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ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
SYLLABUS
MG 520
Instructor: Allene L. Kieff
Office: JC 131G
632-2933 (voice mail)
Course Homepage: http://www.kieff.com
Text:

Home: 784 1289

kieffall@aquinas.edu
allene@kieff.com

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND MANAGEMENT

John M. Ivancevich and Michael T. Matteson
Irwin, 2002, 6th Edition)

Course Description;
Individual factors that affect human behavior in organizations are explored through collaborative
learning and practical application. The theoretical foundations of organizational behavior are
examined with emphasis on leadership, team development, motivation, and communication.
Application to the management of organizations is the focus of class discussion, projects and
written assignments. Developing a management philosophy and the link between managerial
activities and organizational effectiveness are used as integrating themes.
Course Objectives: Students will...
* Develop understanding of the interactions between individuals and work groups in
organizations.
* Enhance their understanding of effective teamwork and their ability to lead, develop and
participate in teams to achieve organizational objectives.
* Increase their ability to effectively use communications skills to give and obtain feedback.
* Expand individual problem solving skills to enhance individual and group performances.
* Apply organizational behavior theories and concepts in organizational settings.
Instruction:
Readings, discussion, small group work, case study, lecture and in-class exercises
Text, readings, case preparations and assignments are to be completed prior to class indicated on
Course Outline.
Grading:
Summaries
(3 @ 20 pt.)
Work Groups (3 @ 20 pt.)
Exams
(3 @ 40 pt.)
Original Case Study

18%
18%
35%
30%
total

60 pt
60 pt
120 pt.
100 pt.
340 pt.

Grading Scale
97% = A
88% = B+
80% = B74% = C

92% = A84% = B
76% = C+
70% = C-

Participation:
Since exchange is a necessary component of learning, students are expected to attend all class
periods, take an active part in work groups, class discussions, and come to class prepared to
contribute.
I will do everything I can to make each class session productive, but hope it will be a little fun as well.

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COURSE SCHEDULE
Date

Topics

Chapters

Class
1

Aug. 27

Introduction to Management: Individual Differences

Personal Profile: DISC; Appendix 1-A (p. 44), Reading 1-1p. 34

1-3

Sept. 3

Individual Differences & CAM 2: Communication

Johari
Assignments Due for Class 2:
* Readings: Active Listening p. 517
* One Page Summary: " Coming of the New Organization"
* Complete Personnel Relations Survey

7,13

Sept. 10

Motivation
Graded Group Case: Knowlton
Assignments Due for Class 3:
* Case Prep: Bob Knowlton p. 140, Rough Draft, bullet points
* Reading: "Managing Without Managers"; The Folly , p. 216
* Exam 1: Chapters 1,2,3,7,13, Appendix 1-A, DISC, Johari

4-6

Sept. 17

Decision Making & Begin CAM 5: Leadership

Power, History, Styles
Assignments Due for Class 4:
* Complete SMI
* One Page Summary: "Whats a Business For?"
* Reading: "Pygmalion"

14, 10

Sept. 24

Leadership Continued
Situational Leadership; Path-Goal; Fiedler

11, 12

Assignments Due for Class 5:

* Case Proposal (one page)
* Readings: " 11.1"Nine Dilemmas Leaders face p. 447 (text),
Why Should Anyone (Handout)
* Exam 2: Chapters 4,5,10, 14, SMI
6

Oct.

CAM 6: Groups/ Teams

Graded Group Case: Rotating Leaders at Orpheus p. 450
Assignments Due for Class 6:
* Case Prep: Rotating Leaders
* One Page Summary: "Discipline of Teams"

Oct. 8

CAM 7: The Future/ Intergroup Conflict

Graded Group Case: Banana Time
Assignments for Class 7:
* Case Prep: Banana Time p.330
* Readings: "Group Intelligence
* Exam 3: Chapters 8, 9,11, 12

Oct. 15

CAM 8: Original Case Study due, Thurs. Oct 17 email

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ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS
ONE PAGE SUMMARIES
For specified reading assignments, a one-page summary of the author's key points will be required. The
point here is to discuss what the author said, not your opinion, save that for class.
The key criteria are: clarity, accuracy, presentation, and understanding.
Clarity
Managers need be able to express themselves clearly and succinctly. I should be able to
understand the author's main points, the first time I read it. The information should be
organized so thoughts flow smoothly and logically.
Accuracy
Key points should be included and presented from the author's viewpoint. Comments about
key points should reflect your understanding of the author's position.
Presentation
Grammar, format, style. The paper should be typed and single-spaced. Language should be
appropriate to a formal report. Appearance will count.
Understanding
One page summaries are excellent devices for sharpening thinking and writing skills. It
forces hard choices on what to include, and more importantly, on what to leave out.
I expect these summaries to be clear, concise statements of the important concepts and to be presented in
a manner than reflects your understanding of what the author means, not a restatement of what he/she
said.
EXAMS
The exams are take home and will be handed out during the class prior to one in which they are due. The
questions are taken for the text, assigned readings and material presented in class. The exams are
generally composed of:
20 true and false for 20 points
10 multiple choice for 10 points
Application for 10 points.
WORK GROUPS
Work group activities ask each group to prepare a written analysis of a short case or situation by applying
the content area and theories recently covered in class. They will normally occur as the last activity of the
class.

