Faculty Contact Information:
Stephen Marenka, Jr., Collegiate Associate Professor
Master of Business Administration
Master of Science Management Information Systems
Certified Information Systems Analyst
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
Telephone: 06363-1608
U. S. Mail: PSC 2, Box 9304, APO AE 09012
German Mail: Am Brennofen 8, 67701 Schallodenbach
Office Hours: Before/after class, appointment or virtual meeting
Virtual Office Address:
E-mail address: marenkas@t-online.de
Web Page: http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~smarenka
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Consultation:
Office Hours: Before/after class, appointment or virtual meeting
Virtual Office Address:
E-mail address: marenkas@t-online.de
Web Page: http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~smarenka/
Class meeting times: 20/21 August, 10 Sep, 17/18 Sep, 1/2 Oct 0900-1700. Note that class meets one day on the weekend of 10 Sep. Times are extended accordingly.
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Required Texts and Readings:
Text used exclusively in this course --
Wheelen, T. L. & Hunger, J.D. (2002). Strategic management and
business Policy (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Texts used in multiple courses --
Weiss, C. H. (1998). Evaluation (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall. Chapters 1, 2, 5, 8, and 13.
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the
American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington DC:
Author. | |
Supplementary Readings:
| All graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library. The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students’ research and writing skills. | |
Recommended Journals:
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Course Description:
| Prerequisites: MGMT 511, MGMT 571, PUAD 501, and PUAD 524, or permission of the Program Director.Strategic Planning: analyses of operational systems and policy issues, and developing and implementing solutions to managerial problems. Students in the M.S. program are not eligible for MGMT 640. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: MGMT 640 or MGMT 503. | |
Course Goals:
As a required, advanced, course in the management track of the MPA, this course builds on previous coursework and professional experience to focus on high level strategic and policy decisions. Upon completion of the course, participants should have an understanding of:
- Principles of strategic management,
- Strategy formulation and environmental scanning, and
- The process of policy evaluation.
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Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of concepts, research, and theories concerning strategic management.
- Develop and apply a framework of analysis for practical problem solving.
- Develop conceptual skills integrating management issues in public and commercial organizations.
- Develop an appreciation for problems associated with globalization of the economy.
- Develop abilities to analyze, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the performance of people responsible for strategic decisions.
- Improve research capabilities and critical thinking required for strategic policy formulation and evaluation.
- Recognize and apply appropriate ethical standards as part of the strategic management process.
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Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
- A 90%
- B 80 – 89%
- C 70 – 79%
- F Below 70%
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade F is used to designate academic failure. F(n) is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog, available online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/publications/catalogs/ or in your local Education Center. | |
Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:
25% Group Project - Strategic PA related project
20% Case Analysis - 3 cases
15% Article Reviews 3 reviews
30% Midterm and Final Exam - 15% each
10% Class Participation
100% Total
Information shared from presentations and discussions are critical to learning in this course. Missing class or excessive tardiness without a valid, official excuse could result in a lower grade at the discretion of the instructor. Missing an entire weekend without official orders, a validated excuse or emergency, or a prior arrangement with the instructor could make earning an A in the class practically impossible. In an event honest and forthcoming communication with the instructor is critical.
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Description of Course Requirements:
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Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the face-to-face classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an 8-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most 14-week graduate distance education courses require at least 10 hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.
Participate in classroom discussions: You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner.
Article Reviews: Students will present article reviews on appropriate topics during the term. Each article will require a single double spaced page of review. Each review will be presented and discussed in class. Power Point slides are not required for article reviews. Students are graded on content, presentation and discussion. A copy of the original article will be submitted along with the review for grading.
Project Description: This is a group project requiring a professional analysis of an organization. PA students will select a real-world non-private sector case to be researched and presented in the class. It is imperative that we work closely together on this to select a project with appropriate direction and scope for this class. A preponderance of the concepts covered in the texts and lectures should be included in the analysis. Each analysis will also assume a strategic shift and an implementation plan for the shift. The following are the required deliverables: (1) A paper of approximately 20 pages double-spaced. (2) A group presentation that should consist of PowerPoint slides with notes for an oral presentation that would last about 30 minutes. All members are expected to participate in the presentation and be prepared to answer questions during the discussion period. An outline for the presentation is included below.
