Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Systems Capstone in Aviation Administration (Online)

AVTN 4500-30I

Course: AVTN 4500-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: AVTN
CRN: 10178

Course Description

This course is an intensive workshop where participants will apply Dr. W Edwards Deming’s philosophy (System of Profound Knowledge©) through reflective analysis and practice while proposing and managing a professional project that synthesizes Systems Thinking and serves as an appropriate capstone this major. (Spring [As Needed], Summer [As Needed]) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Junior or Senior standing required

Required Texts

Weblinks to required reading materials in the form of scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles, professional editorials and essays will be accessible to SUU students using their Banner portal credentials.

Deming Next Online Learning Modules Will be provided free of charge to all SUU Students enrolled in this course

Learning Outcomes

This course is an online workshop organized into weekly modules organized in Canvas. Participants will apply Dr. W Edwards Deming’s philosophy (System of Profound Knowledge©) through reflective analysis and practice through the signature capstone project that's students will complete in various stages over the entire semester. Students will apply Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle method to test an innovation for improvement in the real world. The Instructional component is provided through the cutting-edge DemingNext online learning platform provided by the W. Edwards Deming institute. 

  1. Participants will analyze and compare the differences between systems-focused organizational models and traditional top-down organizational models (typically found in "business-as-usual" management and leadership practices) 
  2. Participants will analyze and compare the difference between "common cause" and "special cause" sources of variation affecting organization performance
  3. Students will develop systems-based operational approaches to analyze continuous improvement strategies that can be applied across government, healthcare, education, and industry.  
  4. Students will analyze and synthesize the ideas of various systems thinkers and apply their conceptual knowledge to address practical managerial dilemmas

Course Requirements

Assignment Category | CO 1 | CO 2 | CO 3 | CO 4
Participation in Weekly Interactive Online Modules Activities in the DemingNext Learning Platform  | X | X | X | X
Complete Discussion Forum Posts  | X | X | X | X
Conduct a Multi-Stage Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle of Experiments And Data Write-Ups & Reflections and Control Chart Analysis | X | X | X | X
Complete a Comprehensive Reflective Report Including Strategic Plan | X | X | X | X

Course Outline

Module 1 (weeks 1 & 2,: January 7 -18) Business as Usual & Disruptive Innovation: 2019 Deming Forum Part 1 & DemingNext Modules

 

Module 2: (Weeks 3 & 4: January 19 - February 1) From "me" to "we": 2019 Deming Forum Part 2 & DemingNext Modules

    

 

 

 Module 3: (Weeks 5 & 6: February 2 - February 15) The SoPK as a Shared Mental Model: DemingNext Modules

 

 Module 4: (Weeks 6 & 7: February 16 - 22) Learning, Profound Knowledge & Human Trust: Productivity & Innovation: Deming Next Modules

   

 

 

 Module 5: (Weeks 8 & 9: February 23 - March 8) Non-profit organizational systems

 

 Module 6: (Weeks 10 & 11: March 16 -29) Intergovernmental organizational systems (Federal, state, local)

 

 Module 7 (Weeks 12, 13, & 14: March 30 April 19) Private sector organizational systems

Complete PDSA Capstone Study

Complete PDSA Capstone Study Reflective Write Up (Paper)

 

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

As this is a paced class, all assignments must be turned in on-time. Exceptions will be made for personal or family emergencies with valid and authorized documentation only. Assignments that are turned in late for reason other than a personal or family emergency will be penalized.

Make-up work/extra credit may be assigned on a case-by-case basis to assist students who have missed work due to a personal or family emergency (again with valid and authorized documentation only.)

Attendance Policy

As a virtual, asynchronous course, physical attendance is not required. Attending any live virtual sessions that professor schedules is best. However, students can watch virtual meetings afterward and submit written responses to prompts posted by the professor.

Course Fees

There are no additional fees associated with this course

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.