All
assignments should be submitted on or before the assigned due date. If the
homework is emailed, it must be received before the start of the class in which it is
due. Assignments past the due date will not be accepted. Unexcused assignments
submitted after the due date will not be accepted.

Student should attend all classes on time. Late comers are not allowed. A pattern of
absences, whether authorized or not, and even below the maximum number
(specified below), may alter one's grade substantially. No absence absolves a
student from the responsibility of acting upon the material presented during his/her
absence.

Students should attend and leave the class on time. If the instructor doesn’t show up
in the first 10 minutes, they can leave the class. I certainly consider attendance and
participation if a student is in serious trouble. In other words, if you are failing the
course and have not been attending, I don’t see why I need to be sympathetic. The
reverse is true: if you are doing poorly and have attended every class, I will give you
as much benefit as I can while still being fair to those who scored higher than you.
Active class participation is encouraged and will reflect a portion of your grade.
Participation includes in-class discussion, in-class activities, and being prepared to
answer questions in class. If you don’t volunteer regularly to answer questions in
class, I may begin to call you directly. Class participation points will be awarded for
the frequency and quality of discussion and professionalism of your conduct
(respecting all classmates and their contributions, and refraining from conduct that
is distracting).

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These actions are necessary. Mobile phones should be turned off and out of sight
(i.e. not face-up on the desk but preferably inside purses, backpacks, briefcases, etc.
or face down on the desk). Phones may not be answered. Students must attend class
with the required material (i.e. original textbook, financial calculator, notebook,
pens, etc.). Students must come on time. Once in class, students are expected to
remain in class for the entire period. English must be the only language spoken in
class at all times. Students must check their NDU email daily as this is the means
used to communicate. Students will receive notice via NDU email when
announcements are posted on the course's Blackboard.

CELL PHONE CALLS, SMS, CHATTING, LATE ARRIVALS & STEPPING OUT
OF CLASS:

These occurrences are inappropriate. Do not use your mobiles in class. Do not allow
your cell phone to ring during class. Do not arrive late for class. Do not step out of
class while class is in session. Your classmates and professor would be distracted if
these interruptions occur.

Moreover, Notre Dame University – Louaize is committed to a policy of honesty in all

its operations, especially those pertaining to academic matters. Academic and/or
disciplinary penalties for misconduct in academic affairs are implemented according
to the policies and guidelines of NDU. It is the student's obligation to be aware of
his/her responsibilities. The following are extracts of NDU’s policies regarding
academic integrity:

Students are expected and encouraged to be honest and to maintain the highest
standards of academic integrity in their academic work and assignments at the
University. They shall refrain from any academic dishonesty or misconduct including
but not limited to:

 Plagiarism; that is, the presentation of someone else‘s ideas, words or artistic,
scientific, or technical work as one‘s own creation. Also, paraphrasing, summarizing,
as well as well as direct quotations are considered as plagiarism, if the original
source is not properly cited.
 Cheating.
 Assisting in cheating.
 Substituting a student in the taking of an examination.
 Substituting examination booklets.
 Submitting the same work for more than one course and the like.
 Submitting papers written by others.
 Receiving or providing unauthorized help or assistance in any academic work or
assignment.
 Intentional violation of program and degree requirements and regulation as
established by the University.
 Dishonest reporting of computational, statistical, experimental, research, results,
or the like.

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