MGT504 – Business Organization and Administration

Instructor – Michael Featherstone, DBA

Office: Room 217G – Merrill Hall

Phone: 256-782-5788

Skype: Mfeatherst1

E-mail:

Class Assignment Webpage: http://www.jsuccba.com/feather/504assignments.htm

Office Hours:

Monday and Wednesday 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM or by appointment

Text: “Management, 3rd ed.” by Hitt, Black & Porter

ISBN-978-0-13-255328-5

Course Description: Focuses on the role of management and its execution in the firm. This is an accelerated course in management concepts, functions and practices. NOTE: This is an on-line class with no meetings. As such, the onus is on the student to discipline him/herself to keep up with the weekly assignments. Failure to do so will significantly decrease your chances of success in the class. Another important factor is that virtual communication with the professor regarding questions concepts, ideas and assignments you do not understand is essential to your success. Thus, a requirement of the course is that you have access to Skype. If you do not currently use Skype, I suggest you download it. A Windows download link is http://www.skype.com/intl/en-us/get-skype/on-your-computer/windows/

Course Objectives: This course is to provide the student a better understanding of the concepts, functions and practices of management. The students should also garner a better understanding of the various structural and behavioral aspects of the organization. Finally, the student should develop the basic skills necessary to apply these concepts in organizational settings (i.e., public and private businesses).

Teaching Approach: The course is based on readings assigned in the syllabus and on the class assignment page. A great deal of outside reading, critical thinking and self-driven learning are required since this is an on-line graduate course. This course will require a commitment of over 10 hours per week if you want to perform well. Some weeks may take more time than that. Note that the specifics of the course may change by the day and week depending on current events, progress through the syllabus and any other factors affecting the class. Any changes to the syllabus will be announced and adequate notification will be given.

Academic Honesty Policy: Academic dishonesty in all forms will be dealt with swiftly and severely in this class. That includes all forms of cheating, plagiarism, and collaboration on individual papers. All students are required to do their own work on exams and individual projects. Failure to comply with this policy may result in failure of an assignment, removal from the course, failure in the course, and discipline action deemed appropriate by the instructor in his sole discretion and/or policies and procedures set forth by the JSU Academic Honor Policy found in the Student Handbook under the University Policies link: http://www.jsu.edu/depart/handbook/page17.html#honesty

CCBA Code of Conduct: Students are expected to adhere to the CCBA Student Code of Conduct which is posted in various locations around Merrill Building as well as on the CCBA web site.

MGT504 Student Evaluation: Based on tests that will generally be administered weekly (Thursday through Friday) covering each chapter. We will use the BlackBoard testing system for testing and administration of the tests. Also class participation in discussion groups and individual and team assignments. Such assignment may consist of Case Studies, Book Reviews and Presentations.

Student Grade Elements:

Your performance on weekly tests. Approximately 50-60%

The caliber of your class participation (bio video for example). Approx. 10%

The quality of your case study analyses, book reviews and presentations 30-40%

Americans with Disabilities Act: Any student who qualifies for reasonable accommodations under ADA, please inform me by September 11, 2009.

Changes in course requirements: Since this is a graduate-level class and all classes do not progress at the same rate, I may wish to modify the requirements or their timing as circumstances dictate. For example, I may wish to change the number and frequency of exams, or the numbers and sequence of assignments. However, students will be given adequate notification. If such modification is needed, it will be in writing on the class assignments webpage and it will conform to the spirit of this policy statement.

Assignments:

Week Ending / Chapter and Chapter Test
Part One. What is Management?
09/03/15 / Chapter1.The Nature of Management, p3
09/10/15 / Chapter2.Social Responsibility and Managerial Ethics, p27
09/17/15 / Chapter3.International Management and Globalization, p57
PartTwo.Planning and Organization
09/24/15 / Chapter4 Strategic Management, p81
10/01/15 / Chapter5.Planning, p110
10/08/15 / Chapter6.Organizational Structure and Design, p132
10/15/15 / Chapter7.Managing Diverse Human Resources, p166
PartThree.Leading
10/22/15 / Chapter8.Leadership, p204
10/29/15 / Chapter9.Motivation, p239
11/05/01 / Chapter10.Groups and Teams, p270
11/12/15 / Chapter11.Communication and Negotiation, p302
11/19/15 / Chapter12.Individual and Group Decision Making, p331
PartFour.Controlling
12/03/15 / Chapter13.Operations Management, p360
12/12/15 / Chapters14/15.Control, p386/p416

General Notes on Assignments and Grading

1.  The course will proceed along a very rigid schedule of student submissions. Failure to submit materials by the specified due date will have a significant negative consequence on your course grade..