BHS Course Catalog
Business EducationThe business curriculum is designed to meet the interests of all students and is structured with multiple sequences based upon student abilities and interests. Introduction to Business (2 terms B801) Graduation Requirement |
Introduction to Business (2 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: Not recommended for students who have already taken: Accounting, Marketing, or Advertising
Level: Fr, Soph, Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This introductory course is designed as a first step for students who want to explore the world of business. Students will be introduced to a wide variety of business topics. Some of the topics will include, the stock market, business ethics, business management, entrepreneurship, human resources, marketing, career exploration, and much more. Soft skills that prepare students for the future business world will be integrated into the course. Throughout the course, students will participate in an online stock market simulation. (12051A001)
Accounting Principles (2 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: (Recommended: Introduction to Business)
Level: Fr, Soph, Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This introductory accounting course emphasizes the development of fundamental accounting procedures. This course focuses on the use of the accounting cycle of a service business, organized as a sole proprietorship, and a merchandising business, organized as a corporation. Topics include the following: transaction analysis, financial statements, banking, cash funds, accounts receivable/payable, notes receivable/payable, inventory, uncollectible accounts, returns and allowances, depreciation, payroll, accruals, deferrals, issuance of stocks, and dividend payments.
This course is designed as a first step for students who want to explore the world of business and accounting. This course moves at an accelerated pace and is eligible for articulated (college) credit through Waubonsee Community College (ACC 101: Introduction to Accounting). Please review the specific details and requirements at https://www.valees.org/articulated-credit-agreements/.
Advertising (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: Recommended: Introduction to Business
Level: Fr, Soph, Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This course is designed to acquaint students with a broad knowledge and understanding of the general principles of advertising. The student will become acquainted with the working environment in this field, as well as prepare the student as realistically as possible for the business world. Many concepts are discussed related to advertising, publicity, sales promotion, and advertising layout. Students will explore career opportunities, team building, and communication skills. Students will create an advertising campaign featuring all forms of print and broadcast media. (12167A002)
Business & Personal Law (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: Recommended: Introduction to Business
Level: Fr, Soph, Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This course will help students achieve an understanding of the legal principles they will use throughout life. The foundations of business law will be explored while introducing personal law topics that will apply to everyday experiences. Students will develop an understanding of rights and duties in the business environment, contractual responsibility, product liability, employment law, and a variety of other topics. Understanding business and personal law can help students manage real-world legal situations. Students will study real cases along with practical hands-on activities. (12054A001)
Marketing (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: Recommended: Introduction to Business
Level: Fr, Soph, Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This course is designed to acquaint students with the scope and importance of the field of marketing. Students have an opportunity to develop the basic knowledge, attitude, and skills needed for entering the field of marketing. The concepts introduced include target marketing, the marketing mix, market research, product design, pricing, sales promotion, and communications. This course emphasizes decision-making, critical thinking, and collaborative skills to create original group marketing projects throughout the term. Students will end with a virtual business simulation using all 7 functions of marketing. (12152A001)
Incubator Entrepreneurship (4 terms, 1 credit)
Prerequisite: Recommended: Introduction to Business
Level: Soph, Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
This full-year A/B course is open to all sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in business careers. This course is designed to get students excited about becoming real entrepreneurs. Students will have the opportunity to create and fully develop their own products or service. Real-world entrepreneurs and business experts will serve as coaches and mentors guiding student teams through the process of ideation, market research, and business plan development. Over the course of the year, student teams will learn about marketing, accounting, human resources, as well as the legal aspects of running a business to get them geared up for presenting to a board, for receiving seed money. This presentation helps to further ignite the entrepreneurial spirit by putting student teams in front of actual investors to pitch their innovative idea and possibly win funding to turn their business plans into reality. Students planning on majoring in business or pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities should take this course. This course also satisfies the Consumer Education requirement for graduation. (12053A001)
L.I.N.K. (Learning Through Internships Nurtures Knowledge) (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: Application, Interview, and availability of the appropriate site.
Level: Jr, Sr Elective
Fee: None
The internship program is a nine-week program that pairs a student with a professional in a career interest area of choice. The interns are not paid for their learning experiences.
Students must provide their own transportation. As part of their internship, students will be required to work with their sponsor and internship coordinator to create and complete their training plan, keep a journal, and develop a portfolio of their experiences.
Internship Guidelines: 1) Students participating in internships will be expected to average 5 hours per week for 9 weeks (a total of 45 hours) for .5 credit. Students will receive a letter grade in the class; 2) Students will be limited to two (2) terms of internship in the same setting or job site; 3) Students will be limited to two (2) terms of internship during junior year and two (2) terms during senior year; 4) Students who have not yet participated in the internship program will have priority over students who have already participated; and 5) If a student’s internship experience can be scheduled during school hours, the student will be allowed to leave campus for the internship site. You must provide your own transportation.
Consumer Education (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: None
Level: Sr
Fee: None
Consumer Education is a required term (9-week course) for graduation. It includes these main areas of study 1) general principles of consumer purchasing, 2) budgeting and managing money, 3) consumer credit, 4) housing, 5) insurance, 6) taxes, 7) transportation, and 8) consumer rights and responsibilities. Specific Topics include but may not be limited to: three weeks instruction in installment purchasing, three weeks instruction in budgeting, three weeks instruction in comparison of prices, homeownership (including the basic process of obtaining a mortgage and the concepts of fixed and adjustable-rate mortgages, subprime loans, and predatory lending), and an understanding of the roles of consumers interacting with agriculture, business, trade unions, and government in formulating and achieving the goals of the mixed free enterprise system and financial literacy including subjects of consumer debt, higher education student loans, and identity theft security.
Consumer Ed Online (1 term, .5 credit)
Prerequisite: None
Level: Sr
Fee: None
Online Consumer Education is a required term (9-week course) for graduation. It includes these main areas of study 1) general principles of consumer purchasing, 2) budgeting and managing money, 3) consumer credit, 4) housing, 5) insurance, 6) taxes, and 7) consumer rights and responsibilities.
The course will be completely independent and all work will be done through the Edmentum platform. The course is divided into 3 units and one final exam. Specific topics include, but may not be limited to: three weeks instruction in consumer economics and financial services, three weeks instruction in personal financial management, three weeks instruction in securing your future. This section will go through different types of investment to help formulate and achieve the goals of the mixed free enterprise system and financial literacy including subjects of consumer debt, higher education student loans, and identity theft security. Consumer Education is required for graduation.
