MGT 6345-01 Seminar in Leadership Fall, 2020 Professor ... · statements, disclaimers, policies, and procedures outlined within this syllabus and elsewhere in the WTClass environment.

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MGT 6345-01 Seminar in Leadership Fall, 2020

Professor: Rahul Chauhan, Ph.D. Class Days/Times/Location or Other Format: In-person Office Location: CC 228B Office Hours: Wednesday from 3:30-6:30pm in-person, Tuesday and Thursday from 2pm-5pm online/phone, and by appointment. Office Phone: (806) 651-4001 Email: [email protected] Social Media: Keep up with the latest happenings of your COB on Facebook and Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn, and check out COB videos on YouTube.

Terms of Use A student's continued enrollment in this course signifies acknowledgment of and agreement with the statements, disclaimers, policies, and procedures outlined within this syllabus and elsewhere in the WTClass environment. This Syllabus is a dynamic document. Elements of the course structure (e.g., dates and topics covered, but not policies) may be changed at the discretion of the professor.

WTAMU Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business Mission Statement The mission of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business is to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate business education with a global perspective and ethical awareness. We accomplish this through emphasis on excellence in teaching, which is strengthened by faculty scholarship and supported by professional service. Learning Objectives of the WTAMU Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business Programs The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business (COB) at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) seeks to prepare students in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Professional Accounting (MPA), Master of Science in Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics (MSCISBA) and the Master of Science Finance and Economics (MSFE) degree programs for careers in business and to foster their professional growth

and advancement via key learning goals and objectives. The learning objectives of the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business are as follows:

Leadership

Communication

Critical Thinking

Business Integration

Core Business Knowledge

Global Business Environment

Business Ethics and Corporate Governance

Course Description This MBA-level course is designed to provide students with a practical understanding of leadership as it applies to the modern workplace. Several leadership theories, concepts, styles, and approaches will be discussed and

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covered. A series of readings, case studies, article reviews, and other assignments will act as the medium through which learning will occur. Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, you should:

1. Have an awareness of the unique characteristics and traits associated with a variety of leadership styles.

2. Understand the strengths and weaknesses of various leadership styles based on context including the cultural environment in which leaders operate.

3. Gain a greater understanding of the underlying intentions and goals associated with specific leader behaviors and actions

4. Learn to better identify your own preferences and leadership style 5. Be able to critique the leaders that you will doubtlessly encounter in your own professional endeavors 6. Understand the importance, reach, and implications associated with poor/good leadership and its

corresponding consequences 7. Propose leadership interventions in the case of dysfunctional or irrational individuals and/or

organizations, including developing effective goal-setting plans for yourself and for other people. 8. Be better prepared to protect yourself, your subordinates, and possibly your organization against

detrimental leaders via an understanding of their leadership style and its corresponding actions. Map from COB Learning Objectives to Specific Course Objectives Course Learning Objective Maps to COB Learning Goals

1 1, 3, 4, 5, 7

2 1, 3, 6

3 1, 3, 5

4 1

5 1, 3, 4, 7

6 1, 3, 4, 6, 7

7 1, 2, 3, 4

8 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Course Materials (Including text, calculator, internet connectivity, software, virtual programs, etc) There is no formal text or individual reading resource assigned to this course. Rather, you will be exposed to a variety of unique sources including case studies, journal articles, lecture notes, customized PowerPoints, etc. that correspond to the topic at-hand. Having said that, there are a number of useful text-based readings that are recommended to better familiarize yourself with a practical, general, and advanced understanding of leadership. While both are technically optional, as I will only test you on the materials that I directly provide to you, they will be invaluable in terms of further mastering the content. (Recommended): Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice (7th ed. or later) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. ISBN: 978-1483317533

