Division of Management

Division of Management, Marketing, and MIS
Marshall University

Course Title and Number: MGT 672-201 Organizational Behavior (Graduate)
Semester and Year: Fall 2014
Meeting Times: 6:30 – 9:0 PM Thursday
Required Texts : Organizational Behavior (Robbins & Judge )(ISBN13: 978-0132834872 or ISBN10: 0132834871
Instructor : Ivan Muslin
Office : Corbly Hall 427
Telephone : Ext. 65292
Email : [e-mail]
Office Hours : T/TH 10:00-11:00; T/TH 12:30-2:00; by appointment
Web Sites: http://MUOnline.marshall.edu

This syllabus is subject to change.

“If you do not ask the right questions, you don’t get the right answers. A question asked in the right way often points to its own answer. Asking questions is the ABC of diagnosis. Only the inquiring mind solves problems.” – Edward Hodnett

Course Description: Behavioral science fundamentals and management applications that emphasize organizational behavior. This class is about the behavior of individuals, groups, and organizations, and about the interactions between them. This is a vital area of study because a manager’s principal responsibility is to make decisions regarding organizational objectives, and to lead and influence the behavior of others in order to see that the decisions are implemented. This class is a graduate level course. Students are expected to be both an active participant in and take responsibility for their learning. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ THESE ARTICLES AND PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSIONS.

Studies have shown that many employees leave their jobs because they have poor managers. This course is designed to provide you with the management skills you will need to select, motivate, evaluate and retain the talented employees you will manage. By the end of this course you will be able to objectively evaluate and understand organizational behavioral situations and determine the best course of action from a manager’s point of view.

Learning Objectives: To acquire and reinforce skills, knowledge and abilities that will assist graduates in the pursuit of obtaining employment and adapting to changes in the business world. This objective encourages retention of information after the course; transfer of new information to new situations; development of problem solving, critical thinking and attitude change; and motivation for lifelong learning. Mastery of these concepts supports success in the classroom as well as the workplace. A comprehensive understanding of the core competencies that foster academic and occupational knowledge enables one to cultivate the skills and attitudes required for job acquisition, retention and advancement in a fast-paced, dynamic business environment.

Remember: Specific knowledge and information may change…understanding the process by which we think and learn is of greater importance.

Students should also understand: a) the contextual nature of management, leadership, and organizational behavior, b) the application of theories to managerial, workplace, and organizational environments and, c) the curvilinear relationships that exist among many of the concepts and constructs discussed in this course.

Exam –There may be a total of 2 exams in this course.
2*100=200 points

Project

Students in groups (size dependent on the size of the class) will research an OB phenomenon or construct in the scholarly press. They will then write a paper (20-25 pages) on the topic as it relates to their specific area of study.Z. This paper will summarize the observations in the articles as well as apply the findings for managers and organizations. Students will be provided some time to meet with their groups at the end of many class sessions. I will be available during these times, as well as by appointment to help with the projects. Further instructions to follow.

Group Project
1*300=300 points

Group Poster Presentation
1*150=150 points

Research Translation: Full instructions are on the course website as well as a separate handout.
3*100=300

Class Participation - Attendance in class is required and is the prerequisite for class participation. Class participation is the active engagement in questions and answers, part-taking in analysis of business situations, and contribution of useful comments in class sessions. Students can get a total of 50 class participation points for participation throughout the semester. This class is seminar based and participation is essential. If you miss 3 or more class sessions your grade is dropped 1 full letter.

Grading (points)
90-100%= A
80-89%= B
70-79%= C
60-69%= D
59>= F

Make-up Exams: There are no make-up exams. Students missing an exam must contact the instructor before the exam to discuss options.

Incomplete Grades: Incomplete grades will not be given, except in extreme circumstances.

Tentative Schedule for the Semester

Part 1: Introduction
Week 2Chapter 1: What Is Organizational Behavior?
Part 2: The Individual
Week 2Chapter 2: Diversity in Organizations
Week 3 Chapter 3: Attitudes and Job Satisfaction
Week 4 Chapter 4: Emotions and Moods
Week 5 Chapter 5: Personality and Values
Week 6 Chapter 6: Perception and Individual Decision Making
Week 7 Chapter 7: Motivation Concepts
Week 8 Chapter 8: Motivation: From Concepts to Applications
Part 3: The Group
Week 9 Chapter 9: Foundations of Group Behavior
Week 10 Chapter 10: Understanding Work Teams
Week 11 Chapter 11: Communication
Week 12 Chapter 12: Leadership
Week 13 Chapter 13: Power and Politics

If we have time will address the following topics
Chapter 14: Conflict and Negotiation
Part 4: The Organization System
Chapter 15: Foundations of Organization Structure
Chapter 16: Organizational Culture
Chapter 17: Human Resource Policies and Practices
Chapter 18: Organizational Change and Stress Management
General Rules Regarding Written Work:
1.) Use a spelling checker.
2.) Minimal grammatical errors.

These rules are firm because they replicate the conditions the student should expect to find in any well-run business establishment. In general, professionally managed enterprises do not commit, nor accept, needless spelling or grammatical errors in written or presented materials. They diminish the quality of the company's reputation for accuracy and attention to detail, and take attention away from the content of the message presented. Late Assignments: I do not accept late assignments. Assume Murphy’s Law (“if it can go wrong it will”) is in effect and do your assignments accordingly. The date I am giving you is a “latest I will accept the assignment” date and time. Assignments are due at the beginning of class. If you do not understand something I’ve said in the lecture, you should see me as soon as reasonably possible. Do not schedule dentist or doctor’s appointments during my class times. If you have an appointment during my class, I will require written confirmation from your doctor that you scheduled it before you signed up for my class and that he/she could not possibly take you at a different time, and a number I can call to verify the note.

Honesty: Do your own work. You will only hurt yourself. You will be expected to have these skills when you start your career. Anyone caught copying someone else's work will receive a zero on the assignment and face other possible disciplinary actions. If you do not understand how to do something, asking for help in doing it is fine. But do not turn in someone else's work as your own. All students are expected to abide by the Marshall University code of conduct. Please read the code of conduct policy in the school catalogue (pages 82-85) very closely. Drop Dates:

Student Conduct in Class: Any acts of classroom disruption that go beyond the normal rights of students to question and discuss with instructors the educational process relative to subject content will not be tolerated, in accordance with the Academic Code of Conduct described in the Student Handbook.

Children In Class: I understand the needs of parents. If there is an emergency and you need to bring a child to class…I understand. However, I ask that you allow them to bring some activities that will keep them occupied. If possible let me know in advance that they will be coming. As a parent I realize that there are times when things go wrong (babysitter canceling) and we must adjust. As a graduate course that meets once a week, we cannot afford to miss class and that is why I invite you to bring them when it is necessary.

Electronic Devices In Class: Calculators and computers are prohibited during examinations and quizzes, unless specified. Reasonable laptop-size computers may be used in lecture for the purpose of taking notes. Please do not play on your phone in class. It is distracting and I will call you on it.

In Case You Are Late or Absent: It is your responsibility to get the course notes, handouts, and laboratory assignments should you miss class or be late.

Disabilities:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), all qualified students enrolled in this course are entitled to “reasonable accommodations.” Please notify the instructor during the first week of class of any accommodations needed for the course. The Disabled Student Services web site is http://www.marshall.edu/disabled

For University Policies or Questions see the MU Student Handbook at http://www.marshall.edu/studentaffairs/ http://www.marshall.edu/academic-affairs/?page_id=802

For college of business policies… http://www.marshall.edu/lcob/dean/LCOB_Policies.pdf This syllabus is subject to change.