EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
PLSC 450: MANAGING PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCIES (3 HOUR)
FALL TERM 2013
COURSE SYLLABUS
Classroom: Thursday evenings 6:00 p.m. until 8:40 p.m., EMU Livonia Campus
Text: Organizational Behavior and Management in Law Enforcement, 3/E
Harry W. More, Ph.D., San Jose State University
Gennaro F. Vito, Ph.D., Southern Police Institute, University of
Louisville
William F. Walsh, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Louisville
ISBN-10: 0135071526
ISBN-13: 9780135071526
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Copyright: 2012
Format: Cloth; 456 pp
Published: 01/11/2011
The text is available at http://www.neebo.com/Textbook/organizational-behavior-management-in-lawenforcementb9780135071526/ISBN-9780135071526
Instructor: Gary M. Goss may be reached at 248-449-9922, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mon.
- Fri. E-mail: ggoss@emich.edu
OBJECTIVES
This course will prepare the student for an administrative roll in a public safety
agency. It will cover organizational theory and practice as well as organizational behavior
to promote an understanding of the organization itself as well as key interactions among
employees, managers and the community. To achieve these goals, the class will involve
discussions of contemporary issues, as they relate to the public safety field, and leadership
traits. This course will provide the foundation for the student's capstone seminar in public
safety administration.
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty, including all forms of cheating and/or plagiarism, will not be
tolerated in this class. Penalties for an act of academic dishonesty may range from receiving a
failing grade for a particular assignment to receiving a failing grade for the entire course. In
addition, you may be referred to the Office of Student Judicial Services for discipline that can
result in either a suspension or permanent dismissal. The Student Conduct Code contains
detailed definitions of what constitutes academic dishonesty, and it can be accessed online at
www.emich.edu/sjs
University Writing Center
The University Writing Center (UWC) offers one-on-one writing consulting for both
undergraduate and graduate students. Students can make appointments by calling 734-487-0694
or drop in between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and between 11
a.m. and 4 p.m. on Fridays. Students should bring a draft of what they’re working on and their
assignment sheet. The UWC is headquartered in Room 115 of Halle Library. Students may also
seek writing assistance in our satellite location in Room 514 Pray Harrold, Monday - Thursday,
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. For more information go to http://www.emich.edu/english/writingcenter/students.php
Classroom Management Issues
Students are expected to abide by the Student Conduct Code and assist in creating an
environment that is conductive to learning and protects the rights of all members of the
University community. Incivility and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in
a request to leave class and referral to the Office of Student Services (SJS) for discipline.
Examples of inappropriate classroom conduct include repeatedly arriving late to class, using a
cellular phone, or talking while others are speaking.
Students with Disabilities
If you wish to be accommodated for your disability EMU Board of Regents policy #8.3
requires that you first register with the Access Services Office (ASO) in room 203 King Hall. You
may contact ASO by telephone at (734) 487-2470. Students with disabilities are encouraged to
register with ASO promptly as you will only be accommodated from the date you register with
them forward. No retroactive accommodations are possible.
COURSE OUTLINE
Sept. 5th.
Introductions, course requirements and historical perspectives
Sept. 12th.
Police Organization: Evolving Strategies, Chapter 1
Sept. 19th.
Dynamics of Management: Managers and Organizational Behavior, Chapter 2
Sept. 26th.
Leadership theory Chapter 3: Leadership exercises
Oct. 3th.
Leadership theory continued
Oct. 10th.
Human behavior as it relates to the organization Chapter 4
Oct. 17th.
Determinants of human behavior Chapter 5
Oct. 24th.
Mid-Term exam and the discussion of beliefs, values and attitudes
Oct. 31st.
Term project topic due and review of the mid-term exam
Nov. 7th.
Motivation: the force behind behavior Chapter 6
Nov. 14th.
Stress in organizational life Chapter 7
Nov. 21st.
Conflict: nature, causes and management Chapter 8
Nov. 28th.
Happy Thanksgiving
Dec. 6th.
Presentation of term projects
Dec. 13th.
Presentation of term projects
Dec. 20th.
Final Exam and review of final exam and term projects
Grading: The mid-term exam and the final exam will each count for 33 percent of the final
grade with the term project accounting for the remainder.
Class attendance: Both exams will include multiple choice, fill in and short essay questions
taken from the text and from classroom discussions.