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(Suggested) Yukl, G. A. (2012). Leadership in Organizations (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. ISBN: 978-0132771863 Course Delivery This course is conducted partially in-person (lectures, in-class activities, exams) and partially online (assignments, etc.). I am well aware that many of you are potentially part-time working adults with real lives both within and outside of the classroom and that this class is only one component of that. For this reason, I have made the class very straightforward and consistent in terms of due dates, assignment types, etc, while still maintaining an appropriate level of challenge for the MBA level. Assignments and activities will be listed on the course website on the WTClass course management system. It is important that you keep up with this class (i.e., checking WTClass regularly, posting on the discussion boards, and noting due dates for assignments and exams). Please be forewarned that I will not accept late work. Due dates should not be seen as a goal, but rather as the last possible opportunity to earn credit. In other words, you should aim to complete your work well before the deadline, not ON the deadline. This will make your life much easier and there will be plenty of time to finish assignments. There is no excuse for forgetting about assignments or tests! Furthermore, it is also your responsibility to ensure that your assignments have successfully posted onto the WTClass server and a submission receipt is given as appropriate. Many students make this error, so please do not be among that demographic. All assignment due dates are in Central Standard Time (CST). We will all enjoy the course more if we stay on top of the schedule.

Readings: Reading materials will vary based on the topic at-hand, and will likely stem from a variety of sources including (but not limited to) case studies, journal articles, lecture notes, customized PowerPoints, etc. Refer to the schedule below for the modules covered each week. Other materials may be posted on WTClass throughout the semester, including empirical research reports, popular press articles, and supplemental modules which you will also be responsible for. PowerPoint Lectures: Students are also expected to read the PowerPoint lectures each week. They will often contain key information pertaining to the module being covered. Of course, there will likely be some overlap between the PowerPoint lectures and the other assigned materials for each module, but it will not be 100%. Lecture Videos: For most modules assigned, there will be an overview video available. These videos are primarily designed to give you a overarching and broad idea of some of the key elements covered in the corresponding module. As such, these videos are recommended to be viewed prior to engaging in the corresponding module’s primary materials. Additional video lectures may be available upon request. Announcements: Throughout the semester, I will send out relatively frequent communications with important course information/feedback/updates as relevant. It is very important that you read these communications in their entirety in order to stay up-to-date with the couse. Classroom Conduct Students will be required to wear a face mask or appropriate face covering while attending lectures or office hours. Please refer to the COVID-19 Campus Guide for Students (https://www.wtamu.edu/about/information/covid-19/index.html) for all University guidelines.

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Course Assignment, Examination, Project Policies, and Course Grading Policies Graded Items For each module assigned, you will be expected to complete the following graded activities (1) a module-related assignment (e.g. either a case study analysis, journal article review, quiz, custom essay, etc. (2) in-class discussion/participation for the module covered during that week (3) a special project of your choice, and lastly (4) exams including a mid-term and a comprehensive final exam. Each submission should be submitted under the guise that it will be read by an uninformed reader. This course is designed around a point system. Each student starts with zero (0) points and will have the opportunity to earn points by completing these activities throughout the course. A maximum of 1000 points will be available. Each week’s module and their corresponding graded items will be released the day after the previous week’s due date/deadline. 1. Module Assignment: Assignments pertaining to the current topic will be administered on a weekly basis for each module assigned. These are designed to help students apply the material in either a practical or foundational sense. The nature of each assignment may vary. You will likely be asked to write a detailed analysis of a case study, review a peer-reviewed journal article, complete a quiz covering key elements of the module, complete a validated self-analysis measure and reflect on it, or write a detailed essay for a given prompt. At the graduate level, you should expect more application-focused written assignments as opposed to standard multiple choice quizzes. You will also likely be asked to relate course material to current events or personal experiences, or to design a study intended to assess a topic of interest relevant to leadership. Finding and discussing real world examples of course concepts should make the class more understandable, relevant, and interesting. All assignments are due by Tuesday at 11pm CST. Grading for Module Assignments: Module assignments will be graded based on several factors. Although content will vary by assignment, responses will be evaluated based on overall quality (i.e., relevance to course material as well as accuracy and thoroughness of response), sophistication of writing style (i.e., correct spelling and grammar), and incorporation of the given materials (e.g. PPT slides) within responses. It is important to specifically address what the prompt is asking, and to reach out to me with regard to any clarification you may need pertaining to a given prompt that is assigned. These assignments should be a minimum of 2 pages (not including heading or references) with standard formatting in length (12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced with 1-inch margins) and should be uploaded in PDF format. Uploading in PDF format allows me to grade them considerably faster and therefore give you feedback at an expedited rate. Submissions will not be accepted for grading if uploaded in any other format beyond PDF, so please be certain to upload your assignments appropriately. These assignments are worth a total of 300 points (30 points per module assignment). Please avoid MLA headings and formatting, as this will result in docked points. APA formatting is expected in this course, but not strictly required. However, both in-text and complete references at the end of the assignment are expected on each assignment. While the grade of an “A” on these assignments is certainly obtainable with solid quality work, it is worth mentioning that perfect scores on these assignments are relatively rare, as they imply that the assignment could not have been improved in any way possible. Futhermore, with regard to the level of “A” received, this will vary relative to the work of other students. For example if one student’s submission is typo-free, substantive content that is a few pages higher than the minimum marker, complete with several citations, etc.; their score will naturally be higher than a student who meets standard criteria for

