SYLLABUS

TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) – M&IS 44150

SPRING, 2012 (V-Tel, Distance Learning Class)

Live from KENT STATE UNIVERSITY – MAIN CAMPUS, to:

KSU – Main -- Section 003, CRN # 15235

Lorain County Community College -- Section 900, CRN # 15264

KSU - Salem Campus -- Section 500, CRN # 15239

PROFESSOR: Dr. David Lee Baker

Kent State University, COBA, Room # 311

CLASS TIMES:  Thursday, 4:25 PM – 7:05 PM

MY OFFICE HOURS: Thursday Nights, 10:00 – 11:00 PM

In our KSU Main classroom.  Other dates/times arranged by prior set appointment.

E-MAIL: DLBAKER1@KENT.EDU   

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is an upper-level, writing intensive course designed to give the student practical experience in Total Quality Management (TQM).  Our class is a hybrid one, with live lectures, much written case work, additional case analyses in class, and with extensive online content and testing process.  This course deals with the integration of the functional areas of business within the formulation and implementation of TQM policy.  Projects and case analyses of business situations provide students with the opportunity to apply analytical and creative problem solving skills.  The TQM class draws upon both theoretical developments and empirical findings within the field of quality control to provide an understanding of how organizations choose to compete in a given marketplace.  It looks at why some firms do very well within the quality control arena, and why others perhaps do not do nearly as well.  The principal methods of instruction are casework along with active discussion, lecture and examination.  Active attendance and participation in every class is absolutely critical to your success in this course. 

Cogito Ergo Sum

At this level of your college career, there should be no prodding by instructors to get you to do the work on a daily basis.  This class will be run much like a graduate business class.  However, if the instructor sees people not prepared, reading the course material, cases, or assignments for the first time in class, and thereby holding up classroom progress, then it is very possible that your instructor may need to revert to more classical teaching methods, as distasteful as they may be, to make sure that all students are fully prepared.  This course is designed to accentuate and strengthen previous work in the business program, thereby providing a total business perspective. 

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS:

This is the full text required of every student; make sure to get the one with the Student Web edition only; not the one with the CD-ROM.  Your campus bookstore has the correct version.  Purchasing elsewhere puts you at your own peril:

1.     Managing for Quality and Performance Excellence, 8th Edition, (With Student Web)
James R. (Robert) Evans, William M. Lindsay
ISBN-10: 0324783205    ISBN-13: 9780324783209
© 2011
Mason, OH : South-Western Cengage Learning

OUTSIDE READING ESSENTIAL

Consider reading regularly, valuable business publications such as: The Economist (UK), Financial Times (UK), The Wall Street Journal (US), Barron’s (US), and Investor’s Business Daily (US).  Discussions will be conducted and perhaps assigned from these publications and your informed and current awareness is essential to your exemplary progress in this course.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE: This course is specifically intended to:

1.      Acquaint you with the many theories and elements of Quality Management in an effort to provide a pragmatic approach to quality in the workplace.

2.      Provide you with knowledge of the case method. By the study of relevant cases, the student should be able to infer the theoretical basis for actions and solutions found in the cases. This gives you a real world access to practical applications of sometimes very abstract theory.

3.      Help you learn about a number of influential TQM ideas, concepts, principles, and analytical frameworks.

4.      Assist you in improving your general business knowledge and aid in giving you a strong understanding of the interplay among different TQM approaches.

5.      Cause you to apply these concepts, principles, and frameworks to real-life business cases.

6.      Offer you knowledge and input of the principles of Six Sigma Quality Systems and methodology, and with the background of Lean Production Systems.

7.      Make it possible for you to develop the ability to structure, present, and sustain arguments in front of colleagues and clients, as well as giving you the ability to listen constructively and react to the arguments of others.

8.      Expose you to many excellent authors, both current and historical, who have made significant contributions to the subject of TQM.

