FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING (BUS 210) FALL SEMESTER 2011

INSTRUCTOR: OFFICE: CLASS PERIOD: K.C. Rakow, Ph.D., CPA GSM 113 (773-298-3614) Section 1: 12:00 12:50 (MWF) GSM 105 Section 2: 1:00 1:50 (MWF) GSM 105 MW 10:20 11:50 (OR BY APPOINTMENT) rakow@sxu.edu

OFFICE HOURS: EMAIL:

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES This course is an introduction to accounting principles and concepts related to business income and determination of financial position. Both assets and liabilities of a company will be covered in detail, and the course also introduces you to the financial statements of a company. The course places emphasis on understanding financial information for decision making purposes.

Class Procedures: My approach to teaching is based on the conviction that students share in the responsibility for their own learning. Consequently, I view my primary responsibility to be one of assisting and guiding you in your personal learning process. This involves providing motivation, guidance, as well as, opportunities for learning. I motivate you by assigning specific tasks, setting high expectations, and emphasizing the relevance of the course material by explicitly linking it to real-world problems and decisions. I provide learning opportunities that will facilitate your development and understanding of the principles that drive accounting. I provide guidance by furnishing the appropriate knowledge and tools, modeling desired behavior, and giving constructive and timely feedback. In order to accomplish the objectives laid out for the course, I use a variety of pedagogical approaches. While I will occasionally lecture for a portion of the period, I also use in-class discussion, in-class group exercises, question and answer sessions and solving problems in front of class. In order to achieve an effective level of interaction and participation and for you to receive the maximum benefit from class time, it is critical that you come to class prepared.

Course materials: Financial Accounting 8e by Harrison, Horngren, and Thomas is required. MyAccountingLab code (sold with new textbook) recommended but not required. Useful websites: www.myaccountinglab.com and www.pearsonhighered.com/harrison

Instructional Uses of Technology: The content, delivery and assessment of this course is augmented by the use of the following technologies: Blackboard Learning Management System (mycourses), Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, MyAccountingLab. Student Use of Technology: Student learning is enhanced through the use of the following technologies: Blackboard Learning Management System (mycourses), ConnectYard, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, MyAccountingLab.

GRADE DETERMINATION:

Grade component Exam 1 Exam 2 Final Exam Team Problems (Best 9 out of 10) Assignments (Best 20 out of 21) Attendance Total points available Final grade scale A 537 - 600 B 477 - 536.5 C 417 - 476.5 D 357 - 416.5 F <357

Maximum points 100-points 100-points 100-points 180-points 100-points 20-points 600-points

At the discretion of the instructor, final grades may be scaled based on the performance of the class as a whole. Please refer to the class policy section below regarding exclusions from this process. 1. Examinations: The two 100-point and one 100-point final exams are scheduled on the dates and times indicated on this syllabus. Cell phones are not to be used as calculators and no digital music devices are allowed during the exams. Normally, the exams will consist mainly of multiple choice questions. There is no curve on individual exams. Because of time constraints, exams will not be returned during class. However, interested students are encouraged to drop by my office to review their exams. In order to be excused from an exam, advance notice and a documented excuse are required. Students who fail to notify me will receive a grade of zero for the missed exam. There are no exceptions to this policy. This is important; please conduct yourself accordingly.

2. Team Problems: Team Problems over one or two chapters will be given periodically throughout the semester. These will usually consist of short problems similar to the homework assignments. These should be considered "mini-tests" and used to study for the exams and final exam. These will be open-book and open-note problems. There will be 10 quizzes given throughout the semester worth 20 points each. The lowest grade will be dropped, so nine will be included in your final grade. To earn credit, students must be present in class to participate in preparing a solution. Solutions to the problems will be posted on Blackboard after each problem has been completed. If you are more than 10 minutes late to a team problem, you can only be awarded 75% of your teams grade. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you can only receive 50% of your teams grade. If you are more than 20 minutes late, you will receive no credit.

