UCLA Extension Department of Business and Management Spring Quarter, 2011 Accounting X120C Intermediate Accounting, Theory and Practice (Online) Course Title: Intermediate Accounting, Theory and Practice Course Number: X120C Registration Number: W2931 Quarter: Spring Quarter, 2011 Instructor: Dr. Rick Lillie Telephone: (909) 537-5726 Skype: Contact Name: ricklillie (Select option for Dr. Rick Lillie) Email: rlillie@drlillie.com Virtual Office Hours: By Email, Skype, or Telephone Course Manager: Judith Estanislao (For contact information, see the Staff Information page on Blackboard) COURSE DESCRIPTION X120C is the third course of the 3-course Intermediate Accounting sequence. Emphasis is on complex reporting issues (e.g., fair value, financial instruments, revenue recognition, deferred taxes, pensions, leases, and the statement of cash flows). X120C introduces international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and compares US GAAP to IFRS. US accounting standard setters and regulators anticipate that IFRS will replace US GAAP sometime between 2011 and 2014. X120C also introduces the FASB s Accounting Standards Codification system, a new internet-based approach to researching accounting reporting standards. COURSE PREREQUISITES Completion of Accounting X120A and X120B with a grade of C or better. o Caveat Statement: I do not recommend that you take more than one Intermediate Accounting course at the same time. The three courses are building blocks. For example, there are issues covered at the beginning of X120C that build on topics covered toward the end of X120B. It is your responsibility to determine that you meet the prerequisite requirements.
Page 2 of 7 REQUIRED COURSE MATERIALS Textbook: Intermediate Accounting, 13 th Edition, by Kieso, Weygandt, and Warfield. John Wiley & Sons. o If you use the 12 th Edition 2007 FASB Update, you will be able to access the online version the 13 th Edition through WileyPlus for Kieso 13 th Edition. Contact me with questions about working with the online version of Kieso 13 th Edition. Software: WileyPlus for Kieso 13 th Edition is valid for a 12-month subscription period. o NOTE: Go to the WileyPlus page on the Blackboard course page. The page includes a link to Wiley where you can purchase a WileyPlus registration code. You need the registration code in order to register for the X120C course on WileyPlus. LEARNING AND PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES During ACCT X120C, you will develop knowledge and skills that should enable you to: Understand how business managers use accounting information to make decisions. Analyze, interpret, and draw conclusions about accounting and business information. Apply FASB pronouncements to topic situations covered in the course. Use the FASB s Accounting Standards Codification system to research accounting issues discussed during the course. Use Internet resources to develop "finger tip knowledge" about accounting issues and identify relevant examples and articles about issues discussed during the course. Demonstrate that you can actively use course technology tools (e.g., Google Docs and Spreadsheets, Skype, Tokbox, VoiceThread, and WileyPlus) to o communicate with the course instructor and fellow class members. o prepare solutions for homework assignments. o post comments for selected discussion issues. o research and document accounting and related disclosure issues. Relate topics and issues covered in ACCT X120A and X120B to other accounting, business, and university courses that you have completed. Compare and contract US GAAP to related IFRS (igaap). COURSE DELIVERY AND TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS I teach this section of ACCT X120C in a 100% online format. There are no face-to-face classroom meetings. Everything we do is technology-mediated and online. Activities include both synchronous (web-based live) and asynchronous (one-way) interactions. Blackboard serves as the gateway to what we do. The Class Assignments Schedule (CAS) is learning central. You need access to broadband internet. Dialup access may not be satisfactory.
Page 3 of 7 Technology plays a key role in this X120C teaching-learning experience. I ask you to use a variety of technology tools in order to make the online teaching-learning experience come alive. For professional accountants, tools of the trade include the Internet, your computer, software such as Microsoft Office, audio and video-conferencing, and a variety of Web 2.0 technology tools. We will use many of these technology tools during X120C. I expect you to learn and use the technology tools during the course. The Web 2.0 technology tools that I ask you to use are available free on the internet. Most are cutting-edge technology tools not specifically supported by UCLA Extension tech support people. I will not ask you to use technology that I do not use myself. If we encounter a problem with a technology tool, working together, we will either resolve the problem in a reasonable manner or find an alternative way to complete the affected assignment. At all times, I will be fair in what I ask you to do and my expectations of your performance. To get maximum benefit from the X120C teaching-learning experience, I ask you to use a headset/microphone and webcam throughout the class. We will use these tools to communicate and to collaborate on course activities. These inexpensive technology tools may change the nature of your online learning experience. Caveat Statement: UCLA Extension included a link to an information web page about this course in the online registration web page. The information page explained that you need a headset/microphone and webcam to participate in the course and described how the course will be presented. UCLA Extension made this information available so that prospective class members would know about technology requirements and instructional methods before enrolling in the class. I assume that you reviewed the course information web page and that your enrollment indicates your willingness to use course technology and to actively participate in course activities. HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS PARTICIPATION Accounting students are self-motivated. I expect you to complete homework assignments by indicated deadlines and actively participate in class activities. Completing homework assignments will help you learn the material. Some assignments require individual effort while others may require collaboration with study team members. Everything covered in X120C relates to the theory and practice of accounting. There is a direct correlation between time spent preparing for class, completing homework assignments, participating in class activities, and performing on course examinations.
