George Mason University – Graduate Council Graduate Course
Approval Form
All courses numbered 500 or above must be submitted to the Graduate Council for final approval
after approval by the sponsoring College, School or Institute.
Graduate Council requires submission of this form for a new course or any change to existing
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Please complete the Graduate Course Coordinator Form if the proposed changes will affect other
units.
Note: Colleges, Schools or Institutes are responsible for submitting new or modified catalog
descriptions (35 words or less, using catalog format) to Creative Services by deadlines outlined in
the yearly Catalog production calendar.
Please indicate: New_______
Modify___X____
Delete_______
Department/Unit:__Health Administration and Policy/CHHS_ Course
Subject/Number:___HAP 621_____
Submitted by:____Martin Perlin__________ Ext:___3-1967_________ Email:__
mperlin@gmu.edu______
Course Title:_ MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
___________________________ ______
Effective Term (New/Modified Courses only): ___Spring 2009__
only):____________
Credit Hours: (Fixed) __3__
(Var.) ______
___X__ Regular graduate (A, B, C, etc.)
to ______
Final Term (deleted courses
Grade Type (check one):
_____
Satisfactory/No Credit only
_____
Special graduate (A, B, C, etc. + IP)
Repeat Status*(check one): ___ NR-Not repeatable ____ RD-Repeatable within degree
____ RT-Repeatable within term
*Note: Used only for special topics, independent study, or internships courses
Total Number of
Hours Allowed: _______
Schedule Type Code(s): 1._LEC_ LEC=Lecture SEM=Seminar STU=Studio
INT=Internship IND=Independent Study
2.____
LAB=Lab RCT=Recitation (second code used only for courses with Lab or Rct component)
Prereq ___ Coreq ___ (Check
one):_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________
Note: Modified courses - review prereq or coreq for necessary changes; Deleted courses - review other courses to correct
prereqs that list the deleted course.
Description of Modification (for modified courses):
The objectives are now consistent with the intent of the course as delineated in the
Course Description. This is an introductory course on organization behavior and
leadership in health service organizations, and the primary vehicle through which HAP
addresses the CAHME content area (III.B.3 Organizational development/organizational
behavior theory and application). In addition, the course lays an important foundation for
addressing the CAHME content area (III.B.10 Leadership - visioning, change
management and team development).
Special Instructions (major/college/class code restrictions, if
needed):__________________________________________
Department/Unit Approval Signature:_________
_______
Date: _____________
College/School Committee Approval Signature:__________________________________
Date:_____________
Graduate Council Approval Date:____________ Provost Office
Signature:_________________________________
George Mason University
Coordination Form
Graduate Course
Approval from other units:
Please list those units outside of your own who may be affected by this new, modified, or
deleted course. Each of these units must approve this change prior to its being submitted
to the Graduate Council for approval.
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
Unit:
Head of Unit’s Signature:
Date:
2
Unit:
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Date:
Unit:
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Date:
Unit:
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Date:
Graduate Council approval: ______________________________________________
Date: ____________
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Date: ____________
Provost Office representative: ____________________________________________
Date: ____________
3
GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY
COURSE SYLLABUS
HAP 621: MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Fall 2008 – On Campus
Faculty: Dr. Martin S. Perlin
Healthcare Executive in Residence
Department of Health Administration and Policy
http://chhs.gmu.edu/directory/perlin.html
Office: Northeast Module: Room 114
Office Phone: (703) 993-1967
Fax: (703) 993-1953
mperlin@msn.com
Course Description:
This is an introductory course in the application of organizational behavior and theories of
leadership to the management of interdisciplinary teams and decision making in healthcare
organizations.
Individuals with Disabilities
George Mason University is committed to complying with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 by providing reasonable
accommodations for disabled applicants for admission, students, applicants for
employment, employees, and visitors. Applicants for admission and students requiring
specific accommodations for a disability should contact the Disability Resource Center at
703-993-2474, or the Equity Office at 703-993-8730. Applicants for employment and
employees should contact Human Resources at 703-993-2600 or the Equity Office.
Students and employees are responsible for providing appropriate documentation and
requesting reasonable accommodation in a timely manner (George Mason University
Catalog, 2006-2007, p. 55).