9.      Orient you with the different perspectives which managers and functional departments approach quality.

10.  Make it possible for you to anticipate and plan your total quality management role within the business world.

ASSIGNMENTS, PROJECTS, AND EXAMS

Your professor has given you, on the following spreadsheet, a proposed listing of the topics and chapters to be covered in each session.  This is a breakdown of how these will work:

1.     Case Analyses (Classroom, Team): You are to prepare each case individually and be fully prepared to discuss it in our larger classroom session. Participation will be graded by your professor.  All case questions must be answered as well.  You must use only the long-cycle method on this part.  Your classroom participation is essential to a complete understanding of each case.  While these may be handled completely as in-class discussions, if your professor sees entirely too many people unprepared during our class meetings, then it is at his sole discretion that these may be re-assigned to every student as a written assignment.  100 points maximum.

2.     Case Analyses (Written, Individual): For this portion of your grade, you will write up each case individually.  All case questions must be answered thoroughly as well.  Note, this is not in outline format, but descriptive paragraphs using the outline ideas presented in class. As above, you must again use the long-cycle method (as discussed) on this part.  These will be three (3) cases you will write about, and fully answer questions for, individually.  Up to 150 points for each case; total maximum of 450 points is available for this entire activity.

3.     Exams (Individual): These will be three (3) predominantly multiple-choice exams (including the final exam) on concepts, terms, definitions, and examining your full understanding of the subject matter that will be held on the stated examination dates.  These will all be electronically graded type exams, and all work will be done online, closed book, individually. These will each count as points shown below towards your final grade.  You will have exactly 80 minutes for each exam, for 50 predominantly multiple choice questions, valued at up to 150 points for each exam. 

PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE:

For each class session it is expected that:

1.       Students will be prepared.  For a theory session this would mean that the student has read the assigned chapter(s) and is familiar with the concepts and the tools contained within the readings.  For a case study session it means having read and analyzed the case and coming to class with a prepared set of personal notes that contains your best thoughts on the subject.  Study questions are given to highlight the key issues and to guide your analyses.  Should students be unprepared for class, written assignments and/or pop quizzes based upon either the text chapters and/or cases will be assigned on the spot.

2.       Students will be active participants in class.  In theory sessions this would mean that students answer questions offered by the professor, ask their own questions, and volunteer insights or experiences about that particular topic(s).  Students may be called upon to speak about an issue.  During case analysis sessions, it means that you contribute your own ideas as well as building upon, agreeing with, or disagreeing with ideas and opinions expressed by your classmates.  You may be called upon to present your analysis or to lead a particular discussion.  You cannot be an active participant unless you are always fully prepared for each and every class.

OFFICE HOURS:  

Office hours for the semester will be held (tentatively) according to the schedule on page one of this syllabus.  Should those dates/times not work for your own calendar (due to your work and/or school schedule) please see me or email me to suggest alternative times.  I can possibly do appointments during evenings and/or weekends if absolutely necessary.  It is best to see me first in class or email me for an appointment before just stopping by as I may be with other students or faculty members and there could be somewhat of a wait.  Should you happen to be at another campus, you’re welcome to come to Kent Main Campus, of course, or we can conduct a visit via email.  If you are having problems in this course, please see me immediately; don’t wait until the semester ends.  It may simply be too late then to help you.

GRADING:

There will be a total maximum of 1,000 points available to determine your grade. The criteria for grading is divided and delineated as follows:

                                                                Maximum #:        Dates, Deadlines & Descriptions:

1.     Classroom Case Analyses:        100 points             See Syllabus Calendar

2.     Written Case Analyses (3)         450 points total    Deadlines: Feb. 23, March 29, April 26

3.     Exams 1, 2 (@ 150 points ea.)  300 points total    Deadlines: Feb. 12, March 11

4.     Exam 3, Final Exam:                 150 points             Thursday, May 3,  5:45 -- 8:00 p.m. (Comprehensive)

NOTE TIME CHANGE FOR THIS FINAL EXAM

       Total:                                             1,000 points

To determine your overall percentage grade, divide your above total earned points by ten (10), and then use the following value guide to ascertain your corresponding final letter grade.  Scores are only rounded off (at the end of all calculations) to the nearest one-hundredth of a point.  Therefore, an earned grade near the cusp, of say 79.95 will not be able to provide you with a letter grade of a “B”.  Here is the grade chart:

