SYLLABUS

             

1.    Wayland Baptist University,  San Antonio Campus, School of Business

 

2.    Mission Statement:  Wayland Baptist University exists to educate students in an academically challenging,

learning-focused and distinctively Christian environment for professional success, lifelong learning, and service to God and humankind.

     

3.    Course:  BUAD 4330-SA01, Strategic Management/Business Policy

                         

4.    Term: Fall 2009

 

5.    Instructor:  Dr Barry Evans

 

6.    Office Phone and email:  210-658-8337,   bevans007@satx.rr.com (preferred communication)

 

7.    Office Hours, Building, and Location:  M-Th  0830-1100, call for directions

 

8.    Class Meeting Time and Location: Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. – 10:10 p.m., Randolph AFB, Bldg 208, room 37

 

9.  Catalog description: A senior-level course which presents administrative processes and policy formulation from a strategic perspective.

 

10.  Prerequisites: Senior standing, business major must take only in the final term of Senior year.

 

11.  Textbook:

 

BOOK

AUTHOR

ED

YEAR

PUBLISHER

ISBN#

Crafting and Executing Strategy

Thompson

16th

2008

McGraw-Hill

978-0-07-338124-4

 

            12.  Optional Materials:  Harvard Business Review

 

13.  Outcome competencies:

  •  Demonstrate knowledge of strategic management processes by: illustrating strategy in idealistic and operation terms, contrasting the major sources of business information, identifying alternative strategy choices, and justifying strategy selection choices.
  • Develop an application of strategic management processes by clarifying an understanding of the process of strategic management; implement strategic management concepts in specific case analysis and in other real organizations;  Apply productive strategic management ideas and issues, using them major sources of business information, evaluate and implement strategy choices and integrate the functional aspects of business.
  • Develop a framework for understanding the various modern strategic management concepts.

 

14.  Attendance requirements:  Students are expected to attend all classes.  Three absences in a semester are cause for a failing grade in the course.  When circumstances necessitate that you miss a class, you should notify the instructor in advance, or as quickly following the absence as is feasible.  Missed tests may be taken only if approved by the instructor.   See Attendance and Participation grading criteria below.

 

15.  Disability statement:  “It is university policy that no otherwise qualified disabled person be excused from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity in the University. Students should inform the instructor of existing disabilities at the first class meeting”

16. Course requirements and grading criteria:

           

            In Class Exercises:    Students will be given in-class exercises throughout the semester to be turned in.  If a student is

                                                absent, he/she will receive a zero on that assignment unless unusual circumstances necessitate an

                                                exception by the professor. Only one such exception will be granted per student. (50 points total)

 

            Examinations:       Mid-semester and final - (100 pts each).  Questions will be multiple choice, short answer and essay

 

      Case Study Analysis:        Each student will be assigned a case study to analyze using the set of guidelines in the syllabus.

                                                50 points possible for quality of content and 50 points for quality of writing

                                                (grammar/syntax/editing)  (100 points total)        

 

            Oral Presentation:      Presentations should last            from 13-17 minutes.  Students will present the analysis as if they were

                                                            a hired consultant.  (100 points)

 

                                                            Criteria for grading oral presentation

                                                                        1.  Student clearly introduced himself/herself and topic to be discussed

                                                                        2.  Briefing was well-organized and professional (not read from slides or paper)

                                                                        3.  Presentation integrated multiple relevant concepts from course

                                                                        4.  Clear recommendations/analysis presented

                                                                        5.  Student analyzed case, and did not simply re-tell the story

Attendance and

            Participation:               (10 pts possible ).  Students are allowed one absence if due to work, illness, funeral, etc.  The second absence will result in a five point deduction.  A third absence will result in another 5 points and possibly failure in the course, unless the absences are of a dire nature as determined by the instructor.  Four absences will result in an F in all situations. Students must read chapters assigned before class.

 

GRADING:                       90-100%=A, 80-89%=B, 70-79%=C, 60-69%=D, Below 60%=F

 

17.  Tentative schedule 

 

Week

Topic

  Chapter(s)

1, Feb 26

Course syllabus, What is Strategy?

1

2, Mar 5

Process of crafting and executing strategy

2

3, Mar 12

Evaluating External Environment/Analyzing resources and competitive position

3, 4

4, Mar 19

Five generic competitive strategies/Supplementing the chosen strategy, review

5,6

 5, Mar 26

Mid-Term Exam (chapters 1-6)

 

6, April 2

Competing in Foreign Markets/Tailoring Strategy

7,8

April 9

EASTER BREAK

 

7, April 16

Diversification Strategies/Strategy and Ethics

9, 10

8, Apr 23

Executing Strategy/Managing internal operations,

ALL CASE STUDY ANALYSES DUE!!! ,

11, 12

9, April 30

Case Study Presentations

 

10, May 7

Case Study Presentations (if needed), Corporate culture and leadership, review

13

11, May 15

Final Exam (chapters 7-13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Case Analysis Guidelines

 

·         Read the case thoroughly in 1-2 readings.

·         Reread the case and begin your written analysis using the following format and/or headings:

·         Synopsis of the Situation:  Write a synopsis that describes the background information about the case, an overview of the case.

 

·         Key Issues:  Define the key issues/factors in terms of business strategy and the roles of the Key Players.  You should include only those issues that impact the identified problem(s).

 

·         Define the Problem.  Identify the key problems framed within concepts covered in the course.  While there may be several problems and a multitude of symptoms, attempt to identify a few problems, the resolution of which would alleviate most of the symptoms found in the case.  The problem can frequently be defined around one of the key factors of crafting business strategy.  If the case shows a company with no problems, then discuss why they have been so successful.  In this situation, your analysis will be on what went right, instead of what went wrong.

 

·         Alternative Solutions.  Develop two or more alternative solutions to the defined problem using concepts from the course.  This should not be a laundry list of actions one could take to address every symptom, but alternative actions that could correct the problem at hand.  Identify the pros and cons of implementing each alternative.

 

·         Selected Solution to the Problem:  Select one of the alternatives and explain why it would be best.  Most of this work is already done if the alternative solutions clearly point out advantages and disadvantages to each.  Additional study or research can be a part of the recommendation, but should not be the primary solution.  Your job is to identify an action, not put off action.

 

·         Expected Results and Rationale for the solution:  Detail your conclusions and recommendations with supporting rationale including concepts from the text or other sources. Relate how you would have handled situations, problems and people. Write a clear and concise conclusion. Cite sources to substantiate what you say.

 

 

Analysis should be approximately 6-8 pages in length; double-spaced.  Be sure to integrate concepts from the text and other sources into your analysis.  There should be evidence of learning about Business Strategy/Business Policy throughout your paper.