Mission Statement:

Regent University serves as a center of Christian thought and action to provide excellent education
through a Biblical perspective and global context equipping Christian leaders to change the world.

COURSE SYLLABUS
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & LEADERSHIP
MBA 645
MANAGING ORGANIZATIONS
SPRING 2016 SESSION D
ONLINE

ON-CAMPUS(SEC.02)

All students are required to read and have a thorough understanding of the
syllabus. Any questions or concerns need to be addressed to the instructor.

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7.
8.
Instructor:

Dr. Steve Firestone

E-mail:

sfirestone@regent.edu

Phone:

757-352-4618

SECTION 1 - OVERVIEW

YOUR INSTRUCTOR FOR THIS COURSE:

Office Hours: By appointment

9.

PERSONAL GREETING FROM THE INSTRUCTOR

Welcome to MBA645 Managing Organizations! This course is designed to help students develop the
mindset of strategic analysis. It is not a course to explain, conceptually, what strategic management is,
but to provide practical guidance in enabling students to conduct strategic analysis and to make strategic
planning.
I am excited to launch this learning adventure together with you. Please feel free to let me know if you
have any questions or concerns. I can be reached at sfirestone@regent.edu.
I look forward to a fruitful semester with each one of you!
Blessings,
10.

Steve Firestone, Ph.D.

sfirestone@regent.edu
SHORT BIO INCLUDING CREDENTIALS OF THE INSTRUCTOR
(see Your Instructor section in Blackboard)
BEST TIMES AND METHODS FOR CONTACTING THE PROFESSOR
The professor for this course can be contacted by e-mail sfirestone@regent.edu.
INSTRUCTOR POLICY ON CELL PHONES, PAGERS, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
For any resident classes, students are encouraged to bring their laptops and other mobile devices to
class so as to engage in just in time research during classroom and dialogue discussions.
11.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is to provide practical guidance for strategic analysis. It is to introduce a Strategic Analysis
Model students can build upon and apply for firms business-level strategies.
12.

THEME SCRIPTURE

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. (NIV)
13.

PROGRAM GOALS & LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Based on the current MBA program competencies, MBA graduates will:

Goal 1:

Develop business ideas based on strategic foresight that align with driving forces that
will shape future markets and local communities.

Goal 2:

Design marketing strategies and plans specific to customer/consumer and market needs in
global markets.

Goal 3:

Create technology innovation plans based on consumer needs that bring about growth in
corporate products, services, and ideas that align with innovation theory.

Goal 4:

Develop and recommend preferred HR systems and plans sensitive to the dynamics of
corporate human behavior in different global contexts.

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Goal 5:

Use accounting and financial information for decision making purposes in diverse business
settings and situations.

Goal 6:

Develop operations plans and determine appropriate quality improvement strategies for
product manufacturing and service delivery in diverse global cultures and environments.

Goal 7:

Construct and present business strategies and plans that meet the funding requirements of the
financial investment community for either a new business or a new product/service within an
existing company.
14.

MBA645 LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Learning Objectives
A.

Demonstrate an understanding of the Strategic Analysis Model.

B.

Develop and advance the Strategic Analysis Model.

C.

Conduct strategic analysis for a company of choice based on the Strategic Analysis Model.

D.

Recall knowledge and facts about the Strategic Analysis Model.

15.

THE MBA 645 COURSE ASSIGNMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

6 dialogues: 1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, 3B, 4A

4 Quizzes
2 minor projects: m1, m2
1 major project: M1
The table below maps the course outcomes to its learning objectives:
1A

1B

1C

F1A

F1B

F2A

F3A

F3B

F4A

Quizzes

m1

m2

M1

1D

Relationship to Regents Mission

Mission: Regent University serves as a center of Christian thought and action to provide excellent
education through a Biblical perspective and global context equipping Christian leaders to change the
world.
Below are examples of how this course supports the mission.
1. Biblical Perspective: Dialogue forums, individual discussion posts, and project components
contain elements challenging consumer behaviors from an ethical perspective. Such perspectives
are rooted in the Christian traditions for acceptable behaviors and biblical context of the 10
Commandments and Proverbs.

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Global Context: Dialogue forums, individual discussion posts, and project components contain elements
regarding the acclimation of cultural norms of other countries so as to develop cross-cultural sensitivity to
behaviors acceptable to consumers in other countries and cultures.

