Course Introduction

Welcome to Bus. 311 – Introduction to Management. This 3-credit course is designed to introduce you to the concepts and principles which are the foundation of modern management. The competitive environment for businesses has never been more challenging than it is today, and never has the field of management been more exciting and dynamic. The understanding and practice of proper management is applicable to all types of organizations. In fact, it is difficult to think of a profession in which competency in basic managerial skills would not be an asset.

In this course we will explore the principles and processes behind effective management, and the specific skills and abilities needed by today’s managers. Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to assess your own managerial skills. You will also have the opportunity to practice and apply many of the concepts we will be covering in this course. Early in the semester you will be assigned to a student group. Depending upon the specific module, you will participate in assigned activities throughout the semester, either with your group or as an individual.

The course is divided into five broad topics. The first topic is a basic overview of management and managers; the four remaining topics each pertain to a key managerial function. Within each topic are a series of specific modules with assigned readings, quizzes, and activities for you to complete. The five general topics are:

Topic 1: Overview and Evolution of Management
This topic provides you with an overall look at what managers do, and how the nature of management has changed over the years.

Topic 2: Planning. This topic contains topics related to the determination of an organization’s goals and establishing an overall strategy for achieving those goals. Modules within this topic also include an overview of the overall management process and how management practices have evolved over time.

Topic 3: Organizing. In this topic you will learn and practice activities associated with assembling and coordinating a firm’s resources to achieve goals. Modules within this topic will cover organizational structure and design, and human resource management.

Topic 4: Leading. Once a manager has decided upon appropriate goals and strategies and has organized resources within the firm to support these goals, a manager must then be able to stimulate high performance by employees in order to attain these goals. Accordingly, this topic addresses issues related to the managerial skills of directing, motivating and communicating with individual employees and groups.

Topic 5: Controlling. This topic focuses on issues related to the management function of monitoring activities to ensure that they are being accomplished as planned, and making necessary changes in order to achieve goals.

The course is divided into a series of modules contained within the five (5) above topics. In general, two (2) modules are covered each week. In each module there are different readings and activities you will be required to complete. These activities may include:

1. Read an assigned chapter and/or pages from the textbook and any additional readings as assigned.

2. Review the weekly online lecture, including PowerPoint slides.
3. Complete a weekly individual activity.

4. Complete a quiz covering the reading(s), the material presented in the module, and the individual activity.
5. Complete a team assignment, as part of an assigned group.
 

We hope that you will enjoy this course and we look forward to getting to know you over the coming weeks.

Begin Course

Begin by reviewing the syllabus and schedule. The Syllabus will orient you to the course objectives, grading, group assignments, individual activities, quizzes, and exams. The Schedule page has links to the course content and the dates for all the modules and assignments.