Syllabus

UNE Summer Session

BUMG 301: Organizational Behavior – 6 Weeks

Credits - 3

Description

This course deals with human behavior in a variety of organizations. Topics include communications, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, organizational design and development, and organizational culture. Class sessions and assignments are intended to help students acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.

Materials

Required TextbookOrganizational Behavior (https://openstax.org/details/books/organizational-behavior?Book%20details, free downloadable PDF version ISBN-10: 1-947172-72-7 is also available). This textbook is integrated into Brightspace, and you can access the digital version at NO COST. To do so, you must first create an OpenStax account. Visit OpenStax.org/subjects, select the textbook, and then choose your preferred format under “Get the book.” If you prefer a physical copy, a black and white version is available for $30, and a color version for $40 (hardcover print book ISBN-10: 1-947172-71-9).

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Students will be able to:

  • Describe current research in organizational behavior and its relevance to workplace settings.
  • Apply organizational behavior frameworks, tools, and concepts to real-world scenarios to enhance individual, group, and organizational effectiveness.
  • Analyze the factors that influence individual, group, and organizational behaviors in diverse and global business contexts.
  • Evaluate your own beliefs, assumptions, and behaviors regarding organizational behavior to identify opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Demonstrate decision-making and teamwork skills in group settings.
  • Assess social responsibility initiatives and their impact on organizations and society.
  • Evaluate the challenges of global business and the role of diversity in shaping organizational practices and outcomes.

Assignments

Your final grade in the course contains the following items.

(1)            Quizzes x 5

(2)            Final Case Study x 1

75%

25%

The course objectives will be measured through a combination of seven quizzes and a comprehensive case study. Specifically:

  • Quizzes: There will be a total 5 quizzes, with each quiz accounts for 15% of the final grade (75% total). Each of the five quizzes will align with one of the course objectives, assessing students’ understanding and mastery of the individual objectives. These quizzes will be distributed throughout the semester to provide targeted evaluations and reinforce learning. The quizzes serve as key checkpoints. 

  • Final Comprehensive Case Study: The final case study accounts for 25% of the final grade. The case study will assess students’ ability to synthesize and apply their knowledge by creating a plan to transform team dynamics within a fictitious organization. Through this case study, students will:
    1. Describe key organizational behavior concepts (e.g., motivation, team dynamics, leadership) evident in the case.
    2. Apply relevant OB frameworks to propose strategies for improving team effectiveness.
    3. Analyze the role of cultural diversity and global business challenges in shaping individual and group behaviors.
    4. Evaluate their own assumptions and beliefs about decision-making and teamwork in global organizations.
    5. Propose a plan to improve decision-making and teamwork dynamics, incorporating social responsibility considerations.
    6. Assess the effectiveness of the CSR initiative and suggest ways to enhance its impact on society and the organization.
    7. Discuss how diversity and global challenges influence organizational practices and outcomes.

This combination of quizzes and the case study ensures that students are not only tested on individual objectives but also on their ability to integrate and apply these concepts holistically.

Final Case Study Grading Rubric

Criteria

Points

Exceptional

(Full Points)

Satisfactory

(90% of Full Points)

Needs Improvement (80% of Full Points)

Missing

(0 Points)

Analysis of Key Concepts

15

Comprehensive and insightful analysis.

Adequate explanation with minor gaps.

Basic analysis with noticeable omissions.

No analysis provided.

Application of OB Frameworks

20

Highly creative and perfectly relevant application.

Correct application but lacks creativity or depth.

Application lacks depth and misses some key connections.

No application of frameworks.

Cultural and Global Analysis

15

Deep insight into cultural and global impacts.

General understanding with some relevant points.

Surface-level understanding with missed nuances.

No consideration of cultural or global factors.

Personal Evaluation

10

Thoughtful and reflective evaluation of personal views.

Basic reflection, somewhat insightful.

Reflection lacks depth or broader insights.

No personal evaluation included.

Proposed Plan for Improvement

20

Detailed, practical, and feasible plan.

Plan is practical but lacks detail or creativity.

Plan shows effort but lacks practical details.

