Syllabus

Muhlenberg College

INE 101 - Introduction to Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Fall 2015
T - Th: 9:30am - 10:45am
Trumbower 48
Professor: Rita Chesterton
Email - ​
rchesterton@muhlenberg.edu
Office: 3rd Floor Gabriel House (Wescoe School)
Office Hours: T - Th 11am - 1pm
Tel: 484-664-3028

Texts -
A Whole New Mind, Daniel Pink $9.22 on Amazon ​ http://amzn.to/1h2USZ6
Effectual Entrepreneurship, Reed, Sarsvathy $61.82 on Amazon
http://amzn.to/1NDynSV
Harvard Business School Course Pack $8.00 available at ​ http://bit.ly/1NCqQtF
Readings to be found on Blackboard

Contacting the Professor -

1. I have office hours on campus Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 1pm on the third
floor of Gabriel House (the Wescoe School building).
2. If you cannot make those hours, please contact me via email and let me know when
you are available to meet and I will try to find a time that works for both of us. It
makes my life much easier if you give me several dates and times to chose from in
your email.
3. I will try to respond to your emails as promptly as possible, and typically do so right
away during normal business hours. If you email in the evening or on weekends, I
may not reply right away.
4. You may try to reach me using the office phone, but if I am not there send me an
email. I rarely check the voicemail on the phone and don’t want to miss your call.

Course Objectives:

● Understand the different types of entrepreneurship

● To construct your own definition of success and plot your path towards it
● Assessing your potential and interest in becoming an entrepreneur
 ● To develop a profound conceptual understanding of key ideas in entrepreneurship,
with particular emphasis on effectuation
● To acquire useful tools in practical entrepreneuring, basics of IP, business
organizations, financial accounting, marketing
● To foster in yourself the courage for independent thinking, reasoned communication
and authentic behavior
● Understand and learn how creativity and innovation can be employed by the
entrepreneur
● Discover ways in which creativity provides open-ended approaches to problem
solving
● Learn how to recognize and evaluate new venture opportunities
● Understand the issues faced by entrepreneurs when starting a new venture
● Understand the difference between an opportunity and an idea
● Understand what is entrepreneurship and what we mean by an entrepreneurial
attitude lifestyle and mindset.
● Develop the skills of communication, task execution, leadership and collaboration
● Introduce the Business Model Canvas and lean startup methods as a way to validate
ideas

General Course Information

Assigned Readings​ –
Assigned readings are to be done ​ before​ the beginning of each class. Note the dates
that readings are due. You will be expected to have finished the readings before that date.
Many readings also have a writing reflection requirement (see below for instructions). You
need to bring the readings with you to class. You also need to bring your readings with you
to every class. I suggest that you print out the readings from the online course pack and
place them in a three ring binder, this will keep you organized.

Attendance -
In order to succeed in this course you must attend classes. I will be taking
attendance. Arrival to class more than 10 minutes late twice constitutes one absence. You are
only permitted ONE unexcused absence during the semester. Please note this policy. Your
final grade for the semester will be dropped for each unexcused absence. So if you have 1
unexcused absence your grade will drop, for example, from an A- to a B+.

Course Participation -
Entrepreneurship and learning are both activities that require doing. You are
expected to participate fully in all discussions and in-class activities. 10% of your grade for
this course is based upon your class participation. Please see the rubric in blackboard for
more information on how I grade participation.
Technology in Class -
You are welcome to bring any technology into the classroom that you feel will assist
with your learning process. That being said, I reserve the right at any time to ask any or all
students to put away their technological devices during portions of the course. Please be
respectful digital citizens.

Timeliness of Assignments​ -
All assignments are due at the dates/ time listed in Blackboard. Please make sure to
double check if an assignment is due before the start of class or at midnight of a particular
day. I do not accept late work without a doctor’s note or other legal document that shows
circumstances truly beyond your control that kept you from turning in your assignment on
time.

Submission of Assignments​ -
I only allow single submission of assignments through Blackboard. I will not accept
any assignments via email, this includes if you “incorrectly” submit the wrong version of your
assignment on blackboard. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

Weight of Assignments -

Writing Reflections - 10%

Class Participation - 10%
Starting with Your Means Assessment - 10%
Design Thinking for Innovation Space & Presentation - 10%
Interview with an Entrepreneur - 10%
Feasibility Study - 25%
Feasibility Study Presentations - 10%
Quizzes - 10%
Team Assessments - 5%

Grade Scale -
Letter Grade Percentage Points
A+ 100 – 97
A 96.9 – 93
A- 92.9 – 90
B+ 89.9 – 87
B 86.9 – 83
B- 82.9 – 80
C+ 79.9 – 77
C 76.9 – 73
C- 72.9 – 70
D 69.9 – 60
F Below 60

Descriptions of assignments

Writing Reflections (Due 9am day of reading)​ –

You will be required to write a reflection on most readings in the course. You will find
on blackboard the question for each reflection 2 weeks prior to each assigned reading’s due
date. Unless specific instructions for a writing prompt direct otherwise, you are expected for
each writing reflection to write between one and two paragraphs, a paragraph being
approximately 6-8 sentences. You will be graded for each reflection on content and on basic
grammar and writing style. You can find the rubric for your writing reflections attached to
each assignment.

