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  5. BUS-X170 How Business Works
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Start building momentum before classes begin

Your first Kelley School course—BUS-X170 How Business Works—provides the foundation for your smooth transition to the Kelley School of Business and your future academic success. You’ll learn about real-world business practices in a variety of disciplines, from operations and management to marketing and finance.  

Offered online during the summer before your first semester, this course gives you:

  • A head start on your business education
  • Valuable early access to Kelley faculty
  • An understanding of faculty expectations
  • Familiarity using IU technology

This course is for new Kelley students. Direct admits are pre-enrolled in the course X170. You'll see it on your schedule at New Student Orientation.

Intro to BUS-X170: How Business Works

How Business Works helps students transition to the Kelley School of Business and builds a foundation for success. Offered online during the summer before the first semester, this course gives students an understanding of real-world business practices in a variety of disciplines, from operations and management to marketing and finance.

Description of the video:

WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.333 --> 00:00:04.254 X170 How Business Works is a direct admit's bridge 2 00:00:04.254 --> 00:00:05.505 to Kelley. 3 00:00:05.505 --> 00:00:08.466 Offered as an online course during the summer intersession, 4 00:00:08.466 --> 00:00:10.593 the course seeks to provide the direct admits 5 00:00:10.593 --> 00:00:12.512 the tools they need to land with their feet 6 00:00:12.512 --> 00:00:14.723 firmly on the ground when they arrive in the fall. 7 00:00:14.723 --> 00:00:17.767 The course is constructed along two major learning tracks: 8 00:00:17.767 --> 00:00:20.353 Research and Innovation and Business 9 00:00:20.353 --> 00:00:22.230 from Multiple Perspectives. 10 00:00:22.230 --> 00:00:24.524 There are a diverse set of deliverables, 11 00:00:24.524 --> 00:00:28.028 including numerous Top Hat- based reading assignments, 12 00:00:28.028 --> 00:00:31.364 an individual cited research paper on innovation, 13 00:00:31.364 --> 00:00:34.284 a case analysis, individual and team 14 00:00:34.284 --> 00:00:37.454 play in an intro to business simulation, 15 00:00:37.454 --> 00:00:40.165 and a startup investment simulation. 16 00:00:40.165 --> 00:00:42.083 The course is team taught by faculty 17 00:00:42.083 --> 00:00:45.545 from five different departments and library research faculty. 18 00:00:45.545 --> 00:00:48.673 X170 introduces students to key technologies 19 00:00:48.673 --> 00:00:51.134 that they will use on campus and in their careers: 20 00:00:51.134 --> 00:00:54.971 Zoom, for interactive webinars with their X170 faculty 21 00:00:54.971 --> 00:00:58.141 and mentors; Top Hat, to access course content; 22 00:00:58.141 --> 00:01:00.977 and Microsoft Teams, to help students talk directly 23 00:01:00.977 --> 00:01:02.520 with their professors and colleagues. 24 00:01:02.520 --> 00:01:04.647 [MUSIC PLAYING]

Neliya Nyirenda portrait.

“X170 is a great way to really dip your feet into what a college class is like and what the expectations are before you dive in at Kelley.”

Neliya Nyirenda, BS’23

You'll join the class online in a live virtual classroom: all you need is a computer with Wi-Fi, a microphone, and a webcam. The course will utilize Zoom, TopHat, Canvas, and Microsoft Teams. The course offers plenty of flexibility in terms of when you can engage with the learning materials, as well as flexibility for students in time zones around the world.

Course activities will begin with a live, interactive introduction to the course. You will have the option of watching the recording on your own time, if you prefer. You will receive the Zoom link a few days prior to this date. No other prior action is needed. This link will allow you to join the discussion and get better clarity about course requirements.

All webinars will be recorded. Attendance at live sessions is encouraged, but it is not required. You will work in teams and need to have the ability to interact with your teammates via a digital connection. Accommodations will be made for Camp Kelley attendees.

Need help with Zoom or Top Hat? Find help here:

  • About Zoom at IU
  • Top Hat Guide
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Canvas

You are pre-enrolled in BUS-X170 as a direct admit to the Kelley School. The courses as a part of your fall credit hours and counts as a part of your fall flat-rate tuition. No summer tuition is assessed. For information on IU Bloomington's flat-rate tuition, see the IU's Cost and Financial Aid.

Aligns with intersession dates and first class will be on Monday, August 4 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. ET.  A Zoom link and class information will be emailed to registered students prior to that date.  If you cannot attend live or need to leave class early, you can review recordings of all live class sessions, which will meet weekdays.

What kind of computer/technology is needed?

A computer with Wi-Fi, a microphone, and a webcam.

How much time is required for this course?

This course requires approximately 12 hours of work per week.

What are the benefits of taking BUS-X170?

  • Getting up to speed on all IU classroom technology
  • Exposure to Kelley faculty from different disciplines
  • Interdisciplinary understanding of “How Business Works”
  • Exposure to I-Core faculty (you may see one or more of your instructors again)
  • Introduction to IU research databases and materials
  • Intensive summer bridge to your IU/Kelley experience
    • Research shows that students who participate in a summer bridge experience are more successful in their first semester at college
  • The course is part of your fall credit hours and counts as a part of your fall flat-rate tuition. No summer tuition is assessed. For information on IU Bloomington's flat-rate tuition, see the IU's Cost and Financial Aid.

What if I am traveling or working during some of the course?

You can access this course anywhere, as long as you have access to Wi-Fi and a computer. If you are going to be traveling for more than one week without access to Wi-Fi, you may want to drop this course.

What am I missing if I cannot take this course due to conflicts?

You will not be penalized in any way if you are unable to take this course due to traveling or other unavoidable conflicts. This course is not required for any student.

Can I take both BUS-X170 and an Intensive Freshmen Seminar (IFS) course?

Unfortunately, no. Students will have to make a choice between BUS-X170 and IFS due to the conflicts in timing and the workload in each of these intersession courses. You are welcome to talk with an advisor to get recommendations regarding which course would best fit your situation.

What if I need to drop this course?

You may drop this course, after your NSO date, by going to your Student Center. Please refer to the IU Bloomington official calendar for drop dates/deadlines for intersession courses. If you have additional questions about this process, email x170@iu.edu

If I can’t take X170 now, can I take it in the fall?

The course runs only during the few weeks prior to the start of the fall semester, and is for new Kelley students.

 

Meet Your Instructors

Led by a team of six faculty members (and an IU resource librarian) from various functional areas of business, BUS-X170 gives you an opportunity to interact with instructors you may see again during I-Core or throughout your academic career at Kelley.

  • Gary Arave (Resource Librarian)
  • Bryce Bow (Co-Lead Instructor)
  • Joe Fitter
  • Gerry Hays
  • Jeanette Heidewald (Co-Lead Instructor)
  • Kent Rerko (Co-Lead Instructor)
  • John Talbott

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