Carl H.

Lindner College of Business

Department of Management

Course Syllabus - Fall 2022

MGMT 1051 - Essentials of Business (Business Foundations)

Prof. Instructor: Catalin Macarie Office Location: 3436 Lindner Hall

Email: macaricn@uc.edu Office Hours: By Appointment ONLY! (No “Starfish”)
Phone: 513.556.2608 PACE Leader: Please refer to your Individual Course info

Fast Track was a term coined in a 1976 Business Week article to describe an accelerated process of professional
development. The phrase now often appears within major corporations that rotate top, new hires through
different functions, while connecting new hires to insightful mentors and early learning experiences. The goal is
to help future leaders quickly build an understanding of the firm, its environment, and its varied units, before
diving into an area of specialty. The Lindner Fast Track plays the same role, ramping up freshmen to help make
the most of their UC opportunities and excel themselves toward identifying and achieving their career goals.

To serve this purpose, Essentials of Business builds the foundations for the learning objectives of the college
through our PACE platform. This course also is interdependent with your Business Pathways course. Together,
Essentials of Business and Business Pathways enable your integrative first-year experience. While Essentials of
Business emphasizes the managerial elements of business, Business Pathways focuses on developing your
professional skills through your own academic choices, strategic planning and personal development.

Course Learning Objectives: The two-semester Essentials of Business course aligns with PACE, the Lindner
College of Business platform for developing the total business professional persona.
P - Professionalism
• Begin practicing professional communications, learning to express ideas clearly, logically and persuasively in
both oral and written formats. In this course, you will have the opportunity to communicate with your
partner/sponsor organization. You will also be producing a SWOT analysis in both a formal written report and
an in-person public presentation. I expect you to use professional communications skills throughout.
• Develop and practice teamwork skills through group projects and exercises. To create your SWOT project,
you will work as a full section team. You will make use of professional teamwork skills to achieve your goal.
• Develop and practice professional habits - punctuality, preparation, respect. You are expected to show a
good, mature professional approach, attitude and habits at all times in the class.

A - Academics
• Develop foundational knowledge of all core business functions and their interactions within organizations.
For your project, you will focus on the organizational relationships, research and data organization.
• Begin applying functional and cross-functional knowledge to critically analyze business problems; for
example, applying techniques related to project management with a focus on a successful SWOT analysis.

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C - Character
• Learn and apply leadership techniques for project management (plan, brief, execute, debrief). In developing
the group project, you are expected to organize your work using good shared project management skills.
• Build an understanding and initial skills of managing diversity, including understanding cultural differences,
and challenges and opportunities of global business. In working on your SWOT Analysis plan, you will be
required to identify and make recommendations regarding different customer groups relevant to your
client. In thinking about reaching those customers, diversity and culture should be explicitly considered.
• Understand importance of ethics and social responsibility in business, academic and personal settings. You
will be required to conduct yourself at all times in ethical and socially responsible ways. In addition, you
should consider ethics and social responsibility when working on the project outcome for your sponsor
company/organization.

E - Engagement
• Build understanding of importance and practices of networking through interactions with business
professionals and guest speakers. Through your company representatives’ interactions, you will gain
engagement opportunities with your sponsor company/organization.
• Develop awareness and appreciation of involvement in social organizations, community service, and
professional group opportunities. This particular class does not explicitly contribute to this area of PACE.

Course Book (Course Text Materials)

Prof. Catalin Macarie, 1st Edition, ©2019, Essentials of Business / Business Foundations
ISBN: 9781524997755 - Kendall Hunt Publishing (a Great River Learning company)
NOTE: Same book & content resource will be used for both, fall & spring semesters

How do I get my text book?

This is a digital E-Book (WebCOM™ System), an online course resource and publication, very muck like a website.
To get access to its content, you MUST purchase it first and do so directly with the book publisher by using the
following Web link (URL):

https://he.kendallhunt.com/macarie
When prompted, follow the on-page instructions to begin your registration and purchasing process. Payment can
be made by using all major credit cards.

NOTE: At checkout you will be instructed to create a new account. As registration information and user data,
I strongly advise you to use your new UC email address (e.g. “your 6+2”@mail.uc.edu) and use the exact name
(first, last) as you are registered with and shown on UC registrar’s information. (Please do NOT make use of any
personal email address to register for your new WebCOM account, e.g. Gmail, Yahoo, etc.)

