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School of Management
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
BA 4308.5U1 ▪ SUMMER 2009
Instructor: Ms. Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles Class Meeting: Wednesdays 6:00-10:00 PM
Office: SOM 4.205 Classroom: SOM 2.112
Office Hours: Wed 4:30-6:00 PM
Office Phone: (972) 883-6268
Email: erinmiles@utdallas.edu*
*During times outside of office hours, the preferred method of contact for this course is through WebCT.
I check WebCT regularly and will reply to any questions or concerns that may arise.
Please use email and phone contact only under urgent circumstances.
COURSE PREREQUISITES
There are no prerequisites for this course. Course participants are not expected to have a formal business
or management background.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides a broad-based introduction to entrepreneurship. Course activities will include
evaluating commercial potential of opportunities and business ideas; researching markets and competition;
learning how to acquire resources (financing the start-up); and ultimately developing a business plan.
Participants in the course will explore the mindset, realities, and real-world methods associated with the
process of launching a new enterprise. Whether you simply wish to learn more about entrepreneurship or
desire to launch an enterprise, the course will provide the know-how and the tools to be more effective in
the entrepreneurial process. This is an interactive, and a team-based course that will permit groups of
students to develop portions of a business plan. There are individual assignments, but a significant portion
of the course is team-based, where you will jointly propose and investigate starting a new venture
opportunity.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Hisrich, Robert D., Peters, Michael A., and Shepherd, Dean A. 2007. Entrepreneurship 7th
Edition: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0073210560. (Available at UTD Bookstore and OffCampus Books).
These assignments, their due dates, and their relative weight in determining your final grade are
summarized in the table below:
Team or Grading
Assignment Due Date Form
Individual Weight
Team selected and rosters submitted to instructor 6/3 Team Memo N/A
IA#1. Individual opportunity analysis, business ideas Bulleted
6/3 Individual 5%
description submitted to team and instructor Outline
BP#1. Teams submit business ideas for approval 6/10 Team Memo N/A
Bulleted
IA#2. Patent analysis 6/17 Individual 5%
Outline
BA#2a. Group paper: business plan pitch (business Bulleted
6/24 Team 15%
concept summary and industry analysis) Outline
BP#2b. Group presentation 6/24 Team Presentation 5%
Grading Scale:
A+ = 100+ A = 94-99 A- = 90-93
B+ = 87-89 B = 84-86 B- = 80-83
C+ = 77-79 C = 74-76 C- = 70-73
D+ = 67-69 D = 64-66 D- = 60-63
F = Below 60
COURSE OUTLINE**
CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS/
WEEK TOPIC
READINGS DELIVERABLES
Financial Plan
7: July 8th Chapters 10-12 ----------------
Sources of Capital
12: Aug 12th FINAL EXAM DUE (8, 10-12, 17) ----------------
**This course schedule is not absolute. While every effort will be made to follow the schedule as listed, changes
may be made as needed. It is the student’s responsibility to track changes that are announced.
COURSE GUIDELINES
SELF-INTRODUCTION
Each student should post a Self-Introduction in the Discussion area of WebCT prior to or directly
following the first class. Guidelines are provided on the WebCT Discussion page. This information will
assist in the formation of groups for the course.
TEAM FORMATION
Much of the work in this course will be performed in teams (4-5 members). The team members will be
collectively responsible for completing each of the Team Project assignments listed in this syllabus. The
grades earned on Team Projects will be assigned equally to each group member, subject to adjustment
based on peer evaluation (see peer evaluation information below).
Students will have the opportunity to select their teams up to 5 members and those without teams will be
assigned to teams by the instructor. The projects require a wide range of knowledge including some
knowledge of finance and accounting. Therefore, it is important that you select your teams to include a
diverse set of skills. A typed list of the members, including the designated team captain,
contact information for each group member (with name, email and telephone) should be
submitted to the instructor at the end of class on June 3, 2009.
LECTURE NOTES
The PowerPoint slides used in lectures and certain other course materials will be available on WebCT
(http://webct.utdallas.edu) under course ID BA 4308. You should be able to access WebCT with your
UTD ID and password. Call computer services at (972) 883-2911 if you need assistance.
