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COB STANDARD CORE COURSE SYLLABI

(Meets PS03.A.29, 01/04/05 standards)

This course is in support of a degree program at the UHD College of Business that has earned professional
accreditation by AACSB International. AACSB International is an association of more than 1,100 business
educational institutions, and other organizations in 70 countries that are dedicated to the advancement of
management education worldwide. Only 568 business programs, or less than 5% worldwide, have earned this
distinguished hallmark of excellence in management education. Some institutions accredited in Texas are: The
University of Houston, Rice, SMU, TCU, Baylor, Texas Tech, The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, and
our very own University of Houston-Downtown.

1. COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE

MBA 6202 - Strategic Management

2. CATALOG DESCRIPTION

There is a difference in strategic thinking, strategic management and strategic planning. This course is to
expose the students to the relative differences and establish a strategic framework that will facilitate
integration of all other MBA study. It will also provide the framework for developing and fleshing out the
capstone project course MBA 6216 (A&B) required for completion of the MBA.

3. COURSE DETAIL AND OBJECTIVES

The student will learn to:

1. apply theories of strategic management to practice to improve organizational efficiency and
effectiveness
2. be able to apply a framework of strategic thinking
3. identify underlying reasons for successful and unsuccessful performance within an enterprise
4. generate and assess strategic options under conditions of imperfect knowledge
5. select the most appropriate strategy or course of action
6. summarize complex strategic analysis or strategies and communicate that information in a format
and level that is appropriate for the intended audience

List of major topics to be covered in the course –

Strategy Analysis
Strategy Formulation
Strategy Implementation / Execution
Strategy Evaluation
Strategic Tools
Strategic Theories and Frameworks

4. PREREQUISITES

Completion of core MBA courses

Please note, this syllabus is for general guidance only. It is tentative and subject to change as circumstances dictate.
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5. INSTRUCTOR

David Epstein, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Management

Sumant Salway
Corporate fellow

6. OFFICE LOCATION AND OFFICE HOURS

Contact me through email. For more detailed discussions 1 on 1 we can talk by phone or zoom.

7. CONTACT INFORMATION: ELECTRONIC

Email: [email protected]

Email for Sumant Salway: [email protected]

I prefer that you contact me through this email rather than Blackboard.

8. MODE OF INSTRUCTION: HYBRID

This course will have synchronous class meetings every Wednesday at 6: 30. Meetings will be by
zoom and everyone is expected to have their video enabled. If your video is not enabled, you will
receive no participation points. I expect class meetings to run around 2 hours since this is an online
environment.

This course is Blackboard (BB) enabled, and BB will be the primary mode of communication for this
course. Assignments, announcements, and information will be distributed and submitted via BB. Please
access your account daily for class announcements and course material. Note: If you plan to access the
course from work, try connecting early in the course. Some businesses have very rigid settings on their
firewalls that do not allow participation in activities such as chat or the interactivity necessary to take a
quiz/exam online.

Please also pay attention to recommended computer configurations. Technology problems not related to
UHD issues are not acceptable reasons for missed assignment due dates.

Blackboard help is available online by visiting www.uhd.edu/blackboard. Click on the Help Page link. For
additional assistance, students should call 713-221-8540 and select option 4 or submit a help form.

9. TEXT AND MATERIALS

9.1 TEXT

Strategic Management: Concepts (Special edition)

9.2 MATERIALS

Course Materials (i.e. PowerPoint slides, videos, handouts, etc.) are available via the Blackboard website.
Please take advantage of the support material provided. This does not, however, exempt you from
reading the textbook. Students will be expected to have completed textbook chapter readings by the
indicated dates. Please refer to the class schedule for further guidance.

Please note, this syllabus is for general guidance only. It is tentative and subject to change as circumstances dictate.
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10. ASSIGNMENTS – All assignments will be submitted to Turnitin. It is critical for your grade that
papers are your original work. You may use sources but be certain to cite those sources both within
the text and in the bibliography.

10.1 Homework

You will be assigned homework for each chapter. You should click on the Blackboard link rather than go to
McGraw-Hill or your grades will not show on Blackboard. The homework is application-based assignments for
each chapter. You will click on the link and be led through a strategy related scenario. You will make choices
throughout the scenario from options provided in the software. When you miss, the software will ask you to try
again. At the end, you will receive a score based on your results. There is an assignment for each chapter. You
will have until the end of the semester to complete the assignments.

