Great Basin College
Course Syllabus
Spring 2011
Course Title:
Sections:
Credits:
Instructor:
Instructor Contact:
Classroom:
Class time:
Office Hours:
Email:
Organizational and Interpersonal Behavior – MGT 323
I01
Three (3)
Stephen J. Theriault, MBA
Cell Phone (775) 220-5582
WebCampus
Internet
Mon and Wed. 9:00 – 11:30 AM
stephent@gwmail.gbcnv.edu
Textbook:
Organizational Behavior, 9th Edition
Griffin, R.W., and Moorhead, G., South-Western, (2010)
ISBN: 9780547167336
Catalog Description:
A study of the interpersonal relations between individuals and groups in an organizational
setting. Topics include leadership styles and techniques, organizational design,
communication, decision making, motivation, perception, group behavior, and coping
with stress.
Prerequisite:
Completion of an associates degree and MGT 310, or permission of the instructor.
Course Purpose:
This course is designed to explore the foundations of human behavior in all
organizations. Each business organization has a unique structure and culture. This course
examines various organizational designs, interpersonal relationships, usual small group
behaviors, and interactions between managers and subordinates. Since the study of
organizational behavior requires an interdisciplinary approach, topics covered in this
course will include the theory, methods and principles of individual perceptions, values,
and learning styles; group structures and dynamics; and organizational processes that
occur regularly in any social gathering, such as, communications, decision-making,
leadership, power and politics, conflict and stress management and change.
This course is designed to help each student assess their own behavior and to provide
opportunities for them to develop their own unique management style and interpersonal
skills. This online class relies on the active involvement of all enrolled students.
Therefore, students must follow the schedule precisely, read the textbook, watch the
videos, and complete all assigned tasks for each chapter to get the most out of these
assigned learning activities.
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Course Objectives:
This course teaches the fundamental elements and concepts of organizational behavior
and interpersonal communication. Its specific objectives are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
To provide a general understanding of the major relationships between business
firms and the society in which they function;
To develop key concepts and principles usable by managers as they cope with the
firm’s dynamic environments;
To provide some practice using analytical tools to selected social problems and
various issues confronting today’s managers;
To clarify, improve and broaden one’s personal philosophy of business and ethics;
To strengthen the students’ communication and research abilities by exploring
current business and society relationships;
To provide the student with opportunities to utilize critical thinking skills to analyze
and solve complex issues.
Link of Objectives to Graded Items:
Objective #
1
2
3
4
5
6
Measured by:
Written Assignments & Tests
Experiential Exercises & Chapter Quizzes
Written Cases
Written Assignments & Tests
Written Assignments, esp. Case Studies
Experiential Exercises, Handouts, Case
Studies & Exams
Methodology:
This course is offered as an online class. In order for students to be successful, they
should read the text, participate in the discussions, and complete the Chapter
exercises and course work as assigned.
Course content and all learning activities are presented using behavioral, affective, and
cognitive formats with the end result focused on the student’s ability to apply the theories
and concepts. Practical scenarios will be presented to allow students to develop their own
unique management skills while examining what other managers have done when faced
with these same dilemmas.
Written Papers/Cases:
Students are expected to complete the assignments as identified in the syllabus. In
addition there will be two Google cases assigned during the course plus discussion topics
requiring participation by the student.
Discussions:
A discussion topic will be posted for student’s consideration. Students can earn 5 points
for an initial substantive post to the topic and an additional 10 points during the week
with thoughtful and informative replies to their fellow students that enhances the
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discussion and concept development. A substantive initial post would be approximately
100 to 150 words of quality insight from the week’s assigned materials and personal
work experience that relates to the topic. Posts of “I agree” and others of similar limited
depth do not qualify for points. Enhance our learning and engage each other in civil
discourse.
Tests:
Tests usually consist of a combination of True/False, Multiple Choice, and/or Essay
Questions. Because it is important for students to use the terms and concepts of this
course, all tests and written assignments will require the student to use the vocabulary
and apply the theories given various scenarios and practical examples whenever possible.
The primary goal of each examination and assignment is to allow the students an
opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the course concepts, within the time
constraints available, and to apply these concepts even when given several competing
alternatives. Students should draw upon their personal work and life experiences, as well
as, information in the course to successfully complete all graded exercises in this course.
Case Studies:
The student should write a 500 to 750 word essay and answer the questions provided by
the author. The student should relate the case to the chapter materials and issues. All
students should do internet and/or library database research prior to writing his or her
response. A cover page and a “sources cited” page are required components of the
submission.
