Course Syllabus

BUSI 1301 CW02– Business Principles

Midland College – Core Curriculum Course (BAS-OM) Fall 2026

Instructor Name: Dr. Nicole Pizzi

Email Address: npizzi@midland.edu

Office Hours: M/W 11am-3pm, F 9am-11am, Or by appointment via Teams

Office Location: TC-158                                                                            

Phone: (432) 685-4658                                   

Class Time & Location: Online Canvas.

Required Materials:

Gitman, Lawrence J., Carl McDaniel, Amit Shah, et al. (2018). Introduction to Business.

Houston, TX: OpenStax. ISBN: 978-1-947172-55-5.

This textbook is an Open Educational Resource (OER) and is available to the student at no cost.

Student Learning Outcomes and Core Competencies: The following competencies will be introduced, developed, and applied throughout the semester:

1. The student will develop a clear understanding and be able to discuss the concepts of supply and demand;

2. Basic business definitions of business, economics, marketing, et al. will be developed;
3. The students will learn the basic concepts of managerial/leadership theories and understand how each "style" affects employees;

4. The students will understand the areas of business that must be managed well for a business to survive and grow;

5. In the area of product creation, students will learn and understand the basic principles of products and services in business;

6. Students will understand the principal issues concerning business finance and accounting;
7. Students will understand and be able to explain the importance of information technology and its impact in business situations.

This is a Required Course in the AAS in Business Management program at Midland College. As such, students will develop proficiency in the appropriate Intellectual Competencies, Exemplary

Educational Objectives, and Perspectives.

1. Critical Thinking Skills: To include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis,

evaluation and synthesis of information.

2. Communication Skills: To include effective development, interpretation and expression

of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.

3. Personal Responsibility: To include the ability to connect choices, actions and

consequences to ethical decision-making.

4. Social Responsibility: To include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic

responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global

communities

Course Requirements: The final grade will be determined as follows -

Midterm Exam 100 points

Final Exam 100 points

Weekly Quizzes 100 points

Weekly Discussions 700 points

Research Paper 100 points

Professional Paper 100 points

Total 1200 points

Course grading will be as follows: A=90 and above; B= 89-80; C=79-70; D=69-60 points; F=less than 60.

Course Delivery Format:  This is an introductory-level course consisting of lectures, readings, and written individual assignments. Depending on modality, lectures may be available in an asynchronous, online format.

Weekly Discussions: There will be weekly discussion question posted on Canvas. Except for Week 1 (Introductions), students are expected to respond to the question, and respond to your classmates’ responses for full credit that week.

Midterm/Final Exam: There will be a midterm and final exam in this course consisting of a multiple-choice portion. The exam will assess student knowledge regarding the course content. Exams are independent student assignments and will be taken in class.

Research Paper & Professional Paper: Students will complete two papers that focuses on general business principles.

Course expectations and policies:

Grading timelines - In most cases, students should expect to receive feedback and grades for assignments and assessments within 7 days of the submission due date.

Student Contributions, Responsibilities and Class Policies: 

• Involvement with the material is essential – students must read, take notes and ask questions.
• Students must attend class regularly and/or check Canvas regularly.
• Students must come to class prepared and be on time and/or prepare for on-line assignments in a timely manner.
• Students are expected to be able to read, write and understand standard English: the course is based on extensive amounts of material given in lecture and/or notes, audio visual aids, and assigned readings.
• A schedule of class events will be given to each student at the beginning of the semester. Additionally, information will be posted on Canvas. It is the student’s responsibility to know exam dates and when assignments are due.
• It is also the responsibility of the student to know their progress in the course—please do not be bashful about reaching out to your instructors.
• If a student is absent when exams are given or assignments are given or due, the student is still responsible for having the work done on time or making up the exam, at the discretion of the instructor.
• If the student takes the initiative the instructor will advise them on their progress in the course.
• Instructors cannot drop students with a “W”, this must be accomplished officially by the student.
• Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Services. It is the student’s responsibility to register with the Office of Student Services when requesting accommodation.
• Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally and courteously in the classroom and/or the on-line environment.
• Students are expected to have academic integrity and to adhere to the guidelines in the Midland College Student Handbook.

 Syllabus/Course Communication: Students will be informed if there will be any substantive occurrences that will produce changes to the course syllabus.

 The instructor reserves the right to reasonably modify the syllabus as circumstances require. Continuation in the course is an acceptance of the terms of this syllabus. Please contact the instructor if anything in this syllabus is unclear.  Please practice professionalism in your email communication. 

Extra Credit/Grades: Please do not ask for extra credit in the course – quite simply, we do not have time! Additionally, please do not ask to receive a particular grade for the course.  These practices go against the fairness towards other students.  These emails will simply be deleted. 

 Late Assignments/Make-ups: Late assignments are not accepted in the course. Only documented emergencies will have the opportunity to make up exams and the instructor reserves the right to determine if a makeup is warranted. There will be no makeups for in-class writing assignments and course participation – no exceptions. The instructor reserves the right to alter the questions on the makeup assignment or exam.

Reading Assignments and Discussion Topics:  Be prepared to read every week.  The course requires self-discipline and motivation—students will digest the reading material better if they follow this reading schedule rather than “cram” before an assignment is due!

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Refer to Midland College’s Scholastic Dishonesty and Academic 

Misconduct policy: https://www.midland.edu/about/public-info/scholastic-dishonesty.php    Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI): Grammarly, ChatGPT, and other similar technologies are advancing rapidly and there are many instances where they will be key tools in your schoolwork and career. For the purposes of this class, the instructor requests all students to pledge that they will not use these technologies. The instructor believes this is key for this learning environment because he wants you to learn how to critically engage with the material, including learning how to search for and identify relevant sources, synthesize these materials, and make recommendations without the aid of technology. Generative AI cannot do this learning for you. Students who are found to have used Generative AI or the like to complete their assignments will receive a grade of zero for that assignment.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement:

Midland College provides services for students with disabilities through Student Services. In order to receive accommodations, students must visit www.midland.edu/accommodation and complete the Application for Accommodation Services located under the Apply for Accommodations tab. Services or accommodations are not automatic, each student must apply and be approved to receive them. All documentation submitted will be reviewed and a “Notice of Accommodations” letter will be sent to instructors outlining any reasonable accommodations.

 Important FERPA Reminder: Per the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), college personnel are not allowed to release students’ personal information to anyone, including other students.

DISABILITY SUPPORT SERVICES: Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements to meet course requirements should contact disabilities support services as soon as possible at:  https://www.midland.edu/servicesresources/accommodation-services.php 

Conditions may include documented physical or educational disabilities. Please be aware that services or accommodations are not automatic. Each student must request them and secure the proper authorizations/documentation. Accessibility Links can be found on the Pages tab in Canvas. 

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT: Midland College does not discriminate on the

basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs and activities. For information and inquiries regarding Midland College’s non-discrimination policies, go to: https://www.midland.edu/about/tix/index.php

For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit the ED.gov Office of Civil Rights website, or call 1 (800) 421-3481.

 

Division Information: Business and Information Technology Division

Division Dean: Dr. Son Mai                                                                                   

Location TC150 - Phone: (432) 685-4611

Department Chair: Dr. Amme Blumenauer   

Location: 158 TC – Phone: (432) 685-4684    

Division Secretary:  Ms. Beronica Villegas                                     

Location:152 TC – Phone: (432) 685-6830