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an “A”. Furthermore, any score that is below an “A” is generally accompanied with specific written feedback. Lastly, Turn-it-in will also be used to grade these assignments. It is the students responsibility to ensure that their assignments are uploaded correct, so please ensure that you receive a receipt for your submission as any errors will result in a grade of a zero. Although a student may show a Last modified/Last accessed/Last edited date and time prior to the due date, any assignment that is not successfully submitted to WTClass be the designated due date will be considered late and will not be considered for grading. Please also keep your similarity rating below 20% in order to avoid being docked points. This 20% marker should allow for enough leeway given for aspects such as references, a title page (not required), etc. Assignments can be submitted multiple times prior to their corresponding Sunday deadline, as only the last submission sent will be graded. You will be able to see your similarity-rating with each submission, so there is no excuse for exceeding the reasonable 20% marker. Regardless of the type of module assignment given, you will be responsible for supporting your submissions with support from legitimate, accurate, and empirical (in-text citations complete with page and/or slide number as well as complete references at the end of the assignment). That is, please do not create a submission that is solely based on your own anecdotal experiences and opinions. While incorporating your own experiences and opinions is certainly encouraged and well-received on my end, merging your own experiences and stances with empirical content will ensure a clear and comprehensive understanding of the topic at-hand. For example, if a case study has several elements to the prompt that is asked, you should support each element with empirical evidence rather than solely your own opinions. Any submissions that do not follow the criteria above will be heavily docked (e.g. 20%). Similarly, while utilizing external resources and references are certainly encouraged, each assignment should still be primarily supported with the materials from this course. In general, scoring for each assignment will be based on a variety of factors. If a prompt has three aspects to it, you should assume that each aspect is equally as important and as such holds relative value. For example, if a prompt has three aspects within it, then you should assume that each aspect is worth 33% of your grade on that particular assignment. Similarly, the incorporation of clear references (as discussed above) are crucial, as this element is generally worth about 20% of your grade on each assignment. Other elements, such as not meeting the minimum two-page level of elaboration, not submitting in .pdf format, will result in the submission being disqualified from grading. Other minor issues, such as spelling or improper format/headers will result in additional deductions. 2. Participation: In lieu of online discussion board posts, the in-class section of this course will be responsible for in-class participation. Throughout the course, I will ask several discussion-oriented questions. Participatoin will consist of two distinct time periods, with each period being worth 100 points. The first time period spans from the beginning of the course through the midterm exam. The second time period begins immediately after the midterm exam, and lasts through the final exam. These distinct time periods allow students to improve their participation scores as the course progresses. Worth a total of 200 points, grading for participation is as intuitive as it sounds. Students who regularly speak, contribute, and engage in the course during lectures will likely receive full credit for this aspect of the course. Conversely, students who only put forth a minimal level of participation during lectures will receive minimal points (if any). Please note that simply attending class does not fulfil the criteria noted for participation. While uncomfortable for some, the

