BAM427 Contemporary Issues In Management Session: Summer II, 2007 Instructor: Peter E. Sagala

Class Dates: July 5 through August 23. Classroom: TBD

Day/Time: Thursdays, 6 – 9 pm

Contact Info: Home Phone#269-469-9272 / E-mail Address –[email protected] Required text(s): Course Pack (should be available in LMC’s Bookstore). Additionally, a supplementary reading list will be provided during the first night of class. University Mission The mission of Siena Heights, a Catholic University founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, is to assist people to become more competent, purposeful, and ethical through a teaching and learning environment which respects the dignity of all. Business Administration Department Learning Outcomes •

Communication – The ability to express ideas in writing, verbally and visually.

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Creativity – The ability to develop original ideas or use common solutions in uncommon ways.

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Analytical ability – The ability to effectively separate a complex problem or situation into its component parts in order to identify solutions.

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Integrative thinking – The ability to incorporate, assimilate and dissect issues discussed and read along with actual current events and situations in the management of organizations (profit as well as non-profit and governmental agencies).

„ Course description : The course will cover five critical contemporary issues facing management today: (1) Women in the workplace; eliminating sexual harassment, recognizing signs of sexual discrimination in the workplace, and improving cross-gender communication; (2) Employing people with capabilities; responding to the “Americans with Disabilities Act”; (3) Bridging the age gap; (4) Cultural Diversity; its challenges and opportunities; and (5) The Environment, it’s impact on corporations, governments, society; Global Warming, real or imaginary or a mixture of both?

„ Learning strategies – format of course: Through assigned readings and writing an analysis based on the assigned cases and article readings, the student will be exposed to management issues and problems that exist within the profit as well as the not-for-profit organizations. Through group activities, class discussion and individual participation, the student should develop an appreciation of the complexities involved with balancing and prioritizing these issues. Through lectures and individual journals, the student will review the substantive material provided in the assigned readings taken from the course pack along with making observations of current events affecting the corporate / organizational /small business world. Using these various modes of learning, i.e. reading, writing, discussing, viewing, analyzing, the student will begin to appreciate the challenges facing middle and upper level managers. „ Assessment strategies: The analytical papers based on the assigned readings, written journals, and in-class presentations along with group discussions and the final group project should develop the student’s communication skills as well as the creative skills. The analytical papers along with the final group project, lectures, and in-class discussions of current events and readings should develop the student’s analytical ability. The in-class presentations, inclass discussions, group discussions, article analysis papers, and the final group project should improve the student’s integrative thinking abilities. BAM (Business Administration Management) Outcomes To General Education Program Outcomes Program Learning Course Outcomes Learning Strategies Assessment Outcomes Tools/Strategies

Communication

Develop effective written and oral communication skills.

Creativity

Develop original and creative ideas and solutions to current and emerging issues in the management of formal organizations. Analyze various management issues and problems and select the best alternative for resolution. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the current issues facing contemporary managers, both in profit and not-forprofit organizations.

Analytical Ability

Integrative Thinking

Assigned readings, journaling, Group Activities and Discussions, and Class Participation. Group activities, class discussions, written journals, individual participation and Final Group Project. Lectures, assigned readings, class discussions, and Final Group Project. In class discussions, inclass presentations, group activities and discussions as well as assigned readings along with written analyses. Final Group Project.

Assigned papers based on readings, journaling, class presentations.

Assigned papers based on readings, Written Journals and Oral as Written presentation For Final Group Project. Written papers based, on readings, final group project, in-class discussions and Oral / written presentations. In-class presentations, in-class discussions, group discussions, article analysis, and final group project.

Additional Course Objectives: Students will have an opportunity to discuss and give thought to the dynamics of race, gender and age in organizations. Some of the current topics we hope to cover in class will be cultural stereotypes, conflicts and stress management, dual career marriages, single parent employees and implications of organizational expectations on the individual and reconciling one’s personal ethics with a particular corporate (organizational) culture. Journaling will be used to help each person to clarify the issues in their own minds.

„ Grading policy and scale: All assignment are due on the assigned date. However, as your instructor, I understand that you are a working professional and schedules can be tough. Therefore, if you are not able to turn your assignments in on schedule, as long as you contact me prior to the date, we can work out a schedule. Otherwise, the assignment is subject to a 5% point reduction. ALL work must be turned in on the last night of the class. It will be helpful if you forward your assignments to me to my E-mail address: [email protected]. Assessment:

Class participation and attendance. Written Journals (6 journals) Analysis Papers based on assigned readings. (2 papers)

Final Group Project (Applied Summary Paper) Total Potential Points

30 points (3.75 pts./class) 30 points (5 pts. / journal ) 20 points (10 points / paper. 20 points

Grading Scale: 90–100 pts.(90%100%) 80– 89 pts. (80%89%) 70– 79 pts.(70%-79%)

A

B C

60–69 pts. (60%-69%)

D

0–59 pts. (0%-59%)

