Syllabi

Instructor: Betty Velthouse, Ph.D.
bavhouse@umflint.edu
Instructor: Jack Smith, Ph.D.
jack.smith@kingwoodgroup.com

Course Description:
This course will examine human behavior in organizations. We will discuss differences between individuals - their perceptions, personalities, and motivations. We will address history and trends in management - from scientific management through self-managed teams. We will examine leadership and leadership styles in organizations. We will discuss human behavior in groups - the dynamics of groups and teams. And finally, we will explore the behavior of organizations as entities - their culture, their structures, their environments, their strategies.

Readings and Support Material:

Textbook: Wagner, John A. III and John R. Hollenbeck. 1998. Organizational Behavior, 3rd edition. Prentice Hall: Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

CD: Velthouse, Betty and Jack E. Smith. 1998. Promoting Teamwork and Cooperation. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishers. (on reserve)

Schedule:

Monday, March 13 - Morning sessions

Lectures: Individual Differences: Chapters 2, 3, 4, 6
Personality
Perception
Diversity
Motivation
Staff Development

Monday, March 13 - Afternoon session

Small team exercise:
develop and present a plan for motivation and
staff development for an individual.

Tuesday, March 14 - Morning sessions

Exam # 1 covering material from day one

Lectures: History and trends in Management Chapters 1, 14, 15,
The history of organizational behavior
Trends in the management of organizations

Tuesday, March 14 - Afternoon session

Small team exercise:
Prepare and present a trip-tick of history and trends
of management in Russia.

Wednesday, March 15 - Morning sessions

Exam # 2 covering material from day two
chapters 7, 9, 10, 13

Lectures: Leadership in Organizations
Leadership and leadership style
Power, conflict, and empowerment in organizations
Management vs. leadership
Entrepreneurship
Organization culture

Wednesday, March 15 - Afternoon session

Lecture and small team exercise:chapter 8
the dynamics of groups

Thursday, March 16 - Morning sessions

Exam # 3 covering material from day three

Lectures: Groups and Teams "read" through CD(on reserve)
Teams vs. groups
Team building
Small Team Exercise:
Assessment of a group

Thursday, March 16 - Afternoon session

Lectures: Macro Issues Chapters 11, 12
The macro assignment
Organization's Life Cycle
Organization's Environment

Friday, March 17 - Morning sessions

Lectures: Macro Issues continued
Organization's Technology
Organization's Structure
Organization's Strategy
Organization Change

Friday, March 17 - Afternoon

1:00-2:30 Individual Coaching for Macro assignment
2:30-4:00 meet with faculty discuss and modify syllabus

Summary of Expectations

Individual paper - this paper is to be an individual effort. It should address the topic "How am I motivated?" It should include a discussion of the results of self-assessment administered during the morning sessions of Monday, March 13 and should use one or two of the motivation theories we will have discussed to develop a plan for continued motivation. This paper should be between 2 and 3 pages in length; it is due on Wednesday (March 15) by noon. 50 points

Examinations (3) - these exams are to be individual efforts; they are not cumulative; they will include both multiple choice and short answer questions. 50 points each

Small team exercises (3) - these exercises will involve participation in and a report (or a group presentation) of the group's findings. 33.3 points each

A Macro assignment - this assignment will be completed in small teams. The assignment involves a written report of an in-depth examination of a living/operating organization. The report must include as assessment and description of the organization's environment, stage in its life cycle, culture, technology, structure, and strategy. The report must also critique the organization's overall congruence (do all of the parts fit together?) and suggest where and how the organization should be changed. (For the students who wish to start their own business, the assignment can be modified to allow them to create their ideal organization. This assignment will be due March 31. 100 points

Total points 400 points

Your letter grade will be based on the percentage of total points earned. It will be based on the following standard; grades will not be curved.

97-100 = A+
94-96 = A
90-93 = A-
87-90 = B+
84-86 = B
80-83 = B-
77-79 = C+
74-76 = C
70-73 = C-
67-69 = D+
64-66 = D
60-63 = D-
Below D = Failure

Identical papers (whether for individual or for groups) will be awarded zero points.

See also list of students