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COURSE SYLLABUS

  • SCOPE OF COURSE SYLLABUS

    Intended for students enrolling in Integrated Strategic Management, 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 he/she takes 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

    Integrated Strategic Management


    Subject Area

    Management


    Course Code

    MGMT 71011


    Course Level

    Graduate


    Credits

    5.0


    Prerequisites

    None


    Methods of Delivery

    Face-to-face | Online


    Expected Length

    5.0 Weeks


    Class Meetings

    Dependent on the choice made during enrollment


    Faculty

    Dr. Ali Kamali

    Ali.Kamali@TheAUS.us


    INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

    Computer Software: Any computer software that aids learning.


    TEXT(S)

    Text 1: ECM

    Title: Essentials of Contemporary Management

    Author(s): Gareth Jones and Jennifer George

    Edition: 10th

    ISBN: 9781264124343


    Text 2: SM

    Title: Strategic Management: Theory & Cases: An Integrated Approach

    Author(s): Charles W. L. Hill and Melissa A. Schilling

    Edition: 14th

    ISBN: 9780357716625

  • SYNOPSIS

    This course meticulously explores the intricacies of strategic planning and execution within the context of global organizational frameworks, distinguishing itself by emphasizing a macro-level analytical perspective that diverges from the narrower scope of functional disciplines. It endows students with sophisticated analytical competencies, essential for evaluating organizational strengths and weaknesses across diverse sectors, and integrates advanced theoretical constructs in strategic management. Enriched with empirical case studies, the curriculum prioritizes strategic positioning, competitive analysis, and a nuanced understanding of global market dynamics. It involves students in comprehensive strategic decision-making exercises, cultivating a profound grasp of leadership roles within intricate international business landscapes. This academic endeavor is instrumental in preparing students for upper-echelon strategic management positions, offering them an exhaustive understanding of the processes involved in strategy formation, development, and implementation, thereby augmenting organizational performance and establishing a competitive edge.


    LEARNING OUTCOMES

    Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

    • Develop a profound understanding of strategic management principles, applying these insights to critically evaluate and navigate complex organizational challenges.

    • Perform an exhaustive analysis of an organization's strategic posture, utilizing advanced analytical methodologies to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

    • Assess and select from a spectrum of strategic alternatives, critically evaluating their potential to drive organizational success and sustainability.

    • Address the complexities of strategic transformation, formulating and implementing appropriate change initiatives to foster organizational agility and resilience.

    • Acquire a comprehensive mastery of global strategic management theories, integrating theoretical insights with practical application across diverse business environments.

    • Enhance critical thinking and strategic analysis skills, enabling the development of nuanced solutions to multifaceted business problems.

    • Advance proficiency in strategic decision-making techniques, applying these tools to solve business challenges effectively.

    • Deepen understanding of the role of strategy within broader societal and economic contexts, evaluating its impact on organizational performance and competitive advantage.

    • Integrate key strategic principles and terminology, applying foundational concepts to analyze and address real-world scenarios.

    • Investigate the synergies between an organization's strategic direction and its internal and external environments, crafting strategies that are responsive to these dynamics.

    • Master the strategic management cycle, encompassing planning, implementation, evaluation, and refinement, to ensure the successful realization and optimization of strategic initiatives.

    • Cultivate collaborative competencies, enhancing team-based strategic problem-solving and leveraging collective expertise for superior decision-making.

    • Refine communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively articulate strategic visions and engage stakeholders in meaningful discussions.

    • Utilize acquired strategic management knowledge and skills to advance professional development, positioning oneself for leadership roles in strategy formulation and execution.

  • WEEK 1

    Module 1

    Management and Managers

    Reference(s): ECM Ch1-2


    Module 2

    The Environment of Management

    Reference(s): ECM Ch3-4


    Module 3

    Planning, Decision Making, and Competitive Advantage

    Reference(s): ECM Ch5-6


    WEEK 2

    Module 4

    Organizing and Change

    Reference(s): ECM Ch7-8


    Module 5

    Leading Individuals and Groups

    Reference(s): ECM Ch9-12


    Module 6

    Controlling Essential Activities and Processes

    Reference(s): ECM Ch13-14


    WEEK 3

    Module 7

    Strategic Leadership and Competitive Analysis: Internal, External, and Opportunity Dynamics