F

100 points

„ Attendance policy: In order to accomplish the goals of the class, your attendance is required. I understand that extenuating circumstances can occur. And so, if that is the case, it is your responsibility to contact me as soon as possible to make alternative arrangements. In order to actively participate, you must be in class and be prepared for the class. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from being prepared, you should attend class anyway but inform me beforehand so that I will not call you to lead class discussion. „ Academic dishonesty policy Academic dishonesty is unethical behavior which in any way violates the standards of scholarly conduct. It includes such behaviors as cheating on assignments or examinations, plagiarizing, submitting the same or essentially the same papers for more than one course without the consent of all instructors concerned, misappropriating library materials, or the destroying of or tampering with computer files. Also included in academic dishonesty is knowingly or intentionally helping another violate any of this policy. „ Plagiarism definition and penalties Plagiarism is the failure to give credit for the use of material from outside sources, including the Internet. It includes, but is not limited to: verbatim use of a quote without quotation marks and adequate documentation ; submission of a paper, prepared by another person, as one’s own work; using the ideas, facts, words, photographs, pictures, graphics, or data of someone else and claiming them as your own ; or not documenting ideas, facts, words, or data gathered during research. A discussion of penalties regarding plagiarism will be held during the 1st class session. See page 166 of the Siena Heights University Undergraduate 2006-2008 Catalog for the University policy on Academic Dishonesty, including plagiarism. Also see page 179 of the Siena Heights University Undergraduate 2006-2008 Catalog for the University Statement of Ethics and Responsibilities in the use of Computer Resources.

„ Disability statement Siena Heights University welcomes students with disabilities who meet academic admission requirements, and will work toward meeting their needs by providing reasonable and appropriate accommodations to those students with documented disabilities. These disabilities may include but are not limited to impaired vision, hearing, or mobility; learning disabilities; and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Students with documented Learning Disabilities must contact the Director of Academic Advising or the Office for Students with Disabilities to discuss the Siena Heights University Policy. See page 181 of the Siena Heights University Undergraduate 2006-2008 Catalog for the complete University Americans With Disabilities Policy.

Course / Topic Schedule and Assignment List: Date Time Topic 7/5 6:00 – Review of Syllabus during the 1st hour. | Women in the Workplace; eliminating 9:00pm sexual harassment and improving cross gender communications. Discussion of Current Events. Readings will be assigned from Course Pack. 7/12 6:00 – 1st Journal due. | Changing attitudes toward Social Responsibility and Business 9:00pm Ethics. Discussion of Current Events. Readings will be assigned from Course Pack 7/19 6:00 – 2nd Journal due. 1st. Assigned Paper due. | Cultural diversity and stereotypes. 9:00pm Workers of Color, Single Parents and Working mothers as well as dual career marriages. Discussion of Current Events. Readings will be assigned from Course Pack. 7/26 6:00 – 3rd Journal due. | People with Disabilities. Discussion of Current Events. Group 9:00pm formations begin for final project. Readings will be assigned from Course Pack 8/2 6:00 – 4th Journal due. | Stakeholder Analysis and the Social Contract. Discussion of 9:00pm Current Events. The Environment and its impact on business. Topic chosen / determined by group(s) for final project. Readings will be assigned from Course Pack. 8/9 6:00 – 5th Journal due. 2nd Assigned Paper due | Bridging the Age Gap The future of 9:00pm corporate pensions (or lack thereof). Discussion of Current Events. Readings will be assigned from Course Pack. 8/16 6:00 – 6th Journal due. | Management Challenges in the new millennium. Discussion of 9:00pm Current Events. 8/23 6:00 – Final Group Paper Due /Final Group Presentation to be made. 9:00pm Please Note: Modifications to this syllabus may be made to meet the needs of this specific class.

Notes Regarding The Class Journal Assignments Due to the span of contemporary issues that will be covered and discussed in the class, the Journal Assignment will the primary tool for each individual to develop, improve and enhance their own thought process and increase their understanding of the issues at hand. The intent of the classroom journal is to spur thinking. You are encouraged to write in the first person (“I”). Journals should be typed. If they are handwritten, it is important that they are legible. Be prepared to write approximately 500 to 600 words per journal per issue and question assigned during the class. Remember, this can be a free-flowing thought process and entries can be made throughout the week regarding the one question. Journals will not be shared with anyone but the instructor and will be kept confidential. Evaluation of the journals will focus on the use of writing to encourage exploration of the material as well as their minimum word lengths as stated above. They will be graded on writing style. Journals will be collected at the end of the each class.

Additional Notes Regarding the Format for Assigned Papers: 1. Identify The Issue(s), Problem(s), or Challenge(s). (In other words, “What’s The Message?) 2. Describe the background, Provide the Details. The Narrative. 3. State the Solution(s) in the Article and state if you agree and / or disagree. 4. If applicable, provide any alternative set of solutions.

The Following are key points that should be remembered and will be used as a focus for this course. 1. Balance --Æ in the Workplace and at Home 2. Respect for Others --Æ in the Workplace and at Home 3. Integrate Values into the Company / Organization / Business Mission Statement and implement that statement within group.

Some Additional Food For Thought (that will be debated and analyzed throughout the class session):

At one time, it was held that: “Thought Influences Language.” But sometime in the 70’s and/ or 80’s, it became understood that: “Language Influences Thought” Anonymous „ Pre-assignment. None assigned.