SECTION 2 COURSE REQUIREMENTS

16.

REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR THIS COURSE

Students are responsible for acquiring the following books and materials for this course by the time the
course begins:

Bible - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), Revised Standard Version (RSV), New King
James Version (NKJV), American Standard Version (ASV), New American Standard Bible
(NASB), or other literal English translation.

Stanley C. Abraham. (2012). Strategic Planning: A Practical Guide for Competitive Success, 2 nd
Edition. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA, UK: Emerald Group Publishing
Limited. ISBN 978-1-78052-520-4

Textbooks may be purchased from Blackboard's online bookstore. To access the bookstore, log in to
the MyRegent portal to go to Blackboard. Then, select Blackboard Store from the homepage. For
additional information about the online bookstore, visit www.regent.edu/bookstore.
Additional materials (e.g., PowerPoint files, quizzes, media, and the like) may be found on Blackboard.
Students are responsible for the information and materials distributed through Blackboard and, for oncampus students, in class.
GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS
To succeed in this course, you will need to fully understand the following:
1. Attendance and Participation: Your attendance and participation are important means for the
instructor to assess your skills, quality of thought, and growth as a student. The attendance
policy and procedures are described below. When applicable, requirements for your participation
in Blackboard discussions important both for your learning and for your instructors evaluation
of your progress in the courseare described below (see Requirements regarding Blackboard
Discussions).
2. Required Work Hours: As per Regent Universitys Credit Hour policy, 45 hours of total student
work are minimally required for each credit hour earned in a course; therefore, you should
calculate the average number of work hours per week required by this course (e.g., a 3-credit
graduate course lasting 15 weeks requires at least 15 hours per week of student work) to give
you an approximate understanding of the amount of time you should devote to its requirements.
3. Assignments: Pay close and timely attention to reading assignments and other assigned work
posted in the syllabus and Blackboard. You are responsible for preparing assigned readings
carefully by the date listed on the schedule below and to complete tests, projects, and other
assignments by the date listed. Out of fairness to all, late assignments are penalized as described
below under Late Assignments.

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4. Policies and Procedures: Carefully follow course policies and procedures regarding writing,
academic honesty, submission of assignments, formatting, and other matters, as specified below
or through Blackboard. Since following directions is a crucial skill for university graduatesand
since the smooth operation of our course depends on all of us meeting each others expectations
adherence to policies can positively or adversely affect a students grade.
5. Writing: All papers and essays at Regent University must follow the writing style format required
by the degree specialty for which they are being written. You will use the style of your choice in
this course for your dialogue forums and project, BUT you must consistently use it correctly.
6. Course Completion/Incompletes: All courses require extensive engagement (with other
students, the instructor, and with the course materials) as well as timely completion of
assignments. Many assignments are due weekly. Thus, keeping up with the schedule is essential
to your success. Some work is difficult or even impossible to make up (such as discussion with
others), so you must plan your schedule carefully. Be sure you can complete this course in the
scheduled period. Grades of Incomplete will be granted only for true emergency situations, not
for poor planning. The policy for grades of Incomplete can be found in the School of Graduate
Studies Catalog, found online.
7. Blackboard: Students are expected to check the Announcements section of Blackboard each
week beginning one week before the start of the course. Students must keep their e-mail
address current in Blackboard; they are expected to check their Regent e-mail daily to ensure
timely receipt of messages from the professor.
8. Internet and Software: You must have continuous access to a working and dependable Internet
provider as well as reliable e-mail software that can send and receive attachments. You must
also have access to Microsoft Word 2000 or later for writing assignments.
17.

BLACKBOARD INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

Blackboard has four primary purposes in our courses:

(1) to provide a means for students to receive timely information about the course in general,
assignments, grades, and announcements from the instructor;
(2) to promote thoughtful interaction between the instructor and students and among students
themselves as they work through course materials;
(3) to provide a means for students to complete quizzes and other forms of evaluation; and
(4) to enhance the learning process by providing a variety of materials.
Online discussions will be posted in Blackboard. Unless otherwise instructed, the parameters for a
students postings are 200 words (please keep the word count in this range).The purpose of these
parameters is to promote writing that is both thorough and concise. Discussion questions will be posted in
advance. Since not everyone will see things identically, students are to review one anothers postings to
further their insight and learning. This is an important benefit of dialogue.
If you want to share short posts of encouragement and support, use the discussion board tool for this.
Note that the expectations for quality work in the Blackboard group discussions differ from the minimal
requirements for attendance.
Requirements Regarding Blackboard Discussions

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18.

