Arab Open University
Faculty of Business Studies
BUS110-Course Syllabus
Academic year: 2021/2022
Semester: First Second Summer
1. Program: BA in Business Studies
2. Track: Core
3. Course Code: BUS110
4. Course Title: An Introduction to Business Studies
5. Course Credits: 8
6. Pre-requisites: El111
7. General Course Coordinator, GCC: Khaled Khamis
8. Branch Course Coordinator, BCC:
9. Instructor/ Tutor:
10. Text Book (s): McGraw Hill Materials:
Business Fundamentals: A changing World 11th Ed. Ferrell/Hirt
11. Other Educational Resources (periodicals, software, Course webpage, etc.):
McGraw Hill –Connect platform
12. Course Description (Module Specification):
“Introduction to Business” is an introductory course, which surveys the role of business in
society. At its simplest level, business is the exchange of goods and services for mutual
benefit or profit. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of topics including the terms,
trends, organizational structure and opportunities inherent in this exchange, the course
introduces the student to the contemporary business world, the business of managing,
people in organizations, the principles of marketing, managing information, and financial
issues.
13. Course Aims / Objectives:
The primary objective is to give the student an understanding of basic business
principles. Global business, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, information
technology, and financial management will be discussed. Another purpose of this course
is to build a foundation of knowledge on the different theoretical approaches to
management and decision making • develop analytical skills to identify the links between
the functional areas in management, organisations, management practices and the
business environment.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the course students will have a firm
understanding of the following business topics:
The relationship between business and society in a free market economy
Common forms of business ownership
Business ethics and social responsibility
International business and the global economy
Fundamentals of business management
Business organization and structure
Human resources, motivation and productivity
Marketing, accounting, finance, operations management and other business specialties
14. Course Assessment:
Assessment Type Number Weight
Quizzes 2 20%
Activities& Attendance 5-6 30%
Final 1 50%
Total 9/4 100%
15. Course Weekly Breakdown:
Week Starting Date Topics Covered Assessment
of the Week
1 Week 1
Introduction
2 Week 2 Chapter 1: The Dynamics of Business and Economics:
The nature of business p.4-8
The economic foundation of Business p.8-12
The forces of supply and demand, and the
nature of competition p.12-19
3 Week 3 Chapter 2: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility: Activity 1
Business ethics and social responsibility p.38-
49
Improving Ethical Behavior in Business p.50-52
4 Week 4 Chapter 4: Options for Organizing Business:
Sole Proprietorships p.110-114
Partnerships p.114-119
Corporations p.119127
Other types of Ownership p.127-129
5 Week 5 Chapter 5: Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Activity 2
Franchising:
The nature of entrepreneurship and small
business. P.142-148
The advantages and disadvantages of small-
business ownership. P.149-153
Starting a small business and what resources
are needed p.153-158
6 Week 6 Chapter 6: The Nature of Management: Quiz 1:
The importance of Management and the Covers Ch.
major functions of management. P172-178 1,2,4,5
Types of Management. P.178-182
Skills needed by managers. P.182-184
Leadership & Employee empowerment
P.184-188
7 Week 7 Revision or A make-up session Activity 3
8 Week 8
Chapter 7: Organization, Teamwork, and
Communication:
Organizational culture and structure. P.202-
209
Forms of Org. Structure. P.213-2016
The role of Groups and Teams.P.2016-219
9 Week 9 Chapter 9: Motivating the Workforce Activity 4
Nature of human relation.P.268-270
Theories of Employee motivation.P.272-279
10 Week 10 Chapter 10: Managing Human Resources
The nature of human resources
management. P.294
Planning for HR needs.P.294-295
Recruiting and selecting.P.296-300
11 Week 11 Chapter 11: Customer-Driven Marketing Quiz2
Nature of marketing.P.332-339 Covers Ch:
Developing a Marketing Strategy.P.339-344 6,7,9,10
12 Week 12 Chapter 14: Accounting and Financial Statements Activity 5
The nature of Accounting, process, financial
statements.P.432-452
13 Week 13
Revision or A make-up session
14 Week 14
Revision or A make-up session
15 Week 15 Final Exams Period Final:
Covers Ch.
6,7,9,10,11,14
