Faculty Contact Information:
Instructor: Dr. Brett Hamilton
Email Address: bhamilto@faculty.ed.umuc.edu, Novantiq@aol.com
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Consultation:
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Tel and Fax: 06434-6222 (1100 hrs - 2100 hrs, 7 days)
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Required Texts and Readings:
Text used exclusively in this course--
Robbins, S.P.; Judge, T.A. 2007. Organizational Behavior (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Texts used in multiple courses --
Ott, J.S., Parkes, S.J. & Simpson, R.B. (2008). Classic readings in
organizational behavior (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication manual of the
American Psychological Association (5th ed.). Washington DC:
Author.
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Supplementary Readings:
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All graduate students should be prepared to utilize the UMUC online library at www.ed.umuc.edu/library . The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students' research and writing skills.
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Recommended Journals:
A variety of full-text, online, free-of-charge and pay-per-view academic journals are listed in the UMUC Library. The Journal of Organizational Behavior is especially useful in this course.
Other recommended journals include:
Leadership Quarterly
Journal of Communication
Academy of Management Review
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes
Management Review
Harvard Business Review
Journal of Organizational Behavior
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Course Description:
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Prerequisite: Undergraduate principles of management or permission of the program director. Presents basic concepts of formal organizations. Students become acquainted with the major conceptual models that purport to explain organizational behavior, acquire an understanding of the methods used to study organizations, and analyze research that has been produced. While the emphasis is placed on critical analysis of literature that deals with "what is," attention is given to views about "what should be" in order for people to derive maximum satisfaction and other benefits from organizational activity.
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Course Goals:
As one of three foundations courses in the MPA program, a requirement for the Certificate in Public Management, and an elective in the MIS program, this course introduces and analyzes major theories of organizational behavior and the ways in which theses theories inform management of organizations in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Particular attention is given to theories focusing on:
- Individual and group behavior in relation to each other and larger organizations
- Leadership styles, principles and contingencies
- Motivation and Reward Systems
- Values, Attitudes and Job Satisfaction
- Organizational Communication
- Organizational Culture
- Organizational Development and Change
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Course Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course the student will be able to:
- Analyze case material, web sites, public law, and research articles related to organizational behavior and organizational change
- Investigate the relationship between historical and current issues in organizational behavior
- Utilize electronic resources to find primary source documents, data, statements on best practices and research articles related to issues in organizational behavior and organizational change
- Develop and present written and oral arguments, case studies, and/or research papers on current issues in organizational behavior that make reference to and build on factual and expert information.
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Grading Information:
Grades for this course will be assigned as follows:
A 90%
B 80 – 89%
C 70 – 79%
F Below 70%
Please note that Bowie State University does not use "D" for graduate students. The grade F is used to designate academic failure. F(n) is used to designate failure for non-completion. Grades of Incomplete or Withdrawal are governed by UMUC-Europe policies. For further details, please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog. Hard copies of the catalog are available in your local Education Center.
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Course Requirements:
Graduate school at the masters level focuses on helping students obtain the education needed for success as professionals in their chosen fields. Thus, UMUC-Europe Graduate Programs and Bowie State University share the common goals of promoting excellence in academic scholarship through thoughtful inquiry and the skillful application of knowledge and theory for the betterment of society. In order to maximize your graduate educational experience in general and this course in particular, you are required to:
Participate in classroom discussions 15%
Write graduate level papers or case studies 30%
Orally/visually present prepared material 5%
Complete one or more written examination(s) 50%
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Description of Course Requirements:
Successful graduate students in American universities dedicate approximately three hours of preparation/study time for every hour spent in the face-to-face classroom. Thus, the following course requirements were developed on the assumption that students would be prepared to spend approximately 150 hours of their own time working on them. In an 8-week term, that is the equivalent of a half-time job. Most 14-week graduate distance education courses require at least 10 hours per week of dedicated time, plus time spent in the virtual classroom.
Participate in classroom discussions: You are expected to come to class prepared to engage in all discussions in a professional and informed manner.
Write graduate level papers or case studies: You are required to conduct professional-level research, including appropriately citing works of others and avoiding plagiarism. Resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment.
Orally/visually present prepared material: You are required to present your research in a professional manner. In a face-to-face course, this typically means an oral presentation accompanied by appropriate visual material. In a DE class, this means creating a visual/textual presentation for your instructor and classmates. Moreover, all students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with current UMUC-Europe/BSU policy regarding plagiarism, as all class papers are subject to being sent to turnitin.com for authentication.
Term Paper Description: A term project will take the form of an analysis of an organizational problem using the principles of our readings and classwork to frame the problem, analyze options and propose useful intervention(s) in order to resolve the problem. The problem selected should be an ongoing problem or a real-world problem experienced by the student from his or her organizational background. If student lacks organizational experience upon which to draw, instructor will provide alternative assignment.
Complete one or more written examination(s): The examination process in this class will assist you in developing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary to successfully passing the comprehensive exam required of all graduate students. The questions used for this course will either be taken directly from past comprehensive exams or written as though to be included on a comprehensive exam.
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Course Schedule:
MGMT 511 – DE Term 4, 2008 (14 April– 22 June 08)
Week 1: 14-20 April 08
MODULE 1 – THE NATURE OF ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR (OB)
Main Topics: Managerial roles and skills; Role of behavioral sciences in understanding human factors in organizations; Independent and dependent variables used in behavioral research; Contemporary issues and challenges; Variables affecting job satisfaction and productivity; Behavior modification strategies.
