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SALEM STATE COLLEGESALEM STATE COLLEGE

Bertolon School of BusinessBertolon School of Business

Spring 2010Spring 2010

Course SyllabusCourse SyllabusI.I. Course DataCourse Data

Course:Course: BUS 870 Business Policy and StrategyBUS 870 Business Policy and Strategy

3 credit hours3 credit hours

Time andTime and Section S1 Tuesday 7:00 - 9:30 pmSection S1 Tuesday 7:00 - 9:30 pm

location:location:

Instructor:Instructor: Dr. Edward W. DesmaraisDr. Edward W. Desmarais

Office:Office: CC 230CC 230

Telephone:Telephone: 978-542-7304978-542-7304

email:email: edward.desmarais@salemstate.eduedward.desmarais@salemstate.edu, edesmarais@comcast.net, edesmarais@comcast.net

web page:web page: http://w3.salemstate.edu/~edesmarais/http://w3.salemstate.edu/~edesmarais/

Office hours:Office hours: I am in my office before every class. I encourage you to stop by or to call if you haveI am in my office before every class. I encourage you to stop by or to call if you have

any questions. You can also contact me by email.any questions. You can also contact me by email.

Prerequisites:Prerequisites: MGT 780, MKT 790N, ECO 715, BUS 802N, FIN 710 and 36 completed credit hoursMGT 780, MKT 790N, ECO 715, BUS 802N, FIN 710 and 36 completed credit hours

(All prerequisites must be completed(All prerequisites must be completed beforebefore taking this class.)taking this class.)

Reading materialReading material

required:required: Thompson-Strickland-Gamble:Thompson-Strickland-Gamble: Crafting and Executing Strategy: Text andCrafting and Executing Strategy: Text andReadingsReadings, 17th Edition ebook, 17th Edition ebook,,Commanding HeightsCommanding Heights

Collins, James. 2001.Collins, James. 2001. Good to Great.Good to Great. Harper Collins.Harper Collins.

Goleman, Daniel. 1998.Goleman, Daniel. 1998. Working with Emotional Intelligence.Working with Emotional Intelligence. Bantam.Bantam.

II.II. Course DescriptionCourse Description

The Business Policy and Strategy course integrates and applies all prior courses in the School of BusinessThe Business Policy and Strategy course integrates and applies all prior courses in the School of Business

academic program. It is the capstone course and endeavors to address the perspectives, understandingacademic program. It is the capstone course and endeavors to address the perspectives, understanding

and decisions required of general managers (e.g., CEO). At the end of this course, you should be able toand decisions required of general managers (e.g., CEO). At the end of this course, you should be able to

formulate and recommend corporate level or business level strategy based on:formulate and recommend corporate level or business level strategy based on:

the relationship of businesses and their domestic and international environments,the relationship of businesses and their domestic and international environments,

industry and competitor analysis,industry and competitor analysis,

organizational vision, mission and objectives;organizational vision, mission and objectives;

company situation analysis,company situation analysis,

the roles of organizational structure, systems and culture in formulating and implementing strategy,the roles of organizational structure, systems and culture in formulating and implementing strategy,

andand

control mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of strategic decisions duringcontrol mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of strategic decisions duringimplementation.implementation.

mailto:edward.desmarais@salemstate.edumailto:edward.desmarais@salemstate.edumailto:edward.desmarais@salemstate.edu

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III.III. Course ObjectivesCourse Objectives

Learning is the primary objective for this course. Through this course you will:Learning is the primary objective for this course. Through this course you will:

learn the course content,learn the course content,

learn new skills or improve upon existing skills,learn new skills or improve upon existing skills,

integrate and apply concepts and skills learned inintegrate and apply concepts and skills learned in priorprior courses to problems businessescourses to problems businesses

face,face,

practice interpersonal, team, and communication skills that are essential ingredients in thepractice interpersonal, team, and communication skills that are essential ingredients in the

formulation and implementation of business strategy, andformulation and implementation of business strategy, and

think about how this course and your academic program will prepare you to achieve yourthink about how this course and your academic program will prepare you to achieve your

personal and professional aspirations.personal and professional aspirations.

