The BHS Business Department

  • BUSINESS EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
                                                                                                                   Department Coordinator  Sam Rizzo
                                                                                                                                                                                            Sam_Rizzo@BCSD.org

    With over 20% of all Bachelor Degrees in Business being awarded each year to college graduates, by far the highest percentage, the concepts and behaviors learned in our BHS Business Education Department can prove to have a life-long effect on our students.  We offer a wide variety of courses providing many different learning opportunities that are sure to peak the interest of students with of all interests.  Aside from getting a head start on potential majors, the concept of Financial Literacy may prove to be more important.  Our Personal Finance course will allow students to gain essential knowledge and experience in preparing for their future financial success.  More than 70% of college students stated that they wish they had developed more financial literacy skills in high school.  Our courses provide students with that opportunity.  A majority of our Business Education students also participate in our award-winning clubs, such as DECA and FBLA.  We also have a BHS Bookstore, Junior Titans of Business and the Finance Club to take part in.  All BHS Business Education courses are open to students of all grades and experiences. "Entry-level" courses such as Personal Keyboarding and Microsoft Office, Marketing, Sports and Entertainment Marketing, and Video Gaming can be great overall learning experiences while others, such as Virtual Enterprise, Personal Finance, and Entrepreneurship will provide some next-level thinking.  Whatever a student's interests may be, they will definitely find something for them in BHS Business Education!

     

    We do offer some "Cluster" options for students who may be interested in a specific Career field:

     
    Marketing
     
    1. Marketing
    2. Personal Finance and Careers (3 College Credits)
    3. Keyboarding/Microsoft Office (3 College Credits)
    4. Sports and Entertainment Marketing
    5. Marketing Management
    6. Video Gaming
    7. Entrepreneurship (3 College Credits)
    8. Virtual Enterprise (3 College Credits)
     
    Finance
     
    1. Introduction to Accounting
    2. Personal Finance and Careers (3 College Credits)
    3. Personal Keyboarding/Microsoft Office (3 College Credits)
    4. International Business
    5. Business and Personal Law
    6. Marketing
    7. Entrepreneurship (3 College Credits)
    8. Virtual Enterprise (3 College Credits)
     
    General Business
     
    1. Personal Keyboarding/Microsoft Office (3 College Credits)
    2. Personal Finance and Careers (3 College Credits)
    3. International Business
    4. Entrepreneurship (3 College Credits)
    5. Business and Personal Law
    6. Introduction to Accounting
    7. Marketing
    8. Virtual Enterprise (3 College Credits)
     
    (a) Each business course can be chosen as an elective
    (b) Dual credit courses in which student will receive college credit from Monroe Community College and credit can be used for graduation requirements. See Business Department leader for additional Dual Credit Courses.
     
     
    See Below for Course Descriptions:
     
     
    INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING 
     
    Accounting is called “The Language of Business.” This one semester course will be an introductory course in double entry accounting procedures. Students will learn to keep financial records for a service or retail business. Principles covered include accounting cycle, debit/credit theory, financial statements, use of various journals and ledgers, worksheets, accounts receivable and payable, and payroll systems. Computer simulations will be used in the course. Most college business programs include accounting and this course will acclimate the students to the language of business.
    Grade: 9-12 Length: ½ Year, One Semester Credit:½
    Prerequisite: None
     
    BUSINESS AND PERSONAL LAW 
     
    This course satisfies 1/2 of credit for the fifth unit of social studies.
    Business law involves the application of legal principles to business transactions used in everyday life. Emphasis is placed on the law of contracts, sales contracts, insurance, negotiable instruments, bailment, real estate issues, landlord-tenant relationships, wills and inheritance, partnership law, and corporation law. The course is designed to develop a respect for business ethics. Business and Personal Law challenges able students and should be considered as an academic elective.
    Grade: 10-12 Length: One Semester Credit: ½
    Prerequisite: None
     
    ENTREPRENEURSHIP 
     
    Entrepreneurship introduces the students to the basics of planning and launching their won successful business. It helps students develop core skills they need to be successful. They learn how to come up with new businesses ideas, attract investors, market their business and manage expenses. (3 College Credits)
    Grade: 9-12 Length: One Semester Credit: ½
     
    INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS 
     
    International business is everywhere. Consumers use products and services imported from countries around the world every day and U.S. companies manufacture and send American products as well as provide services to other countries regularly. The Internet makes global business possible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means that many jobs now and in the future will involve international business. Students will be introduced to typical phrases used in business along with translations in many different languages. Current and emerging applications of technology and the Internet will be discussed. Ethical issues in global business that are influenced by cultural, legal, and ethical practices will be presented. Students will learn about solutions and strategies for succeeding in the growing international workplace.
    Grade: 10 -12 Length: One Semester Credit: ½
    Prerequisite: None
     
