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Undergraduate Course Syllabus

OL 421: Strategic Management and Policy

Center: Online

 

Course Prerequisites

CE: Completion of 111 Credits; UC: ACC202, ACC205 or HOS202; MKT113 or MKT105; ENG200 and completion of

90 credits

 

Course Description

Business School Capstone Course. This interdisciplinary approach to the study of the process of strategic

management includes strategic analysis planning, implementation, evaluation and control from the perspective of

top management in profit-making U.S. and international corporations, and public and non- profit organizations.

Text and case studies are used extensively. Writing and team intensive course. Experience with Microsoft Office or

equivalent is required. Senior standing or permission of instructor.

 

Course Outcomes

 Demonstrate business communication skills and etiquette for constructing personal and professional

reflections in a variety of business environments

 Analyze strategic problem-solving skills for enhancing business success

 Analyze the use of quantitative and qualitative tools for informing strategic decision-making

 Assess ethical, legal, and social challenges for suggesting improvement and enhancement strategies

 Assess peer-to-peer and peer-to-leader collaboration for improving performance and decision making

 Analyze global business markets for informing future business expansion choices

 Analyze entrepreneurial and innovative approaches for solving authentic business problems

 

Undergraduate Business Core Competencies

1. Communication: Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively through written, oral,

and other forms of communication

2. Informational Technology: Students will master information technology principles and contemporary

information technology applications and will be able to apply information technology to the greatest

advantage in the many aspects of an organization’s operations

3. Problem Solving: Students will develop the skills to identify problems quickly, analyze them reasonably,

and find solutions creatively

4. Teamwork: Students will develop a broad range of interpersonal skills in order to function effectively as a

participant in team and group situations

 

 

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5. Analytical Skills: Students will appropriately use and apply quantitative and qualitative methods of

analysis, data, applied mathematical and statistical techniques, and decision sciences whenever possible

to attain organizational objectives

6. Global Orientation: Students will attain a multidisciplinary global perspective in order to understand

others and make more effective international business decisions

7. Legal and Ethical Practices: Students will realize the legal and ethical considerations and implications of

personal, social, business, and international business behavior and activities

8. Research: Students will be able to conduct primary and secondary research and apply the results for

informed decision making

9. Strategic Approach: Students will be able to think and plan strategically in making business decisions

10. Leadership: Students will be able to function effectively as a team and organization leader

 

Required Materials

Using your learning resources is critical to your success in this course. Please purchase directly through SNHU’s

online bookstore, MBS Direct, rather than any other vendor. Purchasing directly from the bookstore ensures that

you will obtain the correct materials and that the Help Desk, your advisor, and the instructor can provide you with

support if you have problems.

 

Capsim Foundation

Students will purchase access to the Capsim Foundation business simulation and participate in eight competitive

rounds in the simulation.

 

Capsim Foundations / Comp-Xm (Custom Package)

Management Simulation, Inc.

MBS Direct SKU #: 1511692

 

Instructor Availability and Response Time

Your class interaction with the instructor and your classmates will take place in Blackboard on a regular, ongoing

basis. Your instructor will be actively engaged within the course throughout the week. You will normally

communicate with your instructor in the weekly discussions or the General Questions forum in Blackboard so that

your questions and the instructor’s answers benefit the entire class. You should feel free, however, to

communicate with your instructor via SNHU email at any time, particularly when you want to discuss something of

a personal or sensitive nature. Your instructor will generally provide a response within 24 hours.

 

 

 

 

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Grade Distribution

 

Assignment Category Number of

Graded Items

Point Value

per Item Total Points

Capsim

Introductory Lesson and Quiz

Rehearsal Tutorial and Quiz

Practice Round 1

Practice Round 2

Competitive Round Participation

Discussions

Comp XM

Final Project

Midway Company Performance Summary

Final Company Performance Summary

 

1

1

1

1

8

6

1

 

1

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

100

 

100

600

110

 

 

 

 

 

90

100

700

Total Course Points: 1,000

 

This course may also contain practice activities. The purpose of these non-graded activities is to assist you in

mastering the learning outcomes in the graded activity items listed above.

 

University Grading System: Undergraduate

 

 

 

*Please refer to the policy page for information on the incomplete grade process.

