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CAREERS AND MANAGING IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT

MANA 5338 – FALL 2011

INSTRUCTOR: PAM VAN DYKE / COURSE TIME AND LOCATION
Instructor: Pam Van Dyke
Office Hours: By Appointment Only
Email:
Phone: 214-564-6352 please leave a message
Webpage:
LinkedIn: / Section 001 Wednesday 7:00 – 9:50 p.m.
Room COBA #254

TEXTS:

1) The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan, How to Take Charge, Build Your Team, and Get Immediate ResultsOPTIONAL

Bradt, G.B., Check, J.A., & Pedraza, J.E. (2006). The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan,New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

2) Strengths Finder 2.0 – MUST BUY BRAND NEW

Buckingham, M. & Clifton, D. (2009). Strengths Finder 2.0, New York: The Free Press.

3) The Thin Book of Naming Elephants, How to Surface Undiscussables for Greater Organizational Success

Hammond, S.A., & Mayfield, A.B. (2004). The Thin Book of Naming Elephants, Bend: Thin Book Publishing Co.

4) The Emotional Intelligence 2.0, Everything you need to know to put your EQ to work - MUST BUY BRAND NEW

Bradberry, T. & Greaves, J. (2005). The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book, New York: Simon & Schuster Publishing Co.

5) Personality Assessment Packet – Can be purchased in the UTA bookstore along with your books.

MY TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

My teaching philosophy is to do everything I can to make learning an action VERB. What I mean by that is I view learning as active and dynamic! What I have learned in my 14 plus years of teaching higher education is I cannot teach alone, I need YOU to make it interesting. I hope to create the type of learning environment that is interactive and interesting. Therefore, I will look for you to actively participate in the class discussions and help me make this a positive experience for us both.

Let the learning BEGIN!

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

CAREERS & MANAGING IN A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT
Presents practical and theoretical perspectives on careers and managing in a changing work environment. Includes self assessment, career plan development, informational interviews, readings and exercises designed to lead to a better understanding of managing self and others. A course fee of $50.00 will go on the student’s bursar’s account. This will be done some time during the semester.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: To create an environment in the classroom whereby participants are able:

  1. To increase your level of self-awareness by gaining a broader understanding of their decision-style preferences, interpersonal attributes, skill strengths, interests, and conflict resolution styles;
  2. To help cultivate an awareness to facilitate effective team effectiveness and leadership.

COURSE – AT – A - GLANCE

Course Schedule:

This WILLchange! Additional topics and reading assignments may be covered. Students are responsible for keeping up with any changes to the course schedule announced by the Instructor.

WEEK / TOPIC / READINGS / ASSIGNMENT
1 / 8/31: Course Overview
Intros / Begin reading Texts / Research definition and meaning of Self Awareness
Write essay, refer to essay guidelines.
2 / 9/7
SELF AWARENESS / EI Book
Naming Elephants / SELF AWARENESS
INTERVIEW
3 / 9/14
SELF EFFICACY / EI Book &
Naming Elephants / SELF EFFICACY
ESSAY #1 DUE
4 / 9/21
MBTI / EI Book &
Naming Elephants
5 / 9/28
MBTI / EI Book Completed
Naming Elephants
6 / 10/5
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE / EI Book Completed
Naming Elephants / EI ASSESSMENT DUE
(Print off from the website)
7 / 10/12
TKI / Naming Elephants / Research specifics around TKI and use the results of your TKI to write your essay, reflect and refer.
8 / 10/19
GUEST SPEAKER
NAMING ELEPHANTS / Naming Elephants
Completed
9 / 10/26
STRONG’S INTEREST / SF / MY CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STYLE ESSAY #2 DUE *
10 / 11/2
FIRO-B
GROUPS & TEAMS / SF
11 / 11/9
GUEST SPEAKER
GENERATION DIFFERENCES / SF
12 / 11/16
STRENGTHS FINDER
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
VALUES / SFCompleted / LEADER ASPIRATION PAPER OR
NEW LEADER 100 PLAN DUE
13 / 11/23
Industry Groups-No Class / LINKED IN DUE TO PAM
14 / 12/1
Interview Techniques / NETWORKING
MIXER EXTRAVAGANZA!
15 / 12/8
FINAL EXAM / PANEL INTERVIEWING
PACKET DUE
16 / FINALS WEEK
CAREER PANELINTERVIEWING

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS & EVALUATION

It might be a good idea to create your own spreadsheet in order to keep your own point totals throughout the course semester. Please don’t wait until the end of the semester to worry about your totals, it creates too much anxiety!

