Business 272

Course Outline

Length of Course: One Semester (14 weeks)
 
Classroom Hours Per Week: 4 hours lecture
 
Number of Credits: 3 credits
 
Prerequisite: 15 credit hours and English 099
 
Description of Course:
This is an introductory course in organizational behaviour ( OB). This course aims are to help students understand why individuals and groups behave the way they do in organization (with a particular emphasis on the workplace), describe processes within an organization and identify their strengths and weaknesses. The content is delivered through a mixture of lectures, case studies, class presentations, and workshops. During the semester, students are expected to develop an awareness of their interpersonal skills through active participation.
 
Course Outline:
There are four main topics, each one covering several issues:
  • Managing individuals: individual differences; perception, values, and emotions; motivation; job design;
  • Managing groups: foundations of group behaviour; teamwork;
  • Managing organizations: organization structure; organizational structures;
  • Managing processes: communication; conflict and negotiation; power and politics; leadership; innovation and change.
Week 1: Perception, personality and emotions
Week 2: Values and attitudes
Week 3: Groups and teamwork
Week 4: Motivation
Week 5: Job design
Week 6: Communication
Week 7: Conflict and negotiation
Week 8: Organizational culture
Week 9: Organizational structure
Week 10: Power and politics
Week 11: Leadership
Week 12: Decision making
Week 13: Organizational change
 
Evaluation:
Class presentation and participation 20 %;
Midterm exam: short essay questions 30%;
Term paper 20%;
Final exam: essay questions, case study 30%.
 
Textbook:
Stephen P. Robbins, Nancy Langton, Organizational Behaviour: Concepts, controversies, Applications, latest Canadian edition, Prentice Hall.
 
Transferability:
SFU: Bus272 (3)
UBC: Comm292 (3)
UVic: Com220 (1.5 units)
 
Instructors:
Stéphane Deseau M.Econ. ( Maine, France), M.Sc. ( Quebec)
Fatin Jallad B.A., B.Sc. ( Portland), M.Sc. ( New Mexico), M.Sc. ( Arizona)