XXX

MANAGEMENT 371: ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Fall 2006 Semester

COURSE SYLLABUS:

Instructor: Dr. Ellen J. Mullen

Class Time: Section A (A1 and A2): MWF 9:00-9:50 a.m.;

Section B (B1 and B2): MWF 10:00-10:50 a.m.;

Section E (E1 and E2): MWF 12:10-1:00 p.m.

Class Site: Section A: Gerdin 0119;

Section B: Gerdin 0129

Section E: Gerdin 2134

Credits: 3

Prerequisite: MGMT 370

Office: 3282 Gerdin

Telephone: 294-2645

Email: and

Office Hours: MWF 11:00-11:40 and MW 1:10-1:50 or by appointment (Open Door Policy)

COURSE OVERVIEW:

The purpose of MGMT 371 is to survey the field of Organizational Behavior (OB), its theories and applications for effectively understanding and managing people at work. The course covers OB on three levels, namely individual, group, and organizational. Topics discussed in MGMT 371 include organizational culture, managing diversity, and managing across cultures. Individual differences, including personality, values, attitudes, and perceptions are explored, as are job satisfaction and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. On the group level, we address group dynamics, decision-making, managing conflict and agreement, and teamwork. Organizational level processes, including communication, influence, politics, leadership and managing change are also discussed. The student is provided theoretical foundations of OB as well as their application in organizations. Anyone who plans to work in an organization (or already does) can benefit from this course.

YOUR PART:

In MGMT 371, we will aim to address your personal learning needs and style within the structure the syllabus provides. To maximize your learning, it is necessary that you come to class and come prepared. Your contribution to the class via questions, ideas, personal experiences, etc., is essential to your learning and others’. The course delivery is based on a constructivist approach (which we will discuss), meaning your participation is essential to the learning process in MGMT 371. The class will involve lecture; large and small group discussion; team activities and assignments; and individual assignments to accomplish overall course objectives while maximizing individual student learning.

MAJOR COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, students should be able to:

1. Define Organizational Behavior and its relevance and importance to organizations and work.

2. Understand theories, concepts and terms related to the field of organizational behavior.

3. Understand the application of the organizational behavior discipline on three levels: Individual, group, and organizational.

4. Recognize the many differences between individuals and how they can be effectively managed.

5. Apply theories of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to maximize human performance in organizations.

6. Apply strategies for effectively managing teams, conflict and agreement in organizations.

7. Recognize the implications of current organizational trends and issues related to the organizational behavior discipline and its applications.

LEARNING MATERIALS:

1. Organizational Behavior: Key concepts, skills & best practices (2nd Ed.). (2006). Kreitner, R., & Kinicki, A. NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

2. Readings on e-reserve through the Parks Library and online

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

The requirements of MGMT 371 include the following. Each will contribute to your overall point total and grade as described below:

1. Examinations

There will be two examinations during the term and an optional final examination. If you are satisfied with your course grade, have completed all other assignments, and have no absences the last 2 weeks of class (no exceptions), you may opt not to take the final exam. If you choose to take the final exam, it will count. Chapter discussion questions will serve as exam review. The format of the first two exams will be a combination of essay and multiple choice. The final exam will be completely multiple choice and will be noncomprehensive. See the course schedule for exam dates (125 points possible per exam).

2. Individual Case Analysis

Each student in MGMT 371 will be required to analyze a case provided by the instructor and related to the “Managing Individuals” section of this course. Cases will be subsequently provided, as will format and content instructions for this individual paper (200 points possible).

3. Leadership Analysis Paper

Each student in Management 371 will be required to describe and analyze in writing a prominent leader. There needs to be enough published or available information about the leader you choose to complete a 2-3 paged paper (typed, double-spaced) (175 points possible.). Your paper will consist of two parts:

q  The first section of your leadership analysis paper should be a description of the leader’s style of leadership and how it is manifested. This will require you to research the individual and summarize what you learn about him/her. (Approx. 1-2 page)

q  The second section of your paper should be an analysis of this leader’s style and behaviors from the perspectives of the various theories, models and ideas covered throughout this course. Why/when is he/she effective/ineffective as a leader? What model(s) and/or theories does he/she apply? Not apply? What principles does he/she exemplify? Defy? (Approx. 1-2 pages)

5. Participation

50 points will be devoted to in-class activities this semester in MGMT 371. You MUST be present to win (i.e., earn the points)! In-class opportunities to earn several points will occur randomly and often without warning. Beyond the participation points that can be earned in class, there are no opportunities to earn extra credit points in this class (50 points possible.).

6. Team Project

At the beginning of the term, you will become a member of a team for class activities, discussion and assignments. The team’s major assignment for the semester is to compose a “research paper.” A 15-20 minute presentation summarizing the team’s work will also be required. Each team will examine an assigned topic, generate a research question, and conduct research on their topic. More specific instructions will be provided early in the term. Some time will be provided in class to coordinate the team project and periodic informal conferences between the team and the instructor as well as incremental deadlines will be scheduled to maintain effective progress on the project and coordination of the team. (200 points possible for paper and presentation.)

NOTE: Much more detail about assignments will be provided in class and/or on the website (don’t assume everything will be on the website) as needed. Assignments are expected on the due dates that will be given. You are expected to respect all deadlines. Late assignments will lose 5% daily. Please notify the instructor in advance if, under extreme circumstances, a deadline cannot be met.