Starting with Your Means Assessment (Due 4/19) -

See description on Blackboard.

Design for Innovation Space & Presentation (Due 3/1) -

See description on Blackboard.

Interview with an Entrepreneur (Due 4/26) -

See description on Blackboard.

Feasibility Study (Due 5/5) -

See description on Blackboard.

Feasibility Presentation (Due 5/5) -

See description on Blackboard.

Quizzes​ :
There will be two pop-quizzes given during the course of the semester. The purpose
of these quizzes is to ensure that students are paying the proper attention to lectures and
reading given in class. If you are absent on the day of a quiz you will receive a zero on that
quiz, no excuses. Quiz materials will be taken directly from the lectures, readings, and class
discussions. They will be short answer and short essay format.

Team Assessments Feasibility Study/ Design innovation Space -

 Since you will be working in teams for these two assignments part of your grade will
be based on your team’s assessment of your ability to work as a team player. All members of
the team must complete an evaluation for every other member of the team. You will lose
points for failing to turn in your rubrics for your teammates. The rubric can be found on
Blackboard. You will need to print out a copy for each member of your team and turn in on
the same date that the assignment presentation is completed.

Course Reading Schedule

All Chapter references are to the Effectual Entrepreneurship textbook.

 
Date  Objectives  Readings  

Tues 1/19  Understand the  

different types of
entrepreneurship 

Thurs 1/21  Develop a Ch 1  ­ Myth Entrepreneurs are visionaries 

profound
conceptual
understanding of
key ideas in
entrepreneurship,
with particular
emphasis on
effectuation

Tues 1/26  Learn how to Ch 2 ­ I don’t have a good idea 

recognize and
Ch 10 ­ Worldmaking: Understanding transformation 
evaluate new
venture  
opportunities  

Understand and
learn how
creativity and
innovation can be
employed by the
entrepreneur

Thurs 1/28  Understand and The Innovator's DNA ­ On Blackboard 

learn how
 
creativity and
innovation can be
employed by the
entrepreneur

Tues 2/2  Discover ways in Pink ­  (pg 7­61) 

which creativity
provides
open-ended
 approaches to
problem solving
 

Thurs 2/4  Understand and Pink ­ Design (pp 69­86) & Empathy (158­177) & Story 

learn how
(110­115) 
creativity and
innovation can be
employed by the
entrepreneur
Discover ways in
which creativity
provides
open-ended
approaches to
problem solving 

Tues 2/9  Discover ways in  

which creativity
provides
open-ended
approaches to
problem solving

Thurs 2/11  Learn how to Chapter 11 

recognize and
The Affordable Loss Principle risk little & Fail cheap 
evaluate new
venture
opportunities.
Introduce the
Business Model
Canvas and lean
startup methods
as a way to
validate ideas

Tues 2/16  Learn how to Pink ­ “Play” and “Meaning” 185­205 & 216­229 & 

recognize and
Symphony (129­145) 
evaluate new
venture
opportunities.

Introduce the
Business Model
Canvas and lean
startup methods
as a way to
validate ideas

Thurs 2/18  To acquire useful  

tools in practical
entrepreneuring,
basics of IP,
business
organizations,
financial
 accounting,
marketing 

Tues 2/23  To acquire useful Chapter 17: Building a Brand 

tools in practical
entrepreneuring,
basics of IP,
business
organizations,
financial
accounting,
marketing 

Thurs 2/25    Chapters 3: Myth: Entrepreneurs are risk takers 
Chapter 4: I don’t have enough money 
 
 

Tues 3/1  Develop the skills Presentation of Innovation Spaces 

of communication,
task execution,
leadership and
collaboration

Discover ways in
which creativity
provides
open-ended
approaches to
problem solving

Thurs 3/3  To acquire useful X­IT vs. Kidde ­ HBC Coursepack 

tools in practical
entrepreneuring,
basics of IP,
business
organizations,
financial
accounting,
marketing 

Tues 3/8  SPRING   
BREAK 

Thurs 3/10  SPRING   
BREAK 

Tues 3/15  To foster in Chapter 5  ­ Myth Entrepreneurs are Extraordinary 

yourself the
Forecasters 
courage for
independent  
thinking, reasoned Chapter 6 ­ I don’t know how to take the plunge 
 communication
and authentic
behavior

Understand the
issues faced by
entrepreneurs
when starting a
new venture

Thurs 3/17  Understand the  

issues faced by
entrepreneurs
when starting a
new venture

Learn how to
recognize and
evaluate new
venture
opportunities.

