Organizational Behavior

ID 514 Subject & Catalog Number

Description

This course is designed to provide you with theoretical and applied knowledge with which to understand, diagnose, evaluate, and positively impact organizations. You will learn why individuals and groups behave as they do. Attempts to change organizations in the absence of such understanding are often ill advised and usually ineffective. Sound theories, informed intuition, thoughtful frameworks, and enhanced problem-solving skills all have their place in successfully leading in an organization at any level, with or without a formal leadership position (e.g., executive, manager, frontline worker, supervisor, or consultant).

This course aims to help you understand organizational behavior through case studies of organizational challenges, contemporary and seminal literature addressing four major theoretical perspectives on organizations, and exercises and simulations designed to experience and practice what is learned. We will examine both macro issues (those that impact organizations as a whole) and micro issues (those that impact individuals and teams). To develop your abilities to apply the theoretical and practical concepts, you will work together in a team to address organizational problems in a real organization using a case. Written assignments are designed to allow you to reflect on and apply lessons drawn from personal experience in organizations as well as the theories drawn from the literature and videos.

Note. This course requires one synchronous small group discussion with 3 classmates of your choosing.