Management 372-503:
Managing Organizational Behavior
112 WCBA, MW 2:20-3:35
INSTRUCTOR
Name:
Andrew Slaughter
Email:
bratslavia@neo.tamu.edu
Office:
208 State Chemistry (next to the Psychology Building)
Office hours: TBA
Website:
www.tamu.edu/faculty/slaughter
OPTIONAL TEXT
Gibson, Ivancevich, & Donnelly. Organizations: Behavior, Structure, Processes, 12th Ed.
McGraw-Hill.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The objective of the course is to introduce students to current theories of individual and group
behavior, and their application in organizational contexts.
CLASS FORMAT and STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Because the class and associated tests will be based on information presented in class, it will be
very important to attend class and take good notes. If you miss a lecture, it is your
responsibility to get copies of notes from someone – I recommend you exchange contact info
with a few other people, in case you must miss class for some reason.
COURSEWORK
The course will consist of lectures, three tests, and a short in-class presentation, described below.
GRADES
Grades will be based on the three tests and the in-class presentation, and final course grades will
be awarded according to the scale below. There may be occasional opportunities for extra credit
during the semester.
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3
Presentation
Total
100 points
100 points
100 points
50 points
350 points
A = 315 – 350 points
B = 280 – 314 points
C = 245 – 279 points
D = 210 – 244 points
F = 209 points or below
EXAMS
There will be three exams (non-cumulative) over the course of the semester, each worth 100
points. Tests will consist of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer items.
PRESENTATION
Students (alone or in groups of 2, your choice) will be asked to present a 10 minute presentation
on an OB topic (your choice, but to be approved by me.) People who opt to present in groups of
two will share the same presentation grade. Your presentation will be graded on the quality of its
content and delivery (specific criteria will be distributed later in the semester).
This presentation could take the form of a mini-lecture on a specific topic (for example, picking
a model of leadership and explaining it to the class); an interactive exercise designed to highlight
an OB theory or principle (for example, an exercise demonstrating and explaining the “risky
shift” phenomenon); a case study to do the same (for example, describing how a local or national
business used/ignored OB principles, and the effect of doing so); or even a basic consulting
proposal (for example, pick an organization, local or otherwise, and prepare a presentation
designed to convince them to implement an organizational policy or measure and use a construct,
based on OB principles).
Your presentation should include appropriate citations, and you should make a reference list
(APA or AMJ style) to be turned in on the day of your presentation. Popular publications (e.g.,
Forbes, Newsweek, etc.) and many online sources (e.g., random web pages found through
Google) are NOT generally considered appropriate references for academic presentations.
This presentation will require some degree of outside reading and research (for example, looking
up books and resources related to the topic you have chosen). You should look at the
presentation as an opportunity to learn more about a topic you had trouble with during the
semester, or to read more about a topic you found particularly interesting.
ATTENDANCE
There is no formal attendance policy. However, students who miss lectures will find themselves
very poorly prepared for the required exams.
Students who miss exams or the class presentation will only be allowed to schedule a make-up
exam or presentation if they have a University-approved excuse, as detailed below:
a)
b)
c)
d)
Participation in an activity appearing on the university authorized activity list;
Death or major illness in a student's immediate family;
Illness of a dependent family member;
Participation in legal proceedings or administrative procedures that require a
student's presence;
e) Religious holy day;
f) Illness that is too severe or contagious for the student to attend class (to be
determined by the Health Center or an off-campus physician);
g) Required participation in military duties.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES (http://student-rules.tamu.edu)
Academic Honesty. As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one’s own the
ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are
committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you
should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the severest of academic dishonesty
and can be expected to result in similarly sever consequences.
Obtaining and reusing presentation materials or text from other students is not considered honest
behavior. Your presentation is expected to be your own original work. Borrow freely, but remember
to cite the original authors/sources and mark original quotes using quotation marks.
Aggie Honor Code. “An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.”
Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment
to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and
rules of the Honor System. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the Texas A&M
University community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor system. For additional
information please visit www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor.
ADA Statement: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute
that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things,
this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that
provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability
requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students
with Disabilities in 126 Koldus, or call 845-1637.
For students with documented disabilities requiring accommodation, please see me during the first
week of class to let me know what accommodations are required.
Classroom Food, Drink, and Tobacco Policy. To help maintain high quality facilities for yourself
and others, food, beverages, and tobacco products are not allowed in the classroom. Department and
facility policies in this regard will be strictly enforced. Exceptions will be granted with appropriate
justification from the Office of Support Services for Students with Disabilities.
University Statement on Harassment and Discrimination. Texas A&M is committed to providing
an educational and work climate that is conducive to the personal and professional development of
each individual. To fulfill its multiple missions as an institution of higher learning, Texas A&M
encourages a climate that values and nurtures collegiality, diversity, pluralism and the uniqueness of
the individual within our state, nation and world. The university also strives to protect the rights and
privileges and to enhance the self-esteem of all its members. Faculty, staff and students should be
aware that any form of harassment and any form of illegal discrimination against any individual is
inconsistent with the values and ideals of the university community.
Individuals who believe they have experienced harassment or illegal discrimination are encouraged to
contact the appropriate offices within their respective units. Students should contact the Office of the
Vice President for Student Affairs at 845-4728.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE*
*(May be subject to change over the course of the semester.)
Date
8/27
8/29
9/03
9/05
9/10
9/12
9/17
9/19
9/24
9/26
10/01
10/03
10/08
10/10
10/15
10/17
10/22
10/24
10/29
10/31
11/5
11/7
11/12
11/14
11/19
11/21
11/26
11/28
12/3
Topic
Intro and syllabus
History and overview
Research methods: Scientific method in management, types of experiments
Research methods: Types of data, measures of association
Individual behavior: Learning
Individual behavior: Motivation
Individual behavior: Creativity and stress
Individual behavior: Performance
TEST 1
Individual differences: Overview; skills and abilities
Individual differences: Cognitive abilities
Individual differences: Personality
Job attitudes: Overview of attitudes
Job attitudes: Job satisfaction, organizational commitment
Job attitudes: Organizational justice
TEST 2
Groups and teams: Overview, group processes
Groups and teams: Teams
Groups and teams: Leadership
Organizations: Theories of organizations
Organizations: Climate and culture; fit
Organizations: Job design
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations/TBA
Thanksgiving (class will not meet)
Presentations/review
TEST 3
Redefined day (class will not meet)