Course Syllabus Introduction to Organizational Behavior Course Information Course Number/Section BA 3361-501 Course Title Introduction to Organizational Behavior Term Fall 2010 Days & Times Tuesdays & Thursdays: 5:30-m-6:45pm Location SOM 2.117 Professor Contact Information Professor Deidria (Dee) Ellington, M.A. Office Phone 972-883-5911 Other Phone 972-742-1447 (cell) Email Address delling@utdallas.edu Office Location SOM 2.205 (Undergraduate Lounge) Office Hours by appt. only Other Information I am the recruiter for the undergraduate programs in SOM. I m often off campus recruiting prospective freshman and transfer students. If you need to contact me, please email me or contact me by cell phone. I will not discuss grades over the phone or by email. You will need to see me in person if you have a question regarding your grade. Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions None Course Description Organizational behavior is a field of study that seeks to understand, explain and improve human behavior in organizations. Most organizations focus their efforts on improving two aspects of human behavior: (1) job performance-the degree to which individuals perform the behaviors needed for the organization to achieve its goals; and (2) organizational commitment-the degree to which employees remain loyal to the organization rather than withdrawing from their work. Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes 1. Describe team processes and explain the characteristics associated with effective team performance. 2. Apply ethical and value-related issues as they relate to human behavior in organizations to making ethical and responsible decisions. 3. Explain and apply major theoretical and scholarly approaches, empirical findings, and historical trends in Organizational Behavior. 4. Explain how diversity and multiculturalism affects the workplace environment and develop some strategies to bridge differences to capitalize don the benefits of multiculturalism. 5. Explain and apply the multicultural aspects and international dimensions of the societies and world in which we live and be familiar with knowledge and methods necessary to deal with related problems. Course Syllabus Page 1
Required Textbooks and Materials Organizational Behavior, 1 st ed. Bauer & Erodogan This is also an ebook. You can get access to it for free and you have other options ranging from access to print it yourself (for $20) to getting a soft cover color book ($60). Follow this link to access the site and the ordering options: http://www.flatworldknowledge.com/pub/1.0/organizational-behavior?course=46224 Suggested Course Materials Wall Street Journal (recommended only) http://online.wsj.com/home-page http://www.nytimes.com Grading Scale A+: 97 and up A: 94-96 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: 59 and below e-learning and Communication You will need to have access to elearning. Class slides and other relevant material will be posted on elearning. In addition, you are advised to check your messages on elearning frequently, and prior to each class session. This will be the main way to disseminate any messages or instructions relating to the course. A university policy to protect student privacy directs that faculty are not required to answer student e-mails unless they are from a UTD account. This means that I will not respond to e-mails unless they come from a UTD account. Course Syllabus Page 2
Assignments and Academic Calendar Date Topic Readings Aug. 19 Syllabus, Course Overview, Intro to OB, Student Information Card, What is Organizational Behavior? Group Exercise Aug. 24 Aug. 26 Aug 31 Understanding Organizational Behavior Understanding your learning style Understanding How OB Research Is Done Trends and Changes Exercise: Paragon Learning Style Inventory Managing Demographic and Cultural Diversity Demographic Diversity Cultural Diversity The Role of Ethics and national Culture Exercise Understanding People at Work: Individual Differences and Perception The Interactionist Perspective: The Role of Fit Individual Differences: Values and Personality Case Study Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Sept. 2 Understanding People at Work: Individual Differences and Perception Perception Exercise Chapter 3 continued Sept 7 Individual Attitudes and Behaviors What are the Main Components of Attitudes? Does Behavior Always Follow from Attitudes? What are the Major Job Attitudes Chapter 4 Course Syllabus Page 3
Sept 9 Sept. 14 Sept 16 Sept. 21 Sept. 23 Job Satisfaction Measuring Job Satisfaction How satisfied are People in their Jobs What causes Job Satisfaction The impact of Satisfied and Dissatisfied Employees on the Workplace Theories of Motivation Need Based Theories Process-Based Theories Exercise Contemporary Theories of Motivation Cognitive Evaluation Theory Goal-Setting Theory Self-Efficacy Theory Equity Theory Expectancy Theory Designing a Motivating Work Environment: Motivating Employees Through Job Design Motivating Employees Through Goal Setting Motivating Employees Through Performance Appraisals Motivating Employees Through Performance Incentives Exam 1 (Online) Chapter 4 continued Chapter 5 Chapter 5 continued Chapter 6 Sept. 28 Sept. 30 Oct. 5 Managing Stress and Emotions What is Stress? Avoiding and Managing Stress What are Emotions Group Exercise What are Emotions continued Emotions at Work Case Studies Understanding Communication Communication Barriers Different Types of Communication and channels Group Exercise Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Course Syllabus Page 4
Oct. 7 Oct. 12 Oct. 14 Oct. 19 Oct. 21 Oct. 26 Oct 28 Managing Groups and Teams Group Dynamics Understanding Team Design Characteristics Case Studies Management of Teams Barriers to Effective Teams Conflict and Negotiations Understanding Conflict Causes and Outcomes of Conflict Conflict Management Negotiations Bargaining Strategies The Negotiation Process Individual Differences in Negotiation Effectiveness Third-Party Negotiations Case Studies Making Decisions Understanding Decision Making Faulty Decision Making Decision Making in Groups Exercises Leading People Within Organizations Who Is a Leader? Trait Approaches to Leadership What Do Leaders Do? Behavioral Approaches to Leadership What s New? Contemporary Approaches to Leadership Group Exercise Exam II (Online) Chapter 9 Chapter 9 continued Chapter 10 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Nov 2 Nov 4 Nov 9 Power and Politics The Basics of Power The Power of Influence Organizational Politics Power and Politics continued Understanding Social Network Case Study Organizational Structure and Change Organizational Structure Organizational Change Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Course Syllabus Page 5