CLASS COMMUNICATION:
WebCT: Class notes, the syllabus, and other relevant course-related materials will be posted on WEBCT.
You may download this material from the website. In addition, you are advised to check your messages
on WEBCT frequently, and prior to each class session. This will be the main way of disseminating any
messages or instructions relating to the course.
Contacting the Instructor: Faculty has been requested to state in their syllabi that a new university policy
to protect student privacy has been established. This policy states that faculty is not required to answer
student emails unless they come from a UTD email account. Therefore, you are advised to contact me via
WebCT email from your own WebCT account. This is the best way to get in touch.
Common Courtesy: You are expected to be courteous during class time. Please respect your fellow
students by turning off cell phones and beepers before class, refraining from talking with others when
someone is speaking, and arriving punctually to class. Also, note that laptop usage during class is
prohibited, unless authorized by the instructor for certain class exercises.
Identification of Assignments. All submitted assignments should be identified as follows: (a) a header on
each page of the paper or spreadsheet should include the course designation, the assignment number, and the
team name.
Format. Written assignments must be submitted in MS Word, Excel or PowerPoint format, as
appropriate. All written assignments and PowerPoint presentation slides are to be submitted in both
hard copy and soft copy (electronic form). Each paper submitted should be in professional form. The
use of charts and exhibits is encouraged, to the extent that they help you make your points. Cover pages,
charts or exhibits, and lists of references will not be included in the page count. Charts and exhibits should
be numbered and appropriately referenced in the body of the document. References should be attached as
required. The written assignments should use 12-point type, single-spaced, with 1” margins all around.
The original copy of the individual assignment, team project and PowerPoint presentation will be kept on
file and will not be returned. The written assignments must be submitted to the instructor via email
and hard copy prior to the beginning of class period either at the instructor’s office or in the
classroom, on the date they are due. Due to the nature of the assignments and the discussion and
presentations taking place on the days assignments are due, late assignments will not be accepted. Team
assignments are to be submitted by the team captain. The team captain will receive the grade results for
the assignment and will be responsible for sharing that feedback with the other members of the team.
TEAM PROJECTS
As mentioned above, a team project focused on the identification and analysis of a new business
opportunity will comprise a major part of the course. This project is intended to a preliminary business
plan for a venture and is detailed below.
created by the group. A viable entrepreneurial opportunity is one that brings something new, valuable,
innovative and difficult to imitate to the market and creates a position where the industry forces (supplier
power, buyer power, barriers to entry, substitutes and rivalry) are favorable to the new venture. New
ventures that go head to head with established firms in crowded markets are not recommended.
Once a business idea is selected and approved, it is then developed into a business plan by the team during
the semester. Accordingly, each team will first “pitch” their idea to the other teams in the class and second
make a formal presentation at the end of the semester.
BP#2a: Paper—Summary of business (description of new venture) & industry analysis
This paper should be 6 to 12 pages in length and should be in outline format as much as possible. The
first section of this paper should provide a description of the business concept and its products or services
and why they are unique or special. Particular emphasis should be placed on the competitive advantage of
your new venture. The second section should discuss the unmet needs of the market that the products or
services are providing and the customers being targeted. The third section should provide a detailed
overview and analysis of the industry in which the venture will operate. The Industry analysis section will
include future outlook and trends, analysis of overall industry, market needs, the opportunity and
associated unmet needs your product or service fulfills along with industry forecasts. The fourth section
will provide a description of the objectives (short term and long term) of the company. Evaluate the
feasibility and attractiveness of the business idea or concept using the Checklist in the teaching note and
the Sections noted above and the concepts and frameworks provided in the text. The paper is due at the
beginning of class on July 1st, and should be ready to “pitch”.
Team member participation in group projects (individual peer evaluation by team members)
• A peer evaluation of the respective individual team members will be utilized to adjust individual
grades on all group assignments (maximum range of +/- 30% of the group grade). The peer evaluation
form attached to this syllabus will be completed individually and turned in by each team member as
part of each team project assignment. Two individual peer evaluation forms will be turned in during
the semester (associated with BP#2&3). Peer evaluations should also include attendance in class and
at team meetings.
