Faculty Contact Information:
Stephen Marenka, Jr., Collegiate Associate Professor
MBA, MSMIS, Certified Information Systems Analyst
Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet (NT4)
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (NT4)
Microsoft Certified Professional (Win2K)
Telephone: 06363-1608
U. S. Mail: PSC 2, Box 9304, APO AE 09012
German Mail: Am Brennofen 8, 67701 Schallodenbach | |
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: 1/2, 15/16 November; 6/7, 20/21 December; 0900-1600 | |
Required Texts and Readings:
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the
American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington DC:
Author.
Whellen, T. L. & Hunger, J.D. (2002). Strategic management and
business Policy (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Weiss, C. H. (1998). Evaluation (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice Hall. Chapters 1, 2, 5, 8, and 13. | |
Supplementary Readings:
| All graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library at http://www.umuc.edu/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:
|
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.
The process of policy evaluation | |
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. | |
Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
A 93-100%%
B 80 – 92%
C 70 – 79%
F Below 70%
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade F(a) 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. | |
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:
Mid-term exam 25%
Final exam 25%
Written pape or 1st Case 15%
Second case 15%
Group project task 10%
Class participation 10%
Total 100% | |
Description of Course Requirements:
Participate in classroom discussions: You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner. Usually this requires two to three hours of additional for every hour of a face-to-face class and approximately ten hours of preparation per week for a DE class.
Write graduate level papers or case studies: You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Plan on committing approximately 150 hours over the duration of this course to producing professional level deliverables.
Orally/visually present prepared material: You are required to present your research in a professional manner. In a face-to-face course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material. In a DE class, this means creating a visual/textual presentation for your instructor and classmates.
Complete one or more written examination(s): The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary to successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used for this course will either be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam. | |
Course Schedule:
Module Date Topics Assignments
1 25 Oct 03 Introduction & Overview
Sat Basic Concepts of Strategic Management
Morning Chapter 1
2 25 Oct 03 Suggestions for Case Analysis Chapter 14
Sat
Afternoon Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility
Chapter 2
Assign the Group Project
Assign First Paper or Case--Due module #5
3 26 Oct 03 Environmental Scanning and Industry Analysis
Sun Chapter 3
Morning Internal Scanning: Organizational Analysis Chapter 4
4 26 Oct 03 Strategy Formulation: Situation Analysis and
Sun Business Strategy
Afternoon Chapter 5
(Weiss) Setting the Scene Chapter 1
(Weiss) Purposes of Evaluation Chapter 2
5 8 Nov 03 Strategy Formulatin Corporate Strategy Chapter 6
Sat
Morning First Paper or First Case Due
6 8 Nov 03 Strategy Formulation: Functional Strategy and
Sat Strategic Choice Chapter 7
Afternoon
Review for Mid-Term
7 9 Nov 03 Mid-Term Examination Chapters 1-7
Sun
Morning
8 9 Nov 03 Strategy Implementation: Organizing for Action
Sun Chapter 8
Afternoon (Weiss) Developing Measures Chapter 6
Assign second case—Due last weekend
9 22 Nov 03 Strategy Implementation: Staffing and Directing
Sat Chapter 9
Morning
10 22 Nov 03 Evaluation and Control Chapter 10
Sat
Afternoon (Weiss) Qualitative Methods Chapter 11
11 23 Nov 03 Strategic Issues in Managing Technology and
Sun Innovation
Morning Chapter 11
12 23 Nov 03 Strategic Issues in Entrepreneurial Ventures and
Sun Small Businesses
Afternoon Chapter 12
(Weiss) Analyzing and Interpreting the Data Chapter 12
13 13 Dec 03 Strategic Issues in Not-For-Profit Organizations
Sat Chapter 13
Morning
14 13 Dec 03 Second case due this weekend
Sat
Afternoon Group project
Review for Final Chapters 8-13
15 14 Dec 03
Sun
Morning Final Examination Chapters 8-13
16 14 Dec 03
Sun
Afternoon Group Project and Discussion | |
Academic Policies:
Please refer to the UMUC–Europe Graduate Catalog, available online at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/general_info/publications/catalogs/ or from your local Education Center, for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities | |
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. | | |