BMGT 110 Syllabus Supplement, Term 5, 2007-08, RAF Mildenhall

Grading Information

I prefer to give each student an 'A' in each of my courses. The grade, however, must be earned as I can only reflect the performance I observe. I do understand that students have many other responsibilities, but your own learning is your responsibility. Moreover, I also expect you to assist the learning of others in this class. I will work with every student within reason to help her or him complete this course successfully.

Students concerned with slow progress should seek help before getting into grade trouble. Contact me, your instructor, early. "Incompletes" will not be given unless thoroughly justified and backed up by a contract negotiated with the instructor allowing for completion within four weeks.

Other Information

Put your name, course ID and date on every assignment (and email) submitted in this course.

E-mail Connection: Send me an email by Wednesday of the first week to confirm our email connection. Provide me with both primary and alternate email addresses that you monitor. Please make one of your email addresses a non-military address. Place my email addresses (par.uk@btinternet.com and par.uk@mac.com) in your address book so I will be a recognized correspondent by your spam filter. (I do the same for you.) Make the subject of your email "BMGT110 08t5 Initial Contact". I will reply to confirm the connection.

Assignment Policy: Assignments must be completed prior to class so that all students may participate and receive maximum benefit from class attendance.

Attendance Policy : In-class discussion is a vital part of this course. Your active participation and interaction with your classmates is required and your attendance is needed for that to happen. Your lack of participation will lower your grade.

You are responsible for keeping copies of all your work including graded exams and assignments and should be able to produce the same, if needed.

Do not fall behind. Work ahead if possible. Do some work on this course every day or two. Set aside time to do this. If confused, in doubt, or in need of a clarification on any aspect of the course, contact me first.

Further Directions for Textbook Homework Assignments:

  •    Most chapters contain sidebar discussion items which will be assigned in class for subsequent student presentation (informal, but researched). These discussions are intended to give you a "real-world" perspective on the topics at hand. End of chapter exercises (including critical thinking, workplace skills and Internet exercises and cases) will also be assigned.
  •    Respond to the questions in each exercise or discussion item. Many exercises have multiple questions or issues raised that you need to address so explore your assignment carefully. Research the exercise assigned to find support for your assumptions and assertions. Share that research with us in class.
  •    There is no set length or limit for your response but it should provide enough information to answer the question fully and completely. In many cases, the questions elicit your opinion on a particular facet of the topic. You are expected to provide supporting details for your response. That support generally comes from the points covered in the readings for the current or previous chapters but you should seek additional support via Internet research.
  •    See also the supplemental guidance on case analysis, oral presentations and working in groups on my web site (links later in this syllabus).
  •    You will typically lead class discussion for the questions assigned to you but you may also be asked to produce a written report for some of the assignments. Be sure to consult UMUC's Guide to Writing and Research, which offers valuable information on the appropriate style for citing written references, footnotes, and bibliographies as well as proper procedure for citing online references from the Web.

Two "Must's":

  •    Attribution:
    •    Give credit in your work to those whose ideas and words you use - and use them well. No one is expected to know everything. Indeed, we need to avoid "re-inventing the wheel". So look around and build on the ideas and words of others. Just take care to give them full credit.
    •    Use footnotes or endnotes where needed and construct a proper "References" page to accompany your work.
    •    Plagiarized papers, reports, projects, or exams will receive a grade of 0 (zero) whether copied in whole or in part. This includes "accidental" plagiarism. See the UMUC European Division Catalog policy on academic integrity.
    •    This includes prior works presented or published by you for other purposes or in prior or other classes.

  •    Good grammar, punctuation, usage and style:
    •    Effective writing is critical to the intellectual life of university students and graduates within the workplace. Effective managers are usually effective communicators. Your work in this course must demonstrate your ability to master and effectively communicate course content.
    •    We must be able to share our ideas with others properly. That means we need to pay constant attention to the way in which we present those ideas. Written and oral work which contains significant errors in English or presentation typically impairs the quality of the message you are trying to communicate.
    •    Use your eyes and brain to check your work -- a mechanical computer can hurt as well as help. Proofread and check your work PRIOR to submission.
    •    Poor English or presentation will reduce my evaluation of your work by one or more letter grades regardless of the brilliance of the ideas therein.

