B-321

                                                 ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

                                     COURSE SYLLABUS – SUMMER TERM 2003

 

TEXT:   Management and Organizational Behavior           Cook

 

INSTRUCTORS:     

 

Mark Nygren

Josh Holt

Smith 407

Smith 269

Phone: 496-1846

Phone: 496-1412

Email: nygrenm@byui.edu

Email: holtj@byui.edu

 

 

OFFICE HOURS:      Available by Appointment

 

AYou know, it is a wonderful thing to be faithful, but a much greater thing to be both faithful and competent.  There is no particular virtue in being uninformed, certainly no virtue in ignorance.  When young people can acquire the skills, the techniques, and the knowledge of these times, and along with it have a spiritual commitment and a solid faith and cleanliness of life, there is nothing that you can=t achieve; nothing in righteousness or in reason.@

~Elder Richard L. Evans, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, given at the Northwest Inland Division Gathered for Zion=s Camp, October 15, 1971.

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:  (details explained below)

 

SEMESTER EXAMS (4)….................................................................................. 400

CASE PROBLEMS (8 @ 30 POINTS EACH)…………………………………240

MENTORING ASSIGNMENT........................................................................... 100

O.B. READINGS (6 @ 30 POINTS EACH)....................................................... 180

GRATS & RATS.……………………………………………………………….200

INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS WITH UNITS……………………………….100

                         

                                 TOTAL POINTS............................................................... 1220

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  A course in supervision and problem solving in a business operation.  Emphasis is given to Human Relations, Performance Appraisal, Communications, Motivation, Training, Participate Management and Supervisory skills.

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES:  Each student will be able to:

1.   Understand the basic principles of supervision

2.   Understand the basic organization structure of business

3.   Understand basic methods for motivating employees and the importance of good communication in the work environment

4.   Understand the difference between the leader and the manager

5.   Communicate through clear, concise written and oral communication

 

 

COURSE INFORMATION:

1.   The purpose of this course is to enable you to understand and develop human relations, supervisory and conceptual skills required to be successful in the business world.  As you work in an organization (i.e. family, church, business, civic, etc.,) you will need to be able to apply the concepts learned in this course.

 

2.   It is the responsibility of the student to attend class regularly, read assigned chapters at the beginning of a new unit.  Re-read chapters for discussion times, participate in discussions, group and role playing activities.

 

3.   Grades will be determined by total points based upon the exams, assignments and responsibilities as outlined on the syllabus.

 

4.   You must complete all assignments by the date listed on the course syllabus.  Assignments are due at the beginning of class.  Assignments that are late (unless pre-arranged) are subject to 25% dilution.  Assignments more than two days late receive a ZERO ("O").  Make up exams must be arranged for prior to date on which exam is scheduled to be given.

 

CODE OF HONOR:

One of the major goals at BYU-Idaho is that of providing quality educational opportunities in a rich spiritual environment.  To obtain this desired level of spiritual influence, students are asked to observe all points of the Code of Honor including the dress and grooming standards.

 

We take this opportunity to remind you of the commitment you made to live the Code of Honor when you signed your application form to BYU-Idaho.

 

In this class you are expected to observe the Code of Honor: specifically..be honest, refrain from plagiarizing or any form of cheating; obey all college rules and regulations; help others in fulfilling their responsibilities under the Code of Honor; and comply with the college dress and grooming standards.

 

The dress and grooming standard is fully defined in BYU-Idaho=s catalog.  (Use those sources for specific interpretations and more details.)  The appearance hoped for in dress and grooming is best achieved through the guidelines of modesty and cleanliness.  We encourage our students to be modest in their attire and neat and clean in their personal appearance.

 

Conscientious attention to appropriate dress and grooming will enhance your performance in class and contribute to the spiritual environment of BYU-Idaho.  We invite your participation in this important expectation.  Unwillingness to follow the dress and honor codes will mean that you will be dropped from the class.

