MGT 4153

Management Seminar

Course Schedule


Thursday, August 19

Topic:                Introductions and Overview

Preparation:      None

In Class:            Introductions, Course Overview


Tuesday, August 24

Topic:               Decision Making

Preparation:     None

In Class:            “Carter Racing” Case (distributed in class)


Thursday, August 26

Topic:               Decision Making

Preparation:     None

In Class:            “Carter Racing” Debrief


Tuesday, August 31

Topic:                Ethics

Preparation:      None

In Class:            Trolley Problem / Ethical Foundations

Journal: Decision Making entry due (via Canvas) before class


Thursday, September 2

Topic:                Ethics

Preparation:      “Stop teaching ethics” article

In Class:            Navigating Ethical Dilemmas


Tuesday, September 7

Topic:                Stress

Preparation:      "Burnout" Podcast / "Kerstin Berger" Case (from course pack)

In Class:            Case Discussion

  • Why did Tina Orton leave L-Bank? What happened?

  • Where does responsibility for Tina Orton's departure fall? Why?

  • You’re Kerstin Berger, are you concerned that Tina Orton’s fate also awaits you? Why or why not?

Journal: Ethics entry due (via Canvas) before class


Thursday, September 9

Topic:                Job Satisfaction

Preparation:      "Snacks” article

In Class:            Activity / Discussion


Tuesday, September 14

Topic:                Communication

Preparation:      None

In Class:            Case Discussion & Role Play

Journal: Stress / Satisfaction entry due (via Canvas) before class


Thursday, September 16

Topic:                Communication

Preparation:      None

In Class:            Keep Talking and No One Explodes


Tuesday, September 21

Topic:                Power, Politics, & Conflict

Preparation:       "Thomas Green" Case (in coursepack)

Assessment:     Case Analysis (write-up due before class through Canvas)

  • Describe the power dynamics between Thomas Green, Frank Davis, and Shannon McDonald.

  • What are the likely sources of conflict between Thomas Green and Frank Davis?

  • What are the possible underlying (and potentially hidden) agendas for Frank Davis and Shannon McDonald?

  • Put yourself in Thomas Green’s shoes; how are you going to resolve your conflict with Frank Davis? NOTE: choose one of the conflict resolution approaches to employ, explain why you chose this approach, and be specific about what actions you will as part of this attempt to solve the conflict.

In Class:           Case Discussion

Journal: Communication entry due (via Canvas) before class


Thursday, September 23

Topic:                Power & Influence

Preparation:      Change Management Simulation (from coursepack)

In Class:           Simulation debrief / Discussion


Tuesday, September 28

Topic:                Negotiation

Preparation:      None

In Class:       Negotiation role-play simulations / Debriefs

Journal: Politics / Influence entry due (via Canvas) before class


Thursday, September 30

Topic:                Negotiation

Preparation:      None

In Class:       Negotiation role-play simulations / Debriefs


Tuesday, October 5

Topic:                Negotiation

Preparation:      New Recruit Negotiation Plan

In Class:       Negotiation role-play simulation / Debriefs


Thursday, October 7

No Class - Fall Break


Tuesday, October 12

Topic:                Negotiation

Preparation:      STAR Negotiation Plan

In Class:       Negotiation role-play simulation


Thursday, October 14

Topic:                Negotiation

Preparation:      None

In Class:       STAR Debrief / General Negotiation Q&A


Tuesday, October 19

Topic:                Performance Management

Preparation:      "Vitality Health" Case (from coursepack)

In Class:            Case Discussion

  • What do companies need a performance management system to do?

  • What was wrong with the old performance management system at Vitality Health?

  • You're James Hoffman, what do you tell the Board?

    • Is the new system better than the old system?

    • Should the new system be revised? If so, what should be done?

Journal: Negotiation entry due (via Canvas) before class


Thursday, October 21

Topic:                Motivation

Preparation:      None

In Class:            Activity / Discussion


Tuesday, October 26

Topic:                Teams

Preparation:      None

In Class:            Activity / Discussion

Journal: Motivation entry due (via Canvas) before class


Thursday, October 28

Topic:               Leading Teams

Preparation:     "Army Crew" Case (in coursepack)

Assessment:     Case Analysis (write-up due before class through Canvas)

  • Describe the interdependence type(s) for the Army Crew boats.

  • What team states are apparent for the Army Crew boats?

  • What is happening? Why does the Varsity team lose to the JV team?

  • You're Coach P. What are you going to do on Tuesday: switch members, switch boats, or intervene? Why ?

In Class:            Case Discussion


Tuesday, November 2

Topic:                Leadership

In Class: No Class Meeting - complete Everest Simulation

Journal: Teams entry due (via Canvas) before class


Thursday, November 4

Topic:                Leadership

In Class: No Class Meeting - complete Everest Simulation


Tuesday, November 9

Topic:                Leadership

Preparation:      complete Everest Simulation

In Class:            Simulation debrief & discussion


Thursday, November 11

Topic:                Justice

Preparation:      “Bradley Marquez” Case (from coursepack)

                          You are Andrew Lauder:

  • Analyze the first layoff. Was it just (i.e., fair)? Why or why not?

  • Another layoff doesn’t seem avoidable. What, if anything, will you do differently? Be specific with recommendations that can address any issues identified in your analysis of the first layoff.

In Class:            Case Discussion

Journal: Leadership entry due (via Canvas) before class


Tuesday, November 16

Topic:               Organizational Structure

Preparation:     Read Primer

In Class:            Structure Overview


Thursday, November 18

Topic:               Organizational Structure

Preparation:     Structure Simulation

In Class:           Debrief Simulation


Tuesday, November 23

Topic:               Organizational Culture

Preparation:     "Culture Right for You" Article / Hot Chicken Takeover Case (from coursepack)

In Class:           Case Discussion


Thursday, November 25

No Class Meeting - Thanksgiving Holiday


Tuesday, November 30

Topic:               Wrapping Up

Journal: Culture / Structure entry due (via Canvas) April 21