Additional Guidelines for Assignments:

Effective writing

  •    Meets the needs of the reader;
  •    Covers the subject in a clear, concise, complete, accurate and timely manner;
  •    Uses expected conventions of format and organization;
  •    Demonstrates use of credible reasoning and evidence;
  •    Satisfies standards of style and grammatical correctness; and
  •    Requires 100% compliance with UMUC's zero-tolerance policy regarding plagiarism.

Use diagrams, charts, and other graphics to enrich your presentations.

Word Processor: If your response will be more than 150-200 words, create a document in Microsoft Word®. For the present, this word processing package is still the 'industry standard.' Hence, it will serve you well to learn more about using it to fulfill a formal, written requirement. If you do not have access to Microsoft Word, use "Save As" in your usual word processor and select the MS Word document option.

  •    Use Page Setup in the Printer to configure it.
  •    Set page size to A-4.
  •    Use 1" margins top, bottom, left and right sides.
  •    Use Times New Roman, size 12.
  •    Use double spacing.
  •    Use appropriate headings and subheadings. Headings and subheadings should be placed at the left margin.
  •    The first word of each new paragraph should be indented 1" from the left margin of the paragraph.
  •    Create a template with these settings and use it as the basis of your written assignments in this course.
  •    Use a header on each page (except the title page) for your name, course ID and date.
  •    Number each page (except the title page) in the bottom right corner using a footer.

I reserve the right to make minor changes in assignments and schedules. Changes will only be made if there are unforeseeable circumstances. I will not make major changes without first consulting with the class.

Supplemental Information: See my web site for further guidance on

Course Project:

The Current Issues Paper:

Start reading as much as you can about your topic early in the course and expand your thoughts as you read. Put your thoughts in writing early as well.

You will complete each section of the CIP separately and submit it separately to me on or before the due date in Microsoft Word format. (Create your documents in MS Word where possible; if not possible, you must change your document to MS Word format by using the "Save As" function. Only MS Word documents are acceptable as discussed below.)

Include a cover page and follow all formatting requirements for each submission except CIP Topic Reservation (see below).

All submissions except CIP Topic Reservation are electronic by email attachment. Files must be virus-checked before posting. If a virus is detected on any communication, it will not be opened or graded. All electronic mail will be acknowledged so that you know it was received.

CIP Topic Reservation:

Topics are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis on an in-class sign-up sheet. Please check the topics others have selected before you record yours so you do not duplicate any of them.

Keep in mind that you will be spending the rest of this term researching your selected topic, so make sure you like your topic. If you are uncertain of a specific subject, explore your alternatives more deeply. Do not select a broad topic area that you could not possibly cover in 6-8 pages of critical analysis. Please be specific about the aspects of any topic on which you will be focusing.

Record your selection on the CIP Topic Sign-up Sheet no later than Session 2, 11 June 2008.

CIP-1:

The task in CIP-1 is to explain your reasons for selecting your exploration area in no more than one page of text. Include a brief discussion of the special significance of your topic to professional, American business leaders. See title (cover) page requirement below.

Submit CIP-1 as a Microsoft Word document via email attachment no later than 2400 hrs local, 15 June '08.

CIP-2:

Determine three critically important questions you would like to address regarding your CIP topic. Be aware that "asking the right question" is typically one of the most critical phases of research. Justify your selection of each question.

Hint: Focus on "Why" questions first, then "How". These are commonly much more significant that "What". At times "Who" or "Where" issues are also highly significant. This is an exercise in critical thinking and writing, not mere exposition as important as that may be. Questions you pose that can initially be answered by "Yes" or "No" must be followed by "Why or why not?"

Submit CIP-2 as a Microsoft Word document via email attachment no later than 2400 hrs local, 22 June '08.

CIP-3:

Begin CIP-3 with a "Preface" (titled and placed on a separate, introductory page) that restates your topic and three key questions (do not repeat CIP 1 or 2 here). (If I asked you to revise one or more of the questions you submitted in CIP-2, please use the latest version of the questions.)

Provide at least three sources for every question, at least ten separate sources in total.