No plan proposed.

CSR and Diversity Impact Assessment

10

Thorough assessment with actionable enhancements.

Adequate assessment but with generic enhancements.

Assessment addresses some aspects but is not comprehensive.

No assessment of CSR or diversity impact.

Conclusion and Integration

5

Effective and coherent summary of strategies.

Satisfactory summary with minor inconsistencies.

Summary attempts to integrate ideas but lacks clarity.

No conclusion provided.

Writing Quality and APA Format

5

Impeccable writing and strict adherence to APA.

Minor errors in writing or APA style.

Writing and APA style need more attention to detail.

No adherence to APA or poor writing quality.

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Final course grades are FINAL. The only grounds for a change to your grade will be a mathematical error on my part. If you feel you are not making satisfactory progress towards earning the grade you desire, you should see me early during the semester.

Schedule

Module

Topics

Item(s) Due

Module 1

Introduction to OB

Chapter 01 – Management and Organizational Behavior

Chapter 03 – Perception and Job Attitudes

Quiz 1

Module 2

Motivate Performance

Chapter 04 – Learning and Reinforcement

Chapter 07 – Work Motivation for Performance

Quiz 2

Module 3

Appreciate the Differences

Chapter 02 – Individual and Cultural Differences

Chapter 05 – Diversity in Organizations

Quiz 3

Module 4

Motivate Performance

Chapter 09 – Group and Intergroup Relations

Chapter 10 – Understanding and Managing Work Teams

Quiz 4

Module 5

Make and Disseminate Decisions

Chapter 06 – Perception and Managerial Decision Making

Chapter 11 – Communication

Quiz 5

Module 6

Work on the final case study

Final Case Study Due

Note. Schedule is subject to change; you are responsible to track all changes to this tentative syllabus.

Student Resources

Summer Session Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.

Questions? Email: summersessiononline@une.edu.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

UNE Libraries

Further Assistance

Your student support specialist monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.

To request an accommodation a student needs to go through the process with our UNE office. If the student has a current/already established accommodation in place with UNE it is the responsibility of the student to notify the program at summersessiononline@une.edu to ensure it is applied properly.

If you need to inquire about a possible accommodation, please reach out to the Student Access Center by calling 207-221-4418 or send an email to pcstudentaccess@une.edu.

Policies

Make-up Policies

You may not take any exams or complete any assignments earlier or later than the scheduled time. However, one exception to this rule exists. If you can provide documentation (which will be verified) stating that you have a medical or family emergency that clearly prevents you from attending class. A doctor’s excuse must state that you were unable to attend school on the exam date and must include a contact number. A family funeral will require verification in the form of an obituary and funeral card. If documentation cannot be provided prior to the beginning of the exam, you must give me one within 5 days of the missed quiz. No make-up quizzes will be allowed after 5 days.

 

Communication by Email:

When contacting the instructor via email, please ensure your email is professional and includes the following components:

  • Subject Line: Use a clear and specific subject line that identifies the course and the purpose of your email. For example: “BUMG 301 (Sec: 01) – Organizational Behavior – Question About Quiz 1”
  • Greeting: Begin your email with a formal greeting, such as: “Dear Professor [Last Name],”
  • Email Body:
    • Use formal language throughout your email.
    • Clearly explain your question, concern, or the purpose of the email.
  • Closing: End your email with a polite closing and your name, such as:
    “Thank you for your time and assistance.”
    Best regards,
    [Your Full Name]”

Note: Emails that are casual, rude, or missing required components (e.g., course number, title, section number, or a proper subject line) will not receive a response.

Summer Session & Academic Engagement Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm EDT of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion by 11:59 pm EDT on Sunday of the first week, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the Student Summer Session Manual for full details.

Proctored Examinations

Your course may have proctored exams. Please see the course for the exact exam requirements, test-taker guidance, proctoring format, and allowances (such as calculators or whiteboards, as indicated in the course).

Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements.

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.

Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 12 weeks.

  1. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar.
  2. Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact summersessiononline@une.edu with any questions.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course.

Transcripts

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the College. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.