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ability to participate and engage in discussions is undeniabley a crucial element for successful leadership, and as such it is an intregal component of this course. Please note that I will try my absolute best to reduce feelings of discomfort, embarrassment, and anxiety that stems from public speaking and discussions. However, it is ultimately the student’s repsonsibilty to engage in and develop this corresponding skill. 3. Special Project: Prior to a deadline of Sunday, November 22 by 11pm CST, students must have completed and submitted a single special project of their choosing. Each project should incorporate several empirical elements from multiple modules covered throughout the course and should be a bare minimum of 5 pages, double-spaced with Times New Roman 12 point or similar standard font. Unless otherwise stated, the grading principles that are expected in your assignments are also expected in the written portion of your special project. The project option that is chosen should be clearly marked at the beginning of the submission. Special projects can once again be submitted at any point during the semester. Details for the requirements for each of the options below will be provided in an additional document uploaded onto WTClass. In addition to a paper, students should create an orally narrated (video preferred) 5-10 minute presentation of their product. This presentation should be professionally conducted (please avoid scripts) and clearly address each of the criteria required for the special project that they choose and act to effectively summarize and elaborate on their paper. The presentation aspect of the project is primarily designed to provide you with an opportunity to less formally elaborate on your paper and provides examples or context that may be difficult to convey in written work (e.g. gestures, verbal emphases, emotions, etc.), and is ultimately graded to a lesser extent when compared to the paper. Both the content and quality of the presentation will be factored into your grade. Please do not wait until the last day to upload your assignments, as some students have had issues with regard to successfully uploading their files onto the dropbox due to a variety of reasons (file format, size, etc.). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that any issues associated with uploading their special projects are addressed prior to the indicated deadline. One alternative to uploading onto WTClass is to upload your presentation onto a media sharing site such as YouTube (please note setting videos to private has caused intermitted issues in the past), or sharing a link with a cloud-sharing software such as DropBox or Google Drive. Please note that the special project will be subject to much of the criteria associated with your assignments. Your special project is worth a total of 200 points. The options for your special project are as follows: Option 1: Student Journal: This activity encourages students to use theories and concepts to analyze their

experiences outside the classroom, and to apply practices learned from the book. Option 2: Managerial Behavior Diary: This activity provides an opportunity to use the behavior concepts in a

specific chapter of the book to describe a specific leader observed by the student. Option 3: Analysis of Leadership in Meetings: This activity provides an opportunity to learn more about

effective and ineffective leadership in a decision group observed by the student. Option 4: Analysis of Famous Leaders: This activity provides an opportunity to use the concepts and theories

in the book to describe a real leader and identify strengths and weaknesses. Option 5: Analysis of Leadership in Movies: This activity provides an opportunity to use the concepts and

theories in the book to describe leadership behavior depicted in a movie.