Class Attendance and Participation / 100 Points
Present, engaged, participating in the exercises?
Completion of Assessments
MBTI
FIRO-B
TKI
CISS
EI - Emotional Intelligence
STRENGTHS FINDER / 100 points
You will receive points for successfully completing the assessments on time. There will be a 5-10 point deduction for each assessment you complete late.
Self Awareness Interview / 100 Points
Reflection Essays *
1. Self Efficacy
2. Conflict Style / 200 Points*
*See Guidelines
100 Per Essay
LEADER ASPIRATION PAPER (LAP) OR NEW LEADER 100 DAY PLAN / 200 Points
FINAL EXAM / 100 Points
CAREER PANEL
INTERVIEWING / 200 Points
Graded on 100 point scale then multiplied by 2
TOTAL POINTS / 1000 Points
Total Points / Percentage / GRADE
900 – 1000 / 90 – 100 / A
800 – 899 / 80 – 89 / B
700 - 799 / 70 – 79 / C
600 - 699 / 60 – 69 / D
500- 599 / 59 – 0 / F

** SPECIAL NOTE: ALL COORESPONDANCE WILL BE DONE USING YOU UTA EMAIL ADDRESS SO PLEASE ACTIVATE IT AND CHECK PRIOR TO EACH CLASS. If you use another email address I cannot guarantee I will respond.

Please note that most of the points will be earned toward the end of the semester so you will need to practice self-management around knowing the score along the way. 

POINT BREAKDOWN

1)ATTENDANCE/ PARTICIPATION (100 POINTS) Satisfactory attendance and completion of exercises and assignments are critical to success in this class. As classes are interactive, excessive absences will result in lack of participation and failure to learn from the interactions and discussions. Attendance will be taken each class meeting and considered in the final calculation of the student’s grade. Individuals must be present for the entire period to receive full creditfor that session. Leaving at break or before class ends may result in a forfeiting the participation points for that day. If you miss class it will be your responsibility to contact me or one of your classmates to find out what you missed. It will also be your responsibility to maintain your own point TOTAL throughout the course.

2)COMPLETION OF ASSESSMENTS (100 POINTS) – Follow the guidelines as outline in the handout for each assessment by the due date. The MBTI, FIRO-B, TKI and Strong’s will be taken in class. It will be important for you to make sure that you are present for each of these classes in order to benefit from the interpretation. Strengths Finder and EI Assessments are located within the book you will print off the report and submit it in class.

3)SELF AWARENESS INTERVIEW (100 POINTS) – Completion of Interview and Reaction in a one page report. See additional Interview Guidelines.

4)REFLECTION ESSAYS (300 POINTS)–Please see separate handout for Reflection Essay Guidelines

5)LEADER ASPIRATION PAPER (LAP) (200 POINTS)–You can complete this paper OR complete #5The New Leader 100 – Day Action Plan Challenge. See separate section for guidelines on LAP.

6)THE NEW LEADER 100 – DAY ACTION PLAN CHALLENGE (200 POINTS) – You can complete this paper OR complete #5, Leader Aspiration Paper. See separate section for guidelines on New Leader 100 – Day Action Plan.

7)FINAL EXAM (100 POINTS) – There will be an assessment of some sort that will test if you are retaining some of the important concepts from the course.

8)CAREER PANEL INTERVIEW ASSIMILATION(200 POINTS) – At the end of the semester you will work in teams and will conduct your own team panel interview simulation. Specific instructions will follow.

** Note: Emailing papers to me may result in a 10 point deduction. Please make every effort to hand in your paper in class. 

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

It is the policy of the University of TexasatArlington that academic dishonesty is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any form. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.

“Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such act.” (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2., Subdivision 3.22).