IVIV Teaching Method (Pedagogy)Teaching Method (Pedagogy)

My web page includes a section titled Teaching Method and Philosophy. This section describes why weMy web page includes a section titled Teaching Method and Philosophy. This section describes why we

will use case discussion and application as the two primary activities to guide the learning process. I alsowill use case discussion and application as the two primary activities to guide the learning process. I also

have notes on the web site that explain these activities in more detail. The learning and objectives andhave notes on the web site that explain these activities in more detail. The learning and objectives and

activities also match the traits that employers seek in employees. (Once again refer to the web for a list ofactivities also match the traits that employers seek in employees. (Once again refer to the web for a list of

these desired traits.)these desired traits.)

I expect each student to read the assigned chapter and reading(s) and, prepare the case. You may chooseI expect each student to read the assigned chapter and reading(s) and, prepare the case. You may choose

to use the BUS 470 chapter worksheets as a guide to preparing for each class. Please come to each classto use the BUS 470 chapter worksheets as a guide to preparing for each class. Please come to each class

with at least one prepared question about the material we will cover. If you have questions about thewith at least one prepared question about the material we will cover. If you have questions about the

chapter material, please send them to me via email prior to coming to class. I expect each student tochapter material, please send them to me via email prior to coming to class. I expect each student to

know the facts of the case and to be able to explain and apply (from your perspective) the chapter materialknow the facts of the case and to be able to explain and apply (from your perspective) the chapter materialto the case. This is the minimum level of preparation needed to learn in this class.to the case. This is the minimum level of preparation needed to learn in this class.

Throughout the semester, the questions we discuss will require you to integrate material from earlierThroughout the semester, the questions we discuss will require you to integrate material from earlier

chapters (and courses) and to extend your analysis with conclusions, recommendations and predictions.chapters (and courses) and to extend your analysis with conclusions, recommendations and predictions.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to conduct and present a detailed analysis of a firm.Upon completing this course, you should be able to conduct and present a detailed analysis of a firm.

This will analysis will include: identifying the issues the firm faces, analyzing the external forcesThis will analysis will include: identifying the issues the firm faces, analyzing the external forces

impacting the firm, recognizing the company's current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats;impacting the firm, recognizing the company's current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats;

and preparing recommendations and implementation plans. Your analysis, presentation and writtenand preparing recommendations and implementation plans. Your analysis, presentation and written

report, develops and reinforces essential skills for top employees.report, develops and reinforces essential skills for top employees.

This course emphasizes three (writing, listening, speaking) of the four communication skills: writing,This course emphasizes three (writing, listening, speaking) of the four communication skills: writing,

listening, speaking, and reading. Class participation and the case discussions are opportunities to develop,listening, speaking, and reading. Class participation and the case discussions are opportunities to develop,

practice, and reinforce these important communication skills.practice, and reinforce these important communication skills.

V.V. Available ResourcesAvailable Resources

The web page also provides tips for success, written report instructions, guidelines for makingThe web page also provides tips for success, written report instructions, guidelines for making

presentations, and information sources for conducting a company analysis and many other tidbits. Thepresentations, and information sources for conducting a company analysis and many other tidbits. Thetext also provides a web site for your use. Also refer to the performance matrix for additional resourcetext also provides a web site for your use. Also refer to the performance matrix for additional resource

suggestions.suggestions.

VI.VI. Performance measurement (Course and Grading Policies)Performance measurement (Course and Grading Policies)

This course uses the "Principles of Good Practice for Assessing Student Learning" (American AssociationThis course uses the "Principles of Good Practice for Assessing Student Learning" (American Association

of Higher Education, 1992). The web page lists the principles. The web page also lists factors thatof Higher Education, 1992). The web page lists the principles. The web page also lists factors that

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influence your performance. You will have password, protected access to your grades. You cannotinfluence your performance. You will have password, protected access to your grades. You cannot

access other students grades.access other students grades.

