Course Syllabus

Introduction to Organizational Behavior

Course Information
Course Number/Section OB 6301-503
Course Title Introduction to Organizational Behavior
Term Spring 2007
Days & Times Thursdays 7:00-9:45 p.m.

Professor Contact Information

Professor Tracey Rockett, Ph.D.
Office Phone 972-883-4747
Email Address Tracey.Rockett@utdallas.edu
Office Location SOM 4.202
Office Hours Tuesdays from 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Wednesdays from 9:30-4:30 p.m.
and by appointment
Other Information The quickest and easiest way to contact me is thru WebCT email.
However, if it is a topic that needs to be addressed over the phone
you can call during my office hours or email me through WebCT to
set up a time to meet or talk over the phone. Please note that I
will not discuss grades over the phone or email. You will need to
see me in person if you have a question about your grade.

Course Description
This class is an introduction to the field of Organizational Behavior. Over the semester
we will cover a number of topics at the individual, group, and organizational levels of
analysis. The objective of the class is to provide you with theoretical frameworks and a
vocabulary to help you understand and analyze happenings in organizations. The class
will be conducted using a variety of methods including lectures, exercises, cases, class
discussions, and videos. Since this is a graduate course, I expect a great deal of
participation from you in the form of written assignments and class discussions.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

After taking this class, students should be able to:
1) Demonstrate an understanding of how individual behaviors affect groups and
organizations.
2) Assess societal and organizational culture and individual personality
characteristics.
3) Understand basic theories of motivation and be able to evaluate the
differences between motivational approaches and be able to assess the
efficacy of motivational programs.
4) Evaluate specific situations in organizations and provide direction
and leadership when necessary.
5) Recognize the need for making a decision and be able to analyze
the situation, evaluate alternatives, and create the most appropriate
approach.
6) Create effective high performance teams by assessing the needs of
stakeholders and developing effective team processes.

Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 1

Required Textbooks and Materials
Required Texts
Course Packet for OB 6301 – available at both Campus Bookstore and Off
Campus Books

Assignments & Academic Calendar:

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Jan 11, 2007

Session 1: Introduction and Course Overview

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Jan 18, 2007

Session 2: Historical Perspective

Taylor, F. “The Principles of Scientific Management”

Roethlisberger, F. 1969. “The Hawthorne Experiments”

Hackman, J., Oldham, G., Janson, R., and Purdy, K. 1975. “A New Strategy for Job
Enrichment”

Kerr, S. 1995 “On the Folly of Rewarding A While Hoping for B”

Yang, C. & Palmer, T. 1996. “Low Wage Lessons”

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Jan 25, 2007

Session 3: Personality and Perception

Roche, E. 2003. “Do Something – He’s About to Snap”

Personality Test: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm

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Feb 1, 2007
Session 4: Social Information

Thomas, J. & Griffin, R. 1989. “Power of Social Information in the Workplace”

Asch. 1975. “Opinions and Social Pressure”

Zimbardo, P. & Leippe, M. 1991. “The Psychology of Attitude Change and Social
Influence”

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Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 2

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Feb 8, 2007
Session 5: Commitment and Socialization
Schein, E. 1968. “Organizational Socialization and the Profession of Management”

Salancik, G. 1977. “Commitment is too Easy”

Brittain, J. 1993 “Gillette Metal”

Warshaw, M. 1998. “Have You Been House Trained?”

Mieszkowski, K. 1998. “She Helps Them Help Themselves”

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Feb 15, 2007

Session 6: Communication

Godin, S. 2004. “How to Give Feedback”

Alinsky, S. 1971. “Communication”

Maruca, R. 1998. “How Do You Manage an Off-Site Team?”