This is an eight-week course. Each course consists of four (4)

periods. All periods are 2 weeks in length. Periods 2, 3, and 4
have projects due in them.

19.

Each period has one dialogue discussion forum. Students need

to post two (2) individual dialogue posts in each dialogue forum
(i.e., 2 posts per dialogue forum). The first post is an original post
per the topic presented in the course Blackboard site for that
period. The subsequent second post is an additional post or a
response to the first post of other students.

20.

Note that dialogue discussions are not a message board, nor

opinion pieces. Students must produce and post substantive
messages that are academically sound. As a guide, each
dialogue post should include a minimum of 2-3 academic or
professional citations. These can come from original research
you conduct in your textbooks, popular press articles,
professional publications, or the Regent University Librarys
online database resources. Dialogue posts need to follow this
schedule:

21.

Original 1st Post:

22.

Due no later than 11:59 pm on the Wednesday of the first week

of a period (the post can be made earlier).

23.

Response 2nd Post:

24.

Due no later than 11:59 pm on the Sunday ending the period (it
can be posted earlier, and the Wednesday of the second week of
a period is recommended). See the assignments table toward
the end of this syllabus for the link to the specific due dates for
each period.

25.

It is imperative to post your first post in a timely manner so

as to move the discussion ahead through your participation
and the content of your post. Failure to regularly participate
and submit within the above timeframe listed above, and/or
posting more than one post on the same day of a period will
attract point losses on scores. Dialogue submissions after the
period ends will not be accepted or considered for a score.

26.

If you have technical problems with Blackboard and/or are not

able to log in, please contact the Help Desk/IT department. You
can e-mail the Help Desk at: helpdesk@regent.edu or call at
(757) 352-4076.

SECTION 3 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

27.

COURSE PROCEDURES

Course Participation REQUIRED in the First Week of the Semester

Attendance Policy: It is imperative for students to submit their initial dialogue post within the first week of
the semester start. Failure to do so will result in an automatic administrative withdrawal. Exceptions can
only be granted upon approval of the faculty, provided the student has contacted the faculty within the first
week of the semester to convey any issues that might prevent the student from participation in a timely
manner.

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Submission of Assignments
All assignments (unless otherwise instructed) for this course should be submitted via the assignment
manager in Blackboard. Papers should be in Microsoft Word file format (.doc, or .docx). Electronic
spreadsheets should be submitted in Microsoft Excel file format (.xls, or .xlsx).
Naming of Assignment Documents
When saving your document, the file name should include your last name, the course code, and
assessment description, in that order. For example, John Smith, MBA630, Minor Project 1. This
makes it easy for your instructor to track your work. Each file should be named in the following manner:
Last nameMBA645project #
For example: Smith-MBA645-project-1
Draft Submission Guidelines
Students are encouraged to submit a project draft to the professor for constructive comments, advice, and
instructional guidance from which the student can make additional editing changes to improve the quality
of his/her work before uploading the final project document into Blackboard. The draft is to be submitted
through email to the course professor by the end of the first week (Sunday, by 11:59 PM
USA Eastern Time).
The draft is to be submitted directly to the professor. Please use the following designation in the subject
line of your draft transmittal email:
Last name-MBA645-project-[1,2,3]-DRAFT
For example: Subject: Smith-MBA645-Project-1-DRAFT
MBA645 will designate the course you are taking and give the professor the opportunity to separate your
email message from the other courses they are teaching. The project number will indicate what project is
being submitted and your last name will help identify each file sent for review. The word DRAFT the end
of the subject line will let the professor know that this is a draft that requires review and feedback. Please
code your assignment accordingly.
Every assignment document must have your name on it, and, if it is more than one page, each page
must be numbered.
The resubmission of projects after grading is not an option in the MBA program. Once your instructor
grades your project, it cannot be resubmitted.
28.

