Emphasis on discussion and participation. Some criteria for evaluating effective class participation include:

Be present.  Being “present” doesn’t mean merely attending class but contributing to the dialog. Quietly letting your classmates contribute does not constitute being “present”. If you’re lost or unsure, ask questions so that you can get in sync with the class.

Almost all classes will have a quiz and/or an in-class group project. In-class homework will also be assigned. Only excused absences will warrant make-up work.

Be prepared.  Do your comments show evidence of analysis? Do your comments add to our understanding of the situation?  Do your comments show an understanding of theories, concepts, and analytical devices presented in class lectures or reading materials? Can you substantiate your point? With that said, don’t be afraid to make a mistake.

Be a good listener. Are the points made relevant to the discussion? Are they linked to the comments of others? Are you willing to interact with other class members?

Strive for effective communication. Are concepts presented in a concise and convincing fashion?

Class Policies

Weekly Journal Submission

• Complete a short reflection, journal entry, or video-log (vlog) explaining something that was learned or had the most impact
• Upload to Brightspace at the end of the week
• Try to use videos (2-3 minutes in length) which can be shared on social media, sent to friends, or used to educate others
• For each submission (graded pass/fail), students will earn 1% towards the final grade
• If you write our your journal submission, please ensure it is in accordance with APA standards

Goals for Student Learning

• Critically think
• Construct defensible arguments using data and the pyramid principle
• Present persuasive, compelling, and relevant perspectives
• Understand how to decompose systems and apply their use through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching
• Think entrepreneurially

 Formatting and Submission 

• Each student is expected to submit a response unless submitting as a group
• Original diagrams will be accepted as long as the diagrams substantively complement the material covered. Each diagram will not take-up more than 20% of each page. The text will wrap around the diagram, contain and caption, and be clearly referenced in the text
• Do not use clip art
• Do not use photos, diagrams, or other icons that don’t materially enhance the understanding of the content
• Cite everything
• Document submissions:
  • 1-inch margins
  • Line spacing = 1.15
  • Font = Helvetica (or a variant of Helvetica Neue) or Arial; no bigger than 12 pt; no smaller than 10 pt.
  • In the header, place name, name of the case, and email address
• Slide submissions: follow format discussed in class
• Please complete homework using the link to one of the Google Suite products, e.g. Slides, Docs, Sheets, diagrams.net, or Plectica.
• Submit your homework on Brightspace using the link to the Google product or Plectica. Ensure edit permissions are granted or no grade will be issued
• Properly cite material referenced using the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)
• Structure your submission via the Pyramid Principle
• File naming convention:
  • All work is submitted via Brightspace using a shared link
  • File naming: All files will be named using the following taxonomy:
    • <numerical year, month, & date>_<MGT240>_<your last name>_<Assignment Name>
    • Example: 20150827_MGT240_Alvarado_Syllabus
  • 10-point deduction for not following

Failure to share the file will result in failure of the assignment

• Late submissions will not be graded. The instructor may read them individually, but will not provide individual feedback as the case is being discussed in class that day. Assimilation of the course’s content is primarily the student’s responsibility through careful reading of assigned materials and note taking.
• Note re: quizzes: Each quiz can be retaken as many times as you want, until you are satisfied with your grade. You are required to take the quiz at least once before each Friday in-person class. You can then retake to earn your best score. If you do not take the quiz at least one time prior to class, 0 points will be earned.  Expectations and policies Quality writing is essential to of all our assignments. So, you should make sure to go to the writing center with your homework to ensure you don’t lose points just because of your writing, which includes spelling, grammar, and proper syntax.  We will use the basic structure of the Pyramid Principle, which will be reviewed and reinforced in class.  Additional guides:

• Do not use 1^st,  2^nd, or 3^rd person
• Write in complete sentences
• Structure bullets properly, e.g. no periods
• All bullets will be ten words or less
• Grammar, syntax, and spelling matter
• Properly structure arguments, e.g. follow the Pyramid Principle

Citations will follow the American Psychological Association (APA) style of documentation. Purdue OWL is a great resource for all kinds of citation approaches. The APA directory can be found here.

In-class technology: Laptops, tablets, and mobile devices can be tools of productivity, acceleration, and force multiplication. We will exploit their appropriate use throughout class. This means “devices-down” except when we’re specifically addressing a problem, engaging in a poll, or conducting research – in other words, only direct, class-related use of technology will be permitted.

Punctuality and Attendance: If you’re on-time, you’re late. We start promptly at the appointed time. We engage in group discussions, snap quizzes, and mini-projects. Please be respectful to your class colleagues and attend class on-time.