How to Study for Online BA 7070
       
      Students in Prof. Spalding's online BA 7070 course will find the following study regimen to be extremely helpful in maximizing their achievement of the course objectives (as well as their attainment of a higher grade in the course).  These suggestions are presented with the understanding that the student's assumption of personal responsibility for her or his own intellectual development is the first step in doing well in this or any other graduate level college course.  These suggestions are also presented with the understanding that grades are based on the student's output (exams, discussion participation, etc.), and not on the student's input (level of effort, hours spent studying, etc.).  There are no short-cuts.

      Prior to Taking the Quiz, etc.

      Thorough preparation BEFORE working on your Discussion Board postings, taking the quiz, etc., is essential, both to understanding the materials, and doing well on quizzes and exams. Prior to starting the Discussion Board postings or doing any other tasks for a unit, the student should have, at a minimum, outlined the assigned materials (including chapter materials, assigned case(s), the readings following the cases at the end of each chapter, and any internet or other readings assigned in the Schedule of Assignments), read them, reviewed the lecture note outline from the course Blackboard site, carefully reviewed the Summary at the the end of the assigned chapter, and made handwritten notes of all of the above materials.
       
    • First, review Prof. Spalding's lecture introducing the unit, available on the Blackboard site for this course. As you do, have the lecture note outline in front of you, and annotate it by taking notes just as you would in a traditional classroom setting.
    • Second, prepare an outline of the assigned readings.  For chapter readings from the textbook, it is easiest to start with a skeleton outline derived from the text's detailed table of contents (or, better yet, starting with an outline comprised of the headings and subheadings of the chapter itself).  For other readings, develop your own outline of the material based on headings and subheadings.  These outlines, taken together, will comprise your study outline. Your study outline is best prepared in a looseleaf notebook format, because you will sometimes find yourself re-writing some pages, (including the insertion of pages containing extensive notes that augment your study outline).  On a separate piece of paper start a list of questions.
    • Third, actually read through the assigned readings, including assigned articles from recent issues of the Wall Street Journal. As you do, ask yourself how each reading relates to the subject matter of this course, and what ethical issues are being raised by each reading. Pay particular attention to the assigned chapter, and the assigned readings and cases, but also briefly peruse all of the readings and cases that are part of -- and that immediately follow -- the main chapter for that unit.  As you read through the materials, fill in your study outline with brief phrases and notations.  You might find that high-lighting, or underlining, materials in your text to be of help, but rewriting the essential material into your study outline will prove to be a more reliable aid to your study and memory efforts.  If you still do not understant  anything  from the readings, add to your list of questions, being sure to include the page number or other reference so that you can direct others to the specific item in question.
    • Fourth, review the Summary at the end of the assigned chapter from the textbook, to make sure that you fully understand point, and add notes to your study outline. Add to your list of questions as necessary (and cross out questions as you discover the answers while studying).
    • Fifth, go back over your notes from Prof. Spalding's introductory lecture.  Review your notes from that lecture (or review the lecture itself).  Re-write your unit notes into your study outline, and add any other material from Prof. Spalding's lecture note outline to your own study outline as appropriate. Add to your list of questions as necessary (and cross out questions as you discover the answers while studying). Once you have done this, if you have a "legal" question, try finding the answer on Lexis-Nexis Academic.  If you have an "ethical" question, raise your ethical question as part of your discussion on the Discussion Board. Be prepared to discuss your ethical questions with other students.
    • Sixth, prepare and submit your Discussion Board postings in response to the discussion questions, and thoughtfully participate in the discussion(s). Student comments are expected to be substantive in nature and to reference the assigned readings or other theoretical, empirical, or professional literature as appropriate. Use of the Turabian style is expected when referencing sources used in one's posting(s).  As you participate in Discussion Board discussions (especially those in reply to other students), keep the following in mind that Prof. Spalding is committed to open, frank, and insightful dialogue in all of his courses. Diversity has many manifestations, including diversity of thought, opinion, and values. Prof. Spalding encourages all students to be respectful of that diversity and to refrain from inappropriate commentary. Should such inappropriate comments occur, Prof. Spalding will intervene as he monitors the dialogue in the course, will require that inappropriate content be removed from the Discussion Board, and will recommend university disciplinary action. Students should be guided by common sense and basic etiquette. The following are good guidelines to follow:
      • Never post, transmit, promote, or distribute content that is known to be illegal.
      • Never post harassing, threatening, or embarrassing comments.
      • If you disagree with someone, respond to the subject, not the person.
      • Never post content that is harmful or abusive; racially ethnically, or religiously offensive; vulgar or sexually explicit; or otherwise potentially offensive.
    • Seventh (and only AFTER you have completed the first seven steps, above), take the Quiz (and, where appropriate, any scheduled  Survey that you have not yet taken) for the unit, on Blackboard. (You do not need to study ahead of time for Surveys.)
    • Finally, work ahead on your ethical analysis, argumentative essay or term paper so that your work is completed by the assigned due date and time.

      • Your Study Time Budget

      Many students report that about 5-7 hours each unit are required to complete reading and related assignments. Therefore, the minimum time commitment for a this course is approximately 7-9 hours per unit, plus additional study time for exams and research paper development.  There are no short-cuts.

      Your Study Outline

      Your study outline , developed pursuant to the study method described above, is the key to your success in this course, and is the key to your success on examination materials that refer to material in the textbook.  For example, Prof. Spalding is willing to review and reconsider examination scores of students who are prepared to submit their study outline and related materials as evidence of their efforts to follow the above recommended study method.  Only if the student's study outline and other materials (developed as a result of following the above steps) are complete, can the student's questions as to the "quality" or "fairness" of an examination question be given the fullest consideration.

      For More Information on How to Study, See:

    • Study Tips for Business Majors

      • Last revised:  08/28/2007
      Copyright 2001 and 2007:  Albert D. Spalding, Jr.