 |
GBUS101: Introduction to Business |
West Virginia University at Parkersburg
|
GBUS101: Introduction to Business |
This introductory course in business is designed to expose students to the various aspects of the business world, such as Accounting, Marketing, Small Business operations, Finance, Law, etc.We recognize that many students who have selected business as a major have not yet decided which field of business they would like to specialize in. This course gives you an opportunity to learn a little about each field, to learn the business terminology frequently used within each specialty, and perhaps help you to select an area in which you may like to concentrate your major.
Instructor Background
One of the drawbacks to Alternative Delivery Courses which I have discovered is that we meet together so infrequently as a class that it is sometimes hard to really get to know your instructor and your classmates. I am hopeful that by sharing a brief biographical sketch you will begin to feel as though you know me personally.
I received my undergraduate degree in Business Education in 1974 (yes, that makes me old) from West Liberty State College. I completed my MBA in l987 from California State University, San Bernardino, CA. My work experience includes a brief stint in the law offices of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel in Pittsburgh, PA and 11 years as a Claims Representative for the Social Security Administration working in offices in Wheeling, WV, Douglas AZ, and Victorville, CA.
I've been teaching at West Virginia University at Parkersburg since 1989. I'm currently working on my PhD at Marshall University Graduate College in Charleston, WV. (This means I can relate to the pressures of homework, papers, deadlines, and commute times.) I teach 5 classes each semester.
On the home front, I am married to Bob and have 3 wonderful, brilliant, sometimes trying children (I'll bet more than one of you can relate to this.) My daughter, Adrienne is 18 and starts college this fall. My daughter Whitney is 14 and is my personal Web page expert. My son, Andrew is 12 and lives for soccer (which means I also run a taxi service in my spare time.)
As an instructor, my number one concern is that you learn something useful, not just rote memorization. I also feel like it's part of my responsibility to insure you know the meaning of a deadline. For this reason I am very firm about not accepting work late.
I guess maybe I'm from a dying era of people who were drilled to death with diagramming sentences for proper grammar structure as a small child (those of you over 35 can probably relate to this.) For this reason, I am very insistent that all the work you submit be carefully checked for spelling and grammatical errors. The longer I teach, the more I see this as a significant weakness in many students. To be successful in my class it will be essential that you learn to proofread, proofread, proofread! Certainly, you should always use your computer's spell/grammar check, but this will not catch everything. You must proofread.
On a lighter note, I do have a sense of humor, believe in fairness, and truly want you to be successful here at WVU at Parkersburg. Please feel free to e-mail me with any concerns or come and visit me in person. Office hours are posted on my office door (Room 1021).
INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS: Associate Professor Debra Baker
Last Update: 8/20/01