How do I register for and receive access to Kendall Hunt WebCOM™ system?
After completing your course text purchase you will receive an email from Kendall Hunt containing a unique,
personal 20-digit access code you will need to have in order to further enter it to register your purchase at

https://www.khpcontent.com ( continued on next page )

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This is the process you must follow to create your WebCOM™ account, which gives you access to the E-Book. To
enter your personal access code, please use the “FIRST TIME USER WITH ACCESS CODE” field, as shown below.

IMPORTANT: Access codes are personal and non-transferable!

You will not need your access code again after you create your account with your username and password.

Need help with WebCOM™?

To use WebCOM™ system, it is highly recommended that you use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for Windows
OS, or use Mozilla Firefox or Safari if you are a Mac OS user.

If you encounter any issues, contact WebCOM™ directly with the web support link available at the bottom of any
https://www.khpcontent.com website for assistance (see “Support” link at the bottom right set of links
of the Web page).

**** Check your spam folder if you do not receive an email from
Kendall Hunt with your access code after making your purchase. ****

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2022 Fall Semester Class Format, Structure and Delivery
LECTURES Class Hour Format:

Per your personal school/class schedule and calendar, all lecture classes will be held and delivered every
Monday, during your individually assigned class hour (8AM, 9:05AM, 10:10AM, 11:15AM, 12:20PM, 1:25PM.)

Due to the very different, complex and unusual circumstances we all have been facing this year, our college
together with UC Central have decided all lectures will be held and delivered as following:

• Lecture sessions and class will be held and delivered IN PERSON** (face-to-face). All students’ presence
is mandatory, attendance will be taken and recorded. If you miss any Lectures, it is your personal
responsibility to connect with your teammates and colleagues to find out about and catch up with all
course related presented information, as well as all performed activities.
**Due to any extenuating circumstances, UC policies may change, on which you will be notified prior.

• Lecture sessions and class will be held and delivered as SYNCHRONOUS (simultaneous), meaning ALL
students enrolled for their respective/specific lecture section are required and must be present on-line at
the time of the scheduled class, taking live, direct part, and contributing/participating on all activities at
the same time, together with the rest of the respective session's enrolled students.

• Lecture activities like Quizzes, current chapter content discussions and Learning Community (Team) class
tasks, actions and delivery will be taking place on Canvas (https://uc.instructure.com/courses/ - UC’s
Learning Management System you all are, or should be already familiar with.)

BREAKOUT SESSIONS (Team Project Time) Hour Format:

Breakout (BO) Sessions and classes are set and scheduled to run either on Wednesday or Friday (depending on
your own individual Learning Community enrollment and assigned section), at the exact time of the day as your
Monday lecture. The BO sessions are set specifically for your Learning Community (LC) to spend time working on
specifically assigned tasks, some related to the weekly chapter’s content or to work on this semester’s capstone
team project (Project Strategy – see details below, on Page 6.)

• BO sessions and class will be held and delivered IN PERSON (face-to-face). All students’ presence is
mandatory, as attendance will be taken and recorded. If you miss any BO sessions, it is your personal
responsibility to connect with your teammates and colleagues to find out about the performed activities
and the decided steps/actions and ask to be shared notes, information or takeaways.

• BO sessions and class will be administered and lead by your PACE Leaders (your LC’s Teacher Assistant.)

• During some of the BO sessions, the professor-instructor (myself) will be coming around each hour and
spend about 15 minutes with all of you, assessing the ongoing task progress, checking on the state of the
project and answering your questions about it, as well as to make any special announcements.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In case that, for any reasonable and excusable circumstances, you will have to miss any
lectures or BO sessions, in order to prevent any punitive actions, make sure you take all necessary proactive
measures so your grade will not get affected – please read and pay attention to the info and details on
Attendance, part of the Class/Course Participation & Personal Conduct Policies section below (pages 7-9.)

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Grading Information
Your course grades will be based on your performance on the following:

Course Content and Syllabus Acknowledgement 5 Points

Contributions & Active Participation (Team Project & BO Sessions) 100
Learning Preparation (Class Quizzes - 8 x 15 pts. each) 120
Individual Assignments (Homework - 2 x 25 pts. each) 50
UC Fall Career Fair Participation 5
Peer Reviews Submissions (2 x 10 pts. each) 20
Team Project (Public Presentation + Written Project Report) 200
Maximum Points (100%) 500 Total

Grading Scale:
87% (435-449) = B+
77% (385-399) = C+
93% (465 & above) = A 90% (450-464) = A-
83% (415-434) = B 80% (400-414) = B-
73% (365-384) = C 70% (350-364) = C-
67% (300-349) = D
Below 60% (300 or less) = F

Grading Procedure and Details:

1. All grades will be posted and be visible on Canvas under “Grades” section. You will be able to see both
the partial as well as cumulative scores as the quizzes/assignments will be graded one by one.

