Man in the Arena
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man
stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to
the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and
blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because
there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great
enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at
the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the
worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never
be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910
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CLASS:
MEETINGS:
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
EMAIL:
HOURS:
TEXT:
CALCULATOR:
MIS 301——Statistical Analysis for Business, Fall 2015
TH 19:00 – 21:40, SHW 011
Kelly Shaul, JD, MSBA
SSE 2428
kshaul@mail.sdsu.edu
TTH 11:00 – 13:30, TH 17:00 – 18:30, and by appointment
Business Analytics & Statistical Methods by James Beatty
HP-17B-II+
COURSE PURPOSE: Data, variation, and chance are not only inevitable in
markets and industry, but they are prevalent. Consequently, companies
require statistically literate executives. The purpose of this course
is to help students understand data, variation, and chance, so they
might be successful leaders in the business world.
BSBA Program Goals: BSBA students will graduate being:
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Effective Communicators
Critical Thinkers
Able to Analyze Ethical Problems
Global in their perspective
Knowledgeable about the essentials of business
MIS 301 contributes to these goals through its student learning
outcomes. At the end of this course students should be able to:
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Use data from a sample to make inferences about a population.
Apply probability theory in decision making situations.
Formulate hypotheses for decision making and research.
Analyze data using appropriate statistical techniques.
Interpret the results of statistical analysis.
Present statistical results using graphics, text, and the
spoken word.
Use data analytic software to create visualizations and
summary reports of data.
SCOPE & LIMITS: Through the use of real business examples, textbook
problems, and computer projects this course will assist students in:
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Recognizing business areas where statistics have an impact
Evaluating variation in data-loaded business events
Understanding various statistical tools and testing methods
Testing and analyzing of data using computer software
Understanding and using statistical terminology
Bridging statistics to other business courses and practices
Appreciating business improvement through statistical methods
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COURSE METHODOLOGY: Assigned instructional time will be comprised of
lectures, problem sets, and testing. Lectures will track designated
text readings either directly or indirectly through the use of
business examples taken from recent events. Questions and comments are
welcomed and encouraged.
ASSIGNMENTS: Prior to each exam students will be assigned a Stat Pack.
Said assignments are computer based and are intended supplement and
broaden one’s understanding of the statistical concepts covered in
class. Each is self contained, that is, it will include the facts,
data, and step-by-step instructions to complete the assignment.
TESTS: Tests are multiple choice, with four answer stems (A-B-C-D).
You will have about 90 seconds per question. Tests are NOT cumulative;
however, some fundamental concepts carry over into latter material.
I expect you to take your exams when scheduled. If you have a valid
reason for needing to reschedule an exam speak with me in person at
the earliest possible time you learn of the conflict and I will try to
accommodate you. There are no make-up exams.
You must take the Final (Test 3) during your assigned time, unless you
have a compelling unforeseeable emergency. So check the Final Schedule
before making any plans. The Final date and time is posted on the SDSU
website: www.sdsu.edu, Academic Calendar, Final Exam Schedule.
GRADING: Students will receive a final letter grade based upon the
University’s grading scale: A, A-, B+, B, B-, etc. (C = 72%+)
There will be a total of 6 graded events.
No.
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2
3
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Graded Event
Stat Pack 1
Test 1
Stat Pack 2
Test 2
Stat Pack 3
Test 3 (Final)
Total
Percent of Total Grade
2%
25%
3%
30%
5%
35%
100%
If you complete all 3 Stat Packs —— on time and for the full points ——
I will add 2 bonus points to your OVERALL grade.
Test 3 is the Final and will be given during the two-hour Universityassigned period. The Final date and time can be found at www.sdsu.edu,
Academic Calendar, by clicking on the Final Exam Schedule tab.
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POLICY ISSUES:
Attendance: I expect you to attend class. If you do not attend class
regularly you place yourself in jeopardy of losing any and all
possible bonus points.
Class Preparation: Reading assignments will be given each week for the
upcoming week. As with most worthwhile endeavors, your success in this
class will greatly depend on your preparation. Read assigned material
prior to class.
Class Participation: I expect you to participate: raise questions,
provide answers, and add insight and/or humor.
Textbook: There are 2 copies of the text on reserve in the Reserve
Room of the library. They are provided for the use of all students, so
use a copier machine/photo shot and not an X-acto knife! Answers to
end-of-the-chapter questions are located in Appendix A.
Blackboard: A copy of this syllabus is posted on Blackboard in the
designated area. Chapter readings will be posted on the announcement
page and Stat Packs will be available for download at appropriate
times. Feel free to use the student discussion board to post course
related questions to your colleagues and to keep up with material you
might have missed. Stat Pack scores and test grades, except for your
final exam grade, will be posted on Blackboard. Your final overall
class grade will be posted on webgrades.
Academic Dishonesty: Executive Order 969, issued by the Office of the
Chancellor, compels me to report any incident of academic dishonesty.
While academic dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism as would be
expected, it is much broader and includes “other forms of academic
dishonesty intended to gain unfair academic advantage.”
If you are caught cheating you will receive an F and be recommended
for expulsion from the College of Business.
HELPFUL HINTS: In no particular order, the following is offered with
the aim of ensuring your success in this class:
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A good set of notes will go a long way.
Review your class notes regularly.
Keep up with the reading.
Quickly become comfortable with your calculator.
Come to class prepared.
Be an active learner.
Make friends with a class colleague.
Understand that this is not a math course.
My office hours are your office hours.
See me at the first sign of doubt and/or trouble.
Enjoy the process as much as or more than the end goal.
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Schedule
Month
Week
Thursday
August
1
Introduction and Chapter 2
September
2
Chapter 3
September
3
Chapter 4
September
4
Chapter 6 and Chapter 7
Test 1
September
5
October
6
Chapter 8 and Chapter 14
October
7
Chapter 9
October
8
Chapter 10
October
9
Review
Test 2
October
10
November
11
Chapter 12
November
12
Chapter 13
November
13
Chapter 15
Thanksgiving
November
14
December
15
Chapter 16
December
16
Chapter 17/18
December
17
Final’s Week
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Philosophy of Teaching and Learning: Teaching does not stand apart
from learning. Neither is a distinct activity. Teaching and learning
are like the leading edges of a knife, and as we hone the blade of
teaching/learning -- in the asking and answering, thinking and
rethinking, and evaluating and re-evaluating -- we sharpen our
knowledge, and in turn our very essence.
To do so we must be actively involved. We must be willing to ask
questions and volunteer answers. We must be willing to have our
thinking challenged and re-challenged as we analyze, evaluate, and
respond. Such a process requires us to be responsible to ourselves and
for each other. Engaged in this manner, we can become creative and
critical thinkers, articulate and persuasive speakers, and fair and
just human beings.
Therein lies the quintessence of teaching/learning: discovering within
ourselves the force and means in which to enrich our lives and in turn
the lives of others. Consequently, from within the four walls of this
classroom I hope you will grasp not only the statistical content of
the course, but, perhaps in some small way, the unique opportunity you
are in the midst of creating.
A FINAL NOTE: Instructor retains all rights to modify any or all
portions of the syllabus without notice.
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