Stevens Institute of Technology
Howe School of Technology Management
Syllabus
BT 330:
Social Psychology and Organizational
Behavior
Semester: Fall 2013
Day of Week/Time: Tuesday; Thursday
Instructors Name & Contact Information:
Office Hours: TBD
Peter Dominick, Ph.D.
peter.dominick@stevens.edu
Class Website: www.stevens.edu/moodle
Zvi H. Aronson, Ph.D.
zvi.aronson@stevens.edu
Overview
Using an applied and experiential format, this course exposes students to theory, methods and
research in organizational behavior and social psychology. Topics relating to individual
differences and group dynamics in organizational settings are stressed. Learning occurs through
discussion, group activities, and the completion of assessment instruments. Emphasis is on
helping students understand and improve their skills in key areas, including decision-making,
leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
Prerequisites: None
Relationship of Course to Rest of Curriculum
This course is integral to B&T. It provides students with the opportunity to reflect upon, analyze and
develop skills that relate to individual differences and group dynamics in organizational settings.
This course will help students understand, appreciate and improve in key areas, including
decision-making, leadership, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
Learning Goals


Introduce basic concepts of social psychology and organizational behavior
Provide insight to your own skills, abilities and interests with regard to working in teams, groups and
organizations
Pedagogy
A significant portion of the learning will occur through completion of self-assessment activities,
participation in role-plays and simulations, discussion with others, case studies and even through
providing feedback to classmates.
Required Text(s)
Required




Schmerhorn,J.R., Hunt, J.G., Osburn, R.N., & Uhl-Bien, M. (2010). Organizational Behavior, 11th
Edition. ISBN 9780470947869
Harvard Business Review (2003) Harvard Business Review on Motivating People. Cambridge, MA:
Harvard Business School Press. ISBN 1-59139-132-6
The instructor will provide other required readings and material.
Additional course material will also be available through Moodle. You should plan to check Moodle
for course announcements and to obtain copies of lecture notes and access to some surveys.
All lecture notes (PowerPoint) and assignments can be found at www.stevens.edu/moodle
Assignments
Participation and completion of surveys and homework assignments
Class meetings will include lectures, exercises, videos and group discussion of cases and articles.
At various points throughout the semester you will also be required to submit written
assignments, complete surveys and to participate in activities. Many of the surveys are available
online (http://stevens.myvirtualmentor.com, see page 10 of this syllabus). Regular attendance
and participation on your part is critical to the course. Absences during the semester and or
consistent lateness will result in the reduction of your course participation grade. In
addition, you are also expected to come to class prepared. This includes having completed
assigned readings and also includes bringing any relevant materials and handouts that were
distributed in advance.
Exams
Three examinations are scheduled for the course. These exams will not be cumulative and will
cover topics from readings and from class lectures.
Team Assignments and Project
Throughout the semester you will work in groups of 4 -5 to complete various assignments,
exercises and a project. In addition, you will also be completing various surveys and feedback
instruments. The surveys and feedback you receive are developmental activities. Any surveys you
complete and feedback you receive will remain completely confidential and will not impact your
grade. Completing the surveys however, is a course requirement.
Mini-Assignments: The syllabus describes several small assignments that you will need to
complete as a team. These assignments will count toward your participation and overall team
project grades.
Integrated Book Analysis: Each team will be assigned two stories about individual,
organizational and technological achievements. Your task will be to use the theories and
principles discussed in this course to compare and contrast these stories. As a team you will
submit one double spaced paper of approximately 7 pages (length is less important than quality of
content). (see syllabus)
Individual Skill Assessment and Development Plan
Drawing upon the concepts, assessment tools and exercises covered in this course you will need
to prepare a paper (roughly 5-7 pages) that reviews your strengths and development areas and
also describes your plans for making improvements in the future.
Assignment
Participation and completion of homework assignments
Test #1
Test #2
Test #3
Team project
Skill Analysis and Development Plan
Grade Percent
15%
15%
15%
15%
20%
20%
Ethical Conduct
The following statement is printed in the Stevens Graduate Catalog and applies to all students
taking Stevens courses, on and off campus.
“Cheating during in-class tests or take-home examinations or homework is, of course, illegal
and immoral. A Graduate Academic Evaluation Board exists to investigate academic
improprieties, conduct hearings, and determine any necessary actions. The term ‘academic
impropriety’ is meant to include, but is not limited to, cheating on homework, during in-class or
take home examinations and plagiarism.“
Consequences of academic impropriety are severe, ranging from receiving an “F” in a course, to
a warning from the Dean of the Graduate School, which becomes a part of the permanent
student record, to expulsion.
Reference:
The Graduate Student Handbook, Academic Year
Consistent with the above statements, all homework exercises, tests and exams that are
designated as individual assignments MUST contain the following signed statement before they
can be accepted for grading.
___________________________________________________________________________
I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this
assignment/examination. I further pledge that I have not copied any material from a book,
article, the Internet or any other source except where I have expressly cited the source.
Signature ________________
Date: _____________
Please note that assignments in this class may be submitted to www.turnitin.com, a web-based
anti-plagiarism system, for an evaluation of their originality.
Course Schedule
Course Outline and Reading Assignments
Wk1
Course Overview and Introduction
Wk2
Introduction to Management and Organizational Behavior
Schmerhorn et. al., Chapter 1 and Chapter 16;Trader Joe’s - Case 1A, pp. 561-562,answer questions 1-4. Corporate Social Responsibility Pays Off (available on course
website)
Wks 3&4
Motivation theories and performance
-Schmerhorn, Chapters 5 & 6
–Team Assignment #1 - Motivation and Learning Article Presentations
Wk 5
Exam #1
Wk6
Understanding Individual Differences and Work Behavior
Schmerhorn, Chapter 2,
Complete Individual web-based assessments http://stevens.myvirtualmentor.com
Wk 7
Emotions, Attitudes and Perception
T: Schmerhorn, Chapters 3 and 4
R: Team Assignment #2 - Summary of Individual Differences Information
Presentations
Wks 8 9
Understanding Group Processes and Team Dynamics
T: Schmerhorn, Chapters 7;The Forgotten Team member, Case 7, pp. 574, answer
questions 1-3;
R: –Schmerhorn, Chapter 8 (pp 201-219), Army Crew Team Case (case and case
questions available online in course website)
Wk10
Power and Political Behavior
Schmerhorn, Chapter 12
Team Assignment #3 - Team Project Status Report
Wk11
Exam #2
Wk 12
Leadership
Schmerhorn, Chapters 13 and 14
Wk13
Interpersonal Communication & Conflict Management/Negotiation
Schmerhorn, Chapters 10 and Chapter 11 ; Team Project Due
Wk14
Decision-making and Creative problem-solving in groups
Schmerhorn Chapter 8 (219-224), Chapter 9.
Case Study: Red Flags, Smart People, Flawed Decision: Morton Thiokol and the
NASA Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster.” Mark Maier, 1992. (case and case
questions available online)
Submit - Skill Analysis and development plan