MGMT 323 – Teams and Leaders

Course Syllabus and Schedule


Professor: Dr. Paige Wolf
Office: 213 Enterprise Hall  Phone: (703) 993-1758
Email address: pwolf1@gmu.edu
Course Web site: http://webct.gmu.edu

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES & FORMAT

 

This course is will challenge students to master managerial skills necessary in the post-industrial economy.  Management concepts learned in MGMT 301 and 312 will be built upon to enable students to acquire management skills they will be able to use during their current and/or future work experiences.  Through a variety of activities, students will be able to clearly identify and practice a broad array of management skills in the workplace including team, leadership, conflict management, problem solving, coaching, and motivational skills.  The specific objectives of this course are as follows:

 

·        To apply contributions from Management, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management research to effectively work with others. 

·        To acquaint you with the role of leaders and followers and with managerial practices that support efficiency and effectiveness.

·        To practice activities used by effective managers.

·        To advance your understanding of human behavior in the work place.

 

Thus, the focus of this course is on changing behavior so that you may “foster productive, healthy, satisfying, and growth-producing relationships with others in your work setting” (Whetton & Cameron, 2002, pg. 3). 

 

Format.  The course will focus on active learning and will mix a lecture-based approach with discussion and application.  Research strongly suggests that active learning in conjunction with traditional lecture-based teaching methods is effective for student learning and skill-building.  Successful active learning requires a major investment from both of us. You will need to study the assigned readings before each class meeting, do a fair amount of thinking, and be prepared to contribute to the class discussion.

 

 

APPOINTMENTS AND E-MAIL

 

I strongly urge you to contact me to ask questions, clarify assignments, or obtain additional help.   It is best to contact me via email to set up a phone or in-person appointment (pwolf1@gmu.edu).

 

ABSENCE/LATE ASSIGNMENTS AND ACCOMMODATIONS

 

If you miss a class, you may access the slides used in class on the course website.  I would strongly suggest that you also ask a classmate for his/her notes as it is likely that key points will be brought up in class discussion and may not be captured on the slides.  Once you have reviewed a classmate’s notes, if you have targeted, specific questions on material covered, I will gladly meet with you to answer your questions.  However, I will not have time to “re-do” the lecture, nor will I have documented class notes.

 

Make-up examinations will be essay format and will not be given unless a student has a university-validated excuse that the instructor is notified of in advance of the examination. 

 

Late Assignments:  Points will be deducted for each day an assignment is past due up to 3 business days.    Number of points deducted will depend on the assignment.  Assignments will not be accepted after 3 days past due.

 

If you require special accommodations during this course regarding a learning disability or otherwise, please see me during the first week of class with appropriate university documentation. 

 

REQUIRED MATERIALS

 

1. Developing Management Skills, 5th Edition, Whetten & Cameron, Prentice Hall, 2002. 

 

This book takes a multi-method approach to developing management skills.  Each chapter includes a self-assessment component, skill learning section where key concepts are presented, cases for analysis, and skill practice and application exercises.   Each of these components will serve to expose you to key management issues and provide an opportunity for you to self-reflect and practice so you may effectively execute these skills in your future careers.  Please bring the text to each class.

 

2. Reader – MGMT 323

This reader is a compilation of chapters from other textbooks that cover important topics for developing management skills, including Project Management and Communication.  Please bring the Reader to class on the days these topics will be discussed.  

 

EVALUATION

 

Your learning in this course will be evaluated by the following tools:  Examinations, Quizzes, Class Participation, a Group Project and Presentation.   

 

Examinations (100 points).  A mid-term (50 points) and a cumulative final exam (50 points) will be comprised of objective test questions (e.g., multiple-choice, true/false) and short answer and/or essay questions.   The exams will cover the chapters assigned in the book, additional assigned readings, and material covered and discussed during class.  Students are required to bring SCANTRON forms (available in the bookstore), paper, and #2 pencils to each of the exams.  Make-up exams will only be offered if the exam was missed for a university-validated excuse and appropriate documentation is provided.  All make-up exams will be essay format.

 

Quizzes (30 points).  Before each class you are expected to read the assigned material and complete assigned activities and/or exercises.  Therefore, throughout the course of the semester there will an opportunity to show that you are prepared through pop-quizzes.  These quizzes are meant to check that you have read and understood the material so that the class discussion will be maximally beneficial to you and your fellow students.    There will be 6 quizzes each worth 6 points – your lowest quiz grade will be dropped.  Therefore, there will be no make-up quizzes if you miss one, regardless of the reason.     

 

Class Participation (20 points).  Your participation is an important factor in determining the success of this class.  Management skills, by their very nature require a degree of interaction with others.  Thus, a significant portion of classroom time will be spent in class discussion, activities, exercises, role-plays, etc.  You will earn credit for your participation as follows:

 

1)      on-time attendance in class is a prerequisite for participation (being late is distracting to class and professor and will cause your participation grade to suffer),

2)      involves engaging in class discussion with thoughtful, relevant comments and constructive participation in small group activities, exercises and/or discussion, and

3)      requires advanced preparation including completion of assigned readings and homework. 

