Spring
2007
Monday
DuSable
252
Instructor:
Kimberly Nelson, Ph.D.
Office: 211
Email: klnelson@niu.edu Office
hours: Monday & Thursday 9-11
and
by appointment
This course will introduce students to the
theoretical perspectives of organizational management, structure, and behavior,
focusing on public and nonprofit organizations.
Developing an understanding of the theories related to organizational
features, management philosophy, and individual behavior in organizations is
greatly beneficial to those studying to be future administrators.
Upon completion of this course, students will
have an initial understanding of the major theoretical perspectives in the
field of organizational theory such as historical management perspectives,
theories of human motivation, and organizational culture.
Required
Textbooks:
Schermerhorn, John R, James G.
Hunt, and Richard N. Osborn. (2005). Organizational Behavior, 9th
Edition. Wiley and Sons Press.
Tompkins, Jonathan R. (2005). Organization
Theory and Public Management,
Thomson-Wadsworth Publishers.
Additional
readings listed on the course schedule will be available on Blackboard.
Course Requirements:
Midterm 30%
Homework—exercises
and case studies 30%
Research
paper & presentation 30%
Participation
and attendance 10%
TOTAL 100%
Midterm Exam:
There will be an in-class mid-term examination and no final examination. The mid-term exam will cover material from
the first half of the course and will be a combination of essay and short
answer questions that seek to determine how well you are able to apply
theoretical knowledge from the readings to the “real world”. Students must bring plain notebook paper to
class for the exam.
Homework—Exercises
and Case Studies:
The Schermerhorn book contains case studies
and exercises in the workbook at the end of the text that correspond to each
chapter. Additional cases will be
available on Blackboard. Answer the
questions at the end of the case studies or complete the assignment as
described for submission for grading.
Due dates are listed on the course schedule at the end of this syllabus.
Research paper and
presentation:
Each student is required to complete a 15-20
page research paper that relates the material from the course to a real-world
situation or experience. Choose a topic
that is of interest to you and relate it to either an entire organization or a
component of an organization. You should
evaluate the organization, observe the behavior of people within the
organization, and relate your observations to your chosen topic.
On February
5, a research proposal must be submitted summarizing your intended
project. The proposal should include a
description of your topic, a bibliography of relevant literature, and the
research methodology you intend to utilize. On March 26, class will be cancelled due to my attendance at the ASPA
National Conference. Please use that
time to work on your papers. The
following Monday, April 2, you will
be required to submit the typed introduction to your paper.
In order to adequately complete the
assignment, you will need to interview the relevant parties and conduct a
literature search related to the topic.
You should develop a good understanding of the organization’s culture,
styles of the leaders, and methods used to motivate employees. Additional sources of information related to
your topic may include documents such as meeting minutes or policy statements.
Papers should be typewritten, double-spaced,
and use APA style. Include a cover page
that lists the title, your name, and the course information. Do not put your name anywhere else in the
paper.
On the last day of class, each student will
present their findings. Students may
select the format for the presentation at their own discretion. You should use
some type of visual aid, whether handouts, slides, or PowerPoint presentations
is up to you. Presentations should be no
longer than 10 minutes long.
This course is a
graduate seminar, not a lecture course.
In order for students to get the greatest benefit from the course, they
should come to class prepared to discuss the weekly topics. Therefore, students should complete the
readings on time and bring notes on the readings to class. Additionally, half of your participation
grade will be determined by your attendance.
Late assignments will not be accepted. Division policy prohibits the submission of
assignments via email or fax.
Attendance: Everyone is
expected to arrive before the start of class.
I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences. It is your
responsibility to ask a classmate for the notes and exercises you miss. No make-ups permitted for work missed.
Academic
Integrity: Students
are required to adhere to NIU’s code of student conduct for academic
integrity. Violations will result in a
failed grade on the assignment and possibly the class. If you are unclear of what actions constitute
plagiarism, please see me.
You
are expected to ensure that all assignments submitted for a grade reflect
substantially your own work, that work submitted under your name is
substantially original, and that you have understood and learned the
competencies in each assignment and not relied solely on the knowledge of
others. Students whose work is
substantially plagiarized from others will receive a ‘0’ on that assignment or
exam.
Students with Disabilities: NIU abides by
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which mandates reasonable
accommodations be provided for qualified students with disabilities. If you
have a disability and may require some type of instructional and/or examination
accommodation, please contact me early in the semester so that I can provide or
facilitate in providing accommodations you may need. If you have not already
done so, you will need to register with the Center for Access-Ability Resources
(CAAR), the designated office on campus to provide services and administer
exams with accommodations for students with disabilities. The CAAR office is located
on the 4th floor of the University Health Services building (815-753-1303). I
look forward to talking with you soon to learn how I may be helpful in
enhancing your academic success in this course.
Class
Schedule:
DATE
|
TOPIC |
ASSIGNMENT DUE |
|
January 22 |
Introduction |
Chapter 1 Tompkins Chapter 1
Schermerhorn |
|
January 29 |
Public management & organization theory |
Chapters 2
& 3 Tompkins Chapter
2 Schermerhorn |
|
February 5 |
Classical & neoclassical theories |
Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 Tompkins Proposal for research paper due |
|
February 12 |
Systems
Theory Organizational
structure |
Chapters 4, 9 & 10 Tompkins Chapters 17
& 18 Schermerhorn |
|
February 19 |
Individual behavior |
Chapters 4
& 5 Schermerhorn |
|
February 26 |
Motivation |
Chapter 13
Tompkins Chapters 6,
7, & 8 Schermerhorn Brewer et
al “Individual Conceptions of Public Service Motivation” |
|
March 5 |
Mid-Term |
|
|
March 12 |
Spring
Break |
|
|
March 19 |
Participative management theory & human
resources theory |
Chapter 13 Tompkins |
|
March 26 |
Class
Cancelled—ASPA Conference—work on final papers |
|
|
April 2 |
Group dynamics
& teamwork |
Chapters 9
& 10 Schermerhorn Submit introduction to your paper |
|
April 9 |
Leadership |
Chapters
11, 12, & 13 Schermerhorn Van Wart,
“Public-Sector Leadership Theory” |
|
April 16 |
Decision-making |
Chapters
14, 15, & 16 Schermerhorn Sowa &
Selden, “Administrative Discretion…” |
|
April 23 |
Organization
culture |
Chapter 15 Tompkins Chapter 19 Schermerhorn |
|
April 30 |
Presentations of Research Papers—Turn in Research Papers |
|