Understand the
difference
between an
opportunity and
an idea 

Tues 3/22  Understand what Chapters 7 ­ Myth: Entrepreneurs are not like the rest of us 

is
Chapter 8 ­ I’m human I’m afraid of failing 
entrepreneurship
and what we mean  
by an  
entrepreneurial  
attitude lifestyle
and mindset. 

Thurs 3/24  To construct your Chapter 9: Bird in Hand Principle Start with what you have 

own definition of
success and plot
your path towards
it

Assessing your
potential and
interest in
becoming an
entrepreneur 

Tues 3/29  To acquire useful Chapter 16: Business Plans and business models: Make 

tools in practical
pitches 
entrepreneuring,
basics of IP,
business
organizations,
 financial
accounting,
marketing 

Thurs 3/31  To acquire useful Chapter 12: Financing: Bootstrap the Venture 

tools in practical
 
entrepreneuring,
basics of IP, Chapter 13: Form Partnerships 
business
organizations,
financial
accounting,
marketing 

Tues 4/5  To acquire useful  

tools in practical
entrepreneuring,
basics of IP,
business
organizations,
financial
accounting,
marketing 

Thurs 4/7  To acquire useful Ch 14: Ownership and control: managing investors 

tools in practical
entrepreneuring,
basics of IP,
business
organizations,
financial
accounting,
marketing 

Tues 4/12  To acquire useful  

tools in practical
entrepreneuring,
basics of IP,
business
organizations,
financial
accounting,
marketing 

Thurs 4/14  Field Trip   

Tues 4/19  Develop the skills Presentation of “Starting with Your Means Assessments” 

of communication,
task execution,
leadership and
collaboration 

Thurs 4/21    Chapter 15: The Lemonade Principle: Leverage Surprise 
Chapter 18: The pilot­on­the­plane Principle: Apply 
non­Predictive Control 
 Tues 4/26  To acquire useful Case Study Zip Car ­ HBC Coursepack 
tools in practical
 
entrepreneuring,
basics of IP, Interview with Entrepreneur DUE 
business
organizations,
financial
accounting,
marketing

Thurs 4/28  Understand the Chapter 20: Social Entrepreneurship 

different types of
entrepreneurship 

Tues 5/3  Develop the skills  

of communication,
task execution,
leadership and
collaboration 

Thurs 5/5  Develop the skills Final Presentations of Feasibility Studies 

of communication,
Feasibility Studies Due 
task execution,
leadership and
collaboration

Learn how to
recognize and
evaluate new
venture
opportunities.

Introduce the
Business Model
Canvas and lean
startup methods
as a way to
validate ideas

Misc. Course Related Information

Course Unit Instruction

This class is scheduled to meet for 2.5 hours of classroom instruction time per week.
Additional activities for this course include visiting with local entrepreneurs and attendance
at specified College lectures and events. These activities will add an additional 10 hours of
instruction.
Students with disabilities

Students with disabilities requesting classroom or course accommodations must

complete a multi-faceted application/approval process through the Office of Disability
Services prior to the development and implementation of an Accommodation Plan. Each
Accommodation Plan is individually and collaboratively developed with the Directors or staff
of the following Departments, as appropriate: Office of Counseling Services, Student Health
Services, and the Office of Disability Services. If you have not already done so, please
contact the appropriate Department to have a dialogue regarding your academic needs and
the recommended accommodations, auxiliary aides, and services.

The Academic Integrity Code (AIC)​

.

Students are expected to know and abide by the AIC and will be held accountable for
their adherence to the code in this course by faculty, administration and fellow students. The
AIC is printed in full in the Student Handbook. For the purposes of each student’s
development and understanding in this course most written assignments will be completed
individually. I encourage sharing ideas about assignments with your classmates, while
ensuring that the final product is a result of your individual efforts, incorporating what you
learned from collaborating with others, but not duplicating another’s work. Within the
context of group work that this course requires, only the names of the contributing group
members should appear on any assignment. If a group member has not significantly
participated in the creation of the project or assignment, including their name on the final
product will be viewed as a violation of the AIC.

Technology

The Office of Information Technology (OIT), provides free technical support for all
students who may be experiencing issues with their computers or other devices such as
mobile phones. Free services include: answers to general computing questions; virus and
spyware removal; file recovery and reloads of operating systems (using your licensed DVDs);
configuration of mobile devices for Berg WiFi and/or email; and printer setup with support
(excluding wireless printers). Desktop Repair Services, also part of OIT, offers warranty
repair as a free service on specific computer models. Desktop Repair Services can also
perform out of warranty repairs for a quotable fee.

The Student Help Desk is located in Ettinger 003 and is open Monday through Friday from 8
AM to 5 PM and on the weekends as student worker’s academic schedules permit. Email
helpdesk@muhlenberg.edu or call 484-664-3375.

*** Please note that having a computer serviced at the Help Desk is not an excuse for
missing assignments or official College communication via email. ***