

COURSE SYLLABUS
SCOPE OF COURSE SYLLABUS
Intended for students enrolling in Strategic Thinking and Decision Analysis, this syllabus contains information specific to the course. It is a definitive record of the course's primary characteristics and the learning outcomes that a typical student can reasonably be expected to achieve if they take full advantage of the available learning opportunities. This document also serves as a reference for academic and support staff, internal and external examiners, and for future course monitoring and review.
COURSE AT A GLANCE
Course Title
Strategic Thinking and Decision Analysis
Subject Area:
Management
Course Code
MGMT 61111
Course Level
Graduate
Credits
4.0
Prerequisites
None
Methods of Delivery
Online
Expected Length
7.0 Weeks
Class Meetings
To be determined
Faculty
To be determined
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Computer Software: Any computer software that aids learning.
TEXT(S)
Text 1: DAMJ
Title: Decision Analysis for Management Judgment
Author(s): Paul Goodwin and George Wright
Edition: 5th
ISBN: 9781118889251
Text 2: SP
Title: Strategy in Practice: A Practitioner's Guide to Strategic Thinking
Author(s): George Tovstiga
Edition: 3rd
ISBN: 9781119121671
SYNOPSIS
This course offers a comprehensive understanding of decision analysis methods, with a focus on the psychological problems related to managerial decision-making and the strategies needed to overcome them. The latest edition of the course has been updated to reflect the latest developments in the field, making it a valuable resource for those in today's business and economic climate.
In the aftermath of the global economic crisis, exploring new ways of thinking about strategy is important. This course provides the latest theoretical concepts in strategic management, allowing strategy practitioners to take a systematic approach to strategic thinking. By establishing the relevance of strategy theory to its application in the practice field, this course helps practitioners develop a deep understanding of the strategic landscape.
The strategic thinking process is complex, but this course guides students through it step-by-step. Starting with formulating compelling and clear strategic questions, students are then provided with strategic analysis tools and informed intuition to help them understand the strategic landscape like a pro. Overall, this course is invaluable for anyone looking to strengthen their strategic thinking skills.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
TBD.
WEEK 1
Module 1
Strategic Thinking
Reference(s): SP Ch1-2
Module 2
Insight-Driven Strategic Analysis
Reference(s): SP Ch3-4
WEEK 2
Module 3
High-Level, “Big-Picture”, and Supporting-Level Strategic Analysis
Reference(s): SP Ch5-6
Module 4
Strategy Formation, Evaluation of Strategic Options, Execution, and Performance Appraisal
Reference(s): SP Ch7-9
WEEK 3
Module 5
Decisions involving Multiple Objectives
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch1-4
Module 6
Introduction to Probability and Heuristics and Biases in Probability Assessment
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch5, Ch10 , and Ch11
WEEK 4
Module 7
Decision Making under Uncertainty and Risk and Uncertainty Management
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch6 and Ch12
Module 8
Decision trees and influence diagrams
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch7
WEEK 5
Module 9
Applying Simulation to Decision Problem
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch8
Module 10
Revising Judgments in the Light of New Information
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch9
WEEK 6
Module 11
Decisions Involving Groups of Individuals
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch13
Module 12
Resource Allocation and Negotiation Problems
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch14
WEEK 7
Module 13
Decision Framing, Cognitive Inertia, Scenario Planning, and Decision Analysis
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch15-17
Module 14
Alternative Decision-support Systems
Reference(s): DAMJ Ch18
PROFESSIONALISM
WEIGHT: 10.0%
DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 7
All students must participate actively in discussions, class exercises, activities, simulations, and group work. Regular attendance, preparation, and participation in class discussions (online and in discussion forums) are required—good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation and earn a higher participation grade.
Class participation and discussion indicate that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in a class but on the overall contribution to the discussion. Students are encouraged to exchange contact information and support one another if a class is missed. They must contact the course instructor if concerned about attendance or need additional information on any assignment. If a student cannot attend three or more classes, they may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete a course.
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ
WEIGHT: 10.0%
DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1-5
General Information
Each week from Week 1 to Week 5, students must complete one graded quiz with ten (10) multiple-choice questions. These assessments aim to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered each week from Week 1 to Week 5. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) each week from Week 1 to Week 5. Quiz assignments are graded by computer, and the grade is stored in the online grade book. Only one 20-minute attempt per quiz is allowed.