Reading Assignments:
Robbins, Chapters 1,2,3; Appendix A.
Ott, Introduction pp. 1-30.
Self-Study Guide and Study Questions
Conference Participation
Week 2: 21-27 April 08
MODULE 2 – PERSONALITY, EMOTIONS and MOODS
Main Topics: Personality traits and determinants; Nature of perception; Values and attitude formation; Decision-making.
Reading Assignments:
Robbins, Chapters 4,5.
Ott, Chpt. 2 and Readings 9-11.
Self-Study Questions / Management exercises
Week 3: 28 April – 4 May 08
MODULE 3 – MOTIVATION
Main Topics: Traditional and contemporary theories; Applications in MBO, Employee recognition - involvement; Equity theories; Moderating effect of cultural orientation; Special challenges with diverse workers.
Reading Assignments:
Robbins, Chapters 6,7.
Ott, Readings 12-16.
Assignment: Analysis of Case Study #1 (to be announced)
Week 4: 5-11 May 08
MODULE 4 – GROUP DYNAMICS AND DECISION PROCESSES
Main Topics: Understanding work teams; Formal and informal groups; Developmental stages and interaction; Norms; Group decision-making processes; Dynamics of Groupthink; Role of manager in decision processes.
Reading Assignments:
Robbins, Chapters 8 and 9.
Ott, Chpt. 3 and Readings 17-19; Chpt 4 and Readings 24, 26, 27.
Week 5: 12-18 May 08
MODULE 5 – COMMUNICATION PROCESSES IN INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Main Topics: Teams vs. Groups; Types; Composition; Teams and Quality Mgmt; Team Building; Communication Process and Networks; Interpersonal; Nonverbal; Cross-Cultural Issues; Selective perception; Filtering; Gender and cultural Differences; Self image issues; Organizational communication.
Reading Assignments:
Robbins, Chapters 10 and 11.
Ott, Readings 20, 22, 23.
MIDTERM EXAM
Week 6: 19-25 May 08
MODULE 6 – LEADERSHIP AND DYNAMICS OF POWER
Main Topics: Leadership versus Management; Trait theories; Contingency theories; Situational, task and follower variables; Types of trust; Charisma; Transformational leadership; Emotional intelligence; Challenges to the construct of Leadership; Creating effective leaders.
Reading Assignments:
Robbins, Chapter 12 and 13.
Ott, Chapter I and Readings 1, 3-7.
Analysis of Case Study #2 (to be announced)
Week 7: 26 May – 1 June 08
MODULE 7 – CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, ARBITRATION, AND NEGOTIATION
Main Topics: Framing of conflict; Strategies; Benefits and costs; Power bases; Dependency relationships; Political dynamics; Functional and dysfunctional Conflict; Conflict handling intentions; Bargaining strategies; Facilitator roles in negotiation process; arbitration.
Reading Assignments:
Robbins, Chapters 14 and 15.
Ott, Chapter 5 and Readings 30-36.
Case Study #3: Personal Conflict Mode assessment and analysis
Week 8: 2-8 June 08
MODULE 8 – ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND CULTURE
Main Topics: Bureaucracy; Departmentation; Span Of Control; Alternative design effect on employees; Process reengineering; e-Organizations; New work designs; Organizational culture; Strategies for sustaining or changing existing cultures; How to create and sustain an ethical culture.
Reading Assignments:
Robbins, Chapters 16 and 17.
Ott, Readings 29, 37, 38, 41.
Self-Study Questions in preparation for final exam
Week 9: 9-15 June 08
MODULE 9 – MANAGING HUMAN RESOURCES
Main Topics: Selection; Training and development; Performance evaluation; Managing diversity; Stress management strategies;
MODULE 10 – MANAGING PLANNED CHANGE IN ORGANIZATIONS
Main Topics: Managing Change; Change Agent Processes; Dealing with Resistance; Role of Organization Development Specialists. Lewin Model.
Reading Assignments:
Robbins, Chapters 18 and 19.
Ott, Chapter 6 and Readings 39, 40, 44.
Case Studies due/ Presentations of Term Papers.
Week 10: 16-22 June 08
PRESENTATIONS AND FINAL EXAM
Term Papers Due 18 June 08
Catch up; All outstanding assignments due;
Presentation of Term Paper work in virtual Symposium format.
Final Exam
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Academic Policies:
The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the University's contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism.
The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi.
Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course and to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Students with Disabilities
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center.
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Faculty Bio:
Dr. Hamilton has delivered training and development services to civilian, military and academic organizations in the United States, Europe and the Middle East.
He assisted in the design of training for aerospace flight and ground crews; developed and directed training programs; and conducted educational program assessments.
He has taught for the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Maryland University College, Boston University and the Army Management Staff College.
For the University of Maryland, University College he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in management theory, organizational behavior, research and evaluation methods, organization development (OD), communication, and conflict management.
His doctoral research at UCLA experimentally investigated key variables in the stage theory of Piaget which are normally used to assess cognitive development in children. While working at Mattel Toys, Inc., he created educational toys and products. At UCLA he conducted research into instructional programming variables in the construction and assessment of computer assisted learning programs.
His work history includes training research and development with Thiokol Chemical Corporation, McDonnell-Douglas Space Systems Center, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, Kettering Foundation, Mattel Toys, Inc., International Training Consultants, the American Postal Corporation, and FranklinCovey Europe.
Now living in Germany, Dr. Hamilton provides services in change management, professional skills development, and instructional system design. He completed both undergraduate work in Psychology and graduate work in Educational Psychology and Instructional Technology at UCLA.
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