EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
PLSC 451: SEMINAR IN PUBLIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (3 HOUR)
WINTER TERM 2015
COURSE SYLLABUS
Classroom: Thursday evenings 6:00 p.m. until 8:40 p.m., EMU Livonia Campus, room 434
Instructor: Gary M. Goss may be reached at 248-880-3234 or e-mail: ggoss@emich.edu
Text: Organizational Behavior/Management in Law Enforcement, 3/Edition, Prentice Hall, 2012
Harry W. More, Ph.D., San Jose State University, Gennaro F. Vito, Ph.D., Southern Police
Institute, University of Louisville, and William F. Walsh, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University
of Louisville
The text is available at http://www.neebo.com/Textbook/organizational-behavior-managementin-law-enforcementb9780135071526/ISBN-9780135071526
Course Objectives
This course will prepare the student for an administrative role 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. This course is intended to be the capstone for the Public Safety
Administration Program. The goal of this course will be to equip each student with a skill set
that they will use as they gain a position of responsibility in the field of Public Safety
Administration.
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.
EMU Writing Support
The University Writing Center (115 Halle Library; 487-0694) offers one-to-one writing consulting for
both undergraduate and graduate students. Students can make appointments or drop in between the
hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. The
UWC opens for the Winter 2015 semester on Monday, January 12 and will close on Monday, April 20.
The UWC also has several satellite locations across campus (in Owen, Marshall, Pray-Harrold, Sill, and
Mark Jefferson). These satellites provide writing support to students in various colleges and programs
across campus. The Pray-Harrold satellite (rm. 211) is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to
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4 p.m. Other satellite locations and hours can be found on the UWC web site:
http://www.emich.edu/uwc
The Academic Projects Center (116 Halle Library) also offers one-to-one writing consulting for students,
in addition to consulting on research and technology-related issues. The APC is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mondays through Thursdays for drop-in consultations. Additional information about the APC can be
found at http://www.emich.edu/apc.
Students seeking writing support at any location of the University Writing Center should bring with
them a draft of what they are working on and their assignment sheet.
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
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
Jan. 8th.
Introductions, orientation, course requirements, review of PLSC 450
Jan 15th.
Decision Making - The Essential element in Applied Management, Chapter 9
Identify the steps involved in the rational decision-making process. Consider the
advantages and disadvantages of group decision making.
Jan. 22nd.
Power - Its nature and use. Chapter 10
We will distinguish between power and politics. Describe how power is obtained,
How to use power wisely and a discussion of Labor Law.
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Jan. 29th.
Communication - The vital process Chapter 11
We will discuss the nature and extent of informal communication and the critical
features of the grapevine and the importance of body language. Discuss survey
techniques to improve communication and the importance of listening.
Feb. 5th.
Groups and Teamwork - Human dynamic at work Chapter 12
Discuss leadership in formal and informal groups. Examine group culture.
Discuss the affects of Groupthink and Cliques.
Feb. 12th.
Review of chapters 9 - 12 and your selection of the book for the term project.
Feb. 19th.
Mid-Term exam
Feb. 26th.
Spring Break
March 5th.
Change - Coping with organizational life Chapter 13
Identify and explore issues related to diagnosis, resistance, implementation,
evaluation institutionalization and diffusion. Review of the mid-term exam.
Mar. 12th.
Performance Based Management - Guiding principles Chapter 14
Mission statements, values, goals, objectives. Measuring performance.
Mar. 19th.
Class project - Winning the hiring decision.
Mar. 26th.
Development of a job description & Chapter 15: Developing the Effective
Organization and Improving Organizational Performance.
April 2nd.
All Papers Due and Presentation of term projects begins
April 9th.
Presentation of term projects
April 16th.
Presentation of term projects and Final Exam
April 23rd.
Last day of class and review of Final and Projects.
Note: This outline is subject to change depending upon availability of resources.
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