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Regardless of which option is chosen please be sure to clearly designate this within your submission within your document’s title. A separate document that provides more information on your special project and outlining the specific guidelines for each project option will also be uploaded onto WTClass. 4. Exams: There will be two (2) exams, a midterm and a comprehensive final, covering material from the modules covered in the course. These exams will be taken in-class during the weeks designated on your calendar below. These exams combine to total 300 points (100 points for the midterm and 200 points for the final exam). Exams may be a combination of application/scenario-based multiple choice, short essay, and/or long essay. With regard to the multiple-choice exam items, each item on your exam is likely custom-made and hand-written by me, so please do not assume that you will be able to find the answers via an online test bank. Furthermore, scenario-based application items require students to have acutally understood the content such that they can apply in a realistic setting, and a such mastering definitions is rarely beneficial for these types of exam items. Specific details with regard to the formatting for each exam will be given prior to the beginning of the respective exam window. You will have a designated amount of time to complete each exam, starting from the time you open them. Exams must be completed in one sitting. The exams are open-note and open-book, but must be taken individually without any assistance from others. You may not copy any information directly from the exam; but notes may be taken. It is worth noting that you will have approximately one minute to spend each multiple choice exam item; and as such it is imperative that you actually possess an understanding of the material being covered. Indeed, if you approach this exam assuming you will have time to look up each multiple choice exam item, you will all but certainly not have enough time to complete the exam by a substantial margin. As such, it is highly encouraged that you approach each exam as if it were closed-book. Any students caught cheating on the exams will receive a zero and be subject to the appropriate consequences as indicated by the university. I once again highly recommend that you study for the exams as you would for a closed book test, as you will not have enough time to look everything up. It is critical to note that the exams are rather difficult in this course, and require a thorough understanding of the course material in order for you to succeed on them. As such, if you are unclear on any of the course materials and modules that we cover, please feel free to use myself as a resource as I will be more than glad to further help and clarify. **Note: Exams will be automatically submitted for grading 1 minute after the time limit, regardless of your progress, so be sure to keep track of your time on the exam clock. Additionally, no make-ups will be scheduled for exams** The final grade will be determined as follows:

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Assignment Description Value Due Date

Module Assignment Varies weekly 30 points per module 30 x 10 modules = 300

points total

300 points Due by Tuesday before 11pm CST

Participatoin In-class participation Two parts (before and after the midterm)

worth 100 points each

200 points N/A

Midterm Exam An exam covering approximately half of the course’s content

One midterm exam worth a total of 100

points

100 points See Calendar

Comprehensive Final Exam

A comprehensive final exam covering the content of this course

One comprehensive final exam worth a total

of 200 total points

200 points See Calendar

Special Project A special project of your choice chosen from the options given above

One special project worth a total of 200

points

200 points Due Sunday 11/22 by 11pm CST

Total

Every 10 points are equal to 1% of your total (and final) grade in this course

1000 possible points

Course Topics - Tentative Calendar of Readings, Topics, and Due Dates

Date (week of)

Topics

8/26 Introduction to Leadership

9/2

Innate Leadership

9/9 Leadership Skills

9/16 Critical Leader Behaviors

9/23 Situational Leadership and Leader Cognition

Points Letter Grade

900-1000 A

800-899 B

700-799 C

600-699 D

Less than 600 F

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9/30 Midterm Exam over Modules 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Taken in-class Wednesday, September 30

10/7 Achievement-Oriented Leadership

10/14 Leader-Subordinate Relationships

10/21 Transformational Leadership

10/28

Gender, Participation, Culture, and Leadership

11/4

Diversity, Culture, and Leadership

11/11 Comprehensive Final Exam Over All Modules Covered. Taken in-class Wednesday November 11

11/18 Special Project Due by Sunday 11/22 by 11pm CST

Additional Course Policies Deadlines: NO LATE WORK will be accepted in this course. Exceptions will be made only for serious illness or emergency and then only after discussion with the instructor. Please contact the instructor by email if an emergency situation occurs. I am absolutely serious about not accepting late work in this class. No excuses please! If you are involved in university sponsored activities, please make arrangements to turn your work in EARLY, not late. Contact me with any due date conflicts AT LEAST TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE and we will work out an arrangement. Also, please have your faculty sponsor e-mail me regarding the issue. The reason I am so strict on this policy is because you are allowed ample time and opportunity to complete each assignment; as there is generally a window of at least two days for each. Communications: : I will often send announcements and reminders via email in an attempt to maximize instructor impact. I will primarily your university email address for such communication. IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL THAT YOU CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT! The best way to contact me is through emails that stem from the WTClass blackboard server. If for some reason you are contacting me via a source outside of the WTClass server, be sure to include your course section number. Although I answer e-mail regularly (and relatively quickly) on weekdays, I may respond to it less frequently on weekends and holidays. Regardless in most cases you can expect an answer to your e-mail within 24-48 hours. There may be times during the semester when I do not have access to email. I will be sure to notify students if such situations occur. Formatting: All assignments should be submitted in .pdf format in roughly APA format and a standard font style/size (e.g. Times New Roman size 12 font, single or double-spaced). Points will be deducted for papers submitted in MLA format so absolutely no MLA formatting! Please try and save all written documents in .pdf

