BUS131: Management Principles
What does
this course cover?
This is an introductory management course – meaning it is assumed
that course participants have little knowledge or experience in the subject
matter. You will learn important tools
and concepts that will help you to develop the skills necessary for a
successful management career. Course topics
include management theories, finding and developing leaders, measuring and
improving customer and employee satisfaction, strategic planning, hiring and
training employees, developing workplace teams, and labor and legal issues.
How will I
learn?
For each topic, I post a weekly lecture in the form of a narrated
PowerPoint slideshow. The purpose of the lecture is to introduce you to the
material and provide some background for the assigned readings and videos. In
addition to assigned readings, I post supplemental materials to help enhance
your understanding of the subject matter.
The assigned material also serves as the starting point for our
discussions. These typically involve putting theory to practice in the form of
discussing hypothetical scenarios, reviewing actual cases, and discussing
personal experiences.
Is the class
easy?
No. As required by
law, the class is taught at the freshman/sophomore university level. We go
beyond “how should I respond?” or “what should I do?” to interpretation and
analysis.
What types
of assignments will I be completing?
There are weekly discussion boards that will require you to post
and reply to your classmates. There are
also between 4 and 5 papers and presentations assigned over the course of the
semester. To give you some professional world experience this course has a service-learning
requirement, which means you’ll be completing volunteer hours for an approved
community service organization.
How much
time do I have to complete assignments?
The “Class Week” for this online class
will go from Friday 11am through THURSDAY 11:59pm. Holidays have no effect on the scheduling of assignments due
for this online class. You can work on your assignments at any time but you
should realize the final due day/time for the weekly assignments is THURSDAY
11:59pm.
How long
will weekly work take?
You should plan
for about 9 hours per week (standard for a 3-unit university transfer class) --
about 1.5
hours a day. If you have basic computer skills, read well, and work well
independently, the time may be less. However, if you have weak computer skills,
poor study habits, and require more guidance, the time may be more – and you
will likely not be successful in this online format.
Is the class
self-paced?
Although the course is
entirely online, it is not self-paced. You complete the assignments for each
week generally on your own time schedule within that week. You may read ahead,
but you will only be able to respond to the discussion board and submit
assignments during the current week. Your first priority is to be sure all
assignments for each week are completed on time. If time and scheduling permit,
we may have some opportunities for optional in-person or online group meetings
to discuss content and issues.
What else
should I know about taking an online class?
You
must be proactive to succeed in an online course. Postings in the Assignments
and Announcements sections will keep you updated as much as possible; however,
do not rely on me to remind you of upcoming events and due dates. You are
responsible for all activities and deadlines listed in this syllabus. Read it
thoroughly and make note of important dates and deadlines. Make sure you have a
backup plan if your computer or Internet has problems. Do not wait until the
last minute to submit assignments. Remember Murphy’s Law: Anything that can go
wrong will go wrong. Take responsibility and plan accordingly.
Remember
also, that, although you have likely chosen an online class format for the time
and location advantages, there are disadvantages and limitations in online
classes. They aren't for everyone and some aspects of a live in-person class
cannot be duplicated.
Specifically,
for an online class:
· You need regular access to an efficient computer with substantially fast
online access and reliability.
· There will be no extended class discussions on topics.
· There will be less opportunity to clarify instructions; you are expected
to timely and carefully read the syllabus, class documents, and all
Announcements.
· If you need further assistance or clarification from me, you need to
promptly email, call, or visit and be very clear with your questions and
comments.
· I do not participate regularly in discussion boards; you will discuss
and learn from one another. I will add summary comments at the end of the week.
· You will not have the student-student camaraderie that can develop in an
on-campus class.
· You need to be technologically proficient and need to take full
responsibility for completing online submissions timely.
· There will not be in-class “oral” reminders; you need to know all rules
and deadlines, develop a clear and consistent schedule for completing and
submitting assignments, and be skilled at time management.