Organize your sources into three groups, by question to which they primarily relate, most useful or important source first, least useful last. (I understand that this assessment may later change and that is OK). The textbook is not to be your major source for any question. Sources that relate to more than one source are to be listed only once, under the first question to which they relate with reference by number to the other question(s) supported.

Number your sources sequentially (starting with 1 and continuing to 15 or higher).

Include a full bibliographic reference for each source in APA style guide format. Give the exact source whether it is an article, a book, a newspaper article, or a specific Web page. Electronic sources require a complete URL (web address of the exact web page) as part of that reference. Include the date of the information as well as, for electronic sources, the date accessed on-line.

Describe the source in general terms, why it is valid and reliable (acceptable for you to use), and how that source will specifically help you to respond to one or more of your three significant questions.

Hint: Do not give me a search engine as a reference! For example, http://www.google.com is not a reference. Neither is the home page of a journal or organization unless you are using information contained on that exact page.

Thus CIP-3 should be a collection of 10-15 references with a paragraph for each reference that summarizes the document, describes its significance for this study, provides full bibliographic references, including for Internet references, clickable links (for me to easily access and review them) along with the date the web page was accessed.

NOTE: To make a "clickable link" in Microsoft Word, copy and paste the link from your browser into the Microsoft Word document or type it. If typed, remember to press the Enter key after the last letter or symbol for the link to turn "blue."

Submit CIP-3 as a Microsoft Word document via email attachment no later than 2400 hrs local, 6 July '08.

CIP-4:

Explore your topic like a seasoned investigator. Probe and delve. Do not be satisfied with mere recounting of facts. Address arguments for and, if any, against your tentative view. Now is the time for your "critical writing" to match your "critical thinking".

Begin CIP-4 with a "Preface" (again, titled and on a separate page) that restates your topic and three key questions. (If I asked you to revise one or more of the questions you submitted in CIP-2, please use the latest version of the questions.)

Make sure your thoughts are cohesive and your paragraphs are clear by demonstrating one issue/thought/idea at a time and then moving on to the next.

Since you have had plenty of time to work on your project, please make sure you incorporate all you have learned from this course to date and the skills you have developed throughout the sessions into your CIP-4 assignment.

CIP-4 length: 6-8 pages of text not including figures, diagrams, tables, title page, executive summary, preface, appendices or bibliography (based on CIP-3).

This is your completed "paper". When I grade CIP-4, I will look for critical thinking skills, logical and clear arguments, cohesive writing, proper citations and quoting, quality references, flow of ideas and good transitions between paragraphs, grammatically correct phrasing, and - of course - no spelling errors.

Submit CIP-4 as a Microsoft Word document via email attachment no later than 2400 hrs local, 13 July '08.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH CIP

1. WRITING QUALITY

Grammar, Verb Tenses, Pronoun Use, Spelling, Punctuation, and Writing Competency. Remember:

  •    Spell-check, then proof read your work. Better yet, have a friend or colleague read it before submitting it. Read it out loud to yourself.
  •    "There" is not "Their", "your" is not "you're", "its" is not "it's", "too" is not "to" or "two", "site" is not "cite", and "who' should be used after an individual, not "that". For example, "the person WHO made the speech" not "the person THAT made the speech."
  •    In a professional paper one does not use contractions (doesn't, don't, etc.) and one does not use the personal "you" or "your". Use the impersonal as I have in the previous sentence. It is more professional than saying, "Also in a professional paper you don't use contractions."

A minimum of one letter grade will be deducted for significant problems related to organization, grammar, verb tenses, pronoun use, spelling, punctuation, and writing competency and other requirements including following directions. This is in addition to any penalty for late submission.

2. REFERENCES

Use the APA format for your references. The CIP-3 assignment is a Reference List. (Reference List = same as a Bibliography) If you use MS Office 2007 (or Word) or 2008 for Mac, you have a built in facility for entering your sources in the Toolbox Citations area. Office will then format your citations and references in APA (or MLA) style - very useful for writers.