 

Group Project & Presentation (50 points).   You will be required to work with a group to complete a project and present your project to the class.  Interim assignments to measure your group’s progress and procedures will be handed in and will contribute to your grade on the group project.  Sign-up sheets for presentation time slots will be handed out during class. A complete description of this assignment and evaluation criteria is provided on WebCT under “Group Project”.

GRADING

I take grading very seriously and I assign grades with care and thought.  In general, the more proactive you are in dealing with your coursework, the less of a likelihood there will be of a grade "problem" or surprise.  Remember, I want nothing more than for you to succeed and I am willing to work with you so that you can attain your goals.

Point Values of Each Evaluation Tool:

Evaluation Tool

Points

% of Grade

Mid-Term

50

25%

Final Exam

50

25%

Group Project & Presentation

50

25%

Quizzes

30

15%

Participation

20

10%

TOTAL

200

100%

 

Grading Scale:

Your grade will be assigned on a straight scale based on the number of points you earn as noted above.  Below is the grading scale:

 

Grade

Total Points

A

180 and above

B

160-179

C

140-159

D

120-139

F

Below 120

HONOR SYSTEM AND CODE

 

The Honor System and Code adopted by George Mason University will be enforced for this class.  For a full description of this code please refer to http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/acadpol.html.  In adherence with III.  Responsibility of the Faculty, a delineation of Honor Code Violations for this class is provided below.

 

III.A.  Group participation is permissible during in-class small group exercises and while studying for Exams.  Homework assignments in preparation for the following class period may also be discussed among classmates.  Discussion with classmates in other groups with regard to the group project should be limited to format and structure and not include content.   No discussion will be permitted while taking Exams.

 

III.B.  Study aids, memoranda, books, data, and other information is not permissible to use while taking the Exams. 

 

III.C.  When using material from the textbook or other sources (including the internet), non-original thoughts, concepts, etc. should be cited in accordance with standard academic guidelines (e.g., APA or MLA).

 

If you have any questions regarding the Honor Code and the above delineations, please ask before taking action.

 

COURSE SCHEDULE

Please note that the assigned readings are subject to change.  Adjustments will be discussed throughout the semester so please keep current.

 

DMS = Developing Management Skills, Whetten & Cameron; R = Reader

 

Date

Topic

Read

Assignment Due

8/25

Course Introduction

DMS - Introduction

 

8/27

Developing Self-Awareness I

DMS – Ch 1

 

9/1

Labor Day – No Class

 

 

9/3

Developing Self-Awareness II

SSS Software In-Basket

SSS Software In-Basket Exercise

9/8

Building Effective Teams and Teamwork I

DMS – Ch. 9

What did you learn?

9/10

Building Effective Teams and Teamwork II; Conducting Meetings

DMS – Supp. C

 

9/15

Project Management I; Team Meetings

R – Ch. 17

List of Team Members; Topic Choices

9/17

Project Management II; Team Meetings

R – Ch. 17

Pres. Sign-up

9/22

Conducting Interviews

DMS – Supp. B

 

9/24

Coaching, Counseling & Supportive Communication I

DMS – Ch. 4; Find Somebody Else Case

Project Work Plan

9/29

Coaching, Counseling & Supportive Communication II

R – Ch. 4

 

10/1

Communication and Technology

United Chemical Company Skill Practice

Interview Protocol (1st Draft Due - Optional)

10/6

Solving Problems Analytically and Creatively I

DMS – Ch. 3; Case:  Admiral Kimmel’s Failure at Pearl Harbor

 

10/8

Solving Problems Analytically and Creatively II

DMS – Ch. 3

Interview Protocol (Final Version Due)

10/14

Midterm Exam (Class meets on Tuesday)

 

 

10/15
Gaining Power and Influence I

DMS – Ch. 5; Repairing Power Failures p. 292

 

10/20
Gaining Power and Influence II

DMS – Ch. 5

 

10/22
Motivation I

DMS – Ch. 6

 

10/27

Motivation II

DMS – Ch. 6; Joe Chaney

 

 

Course Schedule (continued)

 

Date
Topic

Read

Assignment Due

10/29

Making Oral and Written Presentations I

DMS – Supp. A

 

11/3

Managing Conflict I

DMS – Ch. 7

 

11/5

Managing Conflict II

DMS – Ch. 7; Exercise on pg. 386

 

11/10
Group Presentations

 

Group Project Paper

11/12
Group Presentations

 

 

11/17
Group Presentations

 

Peer Feedback

11/19

Empowering and Delegating I

DMS – Ch. 8

 

11/24

Empowering and Delegating II

DMS – Ch. 8, Cases on pgs. 440-441

 

11/26

Thanksgiving Break – No Class

 

 

12/1

Managing Personal Stress/Time Management I

DMS – Ch. 2

 

12/3

Managing Personal Stress/Time Management II

DMS – Ch. 2

Time Spent

12/15

FINAL EXAM 10:30-1:15