10.2 Student Contribution

Class attendance is required and expected. The instructor will assess the contribution of each student based on
participation in class discussions. Please arrive on-time.
Due to the abbreviated nature of our semester, attendance is especially important. If you must leave early or
arrive late, please let your instructor know beforehand. If you are absent for more than one class session,
your participation grade may be reduced to zero resulting in a ‘C’ in the course. Active participation from all
students is beneficial to learning. Thus, student participation is greatly encouraged, whether in the form of
questions, comments, answers, opinions, or ideas.
It is important for you to participate without being asked

10.3 Wall Street Journal

You will be required to read one article from the Wall Street Journal related to business strategy. The article must
come from the last seven days. You must write a 1–2-page summary which includes a discussion of how the
article is related to business strategy. Your submission should be double-spaced and 12 point font. Additionally,
we will call on different students each class to discuss their article and its strategic importance. We expect other
class members to join in on the discussion. The purpose of this assignment is to immerse you in current business
issues and help you better understand the business climate and how it will affect you. Papers under 1 page in
length will not receive full credit.

10.3 Group

10.30 Strategy Term Project – Group project

Beginning in chapter 1 and continuing through chapter 6 in your book you will find a section devoted to a
strategy term project. This project will lead you from selecting a company to study to answering a number of
specific issues related to that company. This project will require you to research a company in some detail.
The first step, finding a company, may be the most critical consideration and should not be undertaken
lightly. Each section in each chapter asks you to address specific issues related both to the chapter and to
your project. You will produce a paper of no more than 20 pages doubled space, times new Roman 10 point
font minimum. When writing this paper, you should include headings indicating which chapter you are
addressing such as Chapter 1 … Plan to write efficiently and capture detail from your investigation. Tables
and charts can be included in an appendix which will not count against your page limit.

Grading Policy – Individuals will have their grade reduced in team projects for two reasons:

Please note, this syllabus is for general guidance only. It is tentative and subject to change as circumstances dictate.
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1. Grammar – I will reduce the grade when there are over three grammatical errors in a section. If
there are 4-5 errors I will reduce 10 points, 6-7 I will reduce 20 points, 8-9, I will reduce 30 points,
10 or more will be a zero for the project.
2. Plagiarism is defined as over 20% content directly from other sources. You can and should use
sources but it should be in your own words. If you do quote, use quotation marks. However, I
still do not want to see over 20% direct content. If your section has 20-30% same content, I will
reduce the grade 10 points, 30-40% same content, I will reduce the grade 20 points, above 40%
you will receive a zero for the project.

You will be required to state which part of the paper each group member worked on. If a section is poorly
written or plagiarized, that student will be penalized but not the rest of the group.

10.5 Final Exam – The final exam will be given online, is 100 multiple choice questions, and you will
have 2 ½ hours to complete the test.

11. GRADING

Evaluation for grading will be based on the following criteria –

Participation 10%
Wall Street 10%
Homework 12%
Test 40%
Strategy Term Project – Part 1 28%
Total 100%

Grading scale – [A: 90 – 100%] [B: 80 – 89.9%] [C: 70 – 79.9%] [D: 60 – 69.9%] [F: 0 – 59.9%]

12. CLASS MANAGEMENT: POLICIES / RULES / GUIDELINES

12.1 LATE ASSIGNMENTS POLICY

Written assignments are due by midnight on the date assigned. No late assignments will be accepted

12. 2 GENERAL POLICIES

The format of this course is lecture and class discussion. This course will use readings augmented by
practical exercises. Reading assignments must be completed prior to our class meeting to enhance
understanding of the concepts discussed and increase the quality of the discussion. Given the complexity
of the concepts, there may be more than one correct solution, which enhances the potential for the
development of analytical skills. Class discussion will be maintained in a respectful, professional manner
to provide all students with a positive learning experience.

You are responsible for what happens in class (i.e. any and all announcements, discussions, and
projects). If you miss class, you are responsible for obtaining the information covered from a classmate.

13. ADA REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS

The University of Houston-Downtown complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic
adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with a disability. In accordance with Section 504 and ADA

Please note, this syllabus is for general guidance only. It is tentative and subject to change as circumstances dictate.
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guidelines, UHD strives to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who
request and require them. If you believe that you have a documented disability requiring academic
adjustments/auxiliary aids, please contact the Office of Disability Services, One Main St., Suite 409-
South, Houston, TX 77002. (Office) 713-226-5227 (Website) www.uhd.edu/disability/ (Email)
[email protected]

It is highly recommended that students with disabilities register with Disability Services within the first two
weeks of the semester. Students who register with Disability Services are also asked to please notify
their professor(s) immediately afterwards to ensure timely accommodation(s).

14. DISASTER PLANNING

In the event that the University is officially closed due to natural or manmade disaster, the University may
determine to move all courses to Blackboard for continuation online until the University re-opens. The
decision for University courses to continue online will be communicated through the same channels that
the University uses to communicate with students during disasters. Adjustments to the syllabus may be
made by the professor as appropriately required.

15. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY (PS 03.A.19 and page 24 of the UHD Student Handbook)

UHD code states, “Students must be honest in all academic activities and must not tolerate dishonesty.”
Students are responsible for doing their own work and avoiding all forms of academic dishonesty. The
most common violations are cheating and plagiarism.