3. Assigned homework: Assigned homework has been selected from the practices, exercises and problems at the end of each assigned chapter. This homework will be collected and graded based on your effort on the assignment. Successfully working homework problems is critical to your success in the course. Many (but not all) of these exercises and problems will be discussed, reviewed and expanded upon in class. You will be allowed to drop one missed homework assignment out of the 21 assigned on the agenda. Each is worth five points. If you are going to miss class, you can email me your assignment or send it with a friend.

4. Attendance Each student will start with the full 20 points for attendance. You are allowed three absences. After that, four points will be deducted for every other unexcused absence.

4. Professionalism Accounting is a profession. Our goal in this class is to mirror the kinds of behavior in which professionals engage. Professionals arrive at all meetings (i.e., dont miss class) in a timely fashion (i.e., are not late for class). They treat clients, superiors, subordinates, and other colleagues (i.e., the professor, teacher assistants, classmates, and accounting department staff) with great respect. They help others (i.e., fellow students) achieve success and take ownership in the success of the business (i.e., assist the professor in using class time to the benefit of all). They understand that all systems are flawed, all people are human, and the randomness of life causes unhappiness at times, but they do not complain (i.e., they do not whine, but instead craft intellectually-based, well-timed, and professionally-delivered arguments to support their positions). They do not engage in activities that disrupt the speaker or audience (i.e., they do not surf the web or text message during class). You are not expected to be perfect, timid, stoic, or boring; you are expected to be professional. Feel free to ask questions, answer questions, give your opinions about the issue, challenge my answers and thinking, and challenge the answers and thinking of your classmates.

OTHER CLASS POLICIES 1. Please inform the instructor during the first week of classes if you have a disability that requires accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 2. No digital music devices or cell phones to be used in class (text, calculator, etc.). Turn off when in class. Do not send text messages in my class. 3. If you leave before class is over without prior permission, you will be counted absent for that day. 4. This syllabus is subject to change at the instructors discretion. 5. Grade disputes must be made within one week of grade being posted on Blackboard. 6. Have a positive attitude towards this class. 7. No final curve is guaranteed.

Tentative Agenda
Dates 8/22 8/24 8/26 8/29 8/31 9/2 9/5 9/7 9/9 9/12 9/14 9/16 9/19 9/21 9/23 9/26 9/28 9/30 10/3 10/5 10/7 10/10 10/12 10/14 10/17 10/19 10/21 10/24 10/26 10/28 10/31 11/2 11/4 11/7 11/9 11/11 11/14 11/16 11/18 11/21 11/23 11/25 11/28 11/30 12/2 TBD Chapters / Pages Assignments Due Introduction Chapter 1 Chapter 1 E: 24, 25 Chapter 1 Team Problem S: 12; P: 56, 61 Chapter 2 Chapter 2 NO CLASS LABOR DAY Chapter 2 E: 16, 17, 18 Chapter 2 Team Problem E: 19, 21, 22 Chapter 3 NO CLASS UNIVERSITY CELEBRATION Chapter 3 Chapter 3 E: 23; P: 72 Chapter 3 Team Problem P: 73, 75 Exam 1 - Chapters 1, 2, & 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 4/5 E: 21, 22; P: 54 Chapter 5 Chapter 5 E: 20; P: 60 Chapter 4&5 Team Problem E: 24; P: 63 Chapter 6 Chapter 6 E: 17, 20, 22 Chapter 6 Team Problem E: 42 (Requirement 1 only) Chapter 7 Chapter 7 E: 16, 18, 24 Chapter 7 Team Problem E: 28, 44; P: 66 Exam 2 - Chapters 4, 5, 6, & 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Chapter 8 S: 1-3; E: 17 Chapter 8 Team Problem E: 18, 25 Chapter 9 Chapter 9 Chapter 9 S: 5, 7, 10; E: 20 Chapter 9 Team Problem E: 23, 24, 25 Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Team Problem E: 13, 14, 16, 20 Chapter 11 Chapter 11 S: 2, 4, 6, 11 NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING Chapter 11/12 E: 14, 15 Chapter 12 Chapter 11&12 Team Problem E: 16, 20, 21, 25 Final Exam Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12