Late Assignments

A penalty will be applied to any non-dialogue assignment submitted to the grading professor after the
original due date as specified in this Schedule of Assessments. The following table outlines the point
deductions based upon the period in which the assignment was due and the period in which it was
actually submitted:
Period Submitted
PERI
OD
DUE

1
2
3
4

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-15 pts

-20 pts

-30 pts

-15 pts

-20 pts

-15 pts
0

1 week beyond
period 4

-15 pts

The numbers within the light purple boxes are the points that will be deducted for each period that the
assignment is submitted after its original due date. For example, a period 3 assignment that is submitted
during or at the end of period 4 will receive a 15 point total penalty; a period 1 assignment submitted
during or at the end of period 4 will receive a 30 point total penalty
Resubmission of Graded Assignments
Students may not resubmit a graded assignment for reconsideration and re-grading. The instructor may
request that a student resubmit a graded assignment but it is only at the discretion of the instructor.
Extra Credit
There is no extra credit offered in this course.
Emailing Your Instructor
The subject line of all e-mail messages related to this course should include the course number
(MBA645) and the name of the student (For example, SUBJECT: MBA645, John Smith). Students should
always include their first and last name at the end of all e-mail messages. Following these directions
enables the professor to identify quickly the student and course, facilitating a timely response. Students
should always include their first and last name at the end of all e-mail messages.

29.

Because instructors often need to reach students, all students

are required to keep their mailing address, e-mail address, and
telephone numbers up to date in GENISYS.

ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION POLICY

Class participation is essential for satisfactory academic achievement. Students are responsible for
knowing and meeting all course requirements including tests, assignments and dialogue participation. It is
left to the individual faculty member to evaluate each student's record of attendance in arriving at a final
grade.
In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for Regent University to suspend normal operations.
During this time, Regent University may opt to continue delivery of traditional classroom instruction using
the Blackboard Course Management System. It is the responsibility of the student to monitor the
Blackboard course site in the event of campus closure.
UNIVERSITY WITHDRAWAL (from Catalog)
Students who wish to withdraw voluntarily from the university during a term shall meet with the dean of
the school or his/her designee and secure school approval on the withdrawal form. Students must satisfy
all financial obligations before leaving campus or they will not receive transcripts or be allowed to reenroll. Grades of W (Withdrew) or WF (Withdrew Failing) shall be placed on the students transcripts for
the courses in which they were enrolled.
The grade W (Withdrew) will be posted on the transcript for all standard courses taken during the term if
the student withdraws before the mid-point of the term; a grade of WF (Withdrew Failing) will be posted
thereafter. Withdrawal from courses taught in non-standard formats (i.e., modular cluster courses, etc.)
will result in either a W or WF on the transcript, depending on the withdrawal deadline determined by the
individual school. Students who have not attended any classes for which they are registered that term, or
distance students who have not participated in instructional events by the end of the add/drop period will,
in accordance with university practice, be assumed to have unofficially withdrawn and will be
administratively withdrawn.
For students who leave the university during the term or for students who are suspended for disciplinary
reasons, a grade of W or WF will be recorded on the transcript for the courses in which the students were
enrolled. The regular refund policy applies for a student suspended for disciplinary reasons.
UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC HONOR CODE
Students are on their honor to complete assignments with honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty
involves intentionally or unintentionally stealing the intellectual property of others. Students are expected
to be familiar with the universitys policy on academic integrity found in both the University Student
Handbook and School of Undergraduate Studies Catalog (http://www.regent.edu/general/catalog/) and to

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follow it. As an academic and Christian community, Regent University takes seriously the call for integrity
and penalizes breaches of of academic integrity.

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30.
31.

SECTION 4 SCHEDULE AND EVALUATION

COURSE SCHEDULE AND METHOD OF EVALUATION

To review and download the semester and period schedules, please visit:
http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/degree_programs/semester_schedule/home.cfm and select your
program.
The table below shows the specific methods of assessment and grade weights for this course.
Period
ONE
(Week 1 and 2)

TWO
(Weeks 3 and 4)

THREE
(Week 5 and 6)

Assignment
Introduction to
Strategic Planning
Textbook readings:
Chapter 1, 2, 6
(section 6.4 Crafting
Mission and Vision
Statements only),
and 9
YouTube, Other Media
Clips,
Listening/Collaborate
(in-class equiv.)

Est. Hrs.