2. Your individual grades will not be discussed in the classroom before, after or during class time.
Questions regarding your individual results will be answered during office hours or at another time
prearranged with the instructor. Graded work may be appealed in WRITING ONLY within one week of the
grade posting/announcement.

3. Grades will NOT be curved during or at the end of the semester or in the computation of the final
grades. A student that earns 461 points will receive an A- grade. Missing a grade by “just 3 points” is still
missing a grade. The instructor will not award extra credit or extra points to boost a grade, unless you
have a very valid, solid argument or point. Make-ups will NOT be granted.

Late Assignments Policy:

Any/All Late Assignments are UNACCEPTABLE, unless pre-arranged with the Instructor (prior submission of
request for latency), OR if special cases occur (e.g. major medical issues, accidents, emergency situations, etc.)

NOTE: All quizzes and homework papers may be subject to oral questioning!

Course Personal Contribution, Involvement & Active Participation:

Active, involved and thoughtful continuous participation contributes to our class-learning environment. Related
efforts (e.g., discussions, exercises, cases, etc.) occur in class during lecture times as well as during all breakout
sessions. Valued individual and team contribution means much more than just simple attendance. I expect
personal active involvement with your team and work group, personal contributions, questions and dialogue that
will enhance your collaborative learning. Further, your communication and professionalism skills are vital.

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This analogy may clarify: You are expected to show up to work every day. However, merely showing up without
involvement, participation, without visible, recorded and demonstrated personal contributions, DOES NOT and
WILL NOT constitute an acceptable level of work, let alone good performance. You depend on your team, your
team depends on you. The same is true of this course and of college in general. Only you can enable your
learning. If you leave your class thinking that was less than you had hoped, consider how you could make it
better, a more satisfying, valued experience. Then work with your professor, your PACE Leader with your
Learning Community - your team for this entire year - in order to improve the learning experience.

Learning Preparation:
• Course Quizzes: They will occur at the beginning of every class. The time assigned for each quiz is 7 minutes
total. Since they occur at the start of class, if you come late you will not receive extra time to complete or
lose the opportunity to take your quiz altogether. There will be no make up for missed quizzes unless
exceptional situations occur (valid reasons, proof of excuse or explanations are required.)

Individual Assignments:
• Homework, Papers, Reports: Article reviews, exercises, personal assessments & writing assignments,
reflection essays, as well as your Project Management documents: Plan, Brief, Execute and Debrief.

Team Project (Project Strategy): You will study your partner organization directly and in depth. Your company
liaison will meet with your team early in the semester. It is then your team’s responsibility to schedule a second
liaison visit or a tour of the organization. Plan this additional interaction so that it meets the needs/fills critical
gaps of your project. Use this interaction to conduct additional exploratory & informational research.

Fall Semester “Project Strategy” (SWOT Analysis)

Objective:
This project explores strategic management in practice. Through planning efforts, managers analyze internal
capabilities and the external environment to determine means of achieving and sustaining competitive
advantage. In sum, they seek to develop an organizational capability(ies) distinct from those of its rivals, fitting its
environment and valued by its customers.

Outcomes:
Project results will include a Public Presentation and a final Written Report (graded at 100 points each).
1. The Public Presentation to your leadership representatives of your company should be 10-12 minutes max.

2. I recommend the Written Report should be about 20 pages double-spaced (excluding references, figures,
tables, appendices). Below is a broad framework, to guide your efforts. You are expected to analyze and
expand on those areas your team deems are most critical for your partner firm/company/organization.

