BUSINESS STUDIES @ LHSS

Welcome to LHSS’s dynamic business department where future leaders in business and the community are developed. Our courses give today’s students the skills they need to compete in an ever-changing world.  We are “taking care of business”.

Business Teachers at LHSS:

  • Mr. J. Alexander
  • Mrs. J. Campbell (Department Head)
  • Mr. T. Faus
  • Ms. A. Kucharczyk
  • Ms. B. Sharpe
  • Ms. V. Truemner

Business Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM):  Students may enter the SHSM program in grade 11.

Business Studies Certificate:  This certificate is available to any student who specializes in Business Studies by taking a concentration of five Business classes.

GRADE 9 & 10

BBI1OI/201 (Introduction to Business, Open)

BBI 1OI and BBI 2OI are the same course.  A student may take only one BBI for a credit.

This course introduces students to the world of business.  Learn about the basics of business through the use of relevant, practical, and real-life activities. Topics are covered in a discussion oriented classroom environment. This course builds a foundation for further studies in business and helps students develop the business knowledge and skills they will need in their everyday lives. Come wear the shoes of a President or an Executive in our BBI classroom as you apply your theory to a current business challenge.

Units of Study:

  • Marketing and advertising
  • Finance and investments
  • Accounting
  • International Business
  • Entrepreneurship – running your own business
  • Basic business fundamentals and much more!

Highlights of the course:

  • Cookie Advertising Challenge Project (yes, we will eat cookies)
  • Redesigning Logos and designing social media ads
  • Dragon’s Den Pitch
  • Stock market challenge competing against students from across Ontario
  • Funny Money:  Watching a comedian talk about money and having a chance to win money too!
  • Possible field trips to local businesses and watching global award winning commercials at a local movie theatre and or an Escape Room

Prerequisite:  none.  Note – there is no final exam.

Enrichment Opportunity:  University of Waterloo Financial Literacy Competition. Grade 9 and 10 business students have the opportunity to compete against other students from across Canada in the University of Waterloo Financial Literacy Competition. Students can win prizes for being top finishers at their school and scholarships are available for those that win. Recently, we have had one of our business students win first place across Canada and won a  University of Waterloo scholarship and more more.

 

BTT 1OI & 2OI (Information and Communication Technology in Business, Open)

BTT 1OI and BTT 2OI are the same course.  A student may take only one BTT for a credit.

Computer technology is our new world of work and play.  You will want to learn how to effectively use and communicate with common software programs, your technology devices, as well as develop research skills for high school and any occupation you choose in the future. Students who take this course produce high quality reports, spreadsheets, slideshows, and presentations –  this benefits them in every one of their other classes.

Prerequisite:  none.  Note – there is no final exam.

Units of Study:

  • Software Applications (Google suite, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, etc) and/or Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
  • Basic website design
  • Information management
  • The Internet of Things
  • Electronic Research and Ethical Issues
  • Electronic Communication – resumes and cover letters
  • Career Opportunities
  • Touch typing to improve accuracy and speed

Highlights of Course:

  • Designing logos, flyers, tickets
  • Market school activities:  promoting clubs and teams for the entire school
  • Learning to budget your money
  • Creating professional presentations

This course will help you with all of your other courses by knowing all the software programs that you will be using and helping create solid presentations at LHSS.

 

BTT1OB (Information and Communication Technology in Business, Fast Forward)

This course will be the cornerstone of success for the rest of your high school career. Learn and apply word processing software (such as Word and Google Docs), spreadsheets (Excel and Google Sheets), presentation software (including PowerPoint, Google Slides, Prezi and Powtoons), desktop publishing (including Publisher and Google Drawings), Photoshop and website design, and use these tools in all of your courses!  The major final project in this course involves creating a business and using many of the business technology applications learned in the course to advertise, promote and run the business.

GRADE 11

BAF3MI (Financial Accounting Fundamentals, University/College)

Accounting is the language of business.  It is difficult to imagine an organization or an individual not affected by accounting.  From the local corner store to the world’s largest corporation, successful people and businesses use accounting to organize, understand, and communicate all aspects of their financial position.  Ultimately, it is this understanding that helps people make wise business decisions.  Students will develop financial analysis and decision-making skills that will assist them in future studies and career opportunities in business.

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles and procedures of accounting, with emphasis on accounting procedures used in service and merchandising businesses.  Students will develop an understanding of the connections between financial analysis, control and decision making in the management of a business, as well as the effects of technology and globalization on accounting procedures and the role of the accountant.  Prerequisite: none.

Summative Projects:

  • Final exam; &
  • Students will play Monopoly and record each transaction in order to complete the accounting cycle.

 

BDI3CI (Entrepreneurship:  The Venture, College)

How do entrepreneurs find and recognize business opportunities, generate ideas, and plan to launch and operate a successful venture?  How do they commercialize new robotics, technology devices, a new clothing line, or scientific discovery? Come find out about Entrepreneurship! The goal is to enhance students’ entrepreneurial skills, overcome the challenges of starting and operating a new business by practicing with real entrepreneurial experiences.  Ignite your competitive spirit by learning with several game platforms, and a real in-class model. Prerequisite:  NONE.

Course Highlights:

  • Activities that develop entrepreneurial skills
  • Challenges (in-class and online games) that stretch your creative thinking
  • Leadership opportunities within a school based venture to build CEO experience
  • Learn what it takes to be your own boss
  • Experience the business model canvas
  • Develop your own business idea and build it into a working business!

