ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
MGT 305-001
Syllabus - Spring 2012
Instructor: Stan Newton
Phone: 256-782-8237
Email: snewton@jsu.edu
Office: Merrill 217C
Office hours: 8:00 – 9:15am Tues, Thur, 15 minutes prior to and following class,
and by appointment.
Text: Schermerhorn, Hunt, and Osborn (2003)
Organizational Behavior, 10th edition.., New York: John Wiley ISBN: 978-0-47008696-4
Meeting Place: Class Room- Merrill 250
Meeting Time: 12:45 – 2:15 TR
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.
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. Any assignment submitted by email must have your name on the email and the
assignment. Check your JSU email account regularly as this is the method your instructor
will use to notify you of changes, progress reports, etc.
Academic Honesty: Cheating and/or plagiarism are serious offenses and will be
punished to the fullest extent granted by University policy. No grade will be given for
any assignment turned in unsigned. Please Mr. Newton’s Web-site for the CCBA Student
Code.
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. 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***
Thur-Jan. 12
Chapter 1, Introduction to Organizational Behavior
Tues-Jan. 17
Chapter 2, Values, Personality, and Individual Differences
Thur-Jan. 19
Chapter 3, Emotions, Attitudes, and Job Satisfaction
Tues-Jan. 24
Chapter 4, Perception, Attribution, and Learning
Thur-Jan. 26
Continuation Chapter 4
Tues-Jan. 31
Chapter 5, Motivation Theories
Thur-Feb 2
Continuation Chapter 5
Tues-Feb. 7
Chapter 6, Motivation and Job Design
Thur-Feb. 9
*** Exam #1; covering Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and all
assignments/class covered material.
Tues-Feb.14
Chapter 7, Rewards and Performance Management
Thur-Feb. 16
Continuation Chapter 7
Tues-Feb. 21
Chapter 8, How Groups Work
Thur-Feb. 23
Chapter 9, Team Work and Team Performance
Tues-Feb. 28
Chapter 10, Power and Politics
Thur-Mar. 1
Chapter 11, Leadership Theories
Tues-Mar. 6
Continuation Chapter 11
Thur-Mar. 8
Chapter 12, Emerging Leadership Perspectives
Tues-Mar. 13
***Exam # 2, covering chapters 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and all
assignments/class covered material.
Thur-Mar. 15
Chapter 13, Decision Making
Tues-Mar 20
Continuation Chapter 13
Thur-Mar.22
Chapter 14, Communication
Mar. 26 – Mar.30
SPRING BREAK
Tues-Apr. 3
Continuation Chapter 14
Thur-Apr. 5
Chapter 15, Conflict and Negotiation
Tues-Apr 10
Continuation Chapter 15
Thur-Apr. 12
Chapter 16, Organizational Culture and Development
Tues-Apr. 17
Chapter 17, Organizational Goals and Structures
Thur-Apr. 19
Chapter 18, Strategic Capabilities and Design (LAST CLASS)
Tues-Apr. 24
***Final Exam; 10:30am - 12:30pm. Covering chapters 13, 14,
15, 16, 17, 18, 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.