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 1
Weight: 2.0%
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 2
Weight: 2.0%
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 2
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 3
Weight: 2.0%
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 3
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 4
Weight: 2.0%
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 4
END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 4
Weight: 2.0%
Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 5
END-OF-COURSE QUIZ
WEIGHT: 20.0%
DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 7
General Information
In Week 7, students must complete one graded quiz consisting of thirty (30) multiple-choice questions. This assessment aims to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered over seven weeks. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (Greenwich Meantime GMT+0) of Week 7. Quiz assignments are graded by computer, and the grade is stored in the online grade book. Only one 60-minute attempt per quiz is allowed.
RESEARCH PAPER
WEIGHT: 60.0%
DEADLINE: Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 7
General Information
This must be twelve pages (approximately three thousand words) not including references, title page, and appendix. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered over five weeks, focusing on the practical aspects of the course. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 7. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and complete some test preparation tasks before attempting the graded assessment.
PARTICIPATION POLICY
Please be sure to review the following important information about the University Policies and Procedures.
All students must participate in all classroom activities, attend classes regularly, and prepare before classes for classroom activities that require advance preparation. Students need to fully appreciate that good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation, which, in turn, results in a more thorough acquisition of subject knowledge and higher participation grades.
Participation in classroom discussions indicates that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in the classroom but on the overall quality of contributions to discussions.
If a student is unable to attend 3 or more classes, he/she may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete the course.
Mode of Attendance
For the portion of the course that takes place over Microsoft Teams:
Students are required to arrive on time and engage appropriately with their fellow students, their teacher(s) and course materials. They must attend with a functional web camera and microphone, have the latest version of Microsoft Teams installed on their computers, avoid attending via a mobile phone or web browser, and have all necessary materials to hand. Also, their cameras must be always switched on, except for occasions when privacy becomes a necessity. In addition, they must be appropriately attired, attend in an environment that will not distract them, their fellow students or their teacher(s), especially avoiding attending while in a vehicle, whether moving or stationary.
For the on-campus portion of the course:
The mandatory on-campus session meets as per the AUS Campus schedule. Good attendance is required to earn credits and pass the course. Students cannot arrive late or leave early. Students traveling from afar must plan accordingly, giving themselves plenty of time to arrive by the start of class. No exceptions can be granted.
Classroom Expectations
Classes start and end on time, with late entry or reentry allowed only under exceptional circumstances. All phones and electronic devices must be turned off.
GRADING
The expectation is that students read assigned materials prior to class. Class discussions are based on their reading of these materials and their reflections on what they have learned and how these relate to their experiences. Assignments are intended to encourage students’ exploration, reflection on and synthesis of assigned topics and course discussions.
Assessments are listed in the course syllabus and are due by the stipulated deadlines.
No assessment will be accepted after the day following the day it is due. If an assessment submission is one day late late, it will receive an automatic reduction in grade of one letter, for example, from an A to a B. After that, no late work will be accepted, and the student will receive an F grade for the assessment.
Submission of late papers must be approved in advance. Late final papers will not be accepted.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Students are responsible for understanding the University Policies and how to use sources responsibly. Violations of academic integrity are taken very seriously. Students are asked to visit the course RESM 50011: Fundamentals of Graduate Research Reading and Writing to review important information on academic citation and referencing rules.
ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES POLICY
The University is committed to providing an accessible academic community. The Disability Services (DS) is responsible for providing accommodations to students with disabilities. Students must request accommodations or adjustments through the DS. Instructors cannot grant accommodation requests without prior DS approval. It is imperative to be in touch with the DSS as soon as possible to avoid delays in the provision of an accommodation.
The University takes student privacy seriously. Any medical documentation should be provided directly to the DS if a substantial accommodation is required. If a student misses any classes due to a short-term illness, he/she should notify his/her instructor but to avoid the inclusion of a doctor's note. Course staff will not request, accept, or review doctor's notes or other medical documentation. For more information, email DS@TheAUS.us
PUBLISHING OR DISTRIBUTING COURSE MATERIALS POLICY
Students may not post, publish, sell, or otherwise publicly distribute course materials without the written permission of the course instructor. Such materials include, but are not limited to, the following: lecture notes, lecture slides, video, or audio recordings, assignments, problem sets, examinations, other students’ work, and answer keys. Students who sell, post, publish, or distribute course materials without written permission, whether for the purposes of soliciting answers or otherwise, may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including a requirement to withdraw. Furthermore, students may not make video or audio recordings of class sessions for their own use without written permission from the instructor.
ETHICS AND USE OF PRIOR MATERIALS
It is never appropriate to use materials prepared for previous courses by students or faculty. Students should not use previously completed case write-ups, or summaries of readings.
WEEKLY CLASS MEETING SCHEDULE
Additional information can be found on the course website.
Please note: the syllabus may be modified prior to and during a course, including updates to assignments and additional material.