Oregon State University

Oregon State University Home Page

BA 352—Organizational Behavior (OB)

Fall 2006 (Sections 002 & 006)

[Schedule]  [Team Rules] [Data Files]

 

Professor:    Manolete V. Gonzalez, Phd         Email: gonzalezm@bus.oregonstate.edu

                        Office: B224B

                        Office hours: M 3:00-4:00pm; T 4:00-5:00pm; W 12:00-1:00pm

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

When you enter the “real world”, you will have to accomplish tasks within the context of an organization.  Whether in a corporation or your own entrepreneurial venture, or as you go about your life, e.g. social activities, a political cause you are passionate about, etc. you will be in “a system of consciously coordinated activities or forces of two or more persons.”  This also applies to a variety of situations you might be involved in as a student, for example, a fraternity or sorority, student council, a volunteer organization to protect an endangered species, a group organizing a party, etc.  The objectives of this course are to provide you with tools that will enable you to be productive in these types of situations, to work as effective members of any organization, and to build the foundation for future leadership.  These tools, organizational behavior concepts and terminology, by themselves are not sufficient, but are useful and necessary for individuals to be able to function effectively in organizational settings. 

 

We expect the following learning outcomes by the end of this course.  You must demonstrate that:

  1. you can correctly describe these organizational behavior tools and concepts and know when these can be used;
  2. you can correctly use organizational behavior frames of reference to diagnose individual and group situations in organizations, as described in exercises and cases we will use though out the course;
  3. you can function as a productive member of a work team.

You will have to take the responsibility for mastering these learning outcomes.  Your classmates and I can help you, but we can not do the learning for you.   You will have to do it yourself.  I will provide a roadmap as to how you can achieve these learning outcomes, create the conditions and provide situations that will hopefully facilitate your learning, and establish the methods by which we can determine whether you have mastered the learning outcomes.

 

E-mail Communication: All students registered for business courses have an assigned e-mail address on the College of Business computer system.   If you are not familiar with the system, signs in the Hewlett-Packard Computer Lab (Bexell 112) explain how to access your account.  Also, if you prefer to use your ONID e-mail address, Bexell lab assistants can explain how to have mail addressed to @bus.orst.edu automatically forwarded to your ONID address.   I may communicate outside of class using e-mail; it is important to check your e-mail regularly.  

 

 

 

TEXTS

 

  • Kinicki, A. & Kreitner, R. 2e (2006). Organizational behavior: Key concepts, skills & best practices. NY: McGraw-Hill.
  • Ritti, R.R. (2003). The ropes to skip and the ropes to know (6th Ed.).  NY: Wiley

 

 

TEAMS

 

We will organize teams of 4 to 5 students early in the term.  Membership in and experience working with a team is an important aspect of this course, a focal point for learning and skill development.  Membership in a team requires that a member pulls his/her own weight as the team works to meet its requirements.  This means attendance during and active participation in team meetings held outside class, participation in team activities during class, and contribution to planning how the team meets its requirements and in the execution of these requirements.  The course grades are weighted towards team grades.  A student’s team grades will depend on how peers evaluate the student’s contribution to the team effort.  (Refer to Team Membership Rules)

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

A.                 Quizzes/Exams.  There will be at least five announced quizzes spread out during the term, a few pop quizzes, and a final exam.  Quizzes will cover readings, lectures, group activities, and cases from the prior quiz up to the day the quiz is given.  These may be multiple choice and/or essay questions.   The final exam will be comprehensive. 

B.                 Participation.  This course is designed to be experiential.  Much of a student’s learning will depend on his or her participation in class activities and group processes.  Perfect attendance or up to 2 absences will merit 35 points.  Additional points will be added based on my evaluation of contributions to class discussions. 

C.                Team Projects. Each team must submit the following: two written case analyses, one case presentation, and one term project.

a.   Case Report.  From the second set of cases to be handed out (see schedule,) each team must submit a written reports on two cases.  They may choose which case.  The requirements for the case reports will be announced. 

b.   Term Project.  Each team must also submit a written term project and present their findings towards the end of the term.  The global nature of today’s work environment and the focus of this course require that this term project be on an “international topic.”  Both the written portion and the presentation portion of the term project will be graded.  A separate instruction will be provided for the term project.

c.   Peer Evaluation.  At the end of the term, each student must submit an evaluation of the other members of his or her team.  The team will be required to submit a work plan early in the term, including expected contribution from each member, evaluation criteria, and weights for each.  This becomes the basis for a peer evaluation to be submitted at the end of the term.  This evaluation may affect a student’s grades for all team assignments.

 

GRADING POLICIES AND WEIGHTS

 

1.      Late assignments.  Written assignments are due at the beginning of class.  (Keep a copy if you wish to refer to it during discussions.)  Late assignments will not be accepted.

2.      Missed quizzes.  Make-up quizzes will be given only when a student informs me that he or she can not make it to a class when the quiz will be given and that the reason for missing a class is acceptable.

3.      Typing and writing.  As a rule, and unless stated otherwise, these instructions should apply to all assignments other than in-class writing. 

  • Assignments must be typed and written well. 
  • Assignments will be marked down by 10% for a combination of five or more spelling and grammar errors. 
  • DO NOT PLACE THE NAMES OF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS.  DO PLACE ONLY the number assigned to your team at the beginning of class and/or the last 4 digits of the student identification numbers of each member of the team.
  • DO NOT USE BINDERS.  DO staple the pages together.
  • As a rule, use at least ONE AND ONE-HALF line spacing.
  • DO LEAVE A ONE INCH MARGIN ON BOTH SIDES.

 

Academic Dishonesty. Any case of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of F for the course.  This action is allowed by Academic Regulations and Procedures as described in the Schedule of Classes.  You should know and understand these policies and regulations.

 

Final grade determination. The +/- grading system will be used.  1000 points will be divided as follows:

 

Individual grades:

      Quizzes                                                      350

      Final exam                                                 150

      Participation                                                50

 

      Team grades:

                    2 written case analysis                150

                    Written term project                     200

 

      TOTAL                                                     900