A             100.00 – 90.00 points

B             89.99 – 80.00

C             79.99 – 70.00

D             69.99 – 60.00

F              Below 60.00

SYLLABUS:

While this is intended to be a strict overview of this course it is not a contract.  Things happen; accidents, emergencies, weather conditions, catastrophes, and the like, and this syllabus is therefore tentative.  As strategic business leaders you need to be flexible to change and a full understanding of that dynamic.  Your professor will give as much lead time as possible on all changes, so that you have ample time to prepare.

CLASSROOM DECORUM:

So as not to disturb classmates, your professor expects that there will be no reading or talking during lectures, as well as no eating or chewing gum during class.  Cell phones, pagers and beepers must be turned off upon entering the classroom.  If a student’s device rings during class or a test or exam the professor reserves the right to ask that student to leave the room for the remainder of that class period.  Please don’t let it happen a second time as other, stronger actions may be necessary.  Laptops are permitted, provided they are only used for classroom activities.  This is in accordance with the University policy on disruptions in the classroom.

STUDENTS’ ABSENCES, MISSED CLASSES/EXAMS:

Along the same line as things that can happen above, your professor realizes that circumstances may occur in your schedule as well that could preclude your attendance for class activities; such as serious illnesses, family emergencies/events, deaths in the family, accidents, work commitments and business travel out of town, etc.  Advance notice to me will most always be required (at the very least, suggested).  The only exceptions to this notice are serious illness or death in your immediate family.  IMPORTANT: Make-up work may be available, but for the three (3) Exams ONLY.  This means that no make-up is available for any of the following items, including, but not limited to: Quizzes, Pop Quizzes, Cases, Extra Credit, Additional Assignments, Experiential Exercises, Presentations, Projects, and/or any Participation or Attendance Points or Items.  In order to be considered for any make-up work you will first need to provide me with written, original proof of any absence to be excused, usually in the form of an original doctor’s note, original emergency room physician’s statement, and/or original hospital billing statement(s) with clear dates of treatment and/or admission.  It is not realistic to come to me after any activity or exam and then explain a situation, other than that of a dire emergency or family death, and expect to get a make-up exam.  At the very latest then, in any event, you (or your representative) must notify me no later than 48 hours after the start of any previously-scheduled missed activity.  We may offer optional extra credit work for additional points in this course.  You will be advised of this by the middle of this semester.

PRESENTATION SKILLS:

The ability to properly present topics of importance to your classmates, colleagues, clients, stakeholders, and supervisors is essential in both life and in the business world.  It is possible that, shall time permit, we will do some presentations or exercises in this vital area.  You will each be expected to present to the class, both individually and possibly as well within teams, sometime during this semester.  Please contact me early on in this course should you have any concerns about presenting in class.

EMAIL

I will use only your current Kent.EDU account for all email correspondence.  It is your responsibility to keep your account open and active, and to make sure that you always have at least 2MB of available space so that I may (if need be) send you attached documents.  When emailing me please be courteous and offer a salutation, and end with your name.  Kindly begin your subject line with this exact phrase (you may put other things after that, as need be):

                                              “TQM, Thursday 4:25 pm, (Include: Your Campus Please)”

As I am teaching multiple classes and sections within this semester, including that phrase in your emails helps me properly identify you without having to pour over several rosters.  I aim to answer your emails within 24 hours.  If I’m traveling and off email for a short period of time I’ll so advise in advance.