Nov 11 Organizational Structure and Change New Design Options Why Do Structures Differ Chapter 14 Nov 16 Organizational Culture Chapter 15 Understanding Organizational Culture Characteristics of Organizational Culture Creating and Maintaining Organizational Culture Creating Culture and Organizational Change Nov 18 Group Presentations meeting In classroom Nov 23 Group Presentations Nov 25 No class-thanksgiving Holiday Nov 30 Group Presentations Dec 2 Final Exam (Online) Course Syllabus Page 6
Grading Policy Group Project 30% Exam I 25% Exam II 25% Exam III 20% Quizzes- extra points Course Policies Exams There will be three exams. All exams will be weighted the same, and the final will not be comprehensive. The exams will be online and timed. The student will be given a testing window of several days so that the student can take the test at their convenience at anytime during the testing window. Exam questions will consist of true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice. Each exam counts between 20%- 25% of your grade. Since the exams are timed, I recommend that each student study since not enough time will be available to look up each answer. If you have a conflict and need to reschedule an exam for a different testing window, please discuss it with me at least one week before the exam date. If you do not contact me one week prior to the exam date, there will be no make-up and that exam will be dropped by default. Pop Quizzes I will give random pop-quizzes throughout the semester. The quizzes will be brief, designed to get you thinking about the class materials ahead of time. The quizzes will include three simple questions to test your reading of the material. They will be either true/false, fill-in-the-blank, or multiple choices. Each question is worth one point, so you can score a maximum of 3 points on each quiz. I will not give make-up quizzes. Policy on Cheating Each student in this course is expected to exercise independent scholarly thought, expression and aptitude. The addendum to the course syllabus is provided to assist you in developing and maintaining academic integrity while seeking scholastic success. All episodes of suspected scholastic dishonesty will be reported according to University policy. Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. Penalties that may be assessed for scholastic dishonesty may be reviewed in Subchapter D. Penalties at http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/chapter49.html. Late Work None Course Syllabus Page 7
Presentation Workshop Teams of 5-7 students will work together to develop a workshop around one of the topics of organizational behavior listed in the syllabus. Each team will present/demonstrate the topic/issue in a creative manner (e.g., skits/role plays, debates, videos, large/small group discussions, assessments/inventories, cases, overheads, worksheets, class activities, etc.). In your planning for the workshop, you are expected to have read the readings thoroughly, and include any additional material (articles from academic and practitioner journals, books, etc.) that you have identified. If you wish, you may distribute copies of additional readings to class members one week before the day you will be covering the material. You are also expected to hand in a copy of the outline of your workshop for instructor feedback. Workshops will be graded based on the following criteria: 1. Connection to theory and concepts from text, lecture and outside research. (Does it demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic? Does it demonstrate good research?) 2. Creativity of workshop and communication style (Is the content and format unique (or is it simply a lecture/slide presentation? Is the workshop effective? Clear? 3. Overall integration of workshop. (Does it appear to be a team workshop, or a series of individual workshops? Do team members individually present sub-topics?) Class Attendance Although there is no attendance taken, it is still a very important part of the grade equation. If you miss more than a few classes, it will impact your grade in several ways. You might miss a quiz. You may also miss important information that will be on the exam. The quiz grade is designed so that it is possible for you to miss one or two without consequence (provided you do well on the others). However, repeated missed quizzes will hurt your grade. The bottom line is, if you do not plan to come to class on a regular basis it is unlikely that you will pass. Technical Support If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to: assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911. 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 printed 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, Series 50000, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university s Handbook of Operating 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) and online at http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/utdjudicialaffairs-hopv.html Course Syllabus Page 8
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, any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. 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 and is over 90% effective. 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. Course Syllabus Page 9
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. Incomplete Grade Policy As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semester s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F. Disability Services The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities equal educational opportunities. Disability Services provides students with a documented letter to present to the faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. This letter should be presented to the instructor in each course at the beginning of the semester and accommodations needed should be discussed at that time. It is the student s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for accommodation. If accommodations are granted for testing accommodations, the student should remind the instructor five days before the exam of any testing accommodations that will be needed. Disability Services is located in Room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may reach Disability Services at (972) 883-2098. Guidelines for documentation are located on the Disability Services website at http://www.utdallas.edu/disability/documentation/index.html Course Syllabus Page 10
Religious Holy Days The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, and Texas Code Annotated. The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee. These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor. Course Syllabus Page 11