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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
BUSD055.
Course Title (CB02)
Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This course is a practical study of the operations and essential skills required in small and start-up businesses. Emphasis will be placed on the opportunities and problems faced by entrepreneurs in obtaining, managing, and financing an independent business. This course will prepare students for developing business plans.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Business]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - GENERAL BUSINESS]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable. It explores different types of start-ups, the process of forming a new business, and the issues faced by entrepreneurs. Students learn the key issues and processes of starting a venture and managing a small business. It is required for the Certificate of Achievement in Entrepreneurship.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
5.0
Maximum Credit Units
5.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours5.010.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
60.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
120.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
120.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Essays

Exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination 

Simulations

Case studies with successful entrepreneurs and local startups

Homework and extended projects

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Assignments

  1. Required reading assignments.
  2. Recommended readings of selected articles.
  3. Written analysis of case studies to develop critical thinking skills.
  4. Complete research-based exercises such as idea generation, interviewing an entrepreneur or small business owner, Value Proposition, and Business Model Generation Canvas.
  5. Analysis and critical evaluation of real-world business plans

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Class discussions and reflections which require students to demonstrate comprehension, analyze case studies, and apply course concepts.
  2. Midterm objective exam, composed of concept and scenario-based questions which will require the student to demonstrate knowledge, analyze scenarios, and apply business concepts.
  3. Analyzing case studies and writing answers to questions or writing reports on the case will require students to explore real-world scenarios, problems, or challenges and best practices thereby bridging theory and practice. 
  4. Research-based exercises that require students to examine the market, generate entrepreneurial ideas, and test the feasibility of their entrepreneurial ideas. 
  5. Final examination that requires demonstration of a student's abilities to integrate and apply concepts that have been introduced and practiced in the course.
  6. Business plan analysis used to evaluate critical thinking and the application of course concepts.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None
Essential College Facilities:
  • None

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Katz, J.A., & Green, R.P.Entrepreneurial Small BusinessMcGraw Hill LLC2024/7th ed.978-1-265-75889-9
Hisrich, R., Peters, M., & Shepherd, D.EntrepreneurshipMcGraw Hill LLC2024/12th ed.978-1-265-81686-5
Kuratko, D.F.Entrepreneurship: Theory, Process, PracticeCengage Learning2024/12th ed.978-0357-89960-1
Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y.Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and ChallengersJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.2010978-0470-87641-1
Blank, S., & Dorf, B.The Startup Owner's Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide for Building a Great CompanyJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc.2020/1st ed.978-1119-69068-9

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Identify and examine personal interests, characteristics and talents, and overall readiness to undertake an entrepreneurial venture.
  • Identify the sources of new ideas and screen and evaluate ideas by conducting a feasibility study.
  • Understand why entrepreneurship is a viable career option and evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of buying an existing business versus starting a new firm.
  • Examine pathways options such as franchises, home-based businesses, and family-owned businesses.
  • Identify and evaluate the components of a comprehensive business plan.
  • Describe sources of start-up capital.
  • Identify and examine legal issues, ethical issues, risks, and challenges associated with entrepreneurship.
  • Analyze the key functions of the business, including marketing, financial, accounting, operations, and human resources, that an entrepreneurial venture would have to consider.
  • Examine the characteristics, challenges, and opportunities in other forms of entrepreneurship.
  • Examine the application of technology in product development and management of the venture.

CSLOs

  • Examine the steps required, the support available, and the tactics commonly employed by entrepreneurs starting a business.

  • Evaluate business plans in terms of feasibility, investment potential, risk, and completeness.

Outline

  1. Identify and examine personal interests, characteristics and talents, and overall readiness to undertake an entrepreneurial venture.
    1. Key aspects of entrepreneurial personality
    2. Operational and resource competencies
    3. Impact on personal lives
    4. Challenges
    5. Examine profiles of a diverse set of successful entrepreneurs.​​​​​​
  2. Identify the sources of new ideas and screen and evaluate ideas by conducting a feasibility study.
    1. Sources of innovative ideas
    2. Role of creative thinking
    3. Human-centered design
    4. Idea screening
    5. Assessing the feasibility of the business idea, model, and strategy
  3. Understand why entrepreneurship is a viable career option and evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of buying an existing business versus starting a new firm.
    1. Part-time entrepreneurship
    2. Full-time entrepreneurship
    3. Starting a new business in a new or existing field
    4. Purchasing an existing business 
  4. Examine pathways options such as franchises, home-based businesses, and family-owned businesses.
    1. Characteristics of franchises, risk, and survival rates
    2. Pros and cons of Home-based businesses
    3. Inheriting and managing a family-owned business and succession processes
  5. Identify and evaluate the components of a comprehensive business plan.
    1. Executive summary
    2. Company overview
    3. Marketing plan
    4. Operations and management plan
    5. Financial analysis and projections
    6. Risk assessment
  6. Describe sources of start-up capital.
    1. Equity
      1. Personal
      2. Outside
    2. Debt
      1. Secured
      2. Unsecured
    3. Gifts
      1. Government grants
      2. Private foundations
      3. Institutions
      4. ±Ê±ð°ù²õ´Ç²Ô²¹±ôÌý
      5. Crowdfunding
  7. Identify and examine legal issues, ethical issues, risks, and challenges associated with entrepreneurship. 
    1. Forms of business structures based on legal and tax considerations
    2. Considerations such as capital acquisition, business domicile, and technology
    3. Intellectual Property Protection
    4. Common Legal Issues
      1. General Liability
      2. Workplace injuries
      3. Employee rights
      4. Government regulations and taxes
    5. Ethical and social responsibility of entrepreneurs
    6. Mitigating and managing risks
  8. Analyze the key functions of the business, including marketing, financial, accounting, operations, and human resources, that an entrepreneurial venture would have to consider.  
    1. Marketing
      1. Steps of the marketing process
      2. Understanding the customer
      3. Marketing research, market opportunity recognition, market segmentation, and target market
      4. Developing value proposition
      5. Marketing mix
      6. Marketing plan
    2. Accounting and Financial Preparation
      1. Cash flow analysis
      2. Capital requirements
      3. ±Ê°ù´Ç´Ú¾±³Ù²¹²ú¾±±ô¾±³Ù²âÌý
      4. Budgeting
      5. Common financial statements
      6. Available financial tools and software
    3. Inventory and Operations Management
      1. Techniques to manage short-term and long-term assets
      2. Techniques to manage and improve the operations of the business
      3. Outsourcing as a potential option 
    4. Human Resources
      1. Recruiting
      2. Hiring
      3. Training
      4. Compensation and benefit plans
  9. Examine the characteristics, challenges, and opportunities in other forms of entrepreneurship.
    1. Sustainable entrepreneurship
    2. Non-profits
    3. Social ventures
    4. International entrepreneurship
  10. Examine the application of technology in product development and management of the venture. 
    1. Invest in the optimal operational and technological resources
    2. Leverage technology that best supports various functional areas of the venture
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