UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON

ARTHUR J. KANIA SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

 

Course:                       Management 509  - Business Policy and Strategy

Semester:                   Spring 2001

Time & Room:           Selected Saturdays 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM    105 Brennan Hall (See attached schedule)

Instructor:                  Dr. Alan L. Brumagim

Office:                         409 Brennan Hall

Telephone:                 941-7480

Office Hours:             Thursday 10:30 – 11:55 AM, Tuesday 5:00 – 7:00 PM, or by appointment

 

Description:  This is the capstone course for the MBA program.  Concepts and skills developed in the prerequisite courses are integrated and applied to the overall management of business organizations.  This course focuses upon the choice of strategic direction and takes a generalist (top management) perspective.

 

Required Texts:      (1)   Ghemawat, Pankaj, Strategy and the Business Landscape: Core Concepts, 2001, Prentice Hall.

 

                                 (2)   Strickland, Thompson, & Gample, Cases in Strategic Management, 12th Edition, 2000, Irwin/McGraw-Hill.

 

Course Goals:

1.        To learn the basic concepts and frameworks of current strategic management thought,

 

2.        To understand the role of strategic thinking in the survival and growth of organizations,

 

3.        To gain a greater understanding of selected industries and specific companies,

 

4.        To apply knowledge and skills developed from other courses, and

 

5.        To learn how to apply the concepts and theories of strategic management to case studies in an organized and comprehensive manner.

 

Course Methodology:  A substantial amount of class time will be devoted to student analysis and group discussion.  Several lectures at the beginning of the term are intended to provide initial guidance on a methodology for preparing cases and conducting case analysis.  Additional lectures at the end of the term are intended to expose the student to recent developments in strategic management and business.

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation Method:                                              Grading:

Exam                                           

40%

95-100%    A    

80-82%      B-

Class participation/homework

20%

90-94%      A-

76-79%      C+

Case Presentation

40%

87-89%      B+  

70-75%      C

 

 

83-86%      B

69% down  F

 

100%

 

 

 

 

Punctual class attendance is important.  Excessive absences (more than 1 class) will result in a reduction in your final grade.  Each absence over the limit will result in one grade step reduction (for example from a B+ to a B).  Attendance will be taken twice a day (before and after lunch).  There is no distinction between approved and non-approved absences.  Each student must come to class prepared to discuss the material and cases being presented.    Occasional quizzes may be given to aid in assessing personal preparation.

 

Schedule:

 

Class 1         2/10/01        Lecture – Introduction to Industry Analysis   (8:30 – 11:40 AM)

       Lecture – Industry Analysis (12:40 – 4:00 PM)

 

Class 2         2/17/01        Lecture – Industry Segment Analysis (8:30 – 11:40 AM)

                                                                                                     Lecture – Company Analysis & Recommendations (12:40 – 4:00 PM)

 

Class 3         3/31/01        Cases (8:30 –11:40 AM; 12:40 – 4:00 PM) & Miscellaneous lecture/discussion

 

Class 4         4/7/01          Cases (8:30 –11:40 AM; 12:40 – 4:00 PM) & Miscellaneous lecture/discussion

 

Class 5         4/21/01        Cases (8:30 –11:40 AM; 12:40 – 4:00 PM) & Miscellaneous lecture/discussion

 

Class 6         4/28/01        Cases (8:30 –11:40 AM; 12:40 – 4:00 PM) & Miscellaneous lecture/discussion

 

Class 7          5/5/01         Exam (9:00 – 11:40 AM)

 

 

Any changes to this syllabus will be announced in class.

Cases and groups will be selected by the end of the first class.