Instructor: Ross E. Robson
Assistant: Jacob Raymer
Office: West wing of Merrill Library RM 210B
Phone: 797-2279 or 797-8270
Email:
Website: partnersusu.org
 
Required Reading Material
 
The World Is Flat: a brief history of the twenty-first century
Thomas L. Friedman
ISBN: 978-0-374-29288-1
(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/102-8071301-4003307
Buy new: $16.50, Used & new from $14.41, usually ships in 24 hours)
 
A. Course Offering
  This one credit course allows students to gain credit for their participation in Partners in Business seminars and the Dean’s CEO Convocation. Although intended for seniors in the College of Business, it is available for all students of the university. Successful completion of the course is a requirement for graduation in the College of Business.
 
B. Purpose
  The purpose of this course is to encourage students to become involved in and take advantage of the valuable opportunities presented by the Partners in Business seminars and the Dean’s CEO Convocation. Students can enhance their classroom education by correlating what is occurring in the world of business with their textbook studies. This is an excellent chance to learn about the latest business developments, techniques, and methodologies from leading practitioners in a variety of disciplines. Participation in this course also gives students the opportunity to improve business interaction skills and establish contacts with future employers for internship and post-graduation placement.
 
C. Requirements
  1. Attend ONE course orientation meeting. Choose from the following dates:
 
    Date Location Time
  Wednesday August 31 B216 12:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m.
  Friday September 2 B216 12:30 a.m. - 1:20 p.m.
 
  2. Attend a total of SEVEN Partners In Business SESSIONS (individual speaker) from a minimum of two different seminars.
 
 

Attend a total of seven Partners in Business sessions (individual speaker) from a minimum of two different seminars. Seminars are held in the Eccles Conference Center. Specific programs for each seminar detailing speakers, topics, times, and room numbers will be available in 210B, in the west wing of the Merrill Library, one week prior to each seminar or are available on the web at partnersusu.org. The seminar schedule for this semester is listed below:
 
Operational Excellence September 21-22, 2005
Intermountain Accounting October 13, 2005
Customer Service & Marketing November 9-10, 2005
Women In Business December 8, 2005
 
 
 
  3. Attend the DEAN'S CEO CONVOCATION LECTURES (there are three of these) as scheduled below:
 
  Attend the Dean’s CEO Convocation lectures (there are three of these) as scheduled below. The Dean’s CEO Convocation brings Aggie alumni who are prominent CEO’s or Presidents back to campus to meet with students.

  Fall 2005 Schedule: 12:30-1:20 p.m., George S. Eccles Business Building Rm. 215
  September 30 James Judd, President & COO of World Savings
  October 7 Charlie Denson, President of Nike Brand
  November 11 James Quigley, CEO of Deloitte & Touche, LLP
 
  4. Complete one report form for each Seminar Speaker and Each of the Convocation Speaker as Follows:
 
 

7 Partners In Business Sessions
3 Deans Convocation Speakers
10 Total Reports
 
  5. Write a 4-5 page report as follows:
 
• One page overview and summary of the book The World Is Flat
• One page critical evaluation (what you did and didn't agree on) in the book The World Is Flat
• 2-3 page analysis of how The World Is Flat relates to the 10 speakers from Partners In Business presentations and the Convocation presentations. Identify 4 main issues for analysis.
 
  6. Attend one of the two debrief sessions of the Book. Business Building Rm. 215
 
  December 7, 2005 12:30 – 1:20
  December 9, 2005 12:30 – 1:20
 
  Paper & Report forms will be due on Friday, December 9, 2005 before 5:00 p.m. Please keep copies of your reports. Turn in all your completed papers and reports, stapled together, to the CEO Center (second floor of the Business Bldg. Rm 309).
 
 
D. Grading and Completion of Course
  The course is offered on a pass/fail basis only. A passing grade will be awarded upon timely completion of the following:
 
1. Verified attendance at all Partners In Business sessions from a minimum of two different seminars.
2. Verified attendance at three Dean’s CEO Convocation Lecture series.
3. Ten completed seminar report forms.
4. Completed Critical review paper of The World Is Flat.
 
E. Incomplete Grades
  Incomplete (IF) grades will be given only in accordance with university policy. In some cases a student may not be able to complete all of the assignments due to extenuating circumstances. These would include (a) incapacitating illness, (b) death in the immediate family, (c) financial responsibilities requiring a student to alter his or her course schedule to secure employment, (d) change in work schedule as required by an employer, or (e) other emergencies of this nature. Documentation of the circumstances cited to justify an incomplete grade is required.
 
  The course is offered on a pass/fail basis only. A passing grade will be awarded upon timely completion of the following:
 
1. Verified attendance at all Partners In Business sessions from a minimum of two different seminars.
2. Verified attendance at three Dean’s CEO Convocation Lecture series.
3. Ten completed seminar report forms.
4. Completed Critical review paper of The World Is Flat.
 
F. Comfortable Learning Environment
 

USU and your instructor are committed to maintaining an inoffensive, non-threatening learning environment for every student. Class members (including the instructor) are to treat each other with respect. Offensive humor and aggressive personal advances are specifically forbidden. If you feel uncomfortable with a personal interaction in class, see your instructor for help in solving the problem. Utah State University and USU's Affirmative Action Office are also willing to help as needed.

If a student has a disability that will likely require some accommodation by the instructor, the student must contact the instructor and document the disability through the Disability Resource Center. In cooperation with Disability Resources, course material may be provided in alternative formats such as large print, audio, diskette, or braille.