Syllabus - Fall 2008

BA 335 Organizational Management

Stout home

BA 335 home

Syllabus

Schedule and homework

Lecture notes

Projects

Phone: Campus 360.438.4587

Email: dstout@stmartin.edu

Web site: http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/dstout/

Office hours:  Old Main 370, M/W 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., T/R 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Required text:

Stephen P. Robbins and David A DeCenzo, Fundamentals of Management, 6e, Prentice-Hall, c. 2008, ISBN: 10-0136007104

Prerequisites:  junior standing.

Course description:

This organizational management course is intended to be a survey of  management theories, conceptual frameworks, and their application in practice. The course focuses on building skills required for managing today's organizations.

Organizational management seeks to achieve organizational goals efficiently and effectively through four primary management functions - planning, organizing, leading and controlling. A  proper understanding of management and organizational principles leads to improved use of the resources necessary to attain organizational goals. Identifying, describing, and grappling with such important management and organizational principles will be the central focus of this course.

Course objectives:

This course seeks to improve your understanding of organizational management and leadership and to give you specific skills. At the end of this course, 

You should have:

• developed a working knowledge of organizational concepts and theories related to managing and leading organizations.
• gained an appreciation of the importance of organizational management and its relation to business success.

• learned to better appreciate group dynamics in project work.

• organize and write a team project report.
• organize and deliver a team-developed oral presentation.
• work cooperatively and productively on a project team.

Teaching strategy

The class sessions will be a combination of lectures, interactive exercises, internet exercises, project work, and written and video based case discussion. Course content will come primarily from the assigned textbook.  Internet content will be incorporated where appropriate.

You are responsible for reviewing the class schedule and completing the assigned readings, homework problems, project tasks, and case analyses.

Grading

Grade category and points:

Your grade in this course will be determined by both individual and group activities. Your grade will be determined by your performance in the following areas:

Examinations: (65 points)

(65 points) Three intermediate examinations (15 points each) and a final examination (20 points) will be given. Tests will be made up of questions and problems taken from lecture material, case readings, homework, your term project experience and the text.

Exams are time limited (generally 50 minutes) to test your full knowledge and grasp of the concepts being tested. By design, if you do not know the material, you will not be able to complete the exam within the time allotted.  Be prepared.

I will make every effort to inform you of points allocated to questions and problems prior to each examination. 

Makeup exams will not be given unless you make prior arrangements.

Quizzes: (5 points) Announced and unannounced quizzes on reading assignments and problems will be given periodically.

Homework may be collected and graded as if it were a quiz. If an insufficient number of quizzes/homework is given to justify 5% of the course grade, the points for quizzes may be reallocated to the final examination.

Project: (25 points; project 1: 5 points; project 2: 20 points)

Because Saint Martin's University's School of Business recognizes the importance today's organizations place on high-performing project teams, a primary focus of this class will be completing a group project. With classmates coming from different cultures who possess diverse educational backgrounds, working habits, personalities, and writing styles, a group project poses a challenge for every student. We want you to learn to appreciate the differences, to solve disagreements among team members, to work together as a team, to bring out the strengths in everyone, and produce the best achievable outcome.

Your project grade will be a combination of your group’s grade as determined by the instructor and your individual grade as rated by your teammates. You will earn a group grade based on the quality of your oral presentation, the professionalism of your written report, and the quality of your project submittals.

I may also ask you to prepare and submit preliminary drafts of segments of your term project. I find this to be a useful tool for me (and for you). It helps me gauge the strength of your writing skills and helps me see how you are progressing toward project completion. Grades for outlines and drafts will be counted as part of your term project score.

At conclusion of both projects, you will be required to complete a confidential peer evaluation review sheet. Peer evaluation evidence influences project grade distribution.

Homework: Homework assignments may be collected and graded. Please submit all homework typewritten. Late homework assignments will not be accepted.

Attendance/participation:  (5 points)  I highly recommend you come to each class session. Attendance is not mandatory in the same manner as passing the exams, reading the course material, and doing the homework is not mandatory. I value class participation. I like seeing you. Your presence and participation during each and every class period contributes to everyone's overall learning. 

Persistent absence, tardiness, chatting in class, or other disruptive behavior will harm your grade.

Keeping in touch with me:  First, ask questions in class (it helps you and may help others).  Alternatively, visit me during my posted office hours. Slide a note under my office door ("Old Main" room 370).  Call me (360 438-4587).  Or, send me an email (dstout@stmartin.edu).

Special assistance: The Learning Center offers individual learning consultations, study group assistance, handouts and books on study skills, and free peer tutoring in the following subject areas: math, chemistry, physics, economics, accounting, Spanish, French, and Japanese.  The tutoring schedules are posted outside the door in Old Main, room 212. To learn more about resources available through the Learning Center you are encouraged to drop by room 208 or visit their website:  www.stmartin.edu/academics/learning_center/index.htm.

Special needs:  If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, if you have medical and/or safety concerns to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible.

Contact Information:

Office:  
Room 370 "Old Main"

Phone:
360.438.4587

E-Mail: dstout@stmartin.edu

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