ADMN 201 (Introduction to Business Studies) is a three-credit introductory business and administrative studies course that is targeted towards students who want an overview of formal business studies at the university level. This course introduces students to the fundamental business topics (or functions) that comprise the typical majors found in Faculties of Business at universities around the world, including accounting, finance, management, and marketing. There are no prerequisites for ADMN 201 and there is a Challenge for Credit option if that is of interest to you.
Introduction to Business Studies is made up of four parts, fifteen lessons, three assignments (weighing ten, twenty, and ten percent respectively), a midterm examination worth twenty percent, and a final examination for the remaining forty percent. The concepts discussed in this course cover several interesting topics, such as managing the business enterprise, organizing the business enterprise, understanding accounting, entrepreneurship, marketing principles, pricing and promoting, money and banking, and much more. To receive credit for ADMN 201, students must achieve a minimum grade of fifty percent on each of the exams and an overall grade of fifty percent or better for the entire course. Students are advised not to attempt the final exam until you have received feedback on all three assignments.
The final examination for this course must be taken online at an invigilated location. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure a computer with an Internet connection and a current web browser is available for your use at the invigilation center.
David Annand and Ann Conquergood have collaborated for the answers within this article. David is the course coordinator and Ann is the academic expert and marker for the course. David has been working at Athabasca since July 17, 1989 and Ann joined in 2002. David has been the course coordinator for ADMN 201 for the last five years and Ann has been the academic expert for four years. David states “The old saw applies: If you want to talk to the person in charge, talk to me, Dave. If you want to talk to the person who knows what’s going on, talk to Ann.”
Alongside ADMN 201, David is the academic area manager for FMAC 503 (Financial and Managerial Accounting in the MBA program) and ACCT 245 (Not-for-Profit Accounting). Ann is the academic advisor and tutor for ADMN 232 (Introduction to Management) and MKTG 440 (Marketing Strategy).
David states “I am a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA). I worked in public practice for eight years before I decided to pursue and academic career. I have written several introductory accounting texts that are available as open educational resources. My research interests focus on open and distributed learning theory. I have five adult children. I can retire in a few months, but do not plan to do so. The work at Athabasca University is very interesting, and the students are great.”
Ann states “I echo Dave’s sentiments about Athabasca University work and students – they are great. Over the course of the years I have worked with many students and have learned a lot from them. Although most of my work is now with Athabasca University as an Academic Expert and a Tutor, in previous years my husband and I started, grew, and then sold an engineering company. Although I have an MBA, starting a business allowed me to fully experience most of the cycles of business growth as well as experience firsthand the joys and challenges of being a business owner. I work hard at being fit and trying to eat healthily. Other interests include fiber arts like sewing and knitting.”
When asked to describe the course to students, they explain that “ADMN 201 is an introductory business course that touches on all of the major areas of business. Students learn about the internal and external business environment, and what managers do, and covers topics like finance, accounting and marketing. You also learn how to complete a business plan. The course is designed to introduce students to all areas of business and business terminology so they can better be prepared for management.”
As for the structure of the assignments and the examinations, they describe that “The course has three assignments – a research paper on any topic of business, and two assignments that together make up a business plan. The business plan can be completed on any business of the student’s choosing. There is also a midterm and final exam.”
When asked what type of work ethic that students will have to have in order to be successful in this course, they state “Consistent work is always best with a university course. We always recommend completing the assignments and exams in the suggested order so that appropriate material is learned before the assessment.”
They continue by providing advice to students, stating “In order to get the most from the course it is recommended that you start early and work consistently in the course. Please do not hesitate to contact the Academic Expert for the course for help. Also, use the study schedule template to develop a plan for course completion and try to follow it.”
As for which students they would recommend ADMN 201 to, they state that “The course introduces people to a variety of business topics and functions so those who wish to study business but are unsure of which area could benefit from the course. Those that wish to aspire for management or supervisory positions would also benefit because there is an introduction to accounting, finance, management functions and human resource topics.”
When asked what students take away from this course, they explain that “Course feedback indicates that students enjoy applying business concepts to a real-life business. Students should also be able to read business literature without difficulty.”
As for aspects of the course that students struggle with, they believe that “Some students struggle with the accounting chapter. However, there is supplementary information built into the course and the academic expert is very happy to help and give feedback.”
Whether ADMN 201 is a degree or program requirement of yours, or if the topics that are discussed above are of interest to you, this course will have you learning interesting material surrounding the topic of business.
