SALEM STATE COLLEGE
School of Business
Spring 2005 Syllabus
Course: MGT 332 – Organizational Behavior
3 credit hours
Time and 7:00 PM to 9:20 PM Tuesdays
location: C 309 NECC
Instructor: Jon Firger, MBA, MSW
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Telephone: 978-741-7878 ext. 18
email: Jfirger@jfsns.org, Jfirger@comcast.net
web page: www.salemstate.edu/~Jfirger/
Office hours: I do not have a permanent office at Salem State, but if you contact me prior to Wednesday, I can arrange to meet you at the college prior to class. You can also contact me by email with any immediate questions.
Prerequisites: MGT 231,
Reading material
required: Luthans, Organizational Behavior (tenth edition)
The Organizational Behavior course deals with all aspects of behavior in and by formal organizations in the field of business. Elements of the social sciences are included in an examination of the research dealing with organizational and administrative problems in business. Activities include case studies, simulations and research with individual and group projects. In addition, the course addresses aspects of corporate culture as it pertains to group dynamics. The course is organized into four Sections:
Learning is the primary objective for this course. Through this course you will:
IV Teaching Method (Pedagogy)
During the first half of each class, I will lead a discussion of the chapter material. I expect that every member of the class will participate in those discussions. Although I will use some presentation formats, this is not meant to be a lecture. I will also attempt to draw upon real life examples and I encourage you to do the same. I encourage “risk-taking” in the form of participating in discussions even when you are not confident in your grasp of the materials. Everyone’s learning style is different. Although I will post an outline of the chapter discussions on my website, you may decide to take notes during class because it is your learning style. I will also put any Power Point slides used during the class on the website.
I expect each student to read the assigned chapter, prepare the case, and complete the applicable assignments prior to coming to class. Please come to each class with at least one prepared question about the material we will cover. If you have questions about the chapter material, please ask, that is the best way to learn. I expect each student to know the facts of the case and to be able to explain and apply (from your perspective) the chapter material to the case. This is the minimum level of preparation needed to learn in this class.
During the first class, you will be assigned to a work team. Your team will be assigned a case study for several of the chapters. During the second half of class, each team will present their case study to the rest of the class. One team member will be responsible to summarize the case study for the class and will then lead a team discussion using the questions you are given before you read the case study. Someone on the team will then summarize what aspects of the chapter are demonstrated through the case study. It will be totally up to the group how you prepare for the presentation (you may want to meet, communicate by email, prepare individually) and what role each team member will take in the presentation. My expectation is that by the end of the course, each team member will have a chance to lead the discussion and to summarize the learning points.
We will also have class exercises during the second half of some of the classes. These exercises are designed to demonstrate concepts that we have read and discussed. Again, I expect everyone to fully participate in these exercises.
V. Performance measurement (Course and Grading Policies)
This course uses the "Principles of Good Practice for Assessing Student Learning" (American Association of Higher Education, 1992). The web page lists the principles. The web page also lists factors that influence your performance. You will have password, protected access to your grades. You cannot access other student’s grades.
I evaluate your performance based on the following components. Each component has the following weight:
Class participation 25 %
Team participation 35%
Projectss 40 %
Participation: Effective managers have strong interpersonal skills and are willing to take the “risk” or expressing their thoughts and opinions during meetings with their peers. Therefore, you will be expected to do the same during class. Each of you will begin the semester with an 80 in class participation. After each class, I will give you 0-2 points for participation. So you can end up with 100 points by the end of the semester. Obviously, if you miss a class you cannot receive any points for that class. These points will be based upon your participation in open class discussions when you voluntarily participate. If you are presenting an oral assignment or responding to a question asked directly to you, you will not be receiving participation points. During the semester, we can meet to discuss your class participation. I may also choose to send you email or speak with you before or after class. If you are going to miss class, please send me an email or leave a voice mail. I do accept valid reasons for an absence (e.g., medical, business trip). Vacations, car problems, and similar examples are not valid reasons for an absence. If you have two, or more, unexcused absences, it will result in a 10, or more, point deduction on your final grade.
VI. Projects: You will be doing a case study of a company where you have worked and present it in bother written and oral formats. You will present your case study in four sections. You should have the detailed description of the project. If not, see the instructor.
Salem State College assumes that all students come to the College with serious educational intent and expects them to be mature, responsible individuals who will exhibit high standards of honesty and personal contact in their academic life. All forms of academic dishonesty are serious offenses against the College Community. The College will apply sanctions when student conduct interferes with our primary educational objectives. All sources must have citations on all of your written assignments. Inadaquate citations may be grounds for course failure.
I expect you to fully comply with all of the academic policies listed in the current Undergraduate Catalog.
"Salem State College is committed to providing equal access to the educational experience to all students in compliance with section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act and The Americans with Disabilities Act and to providing reasonable academic accommodations, aids, and adjustments. Any student who has a documented disability requiring an accommodation, aid or adjustment should speak with the instructor immediately and present a Faculty Contact Form so that appropriate provisions can be made."
Refer to the semester program schedule to determine the last day to withdraw from the course with a “W” grade.