SYLLABUS
Organizational Theory Thurs 6:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
POL 606 – Spring 2012Rm 343 Suite D
7700 France Ave, Edina
OR
Fri 11:00 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
MH 101, MSU Mankato
Instructor: Jeff Bumgarner, Ph.D.
My office:Morris Hall 109
My phone:(507) 389-1018
My e-mail:
Office Hrs:Monday 9am- 12pm
Tuesday 12:30pm-3:30pm
Thursday 12:30pm-1:30pm; 5pm-6pm (Edina byappointment)
Friday 9am-11am
Required Text:
Shafritz, Ott, & Jang (2011). Classics of Organization Theory (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Thompson/Wadsworth.
Morgan (2007). Images of Organization. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
Course Description:
This course provides an opportunity to examine classical and modern principles of organization theory. While the literature explored in class will be relevant to all management science contexts, the course will emphasize organization theory within the context of public sector and non-profit organizations.
Course Format:
The essential ingredients of the course will be delivered in an online format using D2L. In other words, all assignments and other requirements for the course can be met without attending class. However, I will also be holding class sessions in person during many weeks throughout the semester at the Edina and Mankato campuses. These sessions are optional for students and will be devoted to discussing the readings among all who are present.
Regular Course Assignments
During the semester, most weeks will consist of the following assignment components:
1) Assigned Readings
2) Discussion board question(s)
Reading Assignments
The reading assignments will be as follows:
Jan 12/13* Shafritz, Ott & Jang (Chapter 1)
Jan 19/20 Shafritz, Ott & Jang (Chapter 2)
Jan 26/27* Shafritz, Ott & Jang (Chapter 3)
Feb 2/3* Shafritz, Ott & Jang (Chapter 4)
Feb 9/10 Shafritz, Ott & Jang (Chapter 5)
Feb 16/17*Midterm Exam
Feb 23/24 Shafritz, Ott & Jang (Chapter 6)
Mar 1/2* Shafritz, Ott & Jang (Chapter 7)
Mar 8/9 – no class / Spring Break
Mar 15/16 – Use this week to work on 1st Article Review
Note: Due in dropbox Mar 22/23 by 11:59 p.m.
Mar 22/23*Shafritz, Ott & Jang (Chapter 8)
Mar 29/30 Shafritz, Ott & Jang (Chapter 9)
Apr 5/6* Morgan (Chapters 1-4)
Apr 12/13 Morgan (Chapters 5-9)
Apr 19/20* Morgan (Chapters 10-12)
Apr 26/27* Final exam
May 3/4 2nd Article Review Due (submit via dropbox by 11:59 p.m.)
Notes: 1) The above timeline is tentative. Students will be notified of neededschedule changes as soon as possible after I become aware of them.
2) The first date refers to the Edina class; the second date refers to the Mankato class.
3) * denotes the weeks that I will be holding optional in-person class sessions to discuss the readings or to administer the exams.
4)Additional readings may also be assigned.
Discussion Board
During most weeks, you will find 1-3 discussion board questions posted on D2L. You are required to post your response to the question(s) on the discussion board. You are also required to react to at least one other posting (from a classmate) in a substantive way for each discussion question thread.
Put another way, all students in the course are expected to contribute to the online discussion each week. This is done first by responding to the question or questions I’ve posted, and then at some point reacting or responding to one or more of your fellow classmates' responses for each question. At a minimum, for each question, you should post comments at least twice: once for your own answer and at least once in reaction to others' answers. Keep in mind that a primary response and single secondary response is the minimally acceptable requirement. Minimally acceptable work will be graded as “low B” level work. If you desire to secure a “high B” or an “A” for your discussion grade each week, you’ll need to post more than the minimally acceptable.
Discussion board questions are intended to be thought-provoking with no “right” answer per se. However, feel free to inject more than unsubstantiated opinion. Perhaps you’ve read something in the text or elsewhere that would have bearing on the question. Or perhaps you have a personal experience that is relevant and can be shared.
For Edina students, your discussion board posts are due by the following Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. For Mankato students, your posts are due by the following Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Again, please keep in mind you are encouraged to post more than the minimum number (i.e. a primary and reactionary posting).
Exams
There will be two exams in this course—a midterm and a final exam. The format for the exams is yet to be determined, but will likely include a variety of question types (multiple choice, short answer essay, etc). The final exam will NOT be cumulative.
Students will be able to take the exams during allotted class times or through use of an approved proctor at a site and time agreeable to the student and me. Students electing this option will be responsible for identifying a proctor who is impartial and will fairly administer the exam. A workplace supervisor is often an appropriate choice. In any case, the proctor choice must be approved by me.
More information on the exams will be forthcoming during the first couple weeks of the semester.
Article Review Assignment
Students will read and evaluate any 2 scholarly article of their choosing that relate to organization theory in some way. The articles should have a publication year of no earlier than 2006. The review should summarize the article and highlight how the material and/or findings contained in the article are either applicable or inapplicable to public sector contexts. Feel free to agree or disagree with the methodology or findings of the article. Each review will be no fewer than 3 full pages (typed & double-spaced). The reviews are worth 10% each and must be submitted to the dropbox on our D2L course page.
Articles can be accessed online via MSU’s library. In most cases, full-text articles are available for download. Otherwise, the library can email you a copy of the article within a few days of a submitted request.
You MUST get approval from me for your article choices prior to submitting the reviews. Therefore, do not wait until the last minute to identify your articles.
Grading Policy
The course grade for each student will be calculated according to the proportions below:
Discussion Participation (30%)
Midterm Exam (25%)
Final Exam (25%)
Article Review #1 (10%)
Article Review #2 (10%)
A=90-100B=80-89C=70-79D=60-69F=59 and below
Make-up Work
Missed exams cannot be made up without an approved excuse.
Academic Integrity:
The academic integrity policy in this class is simple: any cheating on an exam or other assignment will result in a grade of “F” for the assignment. Additionally, I reserve the right to report the cheating to departmental and university officials for further disciplinary action.
Statement on Disability Services at MSU
MSU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities, or services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodation to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should first register with the Office of Disability Services, located in 132 Memorial Library, 389-2825, TDD 711, and then contact me as soon as possible after that.
Regarding the Weather
Presently, I live about 1 ½ hours west of Mankato and2 hours southwest of the Twin Cities. If severe winter weather materializes, please check our D2L webpage before class to make sure that I will be making it. Of course, I will make every attempt to get to class on our scheduled lecture days. But if roads are simply too dangerous, I will be notifying you of class cancellation via D2L.
GOOD LUCK IN THE COURSE. I’LL SEE YOU ONLINE (AND IN CLASS)!
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