LEARNING ASSESSMENT:

Each student’s course grade will be determined as follows:

1. a. 2 Examinations (125 each) 250 points possible

b.  Final Examination (optional) 125

2. Leadership Analysis Paper 175

3. Individual Case Analysis Paper 200

4. Participation 50

5. Team Project 200

TOTAL 1000 points possible

(875 total without final exam)

Grading Scale: Final grades will be assigned as follows:

A = 90-100%

B = 80-89%

C = 70-79%

D = 60-69%

F = 59% or less

Plus and minus grading may be used (e.g., 93-100% = A; 90-92.9% = A-; 88-89.9% = B+, etc.).
CLASSROOM GROUNDRULES:

In order to have productive class time and discussion, we need to follow these guidelines at all times:

q  Only one person speaks at a time. Please respect others in the classroom and refrain from talking when the instructor or a classmate is speaking.

q  Individual differences will be valued.

q  You may comment on another’s comment, but must refrain from criticizing or attacking.

q  Please keep your comments/insights/questions relevant to the topic.

q  No cell phones, pagers or headphones during class.

q  No ISU Daily during class.

q  If you are using a laptop in class, it must be solely for classroom purposes.

We may add to this list as we collectively generate other guidelines. Thank you for maintaining these courtesies so that learning can be maximized.

CLASS ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is essential in order to achieve maximum learning. Instructors typically cover material in class that they deem particularly important as well as material not found in the text, so it is important to be there. Further, a significant portion of Management 371 class time will involve large and small group discussion and your input is needed! Finally, much of Management 371 will also be team-based and you need to contribute. Your team reserves the right to “report” you to the instructor if you are not contributing consistently to the team’s activities and assignments.

Your team will be asked to sit in the same general seats each class period, so that I can learn your names more easily and know if you are present. If you miss more than 10% of our class periods for any reason(s), you will be required to take the optional final exam. If absences are excessive, the instructor reserves the right to take away points consistent with the extent of the absenteeism and lack of contribution.

SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS

If you have a documented disability that may affect your ability to participate fully in the course or if you require special accommodations, you are encouraged to notify the instructor, so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. A form indicating the type of accommodation needed can be obtained from the Office of Disability Resources (294-1020). Please be assured that such information will be treated as strictly confidential.

PLAGIARISM

Plagiarism, or the use of someone else’s ideas or words as one’s own, is not acceptable under any circumstances. If you refer to the ideas or words of another, it is necessary to cite that author or authors as the source. Please be advised that plagiarism is not tolerated at Iowa State University.

COURSE SCHEDULE

DATE / TOPIC /

READING ASSIGNMENTS

8/21-
8/25 / Introduction and overview; objectives; Student introductions; Teams form.
Defining OB; people-centered mgmt. / Text Chapter 1; Ethics Learning Module
8/28-
9/1 / I. OB: Managing in a global market.
Ethics and Leadership. / Text Chapter 14; Ethics Learning Module
9/4-
9/8 / 9/4: Labor Day: No class
Culture; socialization; mentoring. / Text Chapter 2
9/11-
9/15 / Wed., 9/13: LEADERSHIP ANALYSIS PAPER DUE
Global managers.
II. Managing Individuals: Perceptions and attributions. Managing diversity. / Text Chapters 3 and 4;
9/18-
9/22 / Social perceptions and managing diversity. Individual differences: Values, attitudes, / On reserve: “Diversity as Strategy” by Thomas (2004);
Text Chapter 5;
9/25-
9/29 / MOTIVATION: Theories, intrinsic and extrinsic.
Fri., 9/29: EXAM 1 (covers weeks 1-5; chapters 1-5, Ethics and 14) / On reserve: “The Better Boss” by MacFarquhar;
Text Chapter 6
10/2-
10/6 / More motivation theories. Extrinsic Motivation: Feedback, rewards, reinforcement. / Text Chapter 7
10/9-
10/13 / III. Group/Social Processes:
Decision-making. Group dynamics and teams. / Text Chapters 8 and 9
10/16-
10/20 / 10/16: INDIVIDUAL CASE ANALYSIS DUE
Teamwork continued.
“12 Angry Men” / Text Chapter 10
10/23-
10/27 / Catch-up. / Text Chapter 10
10/30-
11/3 / IV. Managing Organizational Processes: Communication.

FRI., 11/3: EXAM 2 (covers weeks 6-10)

/ Text Chapter 12
11/6-
11/10 /

Influence. Power and Politics.

/ Text Chapter 13
11/13-
11/17 / V. Evolving Organizations:
Managing change and stress.
MON., 11/13: TEAM PAPERS DUE
11/13 & 11/15:TEAM PRESENTIONS / Text Chapter 16
11/20-
11/24 / THANKSGIVING BREAK / Eat, drink and be safe!
11/27-
12/1 / Managing change and stress continued.
11/27 & 11/29: TEAM PRESENTATIONS. / Text Ch. 16;
On reserve: “Change Through Persuasion” by Garvin & Roberto (2005)
12/4-
12/8 / 12/4 & 12/6: TEAM PRESENTATIONS.
12/8: Semester and exam review. / Review readings.
12/11-
12/15 / FINAL EXAM WEEK: OPTIONAL FINAL EXAMINATION. / See Final Exam schedule.

NOTE: Reading assignments in Course Schedule above are subject to changes announced in class or on the class website, so it is essential that you check the website routinely to ensure that you are current on class assignments and announcements.