BA 410
Spring 1999

Required Texts and Readings

Two books and a packet of cases and readings are required for the course. Whetten and Cameron, 1998. Developing Management Skills (4th Edition). Harper-Collins Bennis, 1989. On Becoming a Leader. Addision-Wesley BA 410 Readings Packet. Both books and the packet of readings are available at the UO Bookstore. You may be able to find used copies of both books. It is important that you come to class each day having read the assigned readings and/or case, and prepared to discuss them.

Group Term Project

The class will be divided up into groups of five or six students for purposes of completing a term project. Each group will have responsibility for helping the class increase our understanding of the management and leadership skills we will be studying by making a case presentation to the class. In the presentation, groups will apply the concepts found in Whetten and Cameron to help us understand how the problem presented in the case can be effectively solved. Groups are also strongly encouraged to interview managers to find out how they might approach solving the problem and to compare the manager's advice with Whetten and Cameron's suggestions. In evaluating the group project presentations, emphasis will be placed on both content and professionalism . Each presentation will be rated by members of the class and feedback will be given to each group on how they can improve their presentation skills.

Written Case Analyses

Each student will individually complete a written analysis of the Alan Hirschfield at Columbia Pictures case and any one of the seven other cases assigned for discussion during the term. Instructions for completing the written case analyses and the dimensions along which they will be evaluated can be found on this Web Site: Writing a case for this class There are two important rules for written case analyses: The case you are presenting for your group term project cannot be written-up to satisfy this requirement Written cases are due in class on the day they are assigned and written cases will not be accepted after they have been discussed.

Written Assignments

Three written assignments (in addition to the case analyses) will be handed in during the term. SSS Software In-Basket Exercise (found in Whetten and Cameron) A development plan based on completion of the assessment instruments found in Whetten and Cameron (pp. 36-48) or on their Web Site (completing the instruments on the author's web site has the advantage of computer scoring). The self-assessment should focus on cognitive style, locus of control, tolerance for ambiguity, and FIRO-B and should be completed by March 7 so they can be discussed in class. The development plan should be in the form of a two or three page memo written to the course instructor summarizing: 1) what the self-assessment instruments tell you about yourself; 2) two or three areas in which you believe you would benefit from strengthening yourself; and 3) specific goals and action steps you can take to strengthen yourself in the areas you identified. The development plan is due no later than May 26. Self-Assessment Instruments A brief written evaluation of your term project group experience (one page describing what you learned from the experience, due one week after your group presentation) These assignments will not be graded for content but must be turned in to receive credit.

Midterm Examinations

Two midterm examinations will be given covering the assigned chapters in both books and the assigned readings. The midterms will be in the form of short-answer essay questions and you will be given some choice on the questions you are required to answer. Because the midterm exams will cover all of the assigned readings over the course of the term, no comprehensive final examination will be given (but could be by popular request).