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Dr. Sandeep Mishra
Faculty of Business Administration
E-mail : mishrs@gmail.com
Office Hours : By appointment (ED 565.6)
This course is an introduction to the behavior of individuals and groups in organizations. Specific topics that will be covered include personality, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, decision-making, power, and stress/conflict. Throughout the course, a scientific, evidence-based, data-driven approach to understanding behavior in the workplace will be emphasized.
TEXTBOOK : Johns, G. & Saks, A. M. (2014). Organizational behaviour: Understanding and managing life at work (9 th edition). Toronto: Pearson Prentice Hall.*
Alternative versions of the textbook are available at much lower cost (e-textbook, rentals, used old editions etc.). The text is optional; if you come to class regularly, it will not be necessary (though it is certainly useful). A general open-access organizational behavior textbook can be accessed for free at http://www.saylor.org/site/textbooks/Organizational%20Behavior.pdf
. Please note that you will need to come to class regularly if you do not use the assigned text to ensure coverage of relevant material.
ONLINE RESOURCES : UR Courses will be extensively used for class updates, lecture outlines, supplementary materials, mark posting, electronic submissions of assignments, and online quizzes.
WRITTEN REFLECTIONS (9/11)
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Reflections are a written paragraph ( 200 words or less – going over the limit means a 10% penalty)
• Apply a specific concept to understand a personal experience you or someone you know has had
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Reflections will be submitted on UR Courses in Word or PDF format
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Due Sundays at midnight; late reflections will be penalized 25% per day
• A rubric with details on marking criteria is available on UR Courses
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Your final reflection mark will be calculated from your best 9 of 11 reflections
GROUP PROJECT
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Groups will be randomly formed and presentation slots assigned early in the semester
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Find an article on an issue in a single organization from a reputable newspaper or magazine
• Analyze this real-world organizational issue (positive or negative) using OB concepts o What did the organization do right? What did they do wrong? What could be improved?
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Remember organizations include governments, non-profits, clubs, and unions, among others!
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Your final deliverables will be (a) a 500-word or less written proposal (worth 50%), and (b) a short presentation to the class (7-10 minutes, worth 50%)
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The proposal will be marked by the instructor, and feedback provided before your presentation
• Your presentation grade will come from the instructor (25%) and the class (75%)
• Groups will complete a peer evaluation ; individual grades will be adjusted according to contribution
FINAL EXAMINATION
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Final : 40 multiple choice questions (1 mark each) + 8 short answer questions (5 marks each)
• The final exam is cumulative
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You are allowed a “cheat sheet” for the exam – one 8.5 × 11” page (front+back) for prepared notes
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Cheat sheets must be hand-written , and handed in with your exams
RESEARCH PARTICIPATION
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Up to 2% bonus marks can be earned by participating in research studies in Business Administration
• Unfortunately, availability of these opportunities cannot be guaranteed
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Further information will be posted to UR Courses
FINAL GRADE CALCULATION
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Grades are calculated using three marking schemes; your final grade will be the highest calculated
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Each scheme emphasizes different components (so you will be rewarded for what you are best at)
Writing Heavy Balanced Redemption
Reflections (9/11) 35% 25% 10%
Group Project
Final Exam
20%
45%
25%
50%
10%
80%
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
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Plagiarism and not submitting your own work are serious academic offenses with grave consequences, ranging from a mark of zero to university expulsion
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It is very important that the assessments you hand in are the product of your own work, and not work you did with anyone else (except the group project)
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References with page numbers are required for direct quotes
• Paraphrasing is required for all ideas that are not your own, and you must provide a reference
CLASS PREPARATION
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This course is very language heavy!
• Outlines of each unit will be posted on UR Courses at the beginning of the semester
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I do not use slides or provide course notes, so you will really benefit from coming to class
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I follow the textbook closely; it is a well-written, excellent resource
• You will benefit strongly from reading the chapters assigned before or after class
GRADING
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All marks will be posted on UR Courses as quickly as possible (usually within 10 days)
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Reflections and the midterm will be marked by a teaching assistant (TA)
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Reflections and exams will not be returned to you in class
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For substantive feedback on your reflections, you must come and see me in person o This allows for personalized, constructive feedback for students who are willing to take the time and effort to actively understand and improve their performance
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I am willing to re-mark reflections, but you will need to submit a request in writing o To ensure consistency, all of your reflections will be re-marked (random error dictates that mark adjustments will occur in both favorable and unfavorable directions!)
MISSED EVALUATIONS
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There will be no make-up writing reflections or final exam
• There is built-in flexibility for the reflections: if you miss a reflection for any reason , it will count as one of the reflections not included in your final mark calculation
• All writing reflection submission links will be available from the beginning of the semester
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If you know you will be unable to complete a reflection near the due date, do it ahead of time!
SPECIAL NEEDS
• Students with special needs that might impact class performance should contact the Centre for
Student Accessibility to organize accommodations
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For further information on policies and assistance programs available to students to guarantee equal access to education: http://www.uregina.ca/studserv/disability/servicesavailable.shtml
Week 1
(Sept 4)
Introduction to organizational behavior
Week 2
(Sept 9/11)
Methods in organizational research
Values, attitudes, and work behavior
Week 3
(Sept 16/18)
Personality and learning I, II
Week 4
(Sept 23/25)
Personality and learning III
Perceiving and judging others I
Perceiving and judging others II
Motivation in theory and practice I
Week 5
(Sept 30/Oct 2)
Week 6
(Oct 7/9)
Week 7
(Oct 14/16)
Motivation in theory and practice II, III
Group dynamics and teams I, II
Week 8
(Oct 21/23)
Week 9
(Oct 28/30)
Week 10
(Nov 4/6)
Week 11
(Nov 11/13)
(Group formation/meet and greet)
Social influence, socialization, and culture
Leadership
(In-class group time)
Conflict and stress
(In-class group time)
Decision-making I, II
Week 12
(Nov 18/20)
Power, politics, and ethics I, II
Week 13
(Nov 25/27)
Group presentations I, II
Week 14
(Dec 2/4)
Group presentations III
(Exam review)
Ch. 1
App. A
Ch. 4
Ch. 2
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Ch. 3
Ch. 5, 6
Ch. 5, 6
Ch. 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 13
REFLECTION 2 DUE (SEPT 21)
(Personality)
REFLECTION 9 DUE (NOV 9)
(Conflict and Stress)
Ch. 11 GROUP PROPOSAL DUE (NOV 16)
Ch. 12
REFLECTION 1 DUE (SEPT 14)
(Values/Attitudes/Work Behavior)
REFLECTION 3 DUE (SEPT 28)
(Learning)
REFLECTION 4 DUE (OCT 5)
(Perceiving and Judging Others)
REFLECTION 5 DUE (OCT 12)
(Motivation in Theory/Practice)
REFLECTION 6 DUE (OCT 19)
(Group Dynamics and Teams)
REFLECTION 7 DUE (OCT 26)
(Socialization and Culture)
REFLECTION 8 DUE (NOV 2)
(Leadership)
REFLECTION 10 DUE (NOV 23)
(Decision Making)
REFLECTION 11 DUE (NOV 30)
(Power, Politics, and Ethics)
FINAL EXAM (COMPREHENSIVE): DECEMBER 20 @ 2.00 PM