BUS 2150 Fall 2025 Syllabus Notes

BUS 2150 explores foundational strategic management concepts with a focus on sustainability for business and stakeholders.
Practice integrated thinking across functions (e.g., accounting, finance, marketing, operations) and understand how these fit into firm-wide strategy.
Hands-on Capsim Foundation simulation to run a whole-enterprise business and apply course concepts.
Two essential parts: knowing (concepts from readings) and doing (application via Capsim simulation).

Partially flipped: readings outside class; in-class time for discussion, advanced content, and hands-on application.
Modality: in-person only; not recorded unless announced; Brightspace is the course hub.
Expectation: attend all classes, complete readings beforehand, and actively participate.

Textbook: West, P. Strategic Management: Value Creation, Sustainability, and Performance, 8th Ed. (electronic copy recommended).
Coursepack: Harvard Business School Publishing, BUS 2150 Fall 2025 Gove’s Course Sections.
Capsim Foundation simulation: accessed via Capsim (registration fee paid); activation instructions provided by instructor.
Supplemental materials posted on Brightspace.

Three phases:
1) Phase 1: Registration & Individual Rehearsal Tutorial (3 rounds, individual; build foundation and prepare for the Rules & Parameters Quiz).
2) Phase 2: Team Preliminary Rounds (team-based practice; contributes to 3% of course grade).
3) Phase 3: Team Competition Rounds (eight-year simulated horizon; team performance is a major grade component).
Roles within teams recommended (CEO, VP of Marketing/R&D/Production, etc.) with joint coordination for finance and intelligence.
Regular decisions must be uploaded before due dates to avoid penalties.

The course uses a mix of team-based and individual components totaling 100%. Major emphasis is on Capsim simulation performance, with several supporting assignments and exams.
Team Components (Capsim-related):
- Competition Rounds performance (overall team score)
- Preliminary Rounds performance
- Foundation Team Charter Activity
- Round 5 Strategic Analysis
- Peer evaluations (informal weight; used to adjust final outcome in some cases)
Individual Components:
- Course Day Quizzes (best 7 of ~10; open-note, 15 minutes each)
- Post-Ups (best 7 of ~10; open-note options)
- Capsim Foundation Rules & Parameters Quiz (required; date in block exam period)
- Exams: Exam #1 and Exam #2 (block exam period, remote, open-note)
- Participation & Contribution (in-class engagement and collaboration)
Final grade is rounded to the nearest tenth; potential curve at instructor’s discretion based on overall performance and contribution.

Foundation Quiz: Foundation Rules & Parameters Quiz (calendar date in block exam period).
Exams: two exams covering all course materials up to the exam dates; remote administration; open-note/open-book with time limits and no backtracking.
Quizzes: Course Day Quizzes are time-limited, taken individually, open-note, open-book; best 7 of the available quizzes count toward the grade.
Post-Ups: written/quiz-based assignments; best 7 count toward the grade.
Foundation Team Charter Activity: team-delivered documentation of roles and charter; used to guide team collaboration.
Round 5 Strategic Analysis: team-furnished analysis focusing on strategic insights from the simulation.
Peer Evaluations: two peer evaluations conducted during the semester; non-submission can affect the grade; late or missing evaluations can reduce score.

Regular attendance and active participation are expected; professional conduct is emphasized.
Participation can influence final grade margins; lack of participation or disruption can affect evaluations.
If you miss class, obtain notes from peers and contact the instructor with specific questions.
Professional behavior includes timely communication, meeting deadlines, and respectful interactions.

Availability: Instructor office hours and appointments available for course help.
Late/Missed Assignments: Late or partial submissions receive zero unless extensions are granted for extraordinary, pre-approved circumstances.
Extensions: Granted only under extraordinary circumstances and with advance notice and documentation.
Submissions: Attach all required documents in Brightspace; accepted formats are .pdf, .docx, .xlsx, .pptx; links to remote storage are not accepted.
Quizzes & Exams: No makeups unless excused in advance; missed quizzes/exams result in zero unless an approved absence is provided.
AI policy: Generative AI tools may be used for learning but not for graded work unless explicitly allowed; all AI use must be disclosed with prompts and evaluation approach.
Grading disputes: You have 2 weeks to dispute a grade in writing; grades are reviewed and can go up, down, or stay the same.

Foundation registration deadline: 9:59 pm on Sept 5 (drop risk if not activated).
Exam #1: Oct 16, 6:00–8:00 pm (block exam period).
Foundation Rules & Parameters Quiz: Oct 2 (during common evening block exam period).
Peer Evaluation #1: due by Oct 3, 9:59 pm.
Peer Evaluation #2: due by Dec 1, 9:59 pm.
Exam #2: Dec 4, 6:00–8:00 pm (block exam period).
Block exam period notes: evenings 6–8 pm; ensure timely submission to avoid penalties.

Brightspace as central hub for course materials and guidance.
Office hours: Tue/Thu 2:45–4:15 pm (by appointment for additional times).
Health & wellbeing: follow UVM health guidelines; contact CAPS or Dean of Students if needed.
Academic integrity: adhere to UVM Code of Academic Integrity; report concerns through proper channels.

Prepare for each Capsim round by analyzing your company, competitors, and environment before the due date.
Share concise summaries and recommended actions with teammates after each round (3–5 bullet points, 1/2 page max).
Plan quizzes and post-ups ahead of their deadlines; seven best scores count, so prioritize high-performing attempts.
Use initial rehearsal rounds to align roles and sharpen decision-making before team rounds.
Review the Foundations Guide and key readings (Five Forces, Value Chain, Resource-Based View) to anchor simulation decisions.

Capsim Foundation: one integrated business simulation used for learning and assessment.
Foundation Team Charter: initial team agreement outlining roles, governance, and collaboration norms.
Post-Up: guided post-class assignments that reinforce and review concepts.
Customer Survey Score: a key metric in the foundation analysis (defined in course materials).
Resource-Based View (RBV): strategic lens covered in the course for evaluating internal capabilities.