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Honor Code
“To promote a stronger sense of mutual responsibility, respect, trust, and fairness among
all members of the George Mason University community and with the desire for greater
academic and personal achievement, we, the student members of the university
community, have set forth this honor code: Student members of the George Mason
University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to
academic work” (George Mason University Catalog, 2006-2007, p. 31).
You are expected to work alone, and prepare your answers to homework assignments and
exams without assistance. However, you may have someone proof your responses to
assure that you have used correct grammar, spelling and sentence structure consistent
with the standards expected in a graduate paper. Those of you who may benefit from this
assistance may seek help from the University Writing Center.
Communications:
If you want to communicate with Dr. Perlin on line, do so through the Mail Box in the
Distance Learning Platform, NOT through the GMU e-mail. If you want to talk with him
by phone, or visit in person, his office hours for this purpose are on Thursday, from 10:00
am to 3:00 pm, or other times by appointment. In any case, it is important to schedule an
appointment in advance. Confidential communications can be sent to Dr. Perlin at
mperlin@gmu.edu . Replies will be addressed to student’s GMU e-mail address.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
1. Analyze research findings on organization behavior and leadership theories that are
useful to the management and motivation of interdisciplinary teams in health service
organizations.
2. Describe how healthcare leaders use the functions of management (planning,
organizing, leading and controlling) to move their organizations to optimum
performance.
3. Analyze the various forms of organization culture and how they influence the ability
of individuals and their healthcare organizations to adapt to change and manage
performance.
4. Recognize and describe the business and leadership ethics of effective healthcare
leaders and how to avoid ethical problems in leadership.
5. Diagnose and solve management problems in health service organizations applying
concepts and theories of organization behavior and leadership
6. Apply principles of change management, conflict resolution, group dynamics, and
planning to the analysis and resolution of problems in health service management.
7. Analyze the dynamics of a small group by applying concepts and theories on small
group behavior and facilitation.
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Text Books:
1. Organizational Behavior in Health Care, 2005, Borkowski, Nancy, Jones and
Bartlett, Boston, MA. [required]
2. Principles of Health Care Management: Compliance, Consumerism, and
Accountability in the 21st Century, 2005, Goldsmith, Seth, Jones and Bartlett,
Boston, MA [required]
Schedule of Classes and Assignments
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Classroom
Assignments
Team Project
Week 1 – Class August 28
Course Introduction
Chapter 1: Overview and History of Organizational Behavior
Class Discussion: Your Experience With Leadership
Go to class discu
Week 2 – Class September 4
Attitudes and Perceptions
Borkowski
Chapter 2: Diversity in Health Care
Chapter 3: Attitudes and Perceptions
Class Discussion on Trust
Class Survey: What Drives or Motivates You?
Step 1: Begin Team Formation
Week 3 – Class September 11
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Classroom
Assignments
Team Project
Motivation
Borkowski
Chapter 5: Content Theories of Motivation
Chapter 6: Process Theories of Motivation
Goldsmith
Chapter 7: Motivation
Class Discussion on Trust
Class Discussion: What Drives or Motivates You?
Step 2 – Preliminary Literature Review
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Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Classroom
Assignments
Team Project
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Classroom
Assignments
Team Project
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Classroom
Assignments
Exam
Team Project
Week 4 – Class September 18
Communication
Borkowski
Chapter 4: Workplace Communication
Class Discussion: What Drives or Motivates You?