REGULARLY LOGGING ONTO FLASHLINE WEBSITE:

You will need to regularly and often log onto and read all new entries in FlashLine, My Courses, Integrated Business Policy/Strategy.  It is expected that you will log onto this site and pay very close attention to all new items posted at least twice a week.  A portion of your participation and attendance points comes from both this activity and classroom attendance and discussions in all scheduled class activities.  To save paper and avoid killing more trees, many of the items that you will need to read, study, and refer to for this course will be posted there, instead of handing them all out in class.  Many of these will be in PDF Format (Adobe Acrobat Reader).  You may print them out from the website if you so choose.  It will be imperative for you to have Adobe on your home (or office) computer(s).  This is available from a free download from their site.  Some files will be in Powerpoint, Word, and/or Excel format.  It would also behoove you to have these forms of software on your most-used computer(s); or at the very least have access to them on another computer.  Note that most (if not all) college campuses have computer labs with each of these programs and you may avail yourself of them in their labs.  If you are having problems accessing the FlashLine website please see me immediately.  Do not wait until the end of the term to explain your difficulties.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Last Day to Add Classes or Change Grading Option                                           Sunday, January 22, 2012

Last Day to Drop Course Without a Grade of “W”                                              Sunday, January 22, 2012

Last Day to Apply for December 2012 Graduation                                             Before Thursday, March 15, 2012

Last Day for Completing a Grade of “I” for the Spring 2012 Term                  Defaults at end of Fall Semester

Last Day for Withdrawing With a Grade of “W”                                                  Sunday, March 18, 2012

Before considering dropping this class please come and discuss it first with your instructor, as options may exist.

View all these policies within the KSU Registrar’s Site at: http://www.kent.edu/registrar/calendars/stu_spring.cfm

THE FOLLOWING POLICIES APPLY TO ALL STUDENTS IN THIS COURSE: 

A.      Students attending the course who do not have the proper prerequisite risk being deregistered from the class.

Students have the responsibility to ensure they are properly enrolled in classes.  You are advised to review your official class schedule (using Student Tools/FlashFast) during the first two days of this current semester to ensure that you are properly enrolled in this class and section.  Should you find an error in your class schedule, you need to correct the error with your advising office no later than January 22, 2012.    If registration errors are not corrected by these dates and you continue to attend and participate in classes for which you are not officially enrolled, you are advised now that you will not receive a grade at the conclusion of the semester for any class in which you are not properly registered.

B.      Academic Honesty: Cheating means to misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic work (e.g., tests, papers, projects, assignments) so as to get undeserved credit.   In addition, it is considered to be cheating when one cooperates with someone else in any such misrepresentation.  The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offense.  Cheating also includes using or referencing any prior exams, tests, case analyses, presentations, projects, quizzes, and/or prepared work by others, from any prior semesters, for this course (or any other similarly taught Strategy courses at KSU).  Any discovered material of this nature will be immediately confiscated.  It is the University's policy that cheating or plagiarism result in receiving a failing grade for the work or course.  Repeat offenses result in dismissal from the University.

C.      The course withdrawal deadline for this course for the Spring 2012 term is Monday, March 18, 2012.  Please keep in mind that if you are having academic difficulty then you should immediately proceed to the Undergraduate Programs Office (Room 107, COBA, or call 330-672-2872) for consultation with an advisor or a dean.

D.      University policy 3342-3-18 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the professor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through the Student Accessibility Services (contact by phone: 330-672-3391 or visit: http://www.registrars.kent.edu/disability/ for more information on registration procedures).  I expect you to notify me of this on our first day of classes. Please do not come to me the day of (or just moments before) an exam and inform me of the need for these specific accommodations.  I am simply unable to assist you at that late date.  Thank you for your understanding.

E.      Student Athletes.  If you are a student athlete and plan on traveling away to any games which may make you unavailable for classes this semester then please come and inform me of this upon your first class meeting.  That way I’m made well aware of your possible travel schedule which may interfere with our class events.

• Any questions about applying for graduation should be referred to your advisor/advising office.  Or, view: http://www.kent.edu/registrar/gradhonors/ap_proc.cfm