ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
MGT 305-001
Syllabus - Spring 2016
Instructor: Mr. Stan Newton
Phone: 256-782-8237
Email: snewton@jsu.edu
Office: Merrill 109
Office hours: 9:00 – 10:00am Tuesday and Thursday, 15 minutes prior to and
following class; and by appointment.
Text: Schermerhorn, UHL-Bien, Hunt, and Osborn
Organizational Behavior, 12th edition.., New York: John Wiley ISBN: 978-0-47087820-0
Meeting Place: Class Room- Merrill 220
Meeting Time: Tuesday (T) & Thursday (R), 7:30-9:00am
Course Description: This course looks at organizational behavior from the managerial
perspective. Organization behavior as a field of study is interested in the thoughts and
actions of groups and organizations composed of individuals as they perform their daily
work activities under varying conditions. The subject matter for this course will be of an
interdisciplinary nature with primary attention given to how these thoughts and actions
relate to the quality of management, leadership, and decision making. Topics covered
will include the following: motivation, ethics, global issues, job design, decision making,
groups, communications, leadership, organizational culture, conflict, distress, and
organizational change.
The text includes most of the topics around which the course lectures, exercises, and
videos will be structured. However, additional material, either related to the topics or
completely new will be presented in class. The student is responsible for learning all
of this material.
Objectives:
1. Present the main principles and theories of the field.
2. Encourage understanding of self and others in the managerial and
organizational context.
3. Create an increased understanding of the relationship between the “human
condition” (emotional factors) and managerial functions.
Mechanics of the course: A quiz or homework will be given during or following
selected classes. Each quiz/homework will be worth 10 points. Additional points will be
earned through completion of the 3 scheduled exams for 100 points each. Class
participation will be valued.
Any assignment submitted with no name will receive no grade.
Determination of Grades: The final course grade will be determined by the percentage
scale below, based on all available points.
Percentage
Grade
100-90
A
89-80
B
79-70
C
69-60
D
60-0
F
Make-ups for the 3 scheduled exams will be given provided the excuse is acceptable to
me. Outside of unavoidable circumstances, advanced notice is considered mandatory.
No make-ups will be given for the class quizzes or homework; however, the 2 lowest
grades will be dropped from consideration.
Email Communication: When emailing your instructor, be sure to include your name,
course title and section. Untitled and unnamed emails will be filtered out and not
opened. Check your JSU email account regularly as this is the method your instructor
will use to notify you of changes, progress reports, etc. Any assignment submitted by
email must have your name on both the email and the attachment.
Mr. Newton Website: JSU, Academics, Commerce and Business, Faculty, Dr. Cobb
(view all faculty), Stan Newton-LINK, Your Selected Class.
Academic Honesty: Cheating and/or plagiarism are serious offenses and will be
punished to the fullest extent granted by University policy. In cases of academic
compromise Mr. Newton reserves the right to retest selected individuals or the entire
class. Please see Mr. Newton’s website for the CCBA Student Code. There is zero
tolerance for cell phone use during any quiz or exam.
Attendance: Students are responsible for their own attendance. However please note
that some material not in the text will be presented in class. If you do not consistently
attend, past experience shows you can expect a grade of “C” or less. You must be on time
to be counted as present or to receive returned assignments.
Classroom Behavior: The time spent in the classroom is time paid for by you, your
parents, etc. Be respectful of your fellow students who have also paid for this time.
Interruptive talking, cell phone use, leaving and returning to the classroom, sleeping on
one’s desk, or eating is not allowed during class. Disruptive students and/or students
who retard the learning process will be asked to leave the classroom. Your instructor
may make seating arrangement changes as needed. Persistent problems students will be
dealt with according to university policies.
General Instructions: It is critical in business and particularly so in management, that
businesspersons pay attention to detail, follow instructions, and be professional. In order
to encourage the development of such behavior, any lack of professionalism or deviation
from instructions, written or verbal, may generate a penalty.
Disability Accommodation Statement: Any individual who qualifies for reasonable
accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act of Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 should contact the instructor immediately.
***Tentative Schedule of Assignments***
R-Jan. 7
Chapter 1, Introduction to Organizational Behavior
T-Jan. 12
Chapter 2, Individual Differences, Values and Diversity
R-Jan. 14
Chapter 3, Emotions, Attitudes, and Job Satisfaction
T-Jan. 19
Chapter 4, Perception, Attribution, and Learning
R-Jan. 21
Continuation Chapter 4
T-Jan. 26
Chapter 5, Motivation Theories
R-Jan 28
Continuation Chapter 5
T-Feb 2
Chapter 6, Motivation and Performance
R-Feb. 4Continuation of Chapter 6
T-Feb. 9
Exam #1; covering Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and all
assignments/class covered material.
R- Feb. 11
Return and Review of Exam # 1, Chapter 7, Teams in
Organizations
T- Feb. 16
Continuation Chapter 7
R-Feb. 18
Chapter 8, Teamwork and Team Performance
T-Feb. 23
Chapter 9, Decision Making and Creativity
R-Feb. 25
Chapter 10, Conflict and Negotiation
T-Mar 1
Continuation of Chapter 10
R-Mar 3
Chapter 11, Communication and Collaboration
T-Mar. 8
Continuation Chapter 11
R-Mar. 10
Exam # 2, covering chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and all
assignments/class covered material.
T-Mar. 15
Return and review of Exam # 2,Chapter 12, Power and Politics
R-Mar.17
Chapter 13, Leadership Essentials
Mar 21 - Mar 25
T-Mar. 29
SPRING BREAK
Continuation Chapter 13
R-Mar. 31
Chapter 14, Leadership Challenges and Organizational Change
T-Apr. 5
Chapter 15, Organizational Culture and Innovation
R-Apr. 7
Chapter 16, Organizational Goals and Structures
T-Apr. 12
Chapter 17, Strategy, Technology, & Organizational Design
R-Apr. 14
Continuation of Chapter 17, Review for Final Exam (LAST
CLASS)
R-Apr. 21
Final Exam; 7:30 - 9:30. Covering chapters 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,
17, and all assignments/class covered material. Students arriving
after other students have completed the exam and left the room
will not be allowed to take the test; and, will receive an
“Incomplete” for the course.