Case Analysis: This is a requirement for individual presentation and discussion of selected cases during the term. PA students will select from cases 5, 6, and 34 from Wheelen & Hunger, the Performance Management or Oregon cases located at my web site, http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~smarenka/ under Course Materials, or other suitable cases that one might find related to non-private sector organizations. Other cases need to be reviewed by me for suitability. Each case will require a written summary using the outline below. You will be expected to present each case and discuss it with the class. An outline for case analysis is listed below. You may amend the outline for these presentations. Case 1 is due for discussion at the beginning of weekend 2, Case 2 weekend 3 and Case 3 weekend 4. Each presentation will consist of PowerPoint slides and a short paper summarizing the major points. An outline for each presentation is presented below.
Case Analysis Outline
Background:
Company Name
Key Players and Key Events
Products/Services
Analyze Current Status:
Mission Statement
Past and Present Strategies (and Objectives)
Past and Present Performance
Examine Prospects for the future:
Environmental Analysis (consider Opportunities and Threats)
Macro (circle chart)
Industrial (five forces)
Stakeholders
Internal Analysis (consider Strengths and Weaknesses)
Function Areas
Leadership, Culture, Organizational Structure, Processes, Staff
Resources, Organizational Climate, Communications, etc.
SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats)
Clearly Define the Major Corporate Problem(s)/Opportunities
Set the future course:
Develop a list of 10 Feasible Alternatives (Strategic Shifts for the Group Project)
Compare Alternatives Against Corporate Objectives
Select One Alternative (Or Combinations of Alternatives) and a Contingency (For Group Project this is your strategic shift)
Put the Strategy to Work:
Develop Implementation Plans for Each Functional Area Affected
Develop Implementation Plans for Other Organizational Attributes
Evaluate and Control: Develop a plan for Controlling/Measuring Success (Meeting Objectives)
Resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment.
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Course Schedule:
This schedule departs from the usual weekend format in that there are seven days instead of the usual eight. The meeting times are 0900 to 1700. Note that the class only meets for one day on the weekend of 11 September.
20 August AM: Initial meeting:
Introductions
Review of syllabus
Clarification of goals, objectives and requirements
Orientation to subject
SMB Chapters 1, 2
20 August PM: Second meeting:
SMB Ch 3, 4
SMB Ch 14
21 August AM: Third meeting:
Evaluations 1
21 August PM: Fourth meeting:
Evaluations 2
10 September AM: Fifth meeting:
SMB Ch 5, 6, 7
Article and Presentation
10 September PM: Sixth meeting:
Evaluations 5
Article and Presentation
17 September AM: Seventh meeting:
SMB Ch 8, 9
Article and Presentation
17 September PM: Eighth meeting:
SMB Ch 10
Examination
18 September AM: Ninth meeting:
SMB Ch 11
Article and Presentation
18 September PM: Tenth meeting:
Evaluations 8
1 October AM: Eleventh meeting:
Evaluations 13
Article and Presentation
1 October PM: Twelfth meeting:
Article and Presentation
2 October AM: Thirteenth meeting:
Article and Presentation
2 October PM: Fourteenth meeting:
Student Group Presentations
Course evaluations
Examination
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Academic Policies:
The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the University's contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism.
The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi.
Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course and to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center. | |
Faculty Bio:
| A retired field grade U. S. Air Force jet fighter pilot, Steve Marenka has an extensive practical background in administration and management at many operational levels, including both command and staff positions and computer intensive operating environments. His academic education includes: a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Economics from the University of Maryland; a Master of Business Administration degree in Financial Management from Saint Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas; an Information Systems Analyst Certificate and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems from Bowie State University, Europe; resident graduate of Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Al.; studies at the University of the Saarland at Saarbrücken, including a German language proficiency certificate; and, a diploma in electronics from Devry Institute. Steve holds the qualification and teaches Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer courses. He has also provided consulting services for firms in the United States and Europe, addressing problems ranging from marketing analysis of demographic and location data, finance and computer applications and training, providing services in both German and English. He was once comptroller of the Marenka Stainless Steel Corporation, a closely held family corporation, and served as business manager for several private organizations. He has had considerable teaching experience in the classroom, both in the military and at the university level, teaching general management, human relations and technical courses. | |