Late Submission Penalty and *On Time Bonus:
Chapter Assessments must be submitted within the time frames posted in the WebCT
module. Failure to do so will cause the student to forfeit the points for that particular
Chapter Assessment. Late submission of the Cases Studies will result in a 10% per day
grading penalty up to four days late. No assignment will be accepted after 11:59 PM on
the fourth day. Any student who posts all five of the exams and the two Case Studies by
the original due dates; will receive a 25 point bonus at the conclusion of the semester as
identified in the “Methods of Evaluation” below.
Method of Evaluation:
A standard grading scale will be used. The following items will be graded accordingly
and with the following values on the overall course grade:
Items
Max. Value Per Assessment
Exams (5)
100
Case Studies (2)
100
Assessments/Skill Builders (8)
20
Bi-Weekly Discussion (7)
20
*On-time Bonus
25
Total
Total Value________
500
200
160
140
25____________
1025
Cumulative Point Grading Scale:
3
Final grades for the semester where the instructor employs the plus (+) and minus (-)
grading system will be based on the following scale of cumulative points.
940 to 1000 points = A
900 to 939 points = A870 to 899 points = B+
830 to 869 points = B
800 to 829 points = B770 to 799 points = C+
730 to 769 points = C
700 to 729 points = C670 to 699 points = D+
630 to 669 points = D
600 to 629 points = D0 to 599 points = F
COURSE OUTLINE:
The following course outline sets forth the course work for the Spring 2011 Semester.
The course outline and schedule is subject to change and amendment at the sole
discretion of the instructor. Any and all amendments shall be announced in class.
WEEK #1
Week of January 24, 2011
Start of Spring 2011 Semester – Monday January 24, 2011
Topic – Introduction to Course Curriculum/Student review of deliverables
Post personal bio to discussion thread and respond to peers
Read Chapter 1: An Overview of Organizational Behavior
Read Chapter 2: The Changing Environment of Organizations
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 2 – Ch 1 & 2.
WEEK #2
Week of January 31, 2011
Topic – Introduction to Organizational behavior
Complete Building Managerial Skills Exercise, pp.52
Read Chapter 3: Foundations of Individual Behavior
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 3 – Ch 3
WEEK 3
Week of February 7, 2011
Topic – Foundations of Individual Behavior
Discussion 1: Post and respond to peers in a substantive manner
Read Chapter 4: Motivation in Organizations
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 4– Ch 4
WEEK 4
Week of February 14, 2011
Topic – Motivation in Organizations
Complete Self-Assessment Exercise, pg 114
Read Chapter 5: Motivating Employee Performance through Work
Read Chapter 6: Motivating Employee Performance through Rewards
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 5 – Ch 5 & 6
Exam 1: Chapters 1-3
WEEK 5
Week of February 21, 2011
Topic – Motivating Employee Performance through Work and Rewards
Discussion 2: Post and respond to peers in a substantive manner
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Read Chapter 7: Managing Stress and Work-Life Balance
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 6 – Ch 7
WEEK 6
Week of February 28, 2011
Topic – Managing Stress and Work-Life Balance
Complete Experiencing Organizational Behavior Exercise, pg 186 - 187
Read Chapter 8: Decision Making and Problem Solving
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 7 – Ch 8
Integrative Running Case Study – Part 1- Google, pg 52 - 55 – Due Week 9!
WEEK 7
Week of March 7, 2011
Topic – Decision making and Problem Solving
Discussion 3: Post and respond to peers in a substantive manner
Read Chapter 9: Foundations of Interpersonal and Group Behavior
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 8 – Ch 9
Exam 2: Chapters 4 – 8
WEEK 8
Week of March 14, 2011
Topic – Foundations of Interpersonal and Group Behavior
Complete Organizational Behavior Case “Denver Broncos”, pg 246 -247
Read Chapter 10: Using Teams in Organizations
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 9 – Ch 10
SPRING BREAK – MARCH 21 – 26, 2011

WEEK 9
Week of March 28, 2011
Topic – Using Teams in Organizations
Discussion 4: Post and respond to peers in a substantive manner
Read Chapter 11: Communication in Organizations
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 10 – Ch 11
Submit Google Case Study Part 1 Assignment from Week 6
WEEK 10
Week of April 4, 2011
Topic – Communication in Organizations
Complete Self-Assessment Exercise, pg 303 - 304
Read Chapter 12: Traditional Models for Understanding Leadership
Read Chapter 13: Contemporary Views of Leadership in Organizations
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 11 – Ch 12 & 13
Exam 3: Chapters 9 – 11
Week 11
Week of April 11, 2011
Topic – Views and Understanding of Leadership
Discussion 5: Post and respond to peers in a substantive manner
Read Chapter 14: Power, Politics, and Organizational Justice
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 12 – Ch 14
Integrative Running Case Study – Part 3- Google, pg 502 - 404 – Due Week 14!
