ACE 341
Contemporary Issues in AgriAccounting and Finance in Agribusiness
Course Syllabus

ACE 341
Fall 2014
2 credit hours
MW, 3:00 – 3:50 pm
426 Mumford Hall
Website: www.Compass2g.illinois.edu

Instructor:
Ann Finnegan
304 Mumford Hall; 333-5509 abfinngn@illinois.edu OFFICE HOURS:
Monday 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Wednesday 9 – 11 am
Thursday 1:30 – 3:30 pm or by Appt.
Course Description:
This course provides a study of contemporary issues and career opportunities in AgriAccounting and Finance in Agribusiness. Through an in-depth dialogue with industry professionals, students will develop an understanding of the skill sets needed to succeed in each of the different career paths discussed.

Objectives:
This course is designed to: * introduce you to a wide range of career opportunities in the fields of AgriAccounting and Finance in Agribusiness, * develop an understanding of the skill sets needed to succeed across the different career paths, * develop appropriate communication skills for use in the business environment, * examine the various academic paths available in AgriAccounting and Finance in Agribusiness and discuss the specifics of each path.

Class Format and Participation:
This course is a lecture/discussion format. Most class sessions will consist of presentations by guest speakers from various firms. The speakers will discuss their career experiences and the opportunities available to you. Many are alumni of the AgriAccounting or Finance in Agribusiness options and will share with you their views on these programs. The sessions are intended to provide you access to very important resources.

Professionalism
Part of receiving a high-quality education is learning to behave/communicate in a professional manner. You will retain full points in the professionalism category (15% of your grade) by acting in a professional manner throughout the semester. This includes * treating everyone with respect both inside and outside of class, * turning off your cell phones prior to coming to class, * not using your laptop when outside speakers are presenting, and * not detracting from the class learning environment.

4Ps will be followed in ACE 341 to assess your professionalism– Preparation, Promptness, Presence, and Participation. These same factors will be important drivers of success in your job search and throughout your career.

Preparation:
You are expected to come to each class prepared to ask questions and discuss topics with the guest speakers. Indeed preparing questions is a component of the Journal Assignment associated with outside speakers. Please be mindful that you represent, not only yourself, but your Department of ACE and the University of Illinois.

Promptness:
This class emphasizes the important attributes of business success. One of these attributes is being on time. It is very disruptive and rude to outside speakers for you to walk in while they are speaking. If you have a difficult time getting to a class, please contact the instructor prior to that class to let her know.

Presence:
To be a successful leader or participant you have to be at the table. If you are not present, you cannot learn or add your contributions to the discussion. There’s a famous saying that “80% of success is showing up”. In this class it is 50% of your participation grade.

Participation:
Your participation is crucial. 50% of your professionalism grade will be based on your participation. Some of your participation grade will be based on class attendance. However, Presence is a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for Participation. This means that attendance is only half of your Participation grade. If you attend all classes but don’t participate, you will earn only half of the possible Participation points which is a failing grade.

Participation implies engagement with the speaker, asking questions and interacting with the instructors and guests. Participation is a sign of respect for the speakers and the time they are taking to talk to you. Take advantage of this networking opportunity to make contacts with industry leaders and develop your communication skills!

Student-Faculty Communication:
Many methods are available to communicate with your instructor. The instructor will be available during office hours or by appointment. Feel free to e-mail her about questions or concerns.

Assignments and Grading:
Journals
* We will have guest speakers from various firms and sessions with University staff discussing topics of interest. For each of these sessions, you will need to turn in a short journal. See the Journal Assignment Sheet on Compass 2g for details.

Quiz/Assignments * There will be short assignments over the course of the semester. The quiz/assignment portion of this class will be worth 15% of your grade. They will be short homework assignments.

Thank You Letters and Research * RESEARCH AND INTRODUCTIONS: You will also be assigned to one or two two-person teams (depending upon enrollment) to introduce our speakers to the class.

When you are in the team assigned to the speaker, it is your responsibility to work with your teammate to * CONTACT all assigned speakers by e-mail two (2) weeks prior to their talk requesting their biography, ccing Ann Finnegan on the request to confirm meeting the course requirement. * SUMMARIZE their bio and information about the company and share it with the instructor 3 class days prior to the speaker’s attending class * WELCOME the speaker, * INTRODUCE yourself to the speaker as soon as the speaker arrives to class and * Generally ACT AS A HOST to this speaker.
When you meet the speaker or speakers, you should also inquire about an “interesting/fun fact” to share in the introduction. Make the most of this networking opportunity! * THANK YOU LETTERS: You will be assigned two speakers to whom you will write each a letter thanking them for speaking to the class. The letters must be typed in appropriate business format and will be due at the beginning of the following class. Ann Finnegan will review and grade these letters and then forward them to the appropriate speaker.

You are required to put the thank you in an UNsealed envelope that is addressed, stamped, and has your return address in the upper left hand corner. Addresses will be provided for all speakers on the Class Schedule which is will be periodically updated on Compass2g.. You may write thank you notes to all speakers if you wish.

If you choose to write at least 3 additional thank you letters, you will be allowed to substitute your average grade on these letters for one journal score. They should be submitted as above to the instructor and the instructor will review and grade these letters and then mail them to the appropriate speaker.

Reading * You will be required to read one book from the list provided and turn in a report. See the Reading Assignment Sheet on Compass 2g for details.

Final Paper * By the second class you will complete a profile sheet (available on Compass2g) which will include a section on career objectives and planned academic path. These are to be submitted on Compass2g and should be reviewed by you at the end of the term. This is because at the end of the term you will write a 5 page paper summarizing what you learned in this course and how your objectives and academic plans have changed as a result. See Final Paper Assignment Sheet on Compass 2g for details.

Grading Summary

GRADING | Professionalism | 15% | Journals | 40% | Short Assignments | 15% | Introductions and Thank You Letters | 5% | Reading Assignment | 10% | Final Paper | 15% | Total | 100% |

The +/- grading system will be used. Illinois Compass 2g will be used to store and retrieve grades. You can access Illinois Compass 2g at https://Compass 2g.illinois.edu.

Academic Integrity:
You are expected to have read and understood the University’s Student Code regarding Academic Integrity (http://admin.illinois.edu/policy/code/article1_part4_1-401.html).

The University has the responsibility for maintaining academic integrity so as to protect the quality of education and research on our campus and to protect those who depend upon our integrity.

It is your responsibility as a student to refrain from infractions of academic integrity, from conduct that may lead to suspicion of such infractions, and from conduct that aids others in such infractions. You have been given notice of this rule by virtue of its publication on the University of Illinois website. Regardless of whether you have actually read this rule, you are responsible for knowing and abiding by these rules. Ignorance of a rule is never a defense.