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format (as opposed to Microsoft Word format) before uploading them onto the appropriate module dropbox as this will save me considerable time when grading your assignments. This in turn will allow me to provide you with rapid feedback as I will be able to get through reading each of your assignments much more efficient and consequently provide you with your grade on the assignment along with individual feedback much faster. If an assignment is submitted in .word format, it will once again not be graded. I am not particularly harsh on grammar, but if it impedes my ability to read your submissions in an efficient manner due to incorrect formatting, spelling, or grammar then points may be docked as appropriate. Grade Appeals: If you have a concern about a grade that you receive on any assignment in this class you are invited to submit a written appeal within two days of receiving the grade in question. This appeal should outline your specific concerns with the grade and the evidence you have to support why it should be changed. I will consider your written appeal and schedule time to talk to you regarding the grade. Any discrepancies that are not addressed in a timely manner will not be considered for modification later in the course. For example, if you present an issue to me at the end of the semester from months ago, I will not consider your issue as it is well past the window mentioned above. Lastly, please do not ask me to calculate your grade for you. I have made the grading formula quite simple and as such you should very easily be able to calculate your own course grade. Lastly, please do not discuss your individual grades with others! This can only lead to an undesirable outcome for all parties involved. For example, if a grade discrepancy exists between two similar papers from two separate students (an unlikely scenario), the lower score will most likely be retained for both submissions. Lastly, due to past instances of manipulation, screenshots of assignments being completed on time or in the appropriate format prior to the due date will not suffice as sufficient proof of completion (due to previous abuse). Travel: Planned travel will not be considered a valid excuse for late work. Students are expected to complete work prior to any travel. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have access to a stable internet connection and should not rely on airplane or hotel internet. Unreliable internet connection on an airplane or at a hotel will not be considered as a valid excuse for late work. WTCLASS Downtimes: At times, WTClass will go under maintainance, generally from 8pm-2am. These dates and times are listed on your WTClass home page, and as such students are expected to work around these specific scheduled downtimes. Missing coursework due to WTClass scheduled downtimes will not suffice as an appropriate excuse. Calculating Grades: Please note that I will not manually caldulate your grade for you; as this is a relatively seamless process that you can do on your own. In order to calculate your current grade, simply divide your total points earned thus far by the total graded points possible thus far. Final Grades: It is worth noting that, at the graduate level, I do not find the impact of receiving an A vs. a B to be quite as important as it was for your undergraduate education. A’s must genuinely be earned in this course via the student demonstrating a clear and excellent understanding of the course content as displayed via performance on each of the graded item categories (assignments, discussions, project, and exams) in this course. It is important to note that there is no shame in receiving a B at the graduate level! It is also important to note that as the instructor of this course I have the final say in the letter grade you receive, whether it is

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above, below, or in correspondence with your calculated score in the class. This helps to compensate for mitigating factors that may occur throughout the class. Diligently completed each module’s corresponding assignments, scoring decent on the exams, reaching out to me with any issues that you are facing in advance, and taking advantage of the optional opportunities when applicable; these factors will all act to positively impact your actual final letter grade in the course. If you would like to arrange a meeting to discuss any aspect of the course, please email me with your availability and we can schedule a meeting. WTAMU Paul and Virginia Engler COB Student Code of Ethics Each student enrolled in COB courses accepts personal responsibility to uphold and defend academic integrity and to promote an atmosphere in which all individuals may flourish. The COB Student Code of Ethics strives to set a standard of honest behavior that reflects well on students, the COB and West Texas A&M University. All students enrolled in business courses are expected to follow the explicit behaviors detailed in the Student Code of Ethics. Code of Ethics

Do not use notes, texts, solution manuals, or other aids for a quiz or exam without instructor authorization.