 

 

Total Points: 1,000

Grade Numerical Equivalent Points

Lower Upper

A 93-100 4 930 1000

A- 90-92 3.67 900 929

B+ 87-89 3.33 870 899

B 83-86 3 830 869

B- 80-82 2.67 800 829

C+ 77-79 2.33 770 799

C 73-76 2 730 769

C- 70-72 1.67 700 729

D+ 67-69 1.33 670 699

D 60-66 1 600 669

F 0-59 0 0 599

I Incomplete

IF Incomplete/Failure*

IP In Progress (past end

of term)

W Withdrawn

Points Equivalent

 

 

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Grading Guides

Specific activity directions, grading guides, posting requirements, and additional deadlines can be found in the

Course Information area in the Assignment Guidelines and Rubrics folder.

 

Weekly Assignment Schedule

The Learning Modules area in Blackboard contains one module folder for each week of the course. All reading and

assignment information can be found in the folders. Assignments and discussion board posts during the first week

of each term are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Assignments and discussion posts for the remainder of the term

are due by 11:59 p.m. of the student’s local time zone.

 

In addition to the textbook readings that are listed, there may be additional required resources within each

module in Blackboard.

Module Topics and Assignments

1 Capsim Orientation

1-1 Discussion: Getting Started

1-2 Top Five Questions About OL 421

1-3 Interactive Roll-Over Document Review

1-4 Introductory Lesson Video and Quiz in Capsim

1-5 Rehearsal Tutorial and Quiz in Capsim

1-6 Practice Rounds 1 and 2

1-7 Final Project Review

2 Decision-Making Strategies Based on Forecasting

2-1 Discussion: Strategy

2-2 Decision Tips Document Review

2-3 Capsim Competitive Round 1

3 Situational Analysis/Awareness

3-1 Discussion: Debrief Round 1

3-2 Capsim Competitive Rounds 2 and 3

4 Rationalizing Strategies for Capacity

4-1 Discussion: Debrief Rounds 2 and 3

4-2 Capsim Competitive Round 4

5 Strategic Process

5-1 Midway Company Performance Summary (PowerPoint)

5-2 Midway Company Performance Summary Peer Review

5-3 Capsim Competitive Rounds 5 and 6

6 Creating Wealth

6-1 Discussion: Debrief Rounds 4, 5, and 6

6-2 Capsim Competitive Rounds 7 and 8

7 The Stakeholders

7-1 Final Project: Final Company Performance Summary

8 Comp-XM and Reflection

8-1 Comp-XM

8-2 Discussion: Reflection

 

 

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Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion to Blackboard during the first week of

class. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion during the first week of class, the

student is automatically withdrawn from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.

 

Late Assignments Policy

Meeting assigned due dates is critical for demonstrating progress and ensuring appropriate time for instructor

feedback on assignments. Students are expected to submit their assignments on or before the due date. Review

the full late assignment policy.

 

SNHU College of Online and Continuing Education Student Handbook

Review the student handbook.

 

Diversity and Disability Statement

The College of Online and Continuing Education (COCE) at SNHU values diversity and inclusion. SNHU strives to

create inclusive and welcoming academic environments. If there are aspects of the instruction or design of this

course that present barriers to your inclusion, please notify the Disability Resource Center (DRC) as soon as

possible. We will work with you and your instructor to address needs and concerns. We encourage all students

with known or suspected physical, medical, sensory, psychiatric, and/or learning disabilities to register with the

Disability Resource Center (DRC) in order to assess learning needs and take advantage of available academic

accommodations and support services.

 

SNHU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, citizenship,

marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran/military status, or genetic information in

its programs and activities. Requests for disabilities accommodations within COCE should be directed to:

 

Disability Resource Center (DRC)

(866) 305-9430

(877) 520-8916 (fax)

[email protected]

 

We welcome COCE students, faculty, and staff to consult with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) on disability-

related questions or concerns. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Complaints regarding discrimination and accommodations should be directed to:

 

(603) 645-9664

(603) 645-9717 (fax)

[email protected]

 

Academic Honesty Policy

Southern New Hampshire University requires all students to adhere to high standards of integrity in their academic

work. Activities such as plagiarism and cheating are not condoned by the university. Review the full academic

honesty policy.

 

 

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Copyright Policy

Southern New Hampshire University abides by the provisions of United States Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United

States Code). Any person who infringes the copyright law is liable. Review the full copyright policy.

 

SNHU College of Online and Continuing Education Withdrawal Policy

Review the full withdrawal policy.

 

Southern New Hampshire University Policies

More information about SNHU policies can be found on the policy page.

 

Assessment Calibration and Student Work Samples

For the purpose of continuous improvement of our educational training, Southern New Hampshire University’s

College of Online and Continuing Education may, on occasion, utilize anonymous student work samples for internal

professional development and staff training. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your advisor. If you

would like to withdraw permission for use of your work, please contact the assessment calibration administrator at

[email protected]. See this document for more information.