Units of Study:

  • Enterprising People and Entrepreneurs
  • Brilliant Ideas and Market Opportunities
  • Benefits of Business Planning (Business Model Canvas)
  • Creating a Venture (Summative Evaluation)

 

BMI3CI (Marketing:  Goods, Services & Events, College)

Have you ever wondered about the world of advertising and marketing?  Marketing is a world more than just commercials.  This course will discuss market research, product development, pricing, packaging, placement strategies, and of course promotion and advertising. Students learn how an idea becomes a product and goes from the concept stage to the marketplace through case studies, market challenges and real-life examples.

The course is designed to build knowledge and skills in a practical, fun, and outgoing manner. Come wear the shoes of an advertising executive, sales person or brand manager in the BMI 3CI classroom. Prerequisite:  none. Note – there is no final exam.

Fun things we will do:

  • Students will engage in a blind taste test challenge (yes…we will eat food!)
  • Egg drop packaging challenge
  • Dragon Den’s Sales Pitch
  • Filming our own television commercials
  • Redesign logos and advertisements
  • Working with local businesses to help revamp their advertising plan
  • Design new products and marketing plans to make them a success

Summative:  The summative project invites students to “invent” or “innovate” a product and create a marketing plan to support it, making the course a very practical, hands-on and fun experience. We will also film a commercial too!

Some possible field trips:

  • Escape Room Experience
  • Canada’s Wonderland- learning about marketing
  • Watching Cannes Awards (award winning  international commercials at a movie theatre)
  • Doing a focus group at an advertising company
  • Visiting local businesses

GRADE 12

BAT4MI (Financial Accounting Principles, University/College)

Accounting is the language of business.  This course introduces students to advanced accounting principles that will prepare them for postsecondary studies in business.  Students will learn about financial statements for various forms of business ownership and how those statements are interpreted in making business decisions.  This course expands students’ knowledge of sources of financing, further develops accounting methods for assets, and introduces accounting for partnerships and corporations.  Prerequisite:  BAF3MI.

 

BBB4MI (International Business Fundamentals, University/College)

“Globalization has changed us into a company that searches the world, not just to sell or to source, but to find intellectual capital – the world’s best talents and greatest ideas.” Jack Welch

The international business course looks to encompass all that Mr. Welch speaks to in the quote above.  Students will learn about business, trade and the economy, and examine success factors such as cultural knowledge and how to deal with current trends like oil price fluctuations, the environment and sustainable business practices.  In addition, students will investigate the growing concept of corporate social responsibility and will look at how it can be positioned as a competitive advantage in today’s global environment. Finally, students will learn about marketing products internationally and logistical processed used to transport products up and down the supply chain.  This course prepares students for postsecondary programs in business, international business, marketing, and management.  Prerequisite:  Any U/M/C course in Business Studies, English or Canadian and World Studies.

Topics of Study:

  • Introduction to International Trade
  • Culture, Politics, and Economics
  • Trade Organizations & Social Responsibility
  • International Marketing and Logistics
  • Canada’s Role in International Business

 

BOH4MI (Business Leadership:  Management Fundamentals, University/College)

Interested in learning how to be someone’s manager?  This course examines effective leadership practices used in successful corporations.  Students will analyze the role of a leader in business, with a focus on decision making, management of group dynamics, workplace stress and conflict, motivation of employees and planning.  Effective business communication skills, ethics and social responsibility are also emphasized. Through a variety of classroom activities the students will develop and enhance their own leadership skills.  This course prepares students for careers in business, management, accounting, psychology, and sociology.  Prerequisite:  Any U/M/C course in Business Studies, English or Canadian and World Studies.  

***DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY***: Students who successfully obtain a grade of 75% on the course are eligible to write a special Laurier exam. If they receive 75% or higher on the exam, they will earn a ½ credit in at WLU.

 

CIA4UI (Analysing Current Economic Issues, University)

WANT TO MANAGE A $1,000,000 STOCK PORTFOLIO??? If yes, then CIA4UI is for you!!! This course takes a close look at one of our most powerful forces in society today – MONEY!  How does where we spend our money impact the world in which we live? How do the decisions that we make every day shape our society both today and in the future? CIA4UI examines current Canadian and international micro and macroeconomic issues, developments, policies, and practices from diverse perspectives. Students will explore the decisions that individuals and institutions, including governments, make in response to economic issues such as globalization, trade agreements, economic inequalities, regulation, and public spending. Students will apply the concepts of economic thinking and economic inquiry process, as well as economic models and theories, to investigate, and develop informed opinions about economic trade-offs.  Prerequisite:  Any U/M/C course in Business Studies, English or Canadian and World Studies. NOTE – counts as Group 1 credit for OSSD.

***DUAL CREDIT OPPORTUNITY***: Students who successfully obtain a grade of 75% on the course are eligible to write a special Laurier exam. If they receive 75% or higher on the exam, they will earn a ½ credit in at WLU.

Looking at a Bachelor of Business Administration/Commerce/ Economics degree?

Economics is a required course of study in all post secondary business programs. For example, the following programs require both Micro and Macroeconomics in first year: WLU BBA, Queen’s Bachelor of Commerce, Guelph Commerce, and York University’s Schulich School of Business BBA.

Units of Study:

  • Unit 1 – Fundamentals of Economics
  • Unit 2 – Firms, Markets and Economic Stakeholders
  • Unit 3 – Macroeconomics
  • Unit 4 – Global Interdependence and Inequalities