UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

Maryland in Europe Distance Education Programs

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Instructor: Dr. Kathy J Boyd
                  Graduate Programs - Europe
                  University of Maryland
                  Unit 29216, APO AE 09102

Consultation:  Via email at kjboyd@ed.umuc.edu. or via DSN 370-6762,  CIV +49-6221-378219 (Germany) or home +33-478-939747 (France)

Course Description: This course is an advanced introduction to theory, research, and change of strategy of behavior in organizations. Among the most effective ways of learning about human behavior is through the application of theories through group work, discussion, exercises and case studies. Success is most likely in learning situations where there is collaboration, interaction, informality and mutual respect. Online courses can serve as an excellent medium for such learning situations.

Topics covered will include conflict and negotiation; global organizational behavior; group behavior and process; leadership, power and politics; managers and organizational behavior; motivation and reward systems; organizational communication; organizational culture; organizational development and change; and stress in the work place.

Required Textbooks and Readings:

Robbins, S.P. (2001). Organizational Behavior [9^th Edition]. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.

Ott, S.J. (ed) (1996). Classic Readings in Organizational Behavior [2nd Edition]. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace & Company.

Identifying Scholarly Literature © 1996-2001. Retrieved July 6, 2001 from UMUC web site http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/identify.html#scholarly

Finding Journal Articles © 1996-2001. Retrieved July 6, 2001 from UMUC web site http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/article.html

Citing Electronic Resources: APA Style  © 1996-2001. Retrieved July 6, 2001 from UMUC web site http://www.umuc.edu/library/guides/apa.html

1. Understand the principle theories of behavior in organizations and the relationships between individual and group behavior
2. Discuss the various managerial issues related to OB and organizational change
3. Analyze complex organizations experiencing change
4. Develop and present research on the major issues, controversies, developments, and trends in the field

20%      Participation in discussions – evaluated on quality and timeliness
10%      Submission of scholarly articles – evaluated on quality and timeliness
10%      Submission of websites – evaluated on quality and timeliness
10%      Development of research paper – evaluated on timeliness
20%      Submission of research paper – evaluated on quality, format, timeliness
30%      Exam – evaluated on quality, format and timeliness

All students are advised to review the 2001/2002 UMUC DE Calendar for Term I at http://www.ed.umuc.edu/de/cal/decalendar01.html#term1

Aug 27-Sept 2  Introductions

Objectives: Become familiar with WebTycho, get to know each other a bit, and begin discussion of OB

Assignment 1: Logon and introduce yourself
Assignment 2: Discuss Chapter One of Robbins

Objectives: Focus on the individual in organizations and the basic theories of OB

Assignment 3: Discuss Chapters 2-7 of Robbins
Assignment 4: Find two scholarly articles discussing or based on a theory of OB
Assignment 5: Find two websites related to OB

Objective: Focus on the group in organizations and the basic theories of group dynamics

Assignment 6: Discuss Chapters 8-13 of Robbins
Assignment 7: Find three articles discussing group behavior
Assignment 8: Find one website providing access to group behavior data

Objective: Focus on organizational change in complex organizations

Assignment 9: Discuss Chapters 14-18 of Robbins
Assignment 10: Find one article on organizational change
Assignment 11: Find one website change agents, consultants, etc
Assignment 12: Preliminary choice of research topic

Oct 29-Nov 11 Module 4

Objective: Develop and present research on the major issues, controversies, developments, and trends in the field

Assignment 13: Definitive choice of research topic, strategy and resources
Assignment 14: First practice run on HTML

Objective: Develop and present research on the major issues, controversies, developments, and trends in the field

Assignment 15: Progress report on research
Assignment 16: Second practice run on HTML

Objectives: Finalize research project, prepare for exam and evaluate the course

Assignment 17: Submission of Final Draft
Assignment 18: Discussion of Questions from past Comprehensive Exams
Assignment 19: Complete course evaluation form

Assignment 20: EXAM