Do not copy the work of others and/or allow others to view your answers or copy your work during a quiz, exam, or on homework assignments.

Do not allow other parties to assist in the completion of your quiz, exam, homework, paper, or project when not permitted.

Do not work with other students on projects or assignments without authorization from the course instructor.

Properly cite and specifically credit the source of text, graphic, and web materials in papers, projects, or other assignments.

Do not forge the signature of an instructor, advisor, dean, or another student.

Provide truthful information for class absences when asking faculty for excused absences or for a make-up for a quiz, exam, or homework.

Provide truthful information on your resume including work history, academic performance, leadership activities, and membership in student organizations.

Respect the property, personal rights, and learning environment of all members of the academic community. This includes posting, sharing, and otherwise distributing the course materials outside of this course without expressed permission of the faculty, college, university, or system.

Live up to the highest ethical standards in all academic and professional endeavors.

Students violating the Student Code of Ethics will be reported to the Dean’s office and are subject to penalties described in the West Texas A&M University Code of Student Life, which may include suspension from the University. In addition, a violator of the Student Code of Ethics may become ineligible for participation in student organizations sponsored by the COB and for recognition for College academic honors, awards, and scholarships.

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COB Student Resources Link The COB has developed a Student Resources repository (e.g., APA writing style information, business core reviews, facilities, and other helpful supplements), which can be found on the COB Website. Additionally, WTAMU has developed an Academic Study Skills information site to assist students (e.g., study habits, supplemental instruction, tutoring, writing and math skills), which can be found on the WTAMU Website. For WTAMU Writing Center information (for students needing writing assistance, guidance, and feedback), please visit their website. COB Communications Component The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business Communication Component requires students to demonstrate knowledge of communication skills. The COB communications component is a requirement in the following courses: ACCT 4373 (Accounting Communications), BUSI 1304 (Business Communication), BUSI 3320 (Digital Collaboration and Communication), BUSI 4333 (Cross-Cultural Issues in Business Communications), BUSI 4350 (Current Issues in Management Communications), BUSI 4375 (Healthcare Communication), BUSI 4380 (Conflict Resolution and Negotiation), BUSI 4382 (Emerging Media Law), CIDM 3320 (Digital Collaboration and Communication), ECON 4370 (Economics of Health Care), FIN 3350 (Personal Financial Planning), FIN 4320 (Investments), FIN 4321 (Portfolio Theory), MGT 3335 (Organizational Behavior), MGT 4380 (Conflict Resolution and Negotiation), or MKT 3342 (Consumer Behavior). Student Travel Opportunities In multiple business courses, there may be opportunities for student travel supplemented by student fees. If you have an interest in such opportunities as they become available, please notify a faculty member. Dropping/Repeating the Course Should a student decide to drop the course, it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the final drop dates and adhere to the WTAMU Add/Drop policy. Any student participating in the course after the WTAMU posted drop date will be considered active and a grade will be administered at the end of the course for that student. Students are charged a fee for any course attempted for a third or subsequent time at WTAMU other than a non-degree credit developmental course or exempted courses. Scholastic Dishonesty It is the responsibility of students and instructors to help maintain scholastic integrity at the University by refusing to participate in or tolerate scholastic dishonesty. Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute scholastic dishonesty. This listing is not exclusive of any other acts that may reasonably be said to constitute scholastic dishonesty: acquiring or providing information for any assigned work or examination from any unauthorized source; informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the examination is given in subsequent sections of the course or as a makeup; plagiarism; submission of a paper or project that is substantially the same for two courses unless expressly authorized by the instructor to do so; submission of a paper or project prepared by another student as your own. You are responsible for being familiar with the University's Academic Integrity Code, as well as the COB Student Code of Ethics listed in this document.

