KENT STATE UNIVERSITY- COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

 

(Note: updates will be announced in class)

INSTRUCTOR:                                   Ron Stolle, Goodyear Executive Professor

OFFICE:                                                450 College of Business Administration Building (BSA),  the “Goodyear Office”

 

OFFICE HOURS:                                W – 2:00 to 5:00PM and, by appointment

                                                                                                                               

CONTACT INFORMATION:           - Mr. Stolle – Phone: 330-672-1228; e-mail: rstolle@bsa3.kent.edu

- Charles Berkhous (Graduate Assistant):  Phone: 330-672-1227; e-mail: cberkhou@kent.edu

                                                                - Mrs. Betty Walker (Administrative Assistant) Phone: 330-672-1227;

   e-mail: bwalker@bsa3.kent.edu

COURSE OBJECTIVES:   -      Stimulate thinking about what it takes to be an effective leader.

-          Examine relevant theories, empirical studies, antedotal stories regarding leadership.

-          Work to develop leadership and followership skill.

 

TEACHING FORMAT:                      -      Lectures, occasional videos will cover and supplement assigned

-          Classes will regularly include discussions and other activities intended to enhance the learning experience

 

TEXT:

Leadership:  Enhancing the Lessons of Experience, by Hughes, Ginnett and Curphy, 5^th Edition, 2006; Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.  Textbooks, including used copies, are available at the Student Center Bookstore, Dubois Bookstore, and Campus Book & Supply.

CLASS ATTENDANCE and PARTICIPATION:

Class attendance is expected and is important for it will impact a student’s final grade in terms of: 1) attendance;  2) participation in class discussions; and, most-importantly, 3) learning.  Lectures and videos are intended to reinforce and supplement text materials.

 

NOTE:    Disruptive student activity in the classroom (e.g.: late arrival; early departure; cell phone usage; talking during class, etc.) is inappropriate, inconsiderate and will not be tolerated.

 

For each class, students are expected to be ready to learn, and need to bring: 1) note taking materials (voice recorders are permitted); 2) your text and any assigned supplemental readings for the particular class session; 3) a lead pencil.  

COMMUNICATIONS WITH FACULTY:

The instructor keeps regular office hours (see page 1) and is available by appointment.  Professor Stolle can often be found in the Goodyear Office (450, BSA) during weekdays from 8AM until 5PM, so stop by or call for an appointment.  If communicating by phone, always identify yourself by name and indicate you are a “Leadership” student.  If communicating via e-mail, please include a descriptive subject and include your name and a phone contact number.

 

Be aware, not all e-mail inquiries will be specifically responded to via e-mail.  Professor Stolle reserves the option to verbally respond to general types of questions during class sessions and/or to send broadcast e-mails.  Failure to attend class or to establish or maintain a valid e-mail address does not absolve students from responsibility for information so disseminated.

EXAMS:

Four (4) exams, worth eighty percent (80%) of the overall grade, will be given during the course of the semester.  Each exam is worth twenty percent (20%) of the overall grade.  Exams may consist of multiple choice, true/false questions, and short answer essay questions.  The first three exams will cover specified text materials, additional assigned readings and in-class lectures.  The fourth and final exam will cover the entire scope of the class.

 

No make-up exams will be permitted, except in the event of a documented student hospitalization, or death of an immediate family member.

GRADES:             

Exploring Business grading will reflect the plus/minus grading, as specified hereunder:

                A             90.00 and above

                B             80.00 to 89.99

                C             70.00 to 79.99

                D             60.00 to 69.99

                F              59.99 and below

 

Final grades will be determined based upon the percentages indicated below:

                                                80% – four scheduled exams (each exam worth 20%)                                                                   

                                                20% – participation, attendance and assignments                        

                                             100%                                                                                                                        

 

Final course grades will not be “rounded-up” at the end of the semester.  For example, a 79.99% will result in a final grade of “C.”

 

 

1.  Students are responsible to ensure that they are properly enrolled in their classes.  They are advised to review their official class schedule during the first two weeks of the semester to ensure they are properly enrolled in this class and section.  Should a student find an error in his/her class schedule, he/she has until January 29 to correct it with his/her advising office.  Failure to pay related fees will result in removal from the class.

 

2.  THE LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE IS March 26, 2006.

 

3.   Academic Honesty: Cheating or plagiarism constitutes fraudulent misrepresentation for which no credit will be given.  Students who fail to comply with Kent State University’s policy on Academic Honesty and Integrity are subject to dismissal from the University. It is the student’s responsibility to familiarize him/herself with the University’s policy.

 

4.  Student with Disabilities: In accordance with University policy 3342-18, if you have a documented disability and require accommodations (e.g.,  off-line testing; additional test taking time; etc.) to obtain equal access in the course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester or when given an assignment for which an accommodation is required.  Students with disabilities must first verify their eligibility through the Office of Student Disability Services (SDS) in the Michael Schwartz Student Services Center (330-672-3391, or visit www.kent.edu/sds for more information).

 

5.   Students with Test-Taking Difficulties:  Students are encouraged to contact Christopher Tokpah at the Academic Success Center (located at 207 Michael Schwartz Center).  Mr. Tokpah’s phone number is: 330-672-3190, email: cltokpah@kent.edu.

 

6.  Excused Absences for University Sponsored Activities: Documentation must be presented for signature to Professor Stolle, prior to the excused absence date.  A copy of the form must be left with Professor Stolle or in the Goodyear Office.

NOTE: Instructors reserve the right to change, amend or alter this Syllabus and/or attached Class Schedule(s) upon providing verbal notice in class, or via e-mail, or via posting of an updated Syllabus and/or Class Schedule(s) on the class site on Orion. Always check to assure you have the most current version of the Syllabus and/or Daily Class Schedule – the date of the most recent update is posted at the top of each.

ATTACHMENTS:

·          Daily Class Schedule

·          Assigned supplemental readings for January 25, 2006:

- Does Leadership Matter (U.S. News & World Report, 10/31/05)

- What effective leaders should keep in mind (Financial Times, 08/16/05)

- The Education of Andy Grove (Fortune, 12/12/05)

- Throw it at the Wall and See if it Sticks (Fortune, 12/12/05)

- Quoted Often, Followed Rarely (Fortune, 12/12/05)