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ORIGINAL CASE STUDY

I ask you to do this case study to sharpen your ability applying the theories and concepts discussed and to
gain a better understanding of management and organizations in general by examining the one in which
you currently work.
Proposal: Due week 5
Need not be a complete formal case proposal. Three questions need to be answered in the
proposal:
Which of the three alternative listed below, you have selected?
Which theoretical content areas do you expect to apply and a brief statement of how you
plan do it?
What is the unit of analysis? Including demographics and how that unit is connected to
the rest of the organization.
Content:
The case study will begin with an Overview of your organization (a brief history, mission, goals,
products/services, and structure). You may then select any alternative listed below.
Alternative 1.

Analyze a specific situation/problem.

First describe the events, second diagnose the situation (the application of theories to explain and
understand causes), and third explain what solutions might be appropriate. The second step,
diagnosis, should be the major focus of your paper. Your analysis should include a discussion of
the relevant theoretical concepts and how they apply to the situation, by the use of actual
examples.
(See Suggestions for Case Studies, attached)
Alternative 2.

Analyze your organization

Select a minimum of two topics from the text and/or lectures and discuss how they are reflected
in your Organization. Each topic selected should include a discussion of the appropriate theoretical concepts, by analysis of actual examples. Topics might include motivation, leadership styles,
group conflict, reward systems, participative management, planning, etc..
Alternative 3.

Your Choice

Any other project or proposal that would be useful to you or your organization and fulfills the
objectives stated in the first paragraph

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GUIDELINES FOR ORIGINAL CASE STUDY

Below are some general guidelines for paper and project packaging. I would also refer you to the
Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association or A Manual for Writers by Kate
Turabian. Both are excellent resources when preparing a written piece.
Quality, not quantity, is the key. I will be looking for the organization of the material, the conciseness and
clarity of presentation, spelling and grammar, and the logic and depth of your analysis and presentation.
When quoting or otherwise drawing directly or indirectly from a resource, please reference it. For
example: "...for at least the next 20 years" (Drucker, p. 234).
Include a BIBLIOGRAPHY, listing books and all other resources used (interviews, films, seminars etc.).
Papers should be typed, properly referenced and have margins of at least 1".
Evaluation based on:
Format & Appearance
form (packaging)
easy to follow
referenced
Spelling & Grammar

Content Presentation
logical
factual
consistent
Depth & Breadth

Paper organization:
Title Page
Table of Contents (if appropriate)
Introduction
Body
Conclusion or summary
Bibliography or references
Appendix (if appropriate)
* Note: Remember you are preparing the paper for someone to read.

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SUGGESTIONS FOR CASE STUDIES

ALTERNATIVE I
Situational Analysis (What is happening?)
Collect and analyze available data.
Summarize pertinent facts.
The purpose is to systematically summarize the facts and develop an organized sense of the
whole.
A good analysis on this part should help your reader to spot the same problems. It is not
necessary to overwrite.
Note: someone's opinion is not a fact, but an important fact may be that someone holds such an
opinion.
Problem Diagnosis (Why?)
State the problem and then further define as necessary. Show your reasoning in arriving at the
problem. One effective way is to state what might appear to be other problems involved and then
show why your choice is the main problem to be solved before the other issues can be
approached.
Do not take for granted what appears to be the obvious problem; you may be simply restating the
already identified outcome of mismanagement rather than the problem that caused the outcome.
Identify the key concepts, theories and principles involved.
Analysis of Alternatives (What can we do?)
Briefly state alternative possible solutions to the problem as identified. What should you do?
What can you do given the constraints of the situation or without further information? If you
need further information, what kind do you need; and how would it be used if obtained?
As you list each alternative, or following a listing of all alternatives, evaluate the advantages
and/or disadvantages of each.
Do not limit yourself. Use your imagination and knowledge gained from other sources.
Conclusion (What should we do?)
Simply state which alternative(s) you would recommend as the best solution.
Then justify that choice and explain how you would implement it; i.e. the steps to take and how
long it should take.
Be certain to utilize the theories which apply to your case.