Problem Solving

Course Objectives:
This course prepares students to use decision making and problem solving processes within organizations utilizing logical and creative problem solving techniques. Application of theory is provided by experiential activities such as small group discussions, case studies and the use of other managerial decision aids.

Course Text: Analyzing Performance Problems by Robert F. Mager and Peter Pipe, 3rd edition, CEP Press

Course Expectations: This is a college level course and you will, therefore, be expected to uphold established college standards as outlined in the most recent Odessa College Bulletin. Your final grade will be based upon a combination of the following factors:

Preparedness
Purposeful participation in the classroom discussion
Ability to relate and apply the concepts discussed in the course
Scores on exams, projects, and other assignments
Score on final exam

Note that preparedness and purposeful participation are the first two elements of the grading criteria. This is not strictly a lecture course. Students will be required to actively participate in the discussions, both individually and in assigned groups. You cannot participate if you are not present in class, and purposeful participation is difficult to achieve if you are not prepared. If you must be absent, please contact your instructor before the absence if possible or as soon after the missed class as possible to make arrangements for missed assignments. This is your responsibility.

The instructor's office hours and phone numbers are listed above. Please do not hesitate to utilize this time to discuss any course-related topic.

Grade Determination: Grades will be determines according to the following formula:
Participation 33.3%
Assignments 33.3%
Final Exam 33.3%

Participation: Points will be earned for each class period.

Assignments: Each assignment has a due date. Assignments should be completed and turned in by the due date. Points will be deducted for late work.

Management students should be aware that a grade of a “C” or better is necessary to meet the degree or certificate requirements.

The instructor's office hours and phone numbers are listed above. Please do not hesitate to utilize this time to discuss any course-related topic.

Student E-mail: If you have not already accessed your Odessa College Student E-mail, please follow the link to set up your account: http://www.odessa.edu/dept/it/studentemail.htm. The mail system is located at http://mail.live.com and features spam protection, antivirus protection, and a 2 gig mailbox. Your username will be your first initial last initial and your id number minus any leading zeros. Example: Jane Doe with ID 0123456 would have a login of jd123456@students.odessa.edu. Your password will be: oc+last4social. Any assignments or correspondence will be submitted using your Odessa College email.

Objective of the Management Department: The primary object of the management program is to prepare each student for full time employment in supervision. The management program is not intended to serve as preparatory work toward a baccalaureate degree. Students planning to pursue a four-year degree should consult the upper level institution of their choice regarding transferability of courses.

Department Web site: http://www.odessa.edu/dept/management/

Management Department Philosophy: Marketing is the core of all business practices - from the mom and pop neighborhood store to Fortune 500 companies. To help students understand this broad based concept, the following acronym has been created by Sue Jones and Connie Nichols, instructors in the Management Department of Odessa College:

M - managing
A - all
R - resources,
K - knowledge and
E - efforts
T - toward
I - intentionally
N- navigating
G – gains

Learning Contract
Each student is expected to make a commitment to learn.

On this day, _________________________ I, ______________________________ commit to learn.

Information regarding student support services, academic dishonesty, disciplinary actions, special accommodations, or student's and instructors' right to academic freedom can be found in the Odessa College Student Handbook.

Course Outline

Week	Dates		Assignments
1	8-26 8-28	Course Introduction Right Brain/Left Brain	Complete Assessment
2	9-2 9-4	The Power of Logic Introduction to Sudoku	Complete Number Puzzle 1 Number Puzzles 2 & 3 Read text
3	9-09 9-11	Problem Solving Defined	Be prepared to discuss the text
4	9-16/18	Hercules Welding Case Problem #1 Case Problems #2 & #3 Case Problems 4 & 5	Problem # 2
5	9-23/25		Problem # 3 & Problem # 4
6	9-30/10-2		Problem #5 Read Critical Thinking book
7	10-7/10-9	Critical Thinking Assignment Group Work	Prepare group presentation
8	10-14/-10-16	Group Presentations	Evaluate presentations
9	10-21/10-23	Apollo 13	Answer Apollo 13 questions Due 10-28-08
10	10-28/10-30	Creativity Video & discussion
11	11-04/11-06	Creativity Activities
12	11-11/11-13	Decision-Making Mindtools
13	11-18/11-20	Group Work
14	11-25 11-27	Group Work Thanksgiving Holiday
15	12-02/12-04	Final Presentations
16	12-09	Final Presentations

Holidays:
Labor Day: September 1, 2008
Last Day to Drop; November 12, 2008
Fall Graduation: December 12, 2008