6.0

2.0

Discussion Forum
topic 1A
(1 post)
Discussion Forum
topic 1B
(1 post)

2.5%

1.50

2.5%

1.25

20 Question Quiz 1
on reading

5%

1.0

Analyzing the
External
Environment
Textbook reading:
Chapter 3 and 4
YouTube, Other Media
Clips,
Listening/Collaborate
(in-class equiv.)

6.0
2.0

Discussion Forum
topic 2A
(2 posts)

5%

2.75

20 Question Quiz 2
on reading

5%

1.0

*Minor Project 1
(Draft Due by
midnight Sunday of
week 3)

17%

20.0

Assessing the
Company Itself
Textbook reading:

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Weigh
t

6.0

Chapter 5
YouTube, Other Media
Clips,
Listening/Collaborate
(in-class equiv.)

Exegetical
Discussion Forum
topic 3A
(1 post)
Exegetical
Discussion Forum
topic 3B
(1 post)
20 Question Quiz 3
on reading
*Minor Project 2
(Draft Due by
midnight Sunday of
week 5)
FOUR
(Weeks 7 and 8)

2.5%

1.50

2.5%

1.25

5%

1.0

17%

20.0

Strategies for
Mature and
Declining Markets
Textbook reading:
Chapter 6
YouTube, Other Media
Clips,
Listening/Collaborate
(in-class equiv.)

6.0
2.0

Discussion topic 4A
(2 posts)

5%

2.75

20 Question Quiz 4
on reading

5%

1.0

*Major Project 1
(Draft Due by
midnight Sunday of
week 7)

26%

27.0

100%

112.5
(Required)
114.0
(actual)

Total

Note:

2.0

All assignments from the semester are due by midnight Saturday at the end of period 4. All
grading has to be completed by the instructor and grades entered into Genisys by the end of the
day on the following Monday.

*Assignment must be submitted to complete this course.

Estimated Time Commitment
The Department of Education defines a credit hour as consisting of, at a minimum, 15 50-minute
sessions of in-class equivalent activities and two times that amount for outside-of-class equivalent
activities.
Activities and times:
Reading at 25 trade-book pages per hour (equates to 750 pages of trade book reading) -- twothirds should be required reading and the other third student driven - 30.00 hours

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Listening to recorded audio/video elements or Collaborate sessions (in-class equivalent) - 10.00

hours
Discussion (in-class equivalent) 11.0 hours
Quizzes (in-class equivalent) - 5.00 hours
Written projects 67.00 hours
Note: Coursework is scheduled over a seven-day week to provide structure for students residing on six
continents. The weekly schedule begins on Monday at 12:01AM US ET (USA Eastern Time), and ends on
Sunday at 11:59PM US ET. The program neither suggests nor encourages that students work seven days
per week. Rather, in respect for the various traditions to honor a given day during the week, all seven
days are included in the schedule so students may elect which days they will participate.
GRADING
The School of Business & Leadership (SBL) adheres to the Regent University Grading policy of letter
grades and associated Quality Points. SBL uses the percentages in the table below to convert percent
grades to letter grades in the Blackboard Grade Book. Note: scores DO NOT round up to the next whole
number.
Grade

Quality Points
Percentage

93100

4.00

A-

90-92

3.67

B+

87-89

3.33

83-86

3.00

B-

80-82

2.67

C+

77-79

2.33

73-76

2.00

C-

70-72

1.67

D+

67-69

1.33

63-66

1.00

D-

60-62

0.67

0-59

0.00

Please note that the SBL Grading Rubric defines percentage scores as:
Proficient
(93-100)

Sufficient
(83-92)

Insufficient
(0-82)

STUDENT COURSE EVALUATION

Students have the opportunity to provide feedback throughout the course through e-mail, telephone, and
on-campus appointments. Near the end of the course, students will complete an anonymous online
course evaluation form. Since the results contribute to improving course design and presentation, it is
important that students be honest and constructive in their evaluations. Students will receive an e-mail
reminder from the University when it is time to complete these evaluations. Please take time to provide
this input. Students can access the online evaluation system at:
http://eval.regent.edu/regent/survey/students.cfm.
If you have questions about the online evaluation please contact evaluation@regent.edu.

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This syllabus is subject to change without notice.

Last updated: March

12, 2016

Regent University, School of Business & Leadership

1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, 23464
2015 Regent University, All Rights Reserved.

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