    Reference(s): SM Ch1-3


    Module 8

    Building Competitive Advantage Through Functional- and Business-Level Strategy

    Reference(s): SM Ch4-6


    Module 9

    Integrating Technological Innovation and Strategy in the Global Environment

    Reference(s): SM Ch7-8


    WEEK 4

    Module 10

    Corporate-Level Strategy: Horizontal and Vertical Integration and Strategic Outsourcing

    Reference(s): SM Ch9-10


    Module 11

    Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility and Ethics

    Reference(s): SM Ch11


    Module 12

    Implementing Strategy through Organization

    Reference(s): SM Ch12


    WEEK 5

    Revision

  • PROFESSIONALISM

    WEIGHT: 10.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 5

    All students are expected to participate in all types of classroom activities. Regular attendance is required since this increases opportunities to engage in classroom activities. Marks will not be based on the number of posts submitted, comments made in class, or anything similar, but on the overall quality of contributions to discussions.

    Students are encouraged to exchange contact information and support one another if a class is missed. They are advised to contact the course instructor if having any concerns.


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ

    WEIGHT: 10.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1-4

    General Information

    Each week from Week 1 to Week 4, students must complete one graded quiz with twenty (20) multiple-choice questions. These assessments aim to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of each week's material. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) from Week 1 to Week 4. Quiz assignments are graded by computer, and the grade is stored in the online grade book. Only one 40-minute attempt per quiz is allowed.


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 1

    • Weight: 2.5%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 1


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 2

    • Weight: 2.5%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 2


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 3

    • Weight: 2.5%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 3


    END-OF-BLOCK QUIZ 4

    • Weight: 2.5%

    • Deadline: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 4


    END-OF-COURSE QUIZ

    WEIGHT: 20.0%
    DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 5

    General Information

    In Week 5, students must complete one graded quiz consisting of sixty (60) multiple-choice questions. This assessment aims to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered over five weeks. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 5. Quiz assignments are graded by computer, and the grade is stored in the online grade book. Only one 120-minute attempt per quiz is allowed.


    RESEARCH PAPER

    WEIGHT: 60.0%
    DEADLINE: Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 5

    General Information

    This must be eight pages (approximately two 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 5. 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

    All students are required to 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 and other types of activities 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.

    Modes of Attendance
    • For the portions of the course that take 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 portions 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 are not permitted to arrive late for class or leave class early. Students traveling from far away locations must plan accordingly, giving themselves plenty of time to arrive by the start of class.  

    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 for the duration of a class.


    GRADING

    Students are expected to 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’ 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, 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.

    Late submission of papers must be approved in advance.


    ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

    Students are responsible for understanding the University Policies and how to use resources appropriately. Violations of academic integrity are taken very seriously. Students should revisit the materials on the Orientation session to review important information pertaining to academic citation and referencing rules.


    STUDENT WELFARE AND PRIVACY POLICY

    The university is committed to student welfare and accommodates students with disabilities and those who fall ill. Disability Services (DS) is responsible for accommodating students with disabilities. A student who wishes to be granted a special arrangement due to a disability or illness must request it through DS. Instructors cannot grant such requests without prior DS approval. DS should be contacted as soon as possible to avoid delays in the provision of such an arrangement.

    Because the university takes student privacy very seriously, any medical documentation to support a request for an arrangement to accommodate any special needs connected with a disability or illness should be provided directly to DS. If a student misses any classes due to a short-term illness, he/she should notify his/her instructor, but avoid the inclusion of a doctor's note. Academic staff will not request, accept, or review doctor's notes or other forms of medical documentation. For more information, email DS@TheAUS.us.


    USE OF COURSE MATERIALS AND LECTURES

    Ethical considerations restrict how course materials and lectures may be used. 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, lecture notes, lecture slides, video and audio recordings, various types of assignments, examinations, other students’ work, and answer keys. In addition, students are not permitted to use materials prepared by faculty or students for courses that have previously taken place. These materials include, but are not limited to, case write-ups, Research Papers, summaries of readings, answers to Problem Sets, and answers to Academic Discussion topics. Furthermore, making video or audio recordings of class sessions for one’s own use without written permission from the instructor is not permitted. Infringements of the above-listed rules are taken seriously and may lead to disciplinary action, including a requirement to withdraw.


    WEEKLY CLASS MEETINGS AND SYLLABUS

    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.

OFFICE OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

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