Report Section 1: Introduction/Overview (approximately 1-2 pages)

• Organizational Profile - history, size, primary products/services/customers
• Mission/Vision Statements - firm’s stated purpose, values and emphasis
• Research Methods - how you gathered your data/information (general references)

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Report Section 2: SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

Internal Environment (identify Strengths and Weaknesses - 5-7 pages)

• What is this firm particularly good at? What are its potential sources of competitive advantage?
• Does it have certain competencies (skills, knowledge, products, services) that are exceptional or unique
within its industry?
• What do managers (and/or your team) recognize as the firm’s potential limitations or constraints?
External Environment (identify Opportunities and Threats - 5-7 pages)
• Broad/General Environment: what significant forces or trends does the firm face in different sectors of its
macro environment (political/legal, socio-cultural, demographic, economic, global, technological
sectors)?
• Task/Operating Environment: what pressures does the firm face in its industry and/or the vital market
segment(s) in which it competes (rivals, substitutes, suppliers, customers)?
Report Section 3: Strategic Recommendations (primary focus/competitive priorities - 2-3 pages)
• After SWOT analysis, what do you propose should be the firm’s primary strategic focus? Why?
• How would these strategic priorities help build/sustain the firm’s competitive advantage?
Report Section 4: References & Research Information (1-2 pages)
• Research & information sources/resources - where did you gathered your data/information
• Footnotes & other helpful info regarding sources used to generate the content for the project

Recommended Online Resources & Reference List:

• UC Business Libraries (www.libraries.uc.edu)*
• Course Resources Module and Repository (“Project Files”)
• Canvas Libraries & OneStop sections (use your BB login to access both)
• The World Wide Web (if needed, use your Web savvy capabilities to augment your research)

* The most important and most complete library available to all UC students (research data & full articles)

Class/Course Participation & Personal Conduct Policies

• Your active learning is critical. Attendance will be recorded as well as late arrivals or early departures. Be
resourceful and network with other classmates to obtain materials you miss.
• Be Professional! - Plan ahead to avoid last minute glitches (like faulty printers) and to avoid receiving a zero
on any late or missed assignment. Cell phones cause disruptions and reduce the ability of you and others to
fully Engage. Start good habits of a personal “no cell in class” policy.
• Electronics can be tools OR distractions (sometimes, the Instructor may prevent the use of electronics during
lecture altogether.) As general rule, please pay attention, don't distract yourself and/or those around you.
• This course is your responsibility. Any changes to the schedule or syllabus will be announced in advance, so
be sure to check the course Canvas site for updates and the most current information.

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Assignments & Communication:
• All assignments and case studies are to be submitted using the Assignment Manager and should have the
appropriate assignment in the file name. Use the following format: MGMT 1051 (Assignment Name) “Your
username” which would look like this as a Word document - e.g. MGMT 1051 (Assn Name) doejohn.doc.
• All e-mail communication to me must include Your Full Name, PACE Leader, Company & LC/Section #.
I have hundreds of students divided into tens of sections. There is no easy, fast way for me to find who you
are and where do you belong (team, LC, Section). Help me, so I can help you back.
• Make a habit of copying yourself on assignments/communications you send to me via e-mail. If you receive
your own e-mail message, it's a good bet that I did also. If you save this e-mail, you then have a backup copy
to send to me in the event I didn't receive it.
• I intend to broadcast electronically all my announcements and posts, but I also strongly encourage you to
regularly check the Announcements section of this Course site for updates, in case that any of the email
communication gets lost, blocked or misdirected.
• MANDATORY REQUIREMENT: You must use your UC e-mail and only your UC e-mail account (UC’s Web
Exchange or your Course Canvas Inbox Tool) when communicating with the instructor for this course!
Again, when sending email messages, you MUST INCLUDE as reference your Full Name, LC/Section #, PACE
Leader Name and/or Company.
• The Professor WILL NOT be able to accurately record your work if these directions are not followed. This may
result in lost or misplaced student work. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO SEE THAT ALL WORK
IS SUBMITTED ON TIME AND IN THE APPROPRIATE FORMAT.
Professionalism:
Professionalism is vital to our college-learning environment and to your future career. Developing your own
professional foundations is the basis of your Business Pathways course, but demonstrating professionalism will
span all interactions. In the classroom, professionalism means being engaged - actively listening to whoever is
speaking and contributing thoughtful insights and/or questions to the discussion. For example, when your Fast
Track liaisons visit, you are expected to dress in business casual attire and to conduct yourself in a professional
manner: being prepared, punctual and respectful. Respect is central to professionalism; respect for your fellow
classmates, guests, the instructor and your peer leader. Keep distractions to a minimum during class. Please turn
off cell phones, pagers, and other devices that may cause distractions, and avoid unnecessary conversation.
Academic Integrity:
As with all LCB activities, this course will uphold the college’s high ethical standards critical to building character.
Our Values Statement specifies: “All College of Business interactions will be characterized by mutual respect
and integrity, and driven by a shared desire for excellence.” Any violation, including academic misconduct (e.g.,
cheating, plagiarism), will be subject to the college review process, and could result in dismissal from the
program. For details, see the UC Code of Conduct (http://www.uc.edu/conduct/Code_of_Conduct.html).
Attendance:
It is strongly recommended that regular attendance IS followed. For borderline situations, attendance will
become a factor in determining the final course grade. Please contact your Instructor in advance, with a written
email notification if you find it necessary to be absent from a scheduled class.
Final, Important Course Notes:
• All reading assignments are to be completed prior to the class for which they are assigned. Class discussion
problems (when assigned) are to be ready at the beginning of the class assigned. All assignments must be
submitted as scheduled unless excused by your instructor before class. The penalty for late papers is listed
above.

