Department of Management

School of Business Administration

The University of Mississippi

First Summer Term 2009

   

Management 371: Principles of Management

Professor: Robert K. Robinson, PhD, SPHR                                               Office Hours:  1:30-2:30 p.m. M-Th

Michael S. Starnes Professor of Management                                                                        or by appointment

Office: 372 Holman Hall                                                                                                                             

Phone: 915-7635   

Email: brobinson@bus.olemiss.edu     

Web Page: http://faculty.bus.olemiss.edu/brobinson         

 

The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to populate the world with fools.
Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)

                

   I. Course Description:

   

This course focuses on the principles and concepts of planning, organizing, staffing, motivating, controlling, and operating enterprises in an ever changing external environment.

 

 II.   Class Meetings:

 

This class will meet in Room 139 in Holman Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 11:50 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Please see the tentative schedule for the exact meeting dates, topics, assignments, and material to be covered.

   

 III. OBJECTIVES:

 

A.  To introduce the manager's planning responsibilities and develop a more accurate perception of what is required in the manager's role as an integrator of the organization's functional areas (i.e, finance, marketing, operations, research and development, international operations, management information systems, etc.).

 

B.  To develop a basic understanding of the theoretical material associated with the major management functions (planning, organizing staffing, directing, and controlling) and processes.

 

C.  To learn how management theories are applied to the actual management practices in organizations.

 

D.  To improve the student's abilities to interpret and understand phenomena observed in modern organizations.

 

E.  To develop an appreciation for the impact that the international arena has had on management practices in the United States.

 

F.  To develop the student's sense of punctuality and personal accountability in meeting assignments and deadlines.

 

 

IV.  Teaching Methods:

Course objectives will be accomplished through the discussion of the text, current events, lecture, and examinations.

 

V.  Prerequisites

Students who have not successfully completed the below listed prerequisites will NOT be permitted to enroll in, or complete for credit, MGMT 371: Junior standing (> 60 semester      hours).

            

VI.  Implementation:

 

A.  Text:  Griffin, Ricky W. (2008). Management (9th ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 9780618767953

 

B.  Examinations:

There will be three (3) examinations and a comprehensive final examination which will cover the text, readings, lecture, and class discussion.

 

C.  Grading:

1. The following demonstrates the weight given to each course requirement(s):

   

Percentage of

Course Requirements                  Possible Points              Total Grade

 

a. Examinations (100 pts ea.)              200                           47.6%

b. Attendance                                             20                             4.8%

c. Third Examination                             200                          27.6%

                                                                   420                         100.0%

 

 

2. There are no provisions for "extra credit" assignments in this course.  Additionally, no partial credit is given for incorrect answers on examinations. A personnel decision based on erroneous information is invariably wrong.

 

3.  Exam Administration:

a.  All exams are closed-book; students are expected to do their own work.

b.  Students will not be allowed to wear hats, caps, or visors during exams.

c.  Two tests will consist of 100 multiple choice questions covering four chapters.  The Third examination will consist of 200 multiple choice questions (two scantrons) covering seven chapters. Questions will be drawn from the text and any material presented in the lecture.

d. The only materials that a student must bring for an exam are two (2) number two pencils and the green scantron sheet.

e.  Make-up Examinations:  Students who miss a regularly scheduled exam for a valid reason (as determined by the professor) will be allowed to make-up the exam.  Make-up exams will be scheduled on the same date as the third and final examination.

            

4. Final course grades will be computed based upon the following ranges of cumulative points out of 420 possible points:

Course Grade           Point Range

A                               378-420

B                               336-377

C                               294-335

D                               252-293

F                                 < 251

 

 

VII.   Course Policies:

   

A.  Attendance - attendance will be taken at all schedule class meetings.  Do to the outside material provided in the lecture, your attendance is expected.

 

1.  You, the student, are absolutely responsible for your attendance and being to class on time--especially on dates when examinations or other course requirements are scheduled.  Students arriving late for class after roll is taken will be counted as absent. Students arriving late for class after roll is taken will be counted as absent. Students departing class before the instructor has concluded it will be counted as absent, to include leaving and returning during the lecture. Each penalty will remove ten (10) points from the attendance grade.

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2.  Attendance on Exam Dates:  If a student is absent without a valid excuse (as determined by the professor) he, or she, will not be permitted to make up any missed material (to include examinations and reports).  Simply stated, if a student is absent for unexcused reason on the date that an examination, a book report, or a pop quiz is given, that student will receive a grade of zero (0) for that work.  No student arriving late for an examination will be permitted to take the examination.