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WEEK 12
Week of April 18, 2011
Topic – Power, Politics, and Organizational Justice
Complete Self-Assessment Exercise – Justice at Work, pg 378
Read Chapter 15: Conflict and Negotiations in Organizations
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 13 – Ch 15
WEEK 13
Week of April 25, 2011
Topic – Conflict and Negotiations in Organizations
Discussion 6: Post and respond to peers in a substantive
Read Chapter 18: Organization Culture
Reading Assignment to be completed before Week 14 – Ch 18
Exam 4: Chapters 12 – 14
Week 14
Week of May 2, 2011
Topic – Organization Culture
Complete the “Building Managerial Skills” exercise pg 492
Read Chapter 19: Organization Change and Development
Reading Assignments to be completed before Week 15 – Ch 19
Submit Google Case Study Part 3 Assignment from Week 1
WEEK 15
Week of May 9, 2011
Topic – Organization Change and Development
Discussion 7: post and respond to peers in a substantive manner
Complete the “Building Managerial Skills” exercise pg 522
Prep for Exam 5
WEEK 16
Week of May 16, 2011
Exam 5 – Chapters 15, 18, & 19
STUDENT PREPARATION AND PARTICIPATION NOTES:
Student Preparation:
In order for a student to achieve a level of performance in this course that shall be
considered adequate work or better, the student should dedicate two (2) to three (3) hours
of work for credit value (i.e. 3 credits approximate 9 – 10 hours of outside work). This is
the expectation level established by the instructor in the construction of the curriculum
for this course and constitutes a general rule of thumb. Some students may need to
dedicate more hours in preparation. The following procedures should assist a student in
preparing for class quizzes, exams, and discussion.
a. Read the assigned chapters and deliverables.
b. Make appropriate notes to aid in material retention and understanding.
c. Review your reading outline notes in preparation for the examinations.
Student Participation
All students are encouraged to participate in class discussions and each student has the
opportunity to earn valuable points by their participation. An often-overlooked aspect of
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class participation is thinking. Students shall be required to think. Your instructor adheres
to the philosophy that there is no such thing as a “stupid question”. However, your
instructor is not sympathetic when it comes to “ignorant questions”; those questions
asked when it is obvious that the student has not completed the assigned readings in
advance of a class session discussion.
STUDENT CONDUCT AND RESPONSIBILITY
Academic Integrity and Student Conduct:
Student conduct shall conform to the standards of conduct as set forth in the Great Basin
College 2010 – 2011 Catalog. Cheating in any form or manner could result in an
automatic grade of “F” for this course for this semester. The instructor has a zero (0)
tolerance policy on plagiarism and written submissions will be subject to plagiarism
detection software.
Grade of Incomplete:
The instructor shall not employ the use of and shall not issue the grade of “I”, a grade of
incomplete, in this course.
ADDITIONAL MATTERS AND CONCERNS
Disability Policy: In accordance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) and other applicable statutory provisions, as a student with a disability you
have the right to request needed accommodations. If you have a disability for which you
will need to request accommodations, please contact the ADA Officer (Julie Brynes) in
Elko at (775) 753-2271 at your earliest convenience to request timely and appropriate
accommodations.
Email and Telephone Policy:
The instructor is available for contact via email and telephone. The instructor shall not
address via email or telephone matters relating to grades, points or student confidential
information. Assignments and Handouts shall not be sent to students by the instructor via
email. Assignments shall not be sent to the instructor by students via email.
Civility:
Civility is a requirement. Students are expected to assist in maintaining a course
environment that is conducive to learning. This includes appropriate verbiage and tone in
the discussion environment.
Acknowledgements
A note of acknowledgement is extended to the following colleagues who have allowed
the instructor to include formatting and material originally authored by them in previous
syllabi.
a.
Dr. Beverly Smith: Associate Professor Accountancy, Business
Administration and Paralegal Studies, Southwest Tennessee Community
College.
b.
Dr. Steve Sloan: Business Administration Department Chair, MidAmerica Christian University.
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c.
d.
e.
Dr Bob Morin: Division Chair – Social Science, Education, Humanities,
Public Service and Business, Professor of Political Science, Western
Nevada College.
Thomas L. Matula, PhD: Business Department Chair and Professor of
Management Studies, Great Basin College
Dr Jay Larson, Professor of Management Studies, Great Basin College
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