Cheating includes, but is not limited to: submitting material that is not your own, using information or
devices that are not allowed by the faculty, obtaining and/or using unauthorized material, fabricating
information, violating procedures prescribed to protect the integrity of a test or other evaluation exercise,
collaborating with others on assignments without the faculty's consent, cooperating with or helping
another student to cheat, having another person take an examination in the student's place, altering exam
answers and requesting that the exam be re-graded, and communicating with any person during an exam
other than the faculty or exam proctor. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to: directly quoting the
words of others without using quotation marks or indented format to identify them, using sources of
information (published or unpublished) without identifying them, and paraphrasing materials or ideas of
others without identifying the sources.

If you are found to be academically dishonest, you will be subject to disciplinary action per UHD student
handbook policy. Because scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of
the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. Refer to
http://www.uhd.edu/library/guides/plagiarism.html for further information.

Please note, this syllabus is for general guidance only. It is tentative and subject to change as circumstances dictate.
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16. CLASS SCHEDULE/CALENDAR:

Date Lessons and Readings Assignments

5/17 Read chapter 1 and chapter 2 prior to class 1 Watch videos for chapter 1
Introduction and Overview, strategic leadership Begin work on strategy term project Pg. 27
Form groups

5/19 Read chapter 2 Watch videos for chapter 2

Work on strategy term project, Pg. 60.

5/24 Strategic Leadership WSJ 1 due by 8:00 AM

5/26 Read chapter 3 Watch videos for chapter 3

Continue to work on strategy term project
Pg. 99
5/31 External environment
Introduction to the marketplace simulation WSJ 2 due by 8:00 AM
6/2 Read chapter 4 Continue to work on the term project.
Watch videos for chapter 4.
Continue to work on strategy term project
Pg. 136

6/7 Internal environment, Business level strategies WSJ 3 due by 8:00 AM

6/9 Read chapter 5

6/14 Competitive advantage and firm performance Continue to work on strategy term project
Pg. 169. 204
Watch videos for chapter 5
WSJ 4 due by 8:00 AM

6/16 Read chapter 6 Term Project due

Watch videos for chapter 6

Please note, this syllabus is for general guidance only. It is tentative and subject to change as circumstances dictate.
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6/21 Business strategy WSJ 5 due by 8:00 AM

6/23 Chapters 1-6 multiple choice online Final

17. COURSE MAPPING:

Please note, this syllabus is for general guidance only. It is tentative and subject to change as circumstances dictate.
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Assigned readings & Learning Outcome 1: To apply theories of Objective 1.1: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to identify drivers
discussion strategic management to practice to improve of industry and organizational change and be able to predict the
organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
Term Project
impact of change on organizational performance.

Homework

Exam

Assigned readings & Learning Outcome 2: Be able to apply a Objective 1.2: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to design,
discussion framework of strategic thinking implement, evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of
Term Project
organizational strategies, making necessary amendments during
this process.
Homework

Exam

Assigned readings & Learning Outcome 3: Objective 1:3: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to apply concepts
discussion and decision models in financial accounting, statistics,
Students will be able to apply a framework of
Term Project strategic thinking to: identify underlying
organizational behavior, finance, economics, marketing,
reasons for successful and unsuccessful information systems management, and operations management
Homework performance; to make business decisions.
Exam

Assigned readings & Learning Outcome 4: Objective 1.1: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to identify drivers
discussion of industry and organizational change and be able to predict the
Students will be able to apply a framework of
Term Project strategic thinking to:
impact of change on organizational performance.

Exam generate and assess strategic options under Objective 1.2: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to design,
the conditions of imperfect knowledge implement, evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of
organizational strategies, making necessary amendments during
this process.

Assigned readings & Learning Outcome 5: select the most Objective 1.1: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to identify drivers
discussion appropriate strategy or course of action of industry and organizational change and be able to predict the
Term Project
impact of change on organizational performance.

Homework Objective 1.2: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to design,

implement, evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of

Please note, this syllabus is for general guidance only. It is tentative and subject to change as circumstances dictate.
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Exam organizational strategies, making necessary amendments during

this process.

Assigned readings & Learning Outcome 6: Objective 1.1: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to identify drivers
discussion of industry and organizational change and be able to predict the
summarize complex strategic analysis or
Term Project strategies and communicate that impact of change on organizational performance.
information in a format and level that is
Homework appropriate for the intended audience Objective 1.2: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to design,
implement, evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of
Exam organizational strategies, making necessary amendments during
this process.

Objective 1:3: UHD’s MBA graduates will be able to apply concepts

and decision models in financial accounting, statistics,
organizational behavior, finance, economics, marketing,
information systems management, and operations management
to make business decisions.

Please note, this syllabus is for general guidance only. It is tentative and subject to change as circumstances dictate.