UNIVERSITY OF GUJRAT

FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SCIENCES

I. COURSE INFORMATION

Course Name: Essentials of Management

Course Code: IT-203
Total Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisite: None
Co-requisite: None

II. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is an introductory course in management, for all business majors. It provides an overview of
management theories. Following that, management functions (i.e. Planning, Organizing,
Staffing, Leading and Controlling) and principles of management are covered. Contemporary
and evolving trends in management that have general applicability to all types of enterprises are
also covered. The course is crucial to enable students to function effectively as a manager in
today’s competitive market place and accomplish organizational goals. Besides, it introduces the
students to decision making process. The course comprises didactic lectures, class discussions,
small group activities, case studies, assignments, reviews of current management issues,
semester projects and presentations.

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, the students will be able to:

 Describe the basic management theories and concepts.

 Comprehend and explain the roles and functions of managers at various organizational
levels.
 Analyze and apply the main managerial functions: planning, organizing, staffing, leading
and controlling, and the practice of management in contemporary organizations.
 Apply knowledge of managerial practices to case studies.
 Recognize challenges in the achievement of good managerial performance, and apply
knowledge of managerial practices, critical thinking and problem solving skills to abreast
these challenges.
 Work as productive member of a Management Team.
 Best present their employer organization in any organizational conference

IV. LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course helps students in developing the following competencies:

  An ability to comprehend and use of management functions, principles, theories and
other techniques to gain high organizational performance
 A proficiency to use the fundamental concepts of management for effective and efficient
work in organization
 An ability to identify problems, plan and implement appropriate solutions
 An ability to transform ideas into words and communicate those effectively
 Creative Thinking and Analytical skills
 An aptitude to work in teams with cooperation and commitment
 Understanding of emerging trends in management

V. COURSE CONTENTS

Course contents include, but are not limited to;

 Introduction of basic management theories, functions and principles.

 Understanding of managerial roles and responsibilities and description of organizational,
social and ethical dilemmas
 Planning and the process involved in decision making
 Basic elements involved in the function of organizing
 Human Resource Management
 Leadership and theories of motivation
 The process of controlling
 Case studies of different managerial dilemmas, and reviews of current managerial issues

VI. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Quizzes: 5%
Assignments: 5%
Case studies and class discussions 5%
Project and presentations 10%
Mid Term Examination 25%
Final Term Examination: 50%
Total: 100%

VII. TEXTBOOK

 Robbins, P, Stephen, & Coulter, Mary (2005) Management (9th ed.). New Jersey: Pearson
Education.

VIII. REFERENCE MATERIAL

 Bovee, L.C, Thill V.J , Wood. B. M. & Dovel. P. G. (2000) Management (International
ed.).USA: McGraw-Hill.
 Bartol,K,Tien,M, Matthews,G., & Martin,D (2004) Management (Enhanced
ed.).Australia: McGraw-Hill.

DETAILED COURSE OUTLINE

Week Topic
1st and 2nd Pioneering ideas in management
Historical background of management
Scientific and Administrative Theory
Quantitative and Behavioral Approach
The System and Contingency Approach
Group Assignment on a Case Study
3rd Introduction and overview of management
What is management?
Who are managers?
What do managers do?
What is an organization?
4rd Organizational culture and environment
Omnipotent and Symbolic views of management
The organization’s culture
The environment
Individual Assignment
5th Social Responsibility and Managerial Ethics
What is social responsibility?
Social responsibility and economic performance
The greening of management
Managerial ethics
Class discussion on advantages and disadvantages of adopting Social
Responsibility
6th Managerial Decision Making
The Decision Making Process
Types of organizational Problems and Decisions
Decision Making Conditions
Decision Making Approaches
Decision Making Styles
7th Presentation on Case Study
Class discussion on Current Management Issue
8th Mid Term
Foundations of planning
9th What is planning and why it is important?
How do managers plan?
How to establish goals and develop plans?
Assignment
Small group activity
10th Strategic Management
What is Strategic Management?
 The Importance of Strategic Management
The Strategic Management Process
Types of Organizational Strategies
Case Study and Presentation
11th Planning Tools and Techniques
Techniques for Assessing the Environment
Techniques for Allocating Resources
Class discussion on Emerging Trends in Management
12th Organizational structure and Design
Defining Organizational Structure
Organizational Design Decisions
Common Organizational Designs
Assignment
13th Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management Process
Human Resource Planning
Employee Performance Management
Small Group Activity
14th Understanding Groups and Teams
Explaining Work Group Behavior
Turning Groups into Effective Team
Project Presentation
15th Leading
Motivating Employees
Project Presentation
16th Foundations of Control
What is control and why is it important?
The control Process
Controlling for organizational process
Tools for controlling organizational performance
Project presentations
17th Preparation week
18th Final term Examination