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Feb 22, 2007

Session 7: Decision Making

Isenberg, D. 1988. “How Senior Managers Think”

Decision Making Exercise

“Decision Traps”

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Mar 1, 2007
Session 8:

EXAM I

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Mar 8, 2007

SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS

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Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 3

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Mar 15, 2007

Session 9: Power and Influence

Bies, R. & Tripp, T. 1998. “Two Faces of the Powerless: Coping with Tyranny in
Organizations”

Martin, J. & Meyerson, D. 1998. “Women and Power: Conformity, Resistance, and
Disorganized Coaction”

Carnegie, D. “How to Win Friends and Influence People”

Warshaw, M. 1998. “Good Guy’s* Guide to Office Politics”

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Mar 22, 2007

Session 10: Conflict and Negotiations

Greenhalh, L. 1986. “Managing Conflict”.

Neale, M. & Bazerman, M. 1992. “Negotiating Rationally: The Power and Impact of
the Negotiator’s Frame”.

Inc. “How to Negotiate Practically Anything”

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Mar 29, 2007

Session 11: Groups and Teams

Thompson, L. 2004. “Building the Team: Tasks, People, and Relationships”

Leavitt, H. & Lipman-Blumen, J. 1995. “Hot Groups”

Janis, I. 1971. “Groupthink”

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Apr 5, 2007
Session 12: Diversity and Ethics

Chrobot-Mason, D. & Ruderman, M. 2004. “Leadership in a Diverse Workplace”

Bell, M., McLaughlin, M., & Sequeira, J. 2004. “Age, Disability, and Obesity:
Similarities, Differences, and Common Threads”

Stroh, L., Langlands, C., & Simpson, P. 2004. “Shattering the Glass Ceiling in the New
Millennium”

Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 4

Tischler, L. 2004. “Where are the Women?”

Solomon, R. “Morality: The Basic Rules”

Seglin, J. “Just Because It’s Legal, Is it Ethical?”

Hartman, L. “Technology and Ethics”

Reingold, J. 2004. “Into Thin Air”

Pink, D. 2004. “The New Face of the Silicon Age”

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Apr 12, 2007

Session 13: Organizational Culture and Design

Langewiesche, W. 2003. “Columbia’s Last Flight”

Fishman, C. 1996. “Whole Foods”

Meyer, M. 1994. “Culture Club”

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April 19, 2007

Session 14:

EXAM II

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Course Requirements:
I expect that you will come to class each week ready to discuss the readings and
your personal experiences related to the readings. Because we come from
different backgrounds and have different bases of experiences, the readings will
help us find a common ground. This is a reading intensive class! If you are
unable or unwilling to do the reading required on a weekly basis, you will fall
behind and your grade will suffer.

Class Contribution:
Your class contribution will be measured by counting your participation in the in-
class exercises. There will be an in-class exercise most weeks. The in-class
exercises will be diverse, ranging from group activities to individual surveys. We
will engage in these interesting (and fun) activities in order to add a hands-on,
practical component to our understanding of organizational behavior. You must
attend class in order to participate in these exercises. I will not give make-up
exercises.

Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 5

While I will not be directly evaluating verbal participation due to the large size of
the class, it is encouraged that you participate in class discussions. Active
participation in the class discussions is essential for this class. A great deal of
learning takes place when you share your experiences with others. However, I
realize that due to the large class size and personal inclinations, sometimes your
participation in the discussion will be limited. Therefore, the tangible component
of the contribution grade will be the in-class exercises.

Class contributions will count for 20% of your grade, broken down as follows:

20 points - attends class consistently, participates consistently in exercises.

15 points – missed two classes/exercises.
10 points – missed three classes/exercises.
5 points – missed four classes/exercises.
0 points – missed five or more classes/exercises.

If you come to class regularly and read the materials ahead of time, and
participate on a regular basis, it should not be difficult for you to earn the
maximum 20 points. However, if you choose not to attend class then your grade
will suffer.

Reflection on Experience Blog:

A very important part of this course is the experience that you bring to class. In
order to draw on some of your experience, you will be required to enter your
thoughts in a blog over the course of the semester. These are not intended to be
major research papers. These are intended to be short written statements in
which you are asked to describe an experience that you have had in an
organization and to apply the readings for the week to explain the experience
from a theoretical standpoint.