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• In order to receive all/full points on your Active Participation part (100 points/20% of your grade), you are
expected to be an active, involved, direct participant in class, provide continuous personal contributions
during lecture time activities, during Project Strategy time, as well as during your Learning Community's
Breakout Sessions (Wed/Fri.) Meaningful input, questions, answers and comments are expected.
• Your final Class Participation score and grade will reflect and will be based on your intent and your visible,
noticeable, recorded and proven effort and effectiveness of your collaboration and interaction with your
teammates, with your PACE Leader and your instructor, as well as on your direct and active involvement
and class participation, on your general comments and course related questions, as well as your personal
contributions to the course related activities in general, plus clear evidence of advanced preparation for
class, and the thorough reading of the course materials used for lectures and for the class/team project.
• Students are expected to submit assignments without grammar and/or spelling errors. For every set of two
spelling and/or grammar errors, there will be a one-letter grade penalty.
• All assignments must be completed for students to receive a passing grade.
• IMPORTANT: Duties related to your employment or business does NOT provide an acceptable excuse for
class absences or late homework assignments or projects.
• The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus to improve the materials, class elements, and
activities. Class members will be notified in advance of any such changes.
Academic Conduct: 

Students are expected to uphold University of Cincinnati’s standard of conduct relating to academic honesty.
Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The guiding
principle of academic integrity shall be that a student's submitted work, examinations, reports, and projects must
be that of the student's own or their team’s work.

Students shall be guilty of violating the honor code if they:

1. Represent the work of others as their own.

2. Use or obtain unauthorized assistance in any academic work.
3. Give unauthorized assistance to other students.
4. Modify, without instructor approval, an examination, paper, record, or report for the purpose of
obtaining additional credit.
5. Misrepresent the content of submitted work.

The penalty for violating the honor code is severe. Any student violating the honor code is subject to receive a
failing grade for the course and will be reported to the Dean of Students Office. All academic programs at the
Lindner College of Business will apply a “Two Strikes Policy” regarding Academic Integrity. Any student who has
been found responsible for two cases of academic misconduct may be dismissed completely from the College.

The work you will do in this course is subject to UC’s Student Academic Integrity & Conduct Code
(http://www.uc.edu/conduct/Code_of_Conduct.html).

The “Two Strikes Policy” supplements the UC Student Code of Conduct above. All University academic honesty
policies will be followed in this course.

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UC Uptown Campus Student Help Services & Information
Counseling Services: 

Students have access to counseling and mental health care through the University Health Services (UHS), which
can provide both psychotherapy and psychiatric services. In addition, Counseling and Psychological Services
(CAPS) can provide professional counseling upon request; students may receive five free counseling sessions
through CAPS without insurance.

Students are encouraged to seek assistance for anxiety, depression, trauma/assault, adjustment to college life,
interpersonal/relational difficulty, sexuality, family conflict, grief and loss, disordered eating and body image,
alcohol and substance abuse, anger management, identity development and issues related to diversity, concerns
associated with sexual orientation and spirituality concerns, as well as any other issue of concerns.

After hours, students may call UHS at 513-556-2564 or CAPS Cares at 513-556-0648. For urgent physician
consultation after-hours, students may call 513-584-7777.

Title IX: 

Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of your actual or perceived sex,
gender, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Title IX also covers sexual violence, dating or
domestic violence, and stalking. If you disclose a Title IX issue to me (the instructor), I am required forward that
information to the Title IX Office.

They will follow up with you about how the University can take steps to address the impact on you and the
community and make you aware of your rights and resources. Their priority is to make sure you are safe and
successful here. You are not required to talk with the Title IX Office.

If you would like to make a report of sex or gender-based discrimination, harassment or violence, or if you would
like to know more about your rights and resources on campus, you can consult the website
http://www.uc.edu/titleix or contact the office at 556-3349.

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