BUS106 - Business - It's Nature and Environment

Outline information
Semester
Schools offering this subject
Last revision date 2023-05-29 00:14:49.067
Last review date 2023-07-31 00:15:03.748

Subject Title
Business - It's Nature and Environment

Subject Description
This subject is designed to provide first semester students with an introduction to the Canadian business environment, business issues and functions, and the major forces at work in the global economy.  It provides students with a perspective of business firms as integrated organizations composed of a number of specialized functions.  The subject provides the students an opportunity to develop transferable skills for college and business life.

Credit Status
One Credit.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

  1. Discuss current trends and challenges in Canadian business today, including their impact on the various business environments.
  2. Describe four forms of business ownership and demonstrate the appropriate application for each form.
  3. Identify and explain the basic elements of a business plan.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of entrepreneurs, and be able to explain the three alternative strategies for becoming a business owner.
  5. Summarize the basic management functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling, as well as basic management skills such as technical, human relations, conceptual, time management and decision-making skills.
  6. Describe the importance of trade for Canadian business and the opportunities and challenges of conducting business in the global economy.
  7. Discuss ethical issues and social responsibility, and how they affect the major business stakeholders; employees, customers, investors, the community and environment.
  8. Explain operations management in the delivery of goods and services, including issues of productivity and quality control.
  9. Summarize the Canadian banking and securities industry, including the functions of the Bank of Canada, and how it controls Canada's money supply.
  10. Identify key issues in financial management including the difference between short and long-term financing, the importance of risk management, how it affects business operations, and the various options for managing risk.

Essential Employability Skills
  1. Communication:  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.
  2. Personal:  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects, take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.