Participation   100 points

Twelve 50 point case assignments will be given. Of these the lowest two scores will be dropped. Alternatively a student can choose to can count all 12 cases and not do the final case. The maximum value of late assignments will decrease by 20 percent for each work day they are late. Homework is late after the time I collect it in class. If you will not be in class, turn it in to me or to my Secretary (Robbie Swanger, 201 Armsby) before class or send it in with a classmate. If you give your assignment to Robbie or another person in Armsby building, hand it to that person, and ask that it be given to me.  Do not just leave it on Robbie's desk. Alternatively send it to me via e-mail  ( jwd6@psu.edu ).  E-mail submissions are subject to the same timetable.

The quality of your exposition is an important indicator of the quality of your thinking. Please check your grammar and spelling.   When reading these assignments I look for consistency with the problem, quality of the reasoning, and reasonableness of the solution provided.  The case-grading criteria are found here.

Attendance is an essential part of this course. Without a textbook, it will be difficult to learn the material without coming to class. Furthermore, participation in discussion will help you learn the material. Lastly, your grade is partly dependent on your participation. I encourage you to come, pay attention, and participate.  My scoring for participation involves a daily score.  Each day I see who is there and mark that.  After class I assign a number, either 0, 1, or 2 for each student.  A score of 0 is given for being absent, sleeping, coming to class unprepared, or for being obviously unengaged otherwise.  A score of 1 is for present and paying attention.  A score of 2 is for present, engaged, and if there is a discussion, trying to make meaningful comments to help further everyone's understanding of the issue.  At the end of the semester, these scores are used to assign the 100 points of participation.  A logarithmic conversion of the points is done, so that one or two absences won't hurt the score, but multiple absences incur progressively higher penalties.  Similarly, a person need not feel obliged to talk every day, but a participating student would be expected to make a contribution regularly. A meaningful contribution will be rewarded. If you attend fewer than 65% of the classes a straight-line conversion will be used.

On  most days there will be discussion of an in-class case or one of the written cases.  These will help illustrate the material of the course.  In all instances the case will be on the web and you should have read the material before class.  In every period you should take the discussion seriously and try to understand how this helps solve the real-world business problems included in the case. You are expected to come prepared to discuss the case meaningfully.

Cell phones are not necessary for this class.  Therefore, if you have a cell phone it must be turned off during class.  Under no circumstances should it ring, should you be text messaging during class, or have it on vibrate and be checking your phone to see who is calling during class.  If you anticipate an emergency call, see me beforehand and I will make special arrangements. 

Course Web Site: http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/w/jwd6/AG BM 460/

A link is found on http://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/j/w/jwd6/