Class Discussion on Communication
Step 3: Formulate Hypothesis
Week 5 – Class September 25
Introduction to Leadership
Goldsmith
Chapter 5: Management in Industry and Healthcare
Chapter 8: Theory Z: An Alternative Approach
Class Discussion on Communication
Class Discussion on Leaders
Step 4: Work on Literature Review
Week 6 – Class October 2
Leadership and Power
Borkowski
Chapter 7: Power and Influence
Goldsmith
Chapter 9: Machiavelli and Healthcare Management
Class Discussion on Leaders
Class Discussion on Abuse of Power
Quiz on Organization Behavior
Step 4: Work on Literature Review
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Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Classroom
Assignments
Exam
Team Project
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Classroom
Assignments
Team Project
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Classroom
Assignments
Team Project
Week 7 – Class October 9
Leadership Theories
Borkowski
Chapter 8: Behavioral Theories of Leadership
Chapter 9: Contingency Theories of Leadership
Chapter 10: Contemporary Leadership Theories
Class Discussion on Abuse of Power
Class Discussion on Leadership Style
Take Midterm Exa
Midterm Exam
Step 4: Complete Literature Review
Week 8 – Class October 16
Conflict Resolution
Borkowski
Chapter 11: Stress in the Workplace and Stress Management
Chapter 12: Conflict Management, Decision Making and Negotiating
Skills
Class Discussion on Leadership Style
Class Discussion on Conflict Resolution
Cultural Preference Questionnaire
Step 5 – Document Findings and Conclusions and Relate to Theory
Week 9 – Class October 23
Managing Change
Borkowski
Chapter 16: Organizational Development
Chapter 17: Resistance to Change and Change Management
Class Discussion on Conflict Resolution
Class Discussion on Resistance to Change
Step 5 – Document Findings and Conclusions and Relate to Theory
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Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Classroom
Assignments
Team Project
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Class
Discussion
Exam
Team Project
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Team Project
Lecture
Reading
Assignments
Team Project
Week 10- Class October 30
Groups and Teams
Borkowski
Chapter 13: Overview of Group Dynamics
Chapter 14: Groups
Chapter 15: Teams and Team Building
Class Discussion on Resistance to Change
Confidential Peer Review
Go to your discus
Step 6 –Team Organization, Group Process and Dynamics
Week 11 – Class November 6
Organization Culture
Discussion: Cultural Preferences and Adaptation
Go to your discus
Organization Behavior and Leadership
Step 7 - Develop PowerPoint Presentation
Week 12 – Class November 13
The Functions of Management
Developing a New Healthcare Facility
Goldsmith
Review Chapter 5: Management in Industry and Healthcare (pgs. 83-92)
Chapter 10: Structure and Staffing of Healthcare Organizations
Prepare for Team Project Presentations
Go to your discus
Week 13 – Class November 20
Strategic Adaptation – Part 1
Strategic Adaptation – Part 2
Goldsmith
Chapter 4: Setting Objectives in Healthcare
Chapter 16: Strategic Planning
Chapter 17: Epilogue
Team Project Presentations
Week 14 - November 27
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY - NO CLASS
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Week 15 – December 4
FINAL EXAM THIS WEEK
Instructions to Follow
Concepts and Theories
Many concepts and theories about organization behavior and leadership will be studied.
You may only remember a handful of concepts or theories by the names of the
individuals who postulated them. But, we hope you will learn how they can be applied to
help understand “real life” organizational situations and problems. I recommend that
every time you come across an interesting concept, theory or research finding that you
create a note card. On one side of card, name the concept, etc. On the other side of the
card indicate the way in which the concept can be applied to understanding or deal with
an organizational behavior or leadership challenge. Notice that I did not suggest that you
write down the definition of the concept, but rather its potential application.
For example, in your readings and lectures you will learn about the Pygmalion Effect. I
don’t want you to memorize the definition for the Pygmalion Effect. Rather, I would like
you to understand that this phenomenon can explain why employees tend to exhibit the
behavior that managers expect of them. Later on in the course, you may be asked to
explain what you think is going on in the following scenario.
Mr. Henry Myway is the CEO of the TLC Nursing Home located in the northeast. Adam
just joined the management team and was attending his first meeting conducted by
Henry. Mr. Myway started the meeting by berating his staff for their poor performance
and lack of initiative. Adam thought to himself that Mr. Myway seemed to treat his staff
as if he believed they were incapable of independent thinking or action. For example,
rather than asking for input Mr. Myway consistently told the staff exactly what he wanted
them to do, how he wanted them to do it, and constantly complained about their poor
performance. Adam felt that Mr. Myway looked down on the staff believing they were
lazy and would not perform without his direction. In his previous job, Adam had a boss
who encouraged individual initiative and expected his employees to be internally driven
to perform.
Remembering how the Pygmalion Effect can be applied you may then be prepared to
respond that the Pygmalion Effect seems to be operational in this situation in that the
employees are exhibiting the behavior that Mr. Myway expects of them.
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Class Participation
Each student is expected to play an active role in the classroom, which starts with
attendance. Opportunities for class participation will include but not be limited to
reviewing assigned readings; preparing and discussing homework assignments;
participating in interactive lectures; engaging in weekly discussion topics; participating in
role play, and the final group project. Participation is taken seriously in this class and is
valued twenty percent of the final grade.