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Academic Integrity All work must be completed individually unless otherwise stated. Commission of any of the following acts shall constitute scholastic dishonesty: acquiring or providing information for any assigned work or examination from any unauthorized source; informing any person or persons of the contents of any examination prior to the time the exam is given in any subsequent sections of the course or as a makeup; plagiarism; submission of a paper or project that is substantially the same for two courses unless expressly authorized by the instructor to do so. For more information, see the Code of Student Life.

Viewpoints/External Websites Disclaimer The views expressed in this document, web-based course materials, and/or classroom presentations and discussions are those of the professor and do not necessarily represent the views of West Texas A&M University, its faculty and staff, or its students. Views expressed by students are likewise those of the person making such statements. It is understood and expected that each individual within this course will respect and allow individual difference of opinion. Neither the professor, the COB, nor WTAMU are responsible for the content of external websites discussed in the classroom and/or linked to via online course materials, emails, message boards, or other means. Referred websites are for illustrative purposes only, and are neither warranted nor endorsed by the professor, COB, or WTAMU. Web pages change frequently, as does domain name ownership. While every effort is made to ensure proper referencing, it is possible that students may on occasion find materials to be objectionable for reasons beyond our control. Acceptable Student Behavior Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (Code of Student Life). Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior may be instructed to leave the classroom. Inappropriate behavior may result in disciplinary action or referral to the University’s Behavioral Intervention Team. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. Technology Requirements All technological requirements for the successful completion of this course are the responsibility of the student, including access to a working computer and/or to a device with secure broadband Internet connection, data storage and retrieval, and state-of-the-art security. The student is responsible for all technological problems not related to WTAMU, including but not limited to equipment failures, power outages, and internet breakdowns. Furthermore, students are responsible for all necessary technical and operational skills for completing this course, and for being familiar with WTClass (the Blackboard Learning Management System) both in a general sense and in a specific sense as pertaining to this course and any materials stored within. The professor is not responsible for any technical matters related to WTClass. Students must contact the IT Service Center at 806-651-4357 or [email protected] if they have problems accessing and/or using the WTClass environment. Students are also encouraged to consult the Student Technology Support Portal at students.wtamu.edu for help with WTClass.

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Physical or Educational Access - ADA Statement West Texas A&M University seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified persons with disabilities. This University will adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to register with Student Disability Services (SDS) and to contact faculty members in a timely fashion to arrange for suitable accommodations. Contact Information: Student Success Center, CC 106; phone 806-651-2335. Title IX Statement West Texas A&M University is committed to providing a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc. Harassment is not acceptable. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources

here:

WTAMU Title IX Coordinator- [email protected] or call 806.651.3199

WTAMU Counseling Services – Classroom Center 116, or call 806.651.2340

WTAMU Police Department – 806.651.2300, or dial 911

24-hour Crisis Hotline – 800.273.8255, or 806.359.6699, or 800.692.4039

Visit the Notalone website For more information, see the Code of Student Life.

WT Attendance Policy for Core Curriculum Classes For the purposes of learning assessment and strategic planning, all students enrolled in Core Curriculum or developmental courses at West Texas A&M University must swipe their Buff Gold cards through the card reader installed in the classroom/lab for each class/lab meeting. Evacuation Statement If you receive notice to evacuate the building, please evacuate promptly but in an orderly manner. Evacuation routes are posted in various locations indicating all exits, outside assemble area, location of fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations and emergency telephone numbers (651.5000 or 911). In the event an evacuation is necessary; evacuate immediately do not use elevators; take all personal belongings with you; report to outside assembly area and wait for further information; students needing assistance in the evacuation process should bring this to the attention of the instructor at the beginning of the semester. Copyright All original content in this document, all web-based course materials (be they text, audio, and/or video), and/or classroom presentations are subject to copyright provisions. No distribution without the express written consent of the author. Students are prohibited from selling (or being paid for taking) notes during this course to or by any person or commercial firm without the express written permission of the professor.

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* Syllabus template approved by COB Curriculum Committee July 2020. Annual review of the syllabus is a formal part of the COB continuous improvement process.