Students registering in grouped study mode are advised that there may be some differences in the evaluation and course materials information indicated below. To obtain the most up-to-date information, contact the Faculty of Business Student Support Centre at 1-800-468-6531.
Overview
ADMN 201 introduces students to the fundamental business topics (or functions) that comprise the typical majors found in business studies at universities around the world, including accounting, finance, management, and marketing. ADMN 201 also covers a variety of business-related topics, including the business environments (economic, cultural, political, and legal, all from an international perspective), ethics and social responsibility, business types, and entrepreneurship. ADMN 201 introduces students not only to business ideas and concepts, but also to the terms and concepts that are important for understanding modern business. Understanding these business terms will lay the groundwork for taking more in-depth business courses and for discussing business and management ideas in the workplace.
Outline
Part 1: Introducing the Contemporary Business World
Lesson 1: Understanding the Canadian Business System
Lesson 2: The Environment of Business
Lesson 3: Conducting Business Ethically and Responsibly
Lesson 4: Entrepreneurship, Small Business, and New Venture Creation
Lesson 5: The Global Context of Business
Part 2: The Business of Managing
Lesson 6: Managing the Business Enterprise
Lesson 7: Organizing the Business Enterprise
Lesson 8: Managing Human Resources and Labour Relations
Lesson 9: Motivating, Satisfying, and Leading Employees
Part 3: Managing Operations and Information
Lesson 10: Operations Management, Productivity, and Quality
Lesson 11: Understanding Accounting
Part 4: Principles of Marketing
Lesson 12: Understanding Marketing Principles and Developing Products
Lesson 13: Pricing, Promoting, and Distributing Products
Part 5: Managing Financial Issues
Lesson 14: Money and Banking
Lesson 15: Financial Decisions and Risk Management
Learning outcomes
After completion of this course, students should be able to
define what a business is and explain its economic and societal roles.
explore international trade and the global business environment.
identify the ways that ethics and social responsibility shape the behaviour of businesses.
describe the contributions small businesses and entrepreneurs make to the Canadian economy.
discuss the four primary business functions: accounting, finance, management, and marketing.
explain the four basic areas of management: strategic planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.
discuss the roles that employees have in business, and explain how to motivate employees.
discuss the supply chain and production of goods.
define marketing and outline its role for creating exchanges between businesses and their customers.
explain the need for and use of financial information created by the accounting function.
describe the importance of financial tools such as money, banking, and investments.
Evaluation
Your final grade in ADMN 201 is determined by a weighted average of the grades you receive on three written assignments, a midterm exam, and a final exam. To receive credit for ADMN 201, you must achieve a minimum grade of 50% on each of the exams and an overall grade of D (50 percent) or better for the entire course. You are advised not to attempt the final exam until you have received feedback on all three assignments.
The weighting of each assessment activity is indicated in the table below:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
10%
Assignment 2
20%
Assignment 3
10%
Midterm Exam
30%
Final Exam
30%
Total
100%
The final examination for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Ebert, R. J., Griffin, R. W., Dracopoulos, G., & Starke, F. A. (2023). Business essentials (10th Canadian ed.). Pearson Canada Inc. ISBN-13: 9780137369072 (eText)
All other learning resources will be available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for the ADMN 201 challenge registration, you must achieve a grade of at least D (50 percent) on the Challenge Examination.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.