 

3.  You should notify your professor before any scheduled requirement when you cannot be present for a valid reason.

 

4.  Absence Documentation:  It is the student's responsibility to provide documentation to verify the legitimacy of an excuse for absence.  In the case of illness or injury, the student is expected to provide a copy of a physician's sick slip, hospital admissions record, or a similar document upon the student's return to class.  Verification of nonmedical-related reasons will be determined by the instructor.

 

B.  Other Polices:

 

1. Make Ups:  All make up examinations (for approved excused absences) will be scheduled during the third examination (June 22).  Again, there are no make ups for unexcused absences.

 

2.  Extra Credit:  There are no provisions for extra credit in this course.

 

3. Partial Credit:  In business, a wrong answer, regardless of how proper its calculation will result in a poor/wrong decision.  Therefore, no credit is given for wrong answers.

 

4.  Appeals:  Students who miss questions on exams may appeal any question they miss.  An appeal must take the form of a written explanation as to why the student should receive credit for his or her answer.  Two criteria are used in considering appeals:  (1) The explanation/argument must be logical and consistent, and (2) accurate knowledge of course material must be demonstrated.  All appeals are due no later than the class period following the return of the examination in question.  No appeals will be accepted after the beginning of that class period.  For example, if Exam I was returned to the student on Friday (June 5), no appeal would be accepted after the beginning of the Monday (June 8) class. Appeals are graded individually, only those students whose appeals are accepted will receive credit for missed answers.

 

5. Children in the Classroom:  In recent years there has arisen the problem of parents bringing their children to lectures, and even to examinations.  This has resulted in distractions to other students and ensuing complaints.  I do not wish to sound mean-spirited, but parents are requested to please make accommodations for child care else where and not bring children to class.

 

6. Cellular Phones: During classes and examinations please turn cellular phones off as they provide a distraction to the other students.

 

7. Academic Dishonesty and Cheating: Academic dishonesty refers to the use of unauthorized books, notes, or otherwise securing help on a test, copying tests, assignments, reports, or term papers.  Any student caught engaging in any form of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade FOR THE SEMESTER in this course--NO EXCEPTIONS!  The following are considered serious breaches of academic dishonesty for which severe penalties may be imposed:

a. Obtaining unauthorized information.

(1). Copying part or all of a graded homework assignment from another student.

(2). Working together on a take-home test or assignment when not specifically permitted to do so by the instructor.

(3). Looking on another student's paper during an exam.

(4). Looking at your notes, or anyone else's notes, during an examination when not specifically permitted to do so.

b. Tendering of information.

(1). Giving your work to another student to be copied.

(2). Giving someone answers to exam questions while the exam is being given.

(3). After having taken an exam, informing another person in a later section of the questions that appear on the exam.

(4). Giving or selling exams to other students.

(5). Giving or selling term papers, cases, or other assignments to another student.

c. Plagiarism--representing someone else's work as your own.

                                      (1). Handing in a paper purchased from a term paper service.

                                      (2). Retyping part or all of a friend's paper and handing it in as your own.

                                      (3). Taking a paper from any file and handing it in as your own.

(4). Quoting from another source on a term paper or an assignment without citing the source.

                             d. Collusion.

(1). Acting in concert with one or more fellow students to commit any form of academic dishonesty together.

(2). Giving your term paper, homework, case, or other assignment to any other student.

(3). Making unauthorized grade changes or tampering with grades in any way.

(4). Encouraging or recruiting any other person to commit any form of academic dishonesty.

                                      (5). Giving or receiving information when not specifically authorized to do so.

                             e. Misrepresentation.

                                      (1). Having another student do your class work.

                                      (2). Having someone else take an exam for you.

                                      (3). Lying to a professor to increase your grade.

f. Bribery--Offering money or any item or any service to any other person so as to gain academic advantage for yourself or any other student.

 

Academic honesty is an important standard of every academic institution and is expected of every student in this class.  As academic dishonesty is also a crime against the university, violators will be referred to the Chairman, Department of Management and Marketing for additional disciplinary measures as deemed appropriate.  Should you have any doubt as to whether or not an action of yours constitutes academic dishonesty, consult your professor before engaging in it.

 

School of Business Administration's Statement on Academic Integrity:

 

The School of Business Administration upholds honor and academic integrity in all of its teaching, research, and service activities.  All business faculty, staff, and students are charged with the responsibility to behave with personal and professional integrity and to refrain from dishonorable conduct.

