Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Strategic Management (Online)

MGMT 4950-31I

Course: MGMT 4950-31I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: MHRH
CRN: 30301

Course Description

A capstone course for seniors covering the concepts of strategic management and developing perspective, judgment, and skills in problem solving in interrelated areas of accounting, management, marketing, economics, and finance. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): FIN 3250 and MGMT 3100 and MGMT 3180 and MKTG 3010 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: D-

Required Texts

Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases, Fourth Edition (Dyer, Godfrey, Jensen, & Bryce). 
ISBN 13: 978-1-119-76353-6 
 
Students will receive emailed instructions on how to access the online text. 
We will use case studies accessible from the text - there will be no additional fees for cases. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:  

1.      Define a business problem or challenge;
2.      Perform internal and external analyses for a business;
3.      Solve business problems by describing, evaluating, and selecting the appropriate functional, business, and corporate-level strategies;
4.      Communicate business information effectively in oral and written form;
5.      Perform effectively in work group, including organizing, motivating, and evaluating group members;
6.      Describe ethical issues managers face and how organizations can meet their social responsibilities.

Course Requirements

Grades are based on 1,030 points, available as follows:
 
Component Points
1. Four Reflection Discussions (25 points each/10% of total grade)      100
2. Two Individual Case Studies (45 points each/9% of total grade)        90
3. Three Team Case Studies (50 points each/15% of total grade)          150
4. One Team Presentation (8% of total grade)                                        80
5. One Team Assessment (9% of total grade)                                        90
6. Twelve Weekly Quizzes (15 points each/17% of total grade)            180
7. One Midterm Exam (14% of total grade)                                          140
8. One Final Exam (19% of total grade)                                                200
                                                                                                   Tot.    1030
 
Course grades are based on percentage of total points as follows:
 
A = 100.00 - 93.00 C = 76.99 - 73.00
A- = 92.99 - 90.00 C- = 72.99 - 70.00
B+ = 89.99 - 87.00 D+ = 69.99 - 67.00
B = 86.99 - 83.00 D = 66.99 - 63.00
B- = 82.99 - 80.00 D- = 62.99 - 60.00
C+ = 79.99 - 77.00 F = Less than 60.00
 
Reflection Discussions: These assignments provide an opportunity to reflect and to share feelings about your learning - not only from this class but throughout your student career. You will have an opportunity to apply strategy concepts, to think about the future and how to apply your knowledge, skills, and abilities, and to share ideas with, and learn from your classmates.
 
Individual Case Studies: These exercises will require independent analysis of a business situation, application of class learning, and submission of an essay. Individual cases will be due in the week following reflections.
 
Team Case Studies: Teams will be provided more than a full week to review, plan, find solutions, and produce a PowerPoint for each case. The final case will be presented to the class at the end of the term.

Team Assessment: At the conclusion of the term, each student will assess themselves and teammates for team and classroom engagement and contribution.

Quizzes: Each quiz is a quick assessment of your chapter learning. Quizzes are comprised of a minimum of 15 multiple choice/true false questions and are open book/notes.

Exams: There will be a Midterm which covers all learning up to that time, and a Final Exam which is cumulative for the semester. These tests may be monitored and have a time constraint. Limited notes will be allowed. 

Course Outline

 Calendar

Aug 27 – Aug 30
What is Strategy?

Chapter 1
Reflection Discussion
Quiz                               
Aug 31 – Sep 6 (No Classes 1st)
External Analysis

Chapter 2
Individual Case Study
Quiz                       
3 Sep 7 – Sep 13
Internal Analysis

Chapter 3
Team Case Study 
Quiz                                     
Sep 14 – Sep 20
Cost Advantage Strategy

Chapter 4
Reflection Discussion
Quiz                       
5 Sep 21 – Sep 27
Differentiation Advantage Strategy

Chapter 5
Individual Case Study
Quiz         
Sep 28 – Oct 4
Corporate Strategy

Chapter 6
Team Case Study 
Quiz                                                   
Oct 5 – Oct 11
Integration and Outsourcing

Chapter 7
Reflection Discussion
Midterm         
Oct 12 – Oct 18 (No Classes 13th/14th)
Strategic Alliances

Chapter 8
Quiz                   
Oct 19 – Oct 25
International Strategy

Chapter 9
Quiz             
Oct 26 – Nov 1
Innovative Strategies

Chapter 10
Team Case Check-In 1
Quiz                   
Nov 2 – Nov 8
Competitive Strategy and Sustainability

Chapter 11
Team Case Check-In 2
Quiz         
Nov 9 – Nov 15
Implementing Strategy

Chapter 12
Team Case Check-In 3 
Quiz                           
Nov 16 – Nov 22
Corporate Governance and Ethics

Chapter 13
Last Reflection Discussion
Final Team Case Study
Quiz                           
14 Nov 23 – Nov 29
****BREAK****  
15 Nov 30 – Dec 6
Strategy and Society

Chapter 14
Team Presentations
Teammate Assessments
16 Dec 7 – Dec 13
Finals Week
 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Timeliness of Quizzes and Exams: If you miss a quiz, please don't ask to have it reopened so you can take it - the points are lost. Please plan wisely each week. Late exams will not be accepted, and makeup exams are not permitted, except in EXTRAORDINARY circumstances that can be documented, and only if arrangements are made in advance. If arrangements are not made in advance, you will receive a score of 0 for a missed exam. 
 
Late Work: Aside from what has already been said regarding exams and quizzes, individual assignments and projects may be turned in late for half credit with instructor approval. 

Attendance Policy

Participation: The world of business requires significant teamwork, creativity, and participation. Participation is based on your contribution to the course. Working in teams will be critical to your career success. It is in teams where much of the creative thinking, discovery, and fun will happen in this class. Your contribution to your team will be measured. Teammates will assess one another’s performance, and this will be factored into your grade. Stay strong and sprint through the finish line! 

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.