BOMB THREAT POLICY

Effective April 8, 1996, the College of Business Administration has adopted a policy to deal with the classroom disruption caused by bomb threats in the building.

1. Section 22.07 of the Texas Criminal Law Statues governs terrorists threats and classifies bombthreats as Class A misdemeanors. Section 12.21 of the Texas Criminal Law Statues states that a Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, a jail term of not more than one year, OR, both such a fine and confinement.

2. If anyone is tempted to call in a bomb threat, be aware that UTA will soon have technology to trace phone calls.

3. Every effort will be made to avoid canceling presentation/tests caused by bomb threats to the BusinessBuilding. Unannounced alternate sites will be available. If a student who has a class with a scheduled test or presentation arrives and the building has been closed due to a bomb threat, the student should immediately check for the alternate class site notice which will be posted on/near the main doors on the south side of the BusinessBuilding. If the bomb threat is received while the class is in session, your instructor will ask you to leave the building and reconvene at another location.

4. Students who provide the information leading to the successful prosecution of anyone making a bomb threat will receive one semester’s free parking in the Maverick Garage across from the BusinessBuilding. UTA’s Crimestoppers will provide a reward to anyone providing information leading to an arrest. To make an anonymous report, call 817-272-5245.

DISAPPEARING STUDENTS:

I fully understand that life happens and that there may be circumstances that require you to miss class. However, please understand that I consider it your responsibility to connect with me and/or one of your classmates to find out what you missed while you were absent. If you are a member of a team member, be responsible and connect with your team as well, it is not my responsibility to do that on your behalf. Missing more than two classes or missing class during one of the assessment interpretations may affect your overall grade for the course,so please stay connected! It is also imperative that you keep your academic advisor informed of your status should you choose to drop the class. It is your responsibility to be aware of UTA policies regarding the dates and procedures regarding dropping the course.

DIABILITY POLICY

If you require accommodations for a disability, please consult with me at the beginning of the semester. Faculty members are required by law to provide “reasonable accommodation” to students with disabilities, so please provide me with your documentation authorizing the specific accommodation.

DROP POLICIES

It is the student’s responsibility to complete the course or withdraw from the course in accordance with University Regulations. Students are strongly encouraged to verify their grade status before dropping a course after the first withdrawal date. It also the student’s responsibility to determine whether it is a good idea to drop the class. A student who drops after the first withdrawal date may receive an “F” in the course if the student is failing at the time the course is dropped.

TUITION PAYMENT

Students who have not paid by the census date and are dropped from non-payment cannot receive a grade for the course under any circumstances. A student dropped for non-payment who continues to attend the course will not receive a grade. Emergency loans are available to help students pay tuition and fees. Students can apply for emergency loans by going to the Emergency Tuition Loan Distribution at the E.H.UniversityCenter (near the southwest entrance).

**CLASS DISRUPTIONS

Because this class is highly interactive, please refrain from using your laptops, blackberrys I-phones, Ipods and cellphones during class. Ignoring this request WILL result in a point deduction in your participation grade. This includes texting under the desk on your cell phones, blackberrys or I-phones. Due the increase usage of electronic devices in our society we will decide in class together additional ground rules and point deductions regarding this behavior. Because ultimately it affects all of us.

If an emergency requires you to have a cellphone or pager turned on during class, please clear this with me before class. Otherwise, please turn off all laptops, cell phones, I-phones, blackberrys and pagers once class begins. This will help all of us stay focused on the discussion in class. Thank you.

MANA 5338

Careers and Managing in a Changing Environment

ASSESSMENT COMPLETION (100 POINTS)

How to complete each assessment will be address in class in detail. It will be important for you to listen and to take notes.