As part of CIP-4 you will need to re-submit the Reference List as it may have changed since you submitted CIP-3. You will also need to correctly reference your sources within the body of your paper. Here are two examples referencing a source within the text of a paper:

Mossman (2001) described the research design more clearly, " When developing a marketing proposal, one should always ...... "
" Marketing research is a requirement before any new product is introduced to the market. " (Gomez and Breegle, 1999)

3. CIP COVER (TITLE) PAGE

Use a cover page for each CIP submission. Double spaced, centered horizontally & vertically on the page, put the following in the order shown (replace the brackets and bracketed instructions with your report's specific information):

  • [ Your Name ]
  • BMGT 110
  • [ Title of the CIP ]
  • [ Your selected topic if not obvious from the Title ]
  • CIP - [ 1, 2, 3, or 4 ]
  • Term 5, 2007-2008
  • UMUC European Dvn., RAF Mildenhall, UK
  • [ date ]
  • Instructor: Phil Richardson

Nothing else needs to be added to the cover page. Section break to a new page for the start of your preface or report.

4. PROTECTING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from Internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the UniversityÕs contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism.

Note: Using the CIP system, following the above requirements, and getting frequent feedback will help you not only in this course, but in your other courses as well.

See also my instructions regarding written assignments in general in the 'Other Information' section above.

Schedule

** Notes **
1. Class times are 1730-2100, Monday & Wednesday.
2. Assignments: Throughout this course be prepared to discuss in class the main topics as well as the sidebar items and end-of-chapter material for the assigned chapters.

Part 1: Contemporary Business: Trends & Environment

** Week 1 **

Sessions 1 & 2: 9 & 11 June '08, 1730 - 2100 hours
Getting Ready for Prime Time
Managing within the Dynamic Business Environment
How Economics Affects Business
Competing in Global Markets
Demonstrating Ethical & Socially Responsible Behavior
Study Text, Table of Contents, Preface, Chapters 1-4.
Assignments: TBD.

CIP Topic Reservation Due NLT 11 June (First come, first served, no duplicates).
CIP-1 due 2400 hrs local, 15 June by email attachment.

Parts 2 & 3: Business Ownership & Management

** Week 2 **

Sessions 3 & 4: 16 & 18 June '08
Business Ownership Forms
Entrepreneurship & Small Business
Leadership & Management
Legal Environment of Business
Study Text, Chapters 5-7 and Bonus Chapter A, pp. 572-593.
Assignments: TBD.

Progress Test 1, 18 June (multiple choice, short answer & essay questions from Chapters 1-6).
CIP-2 due 2400 hrs local, 22 June by email attachment.

Part 3 concluded & Part 4: People Management

** Week 3 **

Sessions 5 & 6: 23 & 25 June '08
Adapting to Dynamic Markets
Producing World Class Goods & Services
Employee Motivation & Self-Managed Teams
Finding & Keeping Your Best People
Study Text, Chapters 8-11.
Assignments: TBD.

Part 4 concluded & Part 5: Marketing Management

** Week 4 **

Sessions 7 & 8: 30 June & 2 July '08
Employee & Labor Relations
Customer Relationships
Products, Services & Pricing
Study Text, Chapters 12-14.
Assignments: TBD.

Progress Test 2, 2 July (multiple choice, short answer & essay questions from Chap. 7-12); up to 25% of Progress Test 2 will review material previously tested.
CIP-3 due 2400 hrs local, 6 July by email attachment.

Part 5 concluded & Part 6: Financial Management

** Week 5 **

Sessions 9 & 10; 7 & 9 July '08
Distribution
Promotion
Accounting & Financial Information Basics
Financial Management
Using Technology
Managing Risk
Study Text, Chapters 15-18 and Bonus Chapters B & C, pp. 594-631.
Assignments: TBD.

CIP-4 due 2400 hrs local, 13 July by email attachment.

** Week 6 **

Session 11: 14 July '08
Securities Markets
Money & Banking
Personal Financial Management
Study Text, Chapters 19-20 and Bonus Chapter D, pp. 632-652.
Assignments: TBD.

Final Exam

Session 12: 16 July '08
Final Exam, closed book, closed notes, comprehensive test covering entire text, handouts, homework, and class discussion.
Phil Richardson, phil.richardson@faculty.ed.umuc.edu, Revised 30 May 2008