Page 4 of 7 There is truth to the old adage Practice Makes Perfect. Keep this in mind as you plan your study time and prepare for each class session. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES At all times during the X120C course, I expect you to: Prepare each week s class activities. Be proactive and ask questions when you do not understanding something. Complete (as best possible) all assigned homework exercises and problems. Respect contributions of other class members. Make meaningful contributions to course activities and assignments. Meet course deadlines no excuses! Become proficient with course technology. Challenge yourself, think deeply, and grow as a professional person. Accept responsibility for your performance in the course. Keep up-to-date with the course schedule. Complete the course on time. PROVISIONS FOR MAKEUP OF MISSED OR LATE ASSIGNMENTS All assignments and quizzes are due by the deadline indicated on the Class Assignments Schedule. I do not offer extra credit assignments. If you are unable to take an examination as scheduled on the Class Assignments Schedule, contact me before the scheduled examination. I will only consider requests involving extreme hardship situations. Do not push your luck! TEACHING-LEARNING METHODOLOGIES You are the center of the teaching-learning experience in this ACCT X120C course. I expect you to take responsibility for your own learning. I will guide you. I will not spoonfeed you. Teaching methods include streaming lecture-discussion, problem-solving, online research, writing papers, examination, and study team participation. The grading rubric for the course includes a variety of assessments designed to consider varying learning preferences of class members. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of virtual office hours. I use Skype, email, Eyejot, and Blackboard to communicate with class members. I post my availability schedule on the Virtual Office Hours Blackboard course page. I will respond to you as quickly as possible. A hallmark of my teaching style is close, personal interaction with class members. You will be amazed at what we can accomplish during a one-on-one, online video conference using tools like Skype and Eyejot. Try these methods! They are effective.
Page 5 of 7 Rather than sending text email messages, use Eyejot to send a video message. Video messaging can have a positive impact on the ways that we work together. Be creative. When you send me an email message, please remember to make a good impression. I expect your email message to be readable, use proper grammar, and include correct spelling. Before clicking the send option, read your email message out loud to yourself at least twice. If your message sounds mean or overly harsh to you, just imagine how it will come across to me when I read your comments. At all times, let us keep our communication civil and respectful. MY EXPECTATIONS OF YOU MY COMMITMENT TO YOU UCLA accepts certain courses offered by UCLA Extension as transfer credit acceptable for meeting degree requirements. In most cases, these courses include the X prefix. Depending upon your circumstances, X120C may be one of these courses. Accordingly, I designed this online course to meet UCLA s demanding degree requirements. Additionally, this course helps to qualify you to sit for the CPA Examination as a California candidate. I assume that class members want to prepare to sit for the CPA Examination. My objective is to help get you ready. If performing to UCLA s course expectations and preparing to sit for the CPA Examination are NOT what you are seeking, you may want to withdraw from this course section and enroll in another course section better suited to your learning objectives. I truly want you to be successful in X120C. To be successful, you need to set your sights high. Make the commitment to do well. Perform. I will do my best to help you grow and develop. COURSE GRADING RUBRIC The overall course is valued at 500 points. To be successful, you should complete ACCT X120C with a grade of C or better. The following table shows the grading rubric for the course.
Page 6 of 7 Examinations (2 exams @ 100 points each) 200 40% WileyPlus homework assignments (50 @ 2 points each) 100 20% Chapter quizzes (8 quizzes @ 10 points each) 80 16% FASB Codification Research (2 @ 20 points each) 40 8% VoiceThread Comments (1 @ 20 points each) 20 4% Course participation Instructor s assessment of class participation which includes interaction with class members, the instructor, quality of postings to forums on the Discussion Board, creativity and civility of comments, use of course technologies, and overall attitude displayed toward the course. Individual postings to forums will not be graded. Rather, both the quantity and quality of your overall postings (i.e., text, audio, video, etc.) will be considered when awarding course participation points at the end of the course. Overall course participation points will be awarded based on the following assessment rubric. Active participation earns 100% of potential points Limited participation earns 50% of potential points Did not participate earns 0% of potential points 60 12% Total course points 500 100% TENTATIVE GRADING SCALE A = 500 450 points B = 449 400 points C = 399 350 points D = 349 300 points F = 299 points and below
Page 7 of 7 Caveat Statements I reserve the right to modify the course-grading rubric at any time during the course. I reserve the right to curve the tentative grading scale in response to actual class performance. It would be a mistake on your part to assume that I will not award the full range of course letter grades. Reimbursement by your employer for course fees is your concern, not mine! STUDENTS WITH DIABILITIES If you are in need of an accommodation of some sort for a disability in order to participate in this class, please let me know ASAP. It is your responsibility to contact UCLA Extension regarding your specific needs. ACADEMIC REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES I refer you to UCLA Extension for policies on course withdrawal, cheating, and plagiarism. It is your responsibility to know about such regulations and procedures and ensure that you comply with these requirements. Consequences for cheating or plagiarism will be significant and may affect your ability to become a member of the accounting profession. You may lose points. You could fail the course. My best advice to you Do not cheat! Do not plagiarize! Two cornerstones of the accounting profession are trust and ethical behavior. Throughout the course, I will treat you as professional person who is trustworthy and capable of demonstrating ethical behavior. Prove me correct. CLASS ASSIGNMENTS SCHEDULE See the Class Assignments Schedule on the Blackboard course page for specific class assignments and activities. The Class Assignments Schedule is an interactive web page. Access the Class Assignments Schedule through the Assignments button on the left side of the Blackboard course welcome page.