 

8.  Weather Conditions:  If Ole Miss classes are canceled for weather, any assignment scheduled for that date will be due at the beginning of the next class meeting thereafter.  If an examination is scheduled on a date in which the University is closed, then that examination will be given on the next class meeting thereafter. 

 

9. Students with Disabilities:  Any student who feels that he or she needs an accommodation due to any disability, please make an appointment to discuss this matter with me during the first two weeks of the semester.

 

    IX.  Appendices:

         A. Tentative Class Schedule.

         B. Appeals Form


Appendix A

Tentative Class Schedule

Mgmt 371.01

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DATE        ASSIGNMENT                PURPOSE/ACTIVITY

         

05/26                  Syllabus                                 Introduction to the course objectives and policies

                             Chapter 1                              Introduction to managing and the Manager’s Job: The management process, kinds of managers, basic managerial roles and skills.

05/27                 

                             Chapter 2                              Traditional & Contemporary Issues: The role of theory and history,

                                                                             classical management, behavioral management perspectives. Quantitative

                                                                             management, general systems, and contingency management

                                                                             perspectives

                            

                                                                                      

05/28                  Chapter 3                              Organizational Environment and Culture: external and internal environmental influences, the impact of culture, the environment and organizational effectiveness.

 

05/29                  Chapter 4                              The Ethical and Social Environment: Individual ethics, organizational ethics and social responsibility, government influences on organizations.

 

 

06/01                  Chapter 5                              The Global Environment: trends in international business, structure of the global economy, effects on of international business on the cultural and political/legal environments, competing in a global economy.

                            

06/02                  Chapter 6                              The Multicultural Environment: Trends in diversity, does multiculturalism create a competitive advantage. Avoiding "diversity

 

06/03                   Exam I                                         Chapters 1-6

 

06/04                  Chapter7                               Decision-making and Planning: Establishing organizational goals, types of organizational plans, developing and executing plans. Operational planning, differentiating policies from programs, barriers to goal-setting and how to overcome them.

 

06/05                   Chapter 8                                       Strategic Planning: The components of strategy, introduction to SWOT analysis, business-level strategies and corporate-level strategies.

                            

 

06/08                  Chapter 9                             Decision-Making and Problem-Solving: Decision-making conditions, the behavioral aspects of decision-making, group decision-making

 

06/09                  Chapter 10                            New Venture & Entrepreneurship: Role of entrepreneurship in society, strategic considerations, the structure of new businesses, survival rates.

                                                         

06/10                  Chapter 11                            The basic Elements of the Organizing Process :  Designing job, departmentalization, scalar chains, delegation, line/staff differences.

 

06/11                  Exam II                              Chapters 7-11.

                            

 

06/12                  Chapter 12                            The Nature of Organization Design: Models (bureaucratic & behavioral), situation and strategy influences on design, basic forms of organizational design.

06/15                  Chapter 13                            Managing Change in Organizations:  Forces causing change, the change process, effects of change, innovation and change

                            

06/16                  Chapter 15                            Elements of Individual Behavior: Psychological contracts, "Big Five personality traits, Meyers-Briggs, job satisfaction, selective perceptions, dysfunctional behaviors

 

06/17`                 Chapter 16                            The Nature of Motivation: Needs theories, process theories, empowerment and participation

                              

06/18                  Chapter 17                            Leadership: the five bases of power, generic approaches to leadership, situational approaches to leadership, substitutes for leadership, and political behavior in organizations.

                             Chapter 18                            Communication: Forms of communication within organizations, the grapevine, barriers to communication.

                            

06/19                  Chapter 19                            Managing Work Teams: types of groups and teams, why people join groups, structure and roles within groups, interpersonal and intergroup conflict, and managing conflict

                             Chapter 20                            The Basic Elements of Control: purpose of control, the types of control, and characteristics of effective control in organizations

 

06/22                  Final Exam                    Chapters 12-13, 15-20


 

APPENDIX B

 GRADE INQUIRY/APPEAL FORM

 

NAME:______________________________________________________

 

DATE:_______________________    COURSE NUMBER: _______________  

 

DIRECTIONS: Copy the entire question in the space provided below, including all five responses.  Indicate both the correct answer according to the test key and your response.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARGUMENT:  Provide the rationale as to why you should receive credit for your response in the space provided below. Refer to your syllabus in the section on "appeals" for criteria. Note: Limit your inquiry/appeal to 200 words or less.