I evaluate your performance based on the following components. Each component has the followingI evaluate your performance based on the following components. Each component has the following

weight:weight:

Class participationClass participation 50 %50 %

Final reportFinal report 50 %50 %

100 %100 %

ParticipationParticipation

The web page provides the criteria used to determine your individual class participation grade. During theThe web page provides the criteria used to determine your individual class participation grade. During thesemester we can meet to discuss your class participation. I may also choose to send you email or speaksemester we can meet to discuss your class participation. I may also choose to send you email or speak

with you before or after class.with you before or after class. If you miss class, you cannot earn the participation point(s) for thatIf you miss class, you cannot earn the participation point(s) for that

day, and if you come to class but do not participate (per the criteria on the web page), you do notday, and if you come to class but do not participate (per the criteria on the web page), you do not

earn the participation point(s).earn the participation point(s). If you are going to miss class, please send me an email or leave a voiceIf you are going to miss class, please send me an email or leave a voicemail. I do accept valid reasons for an absence (e.g., medical, business trip). Vacations and similarmail. I do accept valid reasons for an absence (e.g., medical, business trip). Vacations and similar

examples are not valid reasons for an absence. You have the opportunity to conduct class participationexamples are not valid reasons for an absence. You have the opportunity to conduct class participationself-assessments.self-assessments.

I include concept questions sent via email or during "office hours" in your individual participationI include concept questions sent via email or during "office hours" in your individual participation

performance measurement grade. I also reserve the right to reward exceptional effort on the final projectperformance measurement grade. I also reserve the right to reward exceptional effort on the final project

that reflects a level of learning (Refer to Bloom's taxonomy.) greater than you demonstrated in class.that reflects a level of learning (Refer to Bloom's taxonomy.) greater than you demonstrated in class.

Semester project strategy compilation projectSemester project strategy compilation project

A separate handout provides a complete description of the final project. Your final report should addressA separate handout provides a complete description of the final project. Your final report should address

the assigned sections of the project. You will have to coordinate your section of the project, as necessary,the assigned sections of the project. You will have to coordinate your section of the project, as necessary,

with other students.with other students.

VII.VII. Academic integrityAcademic integritySalem State College assumes that all students come to the College with serious educational intent andSalem State College assumes that all students come to the College with serious educational intent and

expects them to be mature, responsible individuals who will exhibit high standards of honesty andexpects them to be mature, responsible individuals who will exhibit high standards of honesty and

personal contact in their academic life. All forms of academic dishonesty are serious offenses against thepersonal contact in their academic life. All forms of academic dishonesty are serious offenses against the

College Community. The College will apply sanctions when student conduct interferes with our primaryCollege Community. The College will apply sanctions when student conduct interferes with our primary

educational objectives. I also encourage you to read the Responsibility Statement stated on page 229 ofeducational objectives. I also encourage you to read the Responsibility Statement stated on page 229 of

the current Graduate School Catalog.the current Graduate School Catalog.

I expect you to fully comply withI expect you to fully comply with allall of the academic policies listed in the current Graduate Schoolof the academic policies listed in the current Graduate School

Catalog.Catalog.

VIII.VIII. Nondiscrimination policyNondiscriminationpolicy

Salem State College is committed to the non-discrimination of Handicapped persons as specified inSalem State College is committed to the non-discrimination of Handicapped persons as specified insection 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who qualify as handicapped persons under thesection 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Students who qualify as handicapped persons under thedefinition of this act should notify the instructor at the beginning of the course so that reasonabledefinition of this act should notify the instructor at the beginning of the course so that reasonable

modifications in course requirements may be made when necessary. modifications in course requirements may be made when necessary.

IX.IX. Last Day to Withdraw from the CourseLast Day to Withdraw from the Course

Refer to the Withdrawal from Courses policy to determine the last day to withdrawRefer to the Withdrawal from Courses policy to determine the last day to withdrawfrom the course with a W grade.from the course with a W grade.

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X.X. Class scheduleClass schedule

Refer to the web site for the course schedule.Refer to the web site for the course schedule.

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