Written Communications
For your written communications, you should take care to use correct grammar, spelling
and sentence structure consistent with the standards expected in a graduate paper. Those
of you who may benefit from writing assistance may seek help from the University
Writing Center. Their website is http://writingcenter.gmu.edu .
Distance Learning Platform
This course has a distance learning platform for class communications at
courses.gmu.edu. Enter with your e-mail name and password. You will use this
platform for the following:




E-mail messages to Dr. Perlin (not the GMU Mail)
Receiving and posting your response to all weekly discussion questions
Taking quizzes and exams online
A Blog and Chat Room have been set up for communicating with your project
team members
Weekly Discussion Questions
During each week, you will engage in an active discussion on a topic assigned by your
instructor. Instructions for each discussion are provided in your CE6 Learning System
course. You are to post a written response to the topic no later than 12:00 midnight on
Wednesday, prior to your scheduled class. Please be advised that an informed response
to these assigned topics will only come following your completion of the readings for the
week. Then be prepared to discuss your response in class.
Team Project
The team project involves working on an organizational issue in a healthcare organization
that has been extensively covered in the media, and conducting an analysis of problems
or issues in organization behavior that may have led to the situation. Group members
must work with one another to reach the goal of the exercise and produce the final
deliverable. The grade earned by the team is the grade earned by every member of the
team, assuming that every member actively participates in the team’s work.
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Approximately half-way through the semester, members of the team will complete a
confidential peer review, in which they will assess each team member’s contributions to
the work of the team. Detailed instructions will be provided by your instructor.
Library Resources
Fenwick is the main GMU library with many resources (including on-line resources).
For those students not familiar with the full capabilities of the library and or who want
more information library Databases and how to do a ‘literature review/search’ see library
website (especially SiteSeeing@Fenwick) and attend any of their scheduled
orientation/education sessions. Discipline specific librarians are available: See website
http://library.gmu.edu/research/liais.html
Evaluation and Grading
Evaluation
Quizzes
Midterm Exam
Class Participation
Team Project
Comprehensive Final Exam
Total
Up to a 25% penalty for assignments turned in late.
Grading
10%
20%
20%
30%
30%
100%
Grading Spreadsheet
Following is a hypothetical example of how a student’s grade will be calculated. Each
assessment is scored in the row labeled “Score”. This student earned a score of 100 on
every assessment. The weight of each item is in the row labeled “Weight”. The point
contribution of each item to the final grade is calculated by multiplying the score by the
weight, and shown in the row labeled “Total Contribution”. For the Team Project, a
student’s individual score is determined by multiplying the Project Score by that
student’s Peer Review Score. Convert this to an excel spreadsheet, and as the course
proceeds, you can enter hypothetical scores for the assessments that remain to see what
your final grade may be.
NAME
Score
Weight
Project
Contribution
Total
Contribution
A = 94-100
A- = 90-93
B+ = 87-89
Quizzes
Quiz 1 Quiz 2
100
100
5%
5%
5
5
Mid Term
100
20%
20
B = 83-86
B- = 80-82
C+ = 76-79
Team Project
Project Peer Rev Total
100
100
20%
20
100%
20
20
Participation
Final
Total
Points
100
20%
100
30%
100%
20
30
100
C = 70-75
D = 60-69
F = 0-59
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE TEAM PROJECT
The team project involves studying a healthcare organization that currently or has in the
past experienced considerable difficulty due to one or more problems in organization
behavior and leadership, and to conduct an analysis of problems or issues that may have
led to the situation. The organization to be studied will be assigned by your instructor.
Group members must work with one another to reach the goal of the exercise and
produce the final deliverable.
The grade earned by the team is the grade earned by every member of the team, assuming
that every member actively participates in the team’s work. Approximately half-way
through the semester, members of the team will complete a confidential peer review, in
which they will assess each team member’s contributions to the work of the team.
Team Project Process:
Step 1 - Team Formation: Following an initial period of learning about each team
member’s knowledge, skills, attributes and interests, each team is expected to assign
roles and select someone to be team leader. Each team will also specify the ground
rules for working together (each member must contribute) and specify a work
plan/team assignments and accountability to achieve the final deliverable;
Step 2 – Preliminary Literature Review: Conduct a preliminary literature review of
the selected organization to understand the problem and to formulate a working
hypothesis of the organizational behavior issues that were responsible for the
problem. As previously indicated, your sources may include, but not be limited to the
following: News paper articles; television coverage; books and periodicals;
congressional record; public records; dependable internet sources; and interviews.