 

DISABILITY:

In compliance with applicable disability law, qualified students with a disability maybe entitled to Areasonable accommodation.@  It is the students responsibility to disclose to the teacher any special need he or she may have before the end of the first week of class.  In order for students to qualify for Areasonable accommodation@, they must contact Dr. Richard Taylor in McKay 123, phone 496-1159.  He will give qualified students a letter to submit to their teachers. 

 

COURSE REQUIREMENT AND EXPLANATION

This is tentative and may be changed at the request of the instructor.

 

1.   ATTENDANCE

You are allowed two absences with out penalty.  After that there is a reduction in your grade of one grade step for every day absent there after.

 

2.   SEMESTER EXAMS - 400 POINTS

There will be four exams during the semester.  The exams will be given in the testing center except the final which will be given in class.

 

1)  The exam over Unit 1 ................. 100 Points

2)  The exam over Unit 2 ................. 100   "

3)  The exam over Unit 3 ................. 100   "

4)   Final exam                          100

 

In writing exams use only the space provided on the exam forms.  Answers must be concise and relevant.  Exams will be taken in testing center except for the final which will be given in class.

 

3.  CASE PROBLEMS – 180 POINTS

A case is a description of an administrative situation and usually includes information about the setting of the situation.  The case method is designed to expose you to the environment of managerial decision making and to improve your analytical and decision making ability.  A few hints to help you prepare good case analysis:  First read the case, underlining important points making some rough notes of what you think are key problems and their causes.  Do some preliminary thinking about solutions.  Write up in problem solving format.  Type and hand in on the date assigned on the class schedule.  Be prepared for group discussion.

 

4.  MENTORING PROJECTS - 100 POINTS

You will receive a outline of the responsibilities. The first contact is due on May 19, 2003.  The second contact is due on June 18, 2003.  The third contact is due on  July 23, 2003.   The final evaluation is due on  August 13, 2003.  You will receive 20 points for each contact if turned in on time and 40 points for the final evaluation.

 

5.  ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR READINGS - 180 POINTS

            You will be responsible for six readings during the semester.   Please read the    article and write a one page summary on what you got out of the article and how      it relates to Organizational Behavior.  It will be due on the date indicated in your           class schedule.

 

6.      RATS AND GRATS - 20 points each 200 points Total

            Each Student will take five Reading Assessment Tests and Five Group Reading                                     Assessment Tests covering the listed chapters.  These tests will be taken in class                               on the dates indicated on the class schedule.

 

PROCEDURE FOR SOLVING CASE PROBLEMS

 

Steps in solving case problems (as used in decision making process).

 

1.  DEFINE THE PROBLEM:

Find out what the problem really is. Delve deep in order to locate the real problem.

 

2.  ANALYZE THE PROBLEM:

The first step is to assemble the facts.  Try to think of intangible factors which may be involved and which can play a significant role.  (discipline, personal biases)

 

3.  DEVELOP ALTERNATIVES:

Search for and develop various alternative solutions.  Try to consider as many possible courses of action as possible.  A decision will only be as good as is the "best" of the alternatives.  Alternative choices may not be obvious and it is the responsibility of the supervisor to search for them.

 

4.  EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES:

Ultimate purpose of decision to select or choose that specific course of action which will provide the greatest amount of wanted consequences and the smallest amount of unwanted consequences.  By thinking them through and appraising their consequences, he then will be in a desirability.

 

 FACTORS IN EVALUATION:

 

Keep in mind the degree of risk involved in each course of action.  Timing makes one alternative preferable.  Consider such factors as resources, facilities, records, tools and other items.

 

5.  SELECTION FROM ALTERNATIVES:            

Choose the one that seems best.  Factors on which a decision may be based -- experience, intuition, advice from others, experimentation, or scientific decision making.

 

6.  FOLLOW-UP AND APPRAISAL:  Follow-up and appraisal of the consequences of a decision.