ALL ASSESSMENTS COMPLETED ON TIME
- In Class each time to complete each assessment
- No problems
- No Aggravation
- Able to resolve issues by using your critical thinking skills and the information provided / 100 POINTS
 YEAH!
ASSESSMENT 1 x ISSUES
-Confusion with purchase and administration
-Absence during assessments
-Losing assessments
-Frequent questions and emails about what to do / 80-90 points
REPEATED ISSUES
- See above / 70-80 points

CLASS PARTICIPATION & ATTENDANCE (100 POINTS)in general

Present, engaged, actively participating on a regular basis, asking questions, not waiting to be called on, not texting! etc. / 100 points
Up to 2 absences, not as engaged in class, must be encouraged to participate. Hello are you with us? / 70-90 points
Up to 3 absences, disengaged, distracted, disinterested, when called on not interested in participating and adding to the discussion, overall “checked out”. Lap Top-itis or texting during class. / 50-70 points

These are easy points to gain or lose during the course of the Semester, so please let me know if you need any clarification regarding the above. It could make the difference between an A or B!

MANA 5338

Careers and Managing in a Changing Environment

SELF AWARENESS INTERVIEW GUIDLEINES

POINT VALUE: 100 POINTS

This class is geared to be all about you. So here is an easy 100 point assignment to get your mindset in the right frame for this class. It is a two page paper plus cover page. It includes 2 sections:

First Section:

Choose one person you know (it can be anybody excluding another student from this class) and ask them these 2 questions:

1)What is the definition of self –awareness?

2)What are the ways they increase their self-awareness

3)On a scale from 1 to 10, (10 being the highest) where would you rate yourself on the scale and why?

4)Why is self-awareness important?

Second Section:

In this section, you answer the questions yourself.

1) What is self awareness to you?

2) What ways have you increased your self awareness?

3) On a scale from 1 to 10, (10 being the highest) where would you rate yourself on the scale and why?

4) Why is self awareness important, especially as it relates to being a leader?

Deliverable – TWO – Pages

Write 1 page on what the person said to you and the other page on your thoughts. Include a cover page, review writing guidelines to ensure maximum pointage. 

References

No outside references needed, however remember to use the “personal communication” reference as noted in APA format. 

MANA 5338

Careers and Managing in a Changing Environment

ESSAY EVALUATION GUIDLEINES

Each Essay is worth 100 points and will be graded using the following guidelines.

  1. Content. Each essay will be separated into 2 sections; part A and part B:
  2. PART A: Definition/description – defining or describing the term, i.e. (self-efficacy, emotional intelligence or conflict management) using at least one reference. You need to spend 1 page explaining the concept.
  3. PART B: Reflection-reflecting on how the term relates to you. Remember this course is primarily about gaining insight into yourself so I will be looking to see that you do that in your essays. Therefore in this Almost any content is acceptable as long as it is related to the term. You will be graded on how well you define the term and relate it to yourself.
  1. Length. 2 FULL PAGES DOUBLED SPACED, which will be approximately 600 – 700 words, please do not exceed 3 pages (ok, it’s ok to go over a little). This is not meant to be a mini research paper. I am just looking for a little understanding of the term and some insight about yourself (reflection).  This is not including the cover page or reference pages.
  2. Zero (0) to 25 point deduction for less than 600 words, depending on the amount of shortfall:
  1. Spelling & Grammar: One point deduction per error up to five (5) points. Assignments with more that five errors may be returned with no grade. So please use spell/grammar check before submitting your paper. 
  1. Writing Guidelines: Refer to separate writing guidelines regarding, format, lateness, etc. I am looking for master-level writing. Use HEADINGS!

MANA 5338

Careers and Managing in a Changing Environment

LEADER ASPIRATION PAPER

(LAP) GUIDELINES (200 POINTS) (Read Carefully)

OPTION A

Paper Overview: Select a leader who you aspire to be like or whose position you aspire to obtain, who is at least 2 levels above your current position. For example if you hold an individual contributor position you must select a manager or above, or if you are a manager, then select a Vice President or above, etc. Interview this individual and record your insights based upon the guidelines listed below. The paper should be approximately 5-6 pages, doubled spaced not including the cover page or references. Suggestion: Do not procrastinate, expect your initial meeting to be rescheduled at least once.

The paper will have three main sections with several sub-sections: Please use headings and subheadings that correspond to the particular sections listed below to help organize your paper. This will also help to ensure that you have captured all the requirements for the paper. Failure to use headings/subheadings will result in an automatic 20 point deduction. Hint: Make sure you review the writing guidelines.

SECTION 1: INTERVIEW LOGISTICS: Include but not limited to the following:(1 page)