Students should look for an opportunity to relate the problem to relevant areas of
organizational behavior or management concepts that are listed below:








Employee Motivation
Communication
Leadership style
Leadership power
Stress Management
Conflict Management
Workplace Stress
Group and Team Dynamics







Managing Change
Corporate Culture
Employee Performance
Organization Structure
Management Ethics
Functions of Management
Strategic Adaptation
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Step 3 – Formulate Final Hypothesis: In this step, each team is expected to
formulate a final hypothesis concerning the problem or issue to be studied. The
hypothesis is typically based on one or more concepts, theories or research in
organizational behavior. This will usually require the completion of a literature
review discussed in Step 2, before a hypothesis can be clearly formed. Team
members should consider what causes the issue/problem (determinants and
consequences) and how one may go about identifying and studying the problem in the
selected organization. It is this hypothesis that teams will test through their research
and analysis. An example of how a hypothesis should be stated follows:
Hypothesis: “Barriers to communication within Regional Health System’s
executive team were responsible for the management conflicts that resulted in
organization dysfunction and failure”
Step 4 – Complete Literature Review: After the team has formulated a hypothesis
it will continue to collect data and information from a variety of sources in order to
test the hypothesis and develop a deeper understanding of the problem and the way it
relates to one or more principles of management or research studies in organizational
behavior that are discussed in this course. All contributions from news paper articles;
television coverage; books and periodicals; congressional record; public records;
dependable internet sources; interviews and any other sources should be properly
cited using APA format.
Step 5 – Document Findings and Conclusions and Relate to Theory: At this
step, the team should be in a position to discuss its findings and conclusions and
relate these to the group’s hypothesis. Was the hypothesis proved or disproved?
Further, the team should identify how the problem and its evolution relate to
concepts, theories or research in organization behavior and management process
that were discussed in this course, which should be properly cited. You should
also speculate on what leadership could have done differently to avert the
organization crisis and provide a rationale for your opinion.
Step 6 –Team Organization, Group Process and Dynamics: How did the team get
organized and what were the roles of its members? Comment on the function of the
team; what worked well and what problems occurred? How were conflicts resolved?
How did the team determine assignments, timing and accountability to achieve the
final deliverable? Relate your team experience and the lessons learned by your
members with the concepts and theories on group process and dynamics discussed in
this course. Note: you will not lose points by reporting team difficulties or
dysfunction, to the extent that occurs. It would be very rare indeed for everything to
go smoothly. We are looking for an honest reporting of how the team functioned and
what lessons were learned from this experience.
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Step 7 - Develop PowerPoint Presentation: The PowerPoint presentation should
include the following sections:
1. Background of the problem: What happened at this organization that brought
it into the public spotlight? What were the observable symptoms of a serious
problem in organization behavior?
2. Hypothesis statement: What specifically did your project team attempt to
prove or disprove through your literature search and analysis? (From Step
3 above)
3. Findings and Conclusions: What were your findings and what do you
believe contributed to the difficulties experienced by the organization
studied? Was your hypothesis proved or disproved? Speculate on what
leadership could have done differently to avert the organization problem
or crisis and provide a rationale for your opinion. (From Step 5 above)
4. Application of Theory: How do the problem and the way it evolved relate
to concepts, theories or research in organization behavior and management
process that were discussed in this course? (From step 5 above)
5. Team Organization, Group Process and Dynamics: Relate your team
experience and the lessons learned by your members with the concepts and
theories on group process and dynamics discussed in this course.
Step 8 – Class Presentation: Present a 30 minute PowerPoint presentation of
your team project and be prepared for a 10 minute class discussion/Q&A. Each
member of the team should participate in the presentation in some meaningful
way. The final presentations are to be given live in class at the end of the course
as noted in the course syllabus. We will confirm this date and time once we are all
assembled.
Grading: Team Projects
Criteria
1. Background of the Problem
2. Hypothesis Statement
3. Findings and Conclusions
4. Application of OB Theory
5. Team Organization, Group Process and Dynamics
Total Score
Maximum
5%
5%
30%
30%
30%
100%
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