Ramapo College of New Jersey

School of Administration and Business

 

Asst. Prof. Milton Gittens          Course ID: BBAD-327

Credits:3                                                

Office: A204

Spring, 2002

Mondays/Thursdays 2:00PM – 3:15PM

 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY & BEHAVIOR

 

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice fundamental to understanding and improving behavior in organizations. Literature on the impact of organizations on our lives is reviewed. The focus is on daily reading assignments, lectures, and class discussion. An examination of human issues from the individual, group, and organizational levels is undertaken. The course seeks answers to questions such as: Why do people behave the way they do in organizations? How can they be motivated to behave more productively and with better quality work life? What social dynamics occur in groups and organizations? What is the impact of culture on people and groups in organizations? Through lectures, reading assignments, student projects, and videos, these and other human issues of the work place are studied.

 

I.      REQUIRED READING

 

Schermerhon, John R. et al. Organizational Behavior, 7th edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, New York, 2000. Books can be purchased at the Ramapo College Bookstore.

 

II.     RECOMMENDED READING

 

Students are urged to keep abreast of Organizational Behavior issues facing American businesses by reading a major daily newspaper like the New York Times.

 

III.   STUDENT EVALUATION

 

The evaluation process is on going and assesses total in-class performance. Eating, drinking, leaving early, coming late, and other negative behavior will be factored into your final course grade. The focus is on daily reading assignments and lectures. It is the student’s responsibility to understand the syllabus, keep up with the readings, and ask me for clarification when needed. Evaluation considers (1) comprehension of ideas, key names, and concepts, (2) application of analytical and evaluation skills, and (3) development of communication skills around course terms. In addition, final grades are based on a composite assessment of the following:

 

1.      Attendance and participation (Grades lowered with 3 or more absences)

2.      A student presentation project

3.      A multiple choice/essay MID-TERM EXAM given on Monday, March 18.

4.      A multiple choice/essay FINAL EXAM given on Monday, May 13.

5.      In approved cases, student designed projects for extra credit, if necessary.

 

 

TOPIC OUTLINE

 

PART I - COURSE INTRODUCTION

                                                                                                                                                            (Readings)**

Faculty Introduction

Course design, objectives, and requirements

Introduction to OT & B and Management                                                           (Chap.1)

The High Performance Organization                                                                  (Chap 2)

The Global Dimensions of Organization Behavior                                                  (Chap. 3)

 

PART II - THE CLASSICAL FOUNDATION OF ORGANIZATION THEORY

 

The Traditional Approach to Organization Theory: Basic Attributes of Organizations   (Chap. 11)

The Human Relations Approach: High Performance Organizational Cultures               (Chap 13,3)

The Contemporary Approach: Information Technology and Organizational Design       (Chap. 12, 2)

 

PART III - MANAGING ORGANIZATION BEHAVIOR

 

A.     Individuals and Organizations

 

Diversity and Individual Differences                                                              (Chap. 4)

Perception and Attribution                                                                         (Chap. 5)

Motivation and Reinforcement Theories:                                                       (Chap. 6)

Human Resources Management Systems                                                       (Chap. 7)

High Performance Job Design

                                                                                                            (Chap. 8)

B.     Managing Groups

 

The Nature of Groups                                                                                (Chap. 9)

Teamwork and High Performance Teams    

                                                                                                            (Chap. 10)

C.     Managing the Processes of Organization Behavior

 

High Performance Leadership                                                                      (Chap. 14)

Power and Politics                                                                                    (Chap. 15)

Information and Communication                                                                  (Chap. 16)

Conflict and Negotiation                                                                            (Chap. 18)

 

PART IV CONCLUSION AND REVIEW

 

Change Innovation and Stress                                                                    (Chap. 19)

Exam Review

 

Note ** These are proposed readings.  Specific reading assignments will be given for each class. Also, if you need course adaptations or accommodation because of a documented disability, make an appointment during my posted office hours.

 

 

CLASS PRESENTATION INSTRUCTIONS, TOPICS, AND DATES

 

PURPOSE:

 

The presentation is to promote discussion and the exchange of ideas and opinions about Organizational Behavior1s theories and concepts. The intention of the presentation is to provide students with a platform to demonstrate their comprehension and facility with the vocabulary, issues, and problems of organizational behavior.

 

STRUCTURE AND PROCESS:

 

The presentation should last about 10 to 15 minutes. It can be on a topic from the Experiential Exercises from our text that are listed below. Students should alter the exercises to suit an individual presentation. Possible grades are unsatisfactory, satisfactory, good, very good, and excellent, and are available at the end of the presentation. Hand in a sentence outline of your presentation before you begin, in the following suggested format:

 

I.     Introductory Statement.

II.    Overview of the Exercise.

III.  Review of the relevant theories.

IV.  Your evaluation/application of theories

 

Students may develop their own topics, subject to my approval. The following are possible topics from the experiential exercises of our text.

 

1.

February 14

-----  

My Best Manager

-----

Page 486

2.

February 21

-----  

My Best Job

-----

Page 487

3.

February 28

-----  

What Do You Value at Work

-----

Page 487

4.

March 7  

-----  

Expatriate Assignment

-----

Page 489

5.

March 14  

-----  

Prejudice in Our Lives

-----

Page 496

6.

April 4  

-----  

Job Design Preferences

-----

Page 498

7.

April 11

-----  

My Fantasy Job

-----

Page 499

8.

April 18

-----  

Organizations Alive

-----

Page 504

9.

April 25

-----  

Interview a Leader

-----

Page 507

 

Other possible projects include:

Leadership Skills Inventory

-----

Page 508

 

 

 

Alien Invasion

-----

Page 506