     
    MARKETING 
     
    This course provides a base of knowledge in the exciting field of marketing, marketing research, sales, and e-commerce. The course provides “hands-on” instruction in preparing printed advertising, developing promotional campaigns, and making presentations. Many role-play and teamwork activities are used to lay the foundation for marketing principles and practices. Students will learn first-hand what it takes to run their own store using the Virtual Business software. The class will also compete in its own Shark Tank demonstration! Most students in our Marketing program choose to join the DECA club. Marketing is recommended for all students who will be pursuing marketing or a college marketing program after graduation.
    Grade: 9-12 Length: One Semester Credit:½
    Prerequisite: None
     
    MARKETING MANAGEMENT 
     
    Marketing Management expands the knowledge and skills covered in Marketing by increasing the fundamental marketing vocabulary that will help you keep up with the news and make informed business decisions. You will look at management through the eyes of a manager as well as an employee. You will explore the challenges that companies face as they establish, manage, and grow their businesses. You will learn about managing employees, embracing diversity, and the effects of ethical and social responsibilities on marketing. The management skills learned in the course can be used in any career field, from the doctor’s office to the retail store.
    Grade: 9-12 Length: One Semester Credit:½
    Prerequisite: Marketing
     
    PERSONAL FINANCE AND CAREERS 
     
    This is a practical one-semester business course that introduces students to the realities of the working world through career exploration and teaches concepts in personal finance. Topics to be covered include self-assessment, job searching, cover letters, resume writing, interview techniques, income tax preparation, budgeting and saving, checking accounts, retirement plans, credit and insurance. Students will put what they are learning to use in our Virtual Business-Finance simulation. They will have to successfully demonstrate essential skills, such as: time management, opening savings accounts, managing debt, renting an apartment, and investing in retirement. A shadow opportunity is also provided for this course.
    Grade: 9-12 Length: One Semester Credit:½
    Prerequisite: None College Credit: 3
     
    PERSONAL KEYBOARDING /MICROSOFT OFFICE 
     
    This one semester course is designed for students to learn and improve keyboarding skills. Students will learn to use touch method on the keyboard as well as manipulation of the computer. Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to prepare term papers, reports, outlines, and business letters. This course will serve the needs of the college-bound student by preparing them for manuscript preparation and personal use. Instruction will be given in the PC Lab using a software program. Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher will be emphasized after the mastering of the keyboard.
    Grade: 9-12 Length: One Semester Credit: ½
    Prerequisite: None College Credit: 3
     
    SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING 
     
    Did you know that fans and companies spend billions of dollars each year on sports and entertainment? Did you know that sports and entertainment is one of the largest exports from the United States to the rest of the world? The sports and entertainment course will help introduce students to basic marketing functions as they apply to these industries. Students will also explore the exciting and wide variety of careers available in sports and entertainment marketing. By using the Virtual Business-Sports software, students will have the opportunity to run their own sports franchise. We will also work side-by-side with the area sports teams including the Amerks, Red Wings and WNY Flash.
    Grade: 9-12 Length: One Semester Credit: ½
    Prerequisite: None
     
    VIDEO GAMING 
     
    Video Gaming is a collaborative course between the business and technology education departments. The course explores the complete process and ways to market and sell a video game product. It also covers all of the technical aspects of designing and building a successful video 
    game. Beyond the marketing and construction of the video game, the course will address the understanding of the video game industry and impacts on our society. Topics that will be addressed include, but are not limited to, the following: design marketing; in production marketing; release marketing; post release marketing; advanced marketing; history of video games; planning a video game or computer program; introduction to game programming; game making; types of programming software, advantages/disadvantages; application of human factors engineering to video game products; societal impacts to include intended/unintended consequences; ethical uses of computer programs/applications; career extensions in the video gaming industry.
    Grade: 9-12 Length: One Semester Credit
    Prerequisite: None
     
    VIRTUAL ENTERPRISE (I/II) 
     
    Virtual Enterprise introduces its students to every aspect of how a business works. They are given jobs in various company departments, including human resources, accounting, product development, web design, marketing and sales. The class operates just as a “normal” office setting where its employees are working with teams and conducting weekly department and company meetings. Certain aspects of technology will also be used to create and maintain a web page as well as conducting sales and purchases of products.
    After deciding on a product idea, the students will run a “virtual” business and will engage in virtual trading with other participating firms (schools) located across the state, country, and world! Students will have a chance to show off their skills at a local trade fair and compete in such areas as Product Idea, Web Design, Booth Design, and Development of a Business Plan. This is truly a 21st Century-focused class which allows its students to experience first-hand what a career in Business might entail.
    Students will have the unique opportunity to learn about a variety of careers within Business while still in high school. The knowledge that they acquire will give them a head start in understand certain expectations of the workplace. They may also have the opportunity to compete in national and international competitions in New York City in the spring semester. A student may enroll in both Virtual Enterprise I and II. This can be done in the same year, or once each year.
    Grade: 9-12 Length: ½ Year/Full Year Credit: ½
    Prerequisite: None College Credit: 3