Course:  MG 400 Management Issues Seminar                           Spring Semester 2000   
Instructor:  Dr. Billy L. Ward   Office Hours: 07:30 -08:00 M -F, 09:15 - 11:00 TTh; 13:30 -15:00 MTWTh  (Other hours may be scheduled by appointment.)   
Course Description (from catalog): A senior seminar devoted to the study of significant issues and current topics in management.  This course affords the opportunity for an in-depth examination of areas of particular interest to management students.   
Office:   WH 109-E        Telephone:  (205) 652-3474 
                                         e-mail:  blw@uwa.edu
                                                        blw@sumternet.com 

Textbook: Pierce and Newstrom.  Manager’s Bookshelf; New York: Harper Collins College Publishers, Inc., Fifth Edition, 1999

Course Objectives:  Upon completion of this course,  participants will demonstrate a knowledge of the various managerial functions and the history of management thought.  
Evaluation and Grading:  Exams..60%,  Readings and Presentations..20%,  Book Report/Research Paper..20%. Three written examinations are given during the course.  The examinations cover subject matter contained in required readings, lectures, class discussions, and presentations.  MAKEUP EXAMS ARE NOT GIVEN.  Credit percentages for test results following a student's absence will be increased to compensate for any excused absence from a regularly scheduled examination.  Any absence from a scheduled exam or presentation must be cleared in advance with the Instructor. 
Assigned Readings and Class Presentations: Course participants are required to present specified readings as listed in the course outline (20%).  No credit will be given for assignments submitted after class discussion of the written assignments.  All submissions will be typed in a neat manner.  No exceptions will be made.   
Paper:  The student is expected to read and report on at least one (1) best seller in the area of management as approved by the Instructor.  This effort is worth 20% of the total course grade.  The report should be typed in a neat acceptable form with proper documentation.     
Quizzes:  The student is expected to be prepared to discuss or to be tested  on the course material  on the date shown in the syllabus.   
Class participation: It is the Instructor’s prerogative to consider participation in assigning grades.  Student-initiated class activities--asking relevant questions, responding to class discussion, or a demonstrated interest in sharing information from outside sources or applicable experiences.  Note:  Responding to questions put to you by the instructor is not counted as initiative.
Attendance Policy:  Regular class attendance is mandatory if success in this course is expected.  Otherwise, The University of West Alabama attendance policy is in effect.  As stated in the general Catalogue, it is the Instructor’s prerogative to consider attendance in determining grades.   
Change: The instruction schedule reflects expected class progress in course subject matter and is considered tentative.  The schedule is subject to change in content and scope at the instructor's discretion.   
Honesty/Integrity:  STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PUT FORTH THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO EARN APPLICABLE COURSE CREDIT AND SHALL COMPLY WITH UNIVERSITY STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC HONESTY AND INTEGRITY.   
Written Proficiency:  The work of any student in this class who has completed freshman composition will be evaluated for written proficiency.  Students who do not demonstrate proficiency in written English will be reported to the Written English Proficiency Committee and must then follow procedures outlined in the Catalogue and the Student Handbook.  
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES  The University of West Alabama strives to make its programs accessible to qualified persons defined as disables under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Students who have special needs that require accommodation are responsible for notifying instructors in each course in which they are enrolled and appropriate staff members, who in turn will refer the student to the ADA Compliance Coordinator.  Following verification of the student's status, the ADA Compliance Coordinator will work with the instructor or staff member in implementing an appropriate plan for accommodation of the student's needs.  Support documentation of special needs from a physician or other qualified professional will be required if deemed necessary.            For additional information, students should contact the Student Success Center, Foust Hall 7, (205) 652-3651, or the Office of Student Life, Webb Hall 311, (205) 652-3581.

 

MG 400 MANAGEMENT ISSUES SEMINAR
COURSE OUTLINE
Spring Semester 2000

Tuesdays and Thursdays  11:00 - 12:15, WH 111  
 

Date Page Number Title Presenter
Aug 22 INTRODUCTION, ADMINISTRATION AND COURSE OVERVIEW  Ward
24    3 Understanding & Using Best Sellers.                   Ward
18      Reflections on the Best Sellers Ward
29 11 The Witch Doctors:  What the Management Gurus are Saying…….                                   Ward
27   The Business of Paradigms.                            Ward 
31  27 The Business of Paradigms (continued).             
Discussion of Outside Articles. 
Sept. 5 33 Reframing Organizations                                  __________
7 45 In Search of Excellence                                   __________  
Discussion of Outside Articles
12 53 Out of the Crisis                                                   Ward  
14 64 The Human Side of Enterprise _________
Discussion of Outside Articles
19 75

Reengineering the Corporation

_________
82   Organizing for the Future   _________
21 88

Visionary Companies:  Why They Endure

_________
Discussion of Outside Articles
26 97 Visionary Leadership _________
103  The Goal _________  
28 Discussion of Outside Articles                        _________
FIRST EXAMINATION              
Oct 3 109 Punished by Rewards _________
5 116

Bringing Out the Best in People   

_________
123 The Human Equation  _________
10 147 ZAPP! The Lightning of Empowerment  Ward 
12    Discussion of Outside Articles _________
17 131

The Flight of the Buffalo

_________
159 Open-Book Management: The Coming Business Revolution _________  
19 177 The Wisdom of Teams  _________
Discussion of Outside Articles _________
24 183 Teams at the Top      _________
188 Empowered Teams   _________
26 Open Assignment Day  
29 211 Fusion Leadership  _________
31 199 Training and Development      _________
211 Fusion Leadership
Nov. 2 SECOND EXAMINATION
Guest Speaker   _________
7 215 

Leadership and the New Science:  Learning About Organization from an Orderly

_________
220 Stewardship   _________
9 231 When the Canary Stops Singing _________
Discussion of Outside Articles      _________
14 237 America's Competitive Secret _________
16 245 The Tom Peters Seminar       _________
267 The Fifth Discipline _________
20–24  THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS   _________
28 

Book Report________________________

_________
Book Report________________________    _________
30 Book Report________________________  _________
Dec. Book Report________________________  _________
Book Report________________________  _________
Book Report________________________  _________
7 Epilogue
13 FINAL EXAMINATION (11:00 - 13:00)