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Administrative Science 540, section 90 -- Diversity in the Organization [This is an online course]

Program Overview, Mission, and Objectives :: Homework & Schedule :: Assignments & Grading

Master of Arts, Administrative Science
This is an interdisciplinary program in the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences that emphasizes public sector and non-profit agency administration and leadership. The goal of the Master of Arts/Administrative Science is to provide educational and professional development for people employed in, or seeking employment and advancement to, leadership positions in the public or private sectors, such as those in criminal justice, human services, or public and non-profit agency administration and leadership, and for students of public affairs. The program is designed and primarily intended for those who have earned baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts, criminal justice, political science and other social sciences. Those who have earned degrees in other disciplines are welcome to apply. However, those seeking advanced training in business administration should consider the Master of Business Administration at SVSU.

Mission Statement
The Masters in Administrative Sciences Program produces value for the region, state, and society by preparing highly qualified and skilled public administrators who contribute to the betterment of a culturally diverse workplace and by providing intellectual and experiential opportunities that enrich the lives of people.

Objectives
The graduate of this program is expected to have demonstrated the following:

• The development of administrative skills and a mature sense of leadership. [Weekly responses & Discussions]
• A high level of personal and professional ethics. [Weekly responses]
• A substantial awareness of human values and behavior and of the individual's moral responsibility for the actions of organizations of which he or she is a part.  [Discussions]
• An understanding and mature appreciation of major elements of the social and political environment. [Weekly responses]
• Knowledge of contemporary methods of research and data analysis. [Seminar paper]
• Proficiency in written and oral expression. [Weekly responses & Discussions].

It is expected that each student, in every course, will progress toward the satisfaction of these six expectations and will work toward an integration of knowledge and experience.

If you need to contact me by e-mail at "fidallas@svsu.edu," the subject line should contain your last name, course and section number [for example, using my name the subject line would be: Dallas, MAS 540-90] to prevent your e-mail from being misplaced as possible spam.

Required Texts:

• Stockdale & Crosby, eds. The Psychology and Management of Workplace Diversity. Blackwell, 2004. ISBN 1405100966.
• Williams, Mark A. The 10 Lenses. Capital Books, 2001. ISBN 1892123592.
• Reynolds & Valentine. Guide to Cross-Cultural Communication. Pearson, 2004. ISBN 0130497843.

Other resources:

• Online student support webpage here
• Student Technology Center, 2nd Floor, Zahnow Library http://www.svsu.edu/library/stc/
• The Writing Center, Science East 123 http://www.svsu.edu/writingcenter/
• Research assistance at SVSU Zahnow Library here
• Information Technology Services @ SVSU here
• Evening Services here
• Graduate Programs here
• Your local public library *elsewhere*

Course weekly schedule:
Activities are DUE on the date indicated by the course schedule. Please review to plan your time wisely.

Notes
Class days: M=Monday; W=Wednesday; IC=in class; OL=online
Texts: GCCC=Guide to Cross-Cultural Communication; PMWD=Psychology and Management of Workplace Diversity; TL=10 (Ten) Lenses
Assignments: "Dallas01.rtf" sample name for assignments--you will replace my last name with your last name when turning in your assignments

Weekly responses for Psychology and Management of Workplace Diversity will be typed for this class. The top of the document should be formatted as such:

[your name]
MAS 540-90
Dr. Dallas
[date]

Then start your response by referencing the title of the appropriate chapter. (Please see n"Weekly responses" section below for specifics on responses.) The documents will be typed, single-spaced, with one-inch margins. Use Arial 12 point, Bookman Old Style 12 point, or Century Gothic 11 point fonts.

The weekly response is due by the following Sunday @ Noon each week a chapter from PMWD is assigned. Place your paper in the VSpace 'Assignments' section. You should name your file by this format: [lastname+assignment number], or "Dallas1.rtf" (Examples are listed in the assignment schedule above). Please ensure your original file has the same name, or change it in the Properties box in the document. Your paper should be saved as an RTF (rich text format) document, and not a DOC or WPD file.

For each day (or portion thereof) that your assignment is late, two (2) points will be deducted.

~~~> Don't get behind in the readings! It is more difficult to try to make them up later.

Weekly responses -- 10 responses of 5 points each; total of 50 points:
Your response to the assigned chapter is a one-page response. The first 2/3 of the paper should summarize the chapter, highlighting the main points made by the author(s). The final 1/3 should offer your commentary--such as offering your assessment of a specific discussion item in the chapter, or making connections to a similiar situation at the workplace. For each day or portion thereof that your response is late, two (2) points will be deducted.

Discussions -- leading (10 points) and participating (15 points) -- 25 points:
Each student will lead the discussion on a reading from The 10 Lenses. This means you are expected to prepare a discussion item for the message board, and actively engage in responding to the discussion on "the lens" in question, as the expert for that lens. Additionally, each student will be expected to contribute to the message board discussions. The specific message response format will be discussed in class. Minimum discussion will be reflected in minimum points.

Seminar paper -- 25 points:
This is an in-depth research project that reflects research in your field or your particular workplace. Research will be conducted to locate resources within your respective interests. A research paper that reflects the academic style will be written for this course. This paper will be a five- to seven-page document (single-spaced) that may use some visual graphics and figures, but is primarily a research venue for a topic of interest. Perhaps a weekly response triggers an interest in a particular topic. This paper will be an individual effort, but collaborative discussions and feedback on a draft will show how writing is always social in nature. You are expected to prepare a bibliography page that lists at least ten sources. A 200- to 250-word abstract of the paper will be shared in class.