You will be expected to post a minimum of 10 times over the semester. In order
to get full credit for your blog, you will need to discuss the question from your
experiential standpoint and use the assigned readings to inform your
understanding of the situation. Let me make this clear – the blog is about BOTH
your personal opinions/experiences and the readings for the week. It should
include a description of your experience and a careful analysis of how the
material from our class helps you understand your experience from a
broader perspective.

If you just write about your experience and do not tell me about how the readings
link to your experience then you will not get full credit for the assignment. If you
talk about the readings but do not relate your experience you will not get full
credit for the assignment. Given that the point of this exercise is for you to make
the connection between the readings and “real life”, I expect to see you express
your understanding of the connection between the two.

Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 6

We will be using your experiences as part of the class, to further everyone’s
understanding of the material we are discussing. Because these experience
blogs are going to be an integral part of class, I may ask for you to share your
experiences during the discussions. However, given that some of what you
share might be personal or private, let me assure you that I will not reveal things
that might be sensitive in nature (particularly in the area of diversity and
discrimination). Your blog will be both personal and private – I will be the only
person who accesses it over the course of the semester.

Blog postings are due online by the day the topic is discussed. So, if you want to
write on personality and perception, it is due on the evening of Jan 25th, the night
we are discussing the topic. Blog entries should be a minimum of 400 words and
a maximum of 1200 words. Your blog will count for 20% of your class grade. I
will not grade each one individually, but will consider it as a body of work. I will
give you individual feedback in the beginning to make sure that you are meeting
my expectations.

Exams:
There will be two exams. The exams will consist of short essay questions and a
longer case analysis. Both exams will be weighted the same, and the final exam
is comprehensive. The exams will be in-class, closed note and closed book, and
will last for two hours. Each exam counts for 30% of your grade. If you attend
class on a regular basis and participate in the discussion and in-class exercises, I
do not expect that you will have a problem.

My make-up policy is simple. If you miss an exam for any reason, you will need
to take an entirely case based comprehensive make-up at the end of the
semester. If you know of a conflict ahead of time and need to reschedule an
exam for a different time, please discuss it with me at least one week before the
exam date. If you do not contact me one week prior to the exam date, you will
need to take the make-up at the end of the semester.

Re-grading:
I do not want to make mistakes in my grading and I want to be fair to all of the
students in the class. However, I do not want to grade every paper or exam
twice. Therefore, there are two rules I use for re-grades: 1) all requests for re-
grades must be presented in writing with a description of what you want me to
consider in the re-grade process; 2) when I re-grade a paper or exam, I re-grade
the entire paper or exam, not just the areas of concern. Therefore, it is possible
for the grade to go down as a result of a re-grade.

Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 7

Course Grading:

Class Contribution 20%

Reflection on Experience Blog 20%
Exam I 30%
Exam II 30%
100%

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of
each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and
regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student
conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is
provided to all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the
Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1,
Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the
university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations
are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are
available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-
6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the
Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to
discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or
off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the
work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a
high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related
to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s
own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty
involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying
academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to
disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from
any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on
plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of
turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 8

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises
some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange.
The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a
student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from
students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the
university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual
corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each
student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university
personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level
courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog.
Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle
withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any
student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final
grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other

fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a
serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or
committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”).
Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and
evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be
submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If
the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the
student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved
by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of
Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an
Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The
results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean
of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules
and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably
missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed.
An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the
subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove
the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is
changed automatically to a grade of F.

Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 9

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational

opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in
room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable
adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example,
it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals
(in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment
requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral
presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with
mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or
university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or
mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations.
Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or
during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required
activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose
places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas
Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so
excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a
reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a
maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed
exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to
complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing
grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the
purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about
whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed
assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling
from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief
executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC
51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive
officer or designee.

Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 10

Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law
and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities.
Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address
given below. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
(http://www.utdallas.edu/Business Affairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm)

*These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the
Professor.

Course Syllabus – OB 6301-503 Page 11