• ALL groups will multiply the number of people in their group by 100 points and assign the total
points among the members. All members must receive between 80 and 120 (per evaluator) points.
Each member's individual grade on the assignment will be determined by multiplying the group
grade on the assignment by their total peer points (including their own rating) divided by 100 times
the number of people in their group.
EXAMPLE:
Group Grade = 80/100, four students
Student A - total peer ratings = 440
Individual Grade = 80 X 1.1 = 88
Student B - total peer ratings = 360
Individual Grade = 80 X.9 = 72
Students C and D - total peer ratings = 400
Individual Grade = 80 X 1.0 = 80
• All of us have been on teams where someone did not contribute fully but expected the same grade as
those making strong contributors. Fairness will prevail. Individual grades for each group project and
presentation will be computed based on the team score for each project with allowances for team peer
evaluations that each team member receives. Therefore, strong contribution to projects, regular
attendance in class and at team meetings, and collaborative, cooperative and friendly attitudes
are essential for optimal grading. See the attached student peer evaluation form with example form.
Students will not directly grade (A, B, etc.) one another but will provide the instructor with feedback
(with peer evaluation forms) as to the percentage of contribution of each member on a base of 100%.
Individual grades may be lowered by the instructor given poor peer evaluations.
• As mentioned, peer evaluations are due with each major project or report. Failure to complete a peer
evaluation can result in reduction in grade. Evaluations will be kept confidential. The team is
accountable for warning any student who is in danger of receiving a failing peer evaluation. Failure of
a team to warn a team member in a timely manner as described may invalidate negative ratings.
Interim evaluations may be completed at any time during the semester and submitted to the instructor
as a means of identifying a problem with a team member. At that time, the instructor will talk with all
parties involved to determine what course of action may need to be taken. Please do not be afraid to
discuss these problems with the instructor early on. Warnings as to failure on peer evaluations most
often reverses a negative course of action on the part of a team member. Please handle individual team
member issues with proper care, courtesy and diplomacy.
Students dropped from teams, with approval from the instructor, will be required to complete a group project
on their own. Other options include dropping or failing the course.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
E-mail Policy
Email Use The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students
through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email
exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that
faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to
maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information.
UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of
Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers.
Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: The
University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22 PO Box 830688 Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY).
Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the
basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog
guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an
oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in
accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.
It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students
with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special
accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.
Student Conduct & Discipline
The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of
their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations
which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A
to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year.
The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process.
Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI,
Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).
A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state,
and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating
the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such
conduct.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends
upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of
individual honor in his or her scholastic work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a
degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own.
As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic
records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from
portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on
plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible
plagiarism.
Withdrawal from Class
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in
that semester’s course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student’s responsibility to handle withdrawal
requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you
will not receive a final grade of ”F” in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.
Student Grievance Procedures
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating
Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it
is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee
with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called ”the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for
assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent
with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student
may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a
written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel.
The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to
assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.
Use this form to evaluate the level of contribution of yourself and group members on the team project.
1. First, write each team member’s name in the space provided (please do so alphabetically, last name fist).
2. Second, assign a score between 80 and 120 for each team member that reflects your perception as to the grade
they should receive on this project.
3. And finally, offer comments (if desired) to explain your reasoning of the grade you assigned (and because self-
evaluation is important in the learning process – make sure to place an * next to your name and assign
yourself a score as well. As a guideline, suggested comment topics are provided below.
Finally, you should know that this document will be held in strict confidence by the instructor but if need be, some
evaluation comments may be referred to in student-instructor conferences (with evaluator’s name withheld).
Suggested comment topics: level of labor / thinking contribution, attitude toward the assignment/each other,
would like to work with this person again, pulled their own weight, etc.
2) _____________________________
Project Grade _____
3) _____________________________
Project Grade _____
4) _______________________________
Project Grade _____
5) _______________________________
Project Grade _____
6) _______________________________
Project Grade _____