Syllabus

Master of Science in Education

EDU 715: Organizational Theory & Strategic Planning – Spring A 2017

Credits - 3

Description

This course will include: an overview of organizational theories and systems; the inclusion of organizational theory in the educational change process; the functions, objectives, development, and assessment of strategic plans; and the relationship between strategic planning and budget development.

Materials

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Managing people and their behavior is one of the most challenging tasks anyone has to face.  Even more difficult is moving the organization and people so that students benefit in reality. The primary goal of this class is for students to learn to view organizations through the lens of organizational theory, especially systems thinking.  The course will have students looking inside organizations (especially their own) to examine your strengths and their weaknesses.  Students will develop perspectives and skills for managing organizational behavior.  

Course objectives are aligned with the PSEL (Professional Standards for Educational Leaders 2015) and with the NETS-A (National Education Technology Standards – Administrators) Standards 1-5, A-D.

Department of Education Mission Statement:

To develop-through research, service, and innovative teaching-reflective teachers and school leaders who are competent and caring lifelong learners.

Module and Course Objectives	Student Learning Outcomes	PSEL Standards	NETS-A
Week 1   Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the systems approach as applied to human and organizational behavior including educational organizations.	Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the systems approach as applied to human and organizational behavior.	2,7, 9	2B
Week 2 Students will explore and expand on the systems thinking and visioning processes.	Students will critically examine a number of traditional and contemporary approaches to work motivation. Students will increase awareness of the potent role of groups in organizations and how they impact performance.	2, 6, 7, 9	1A
Week 3 Students will deepen their understanding of the connections between organizations and their challenges as well as review their own educational setting.	Students will examine the important variables in individual and group decision making and problem solving. Students will understand the pervasiveness and importance of communication in all aspects of the organization’s functioning. Students will examine some contemporary issues and approaches to organizational change and development.	2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10	1B, 2D,
Week 4 Students will deepen understanding of the Senge principles about organizations	Students will evaluate a number of different approaches to job and organizational design. Student will examine some contemporary issues and approaches to organizational change and development.	6, 7, 9. 10	1A, B 3C
Week 5 Students will use skills to analyze and improve school structures that will result in a forum of an effective system.	Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the systems approach as applied to human and organizational behavior. Students will evaluate a number of different approaches to job and organizational design.	9, 10	5C, D
Week 6 Students will begin the design of an effective strategic plan based on schools issues.	Students will  examine some contemporary issues and approaches to organizational change and development. Students will examine approaches to strategic planning.	9, 10	3B, D
Week 7 Students will apply Senge’s theory to a practical situation.	Students will  examine approaches to strategic planning and relate to world events.	10	4 A, B
Week 8 Students will reflect on their work and share what they have learned about strategic planning and other elements of the course.	Students will examine some contemporary issues and approaches to organizational change and development. Students will develop an understanding and appreciation of the systems approach as applied to human and organizational behavior.	1, 7	5C

 

Assignments

Threaded Discussion

Post a response to a question or problem presented in the weekly whole class or small group threaded discussion forum. This initial post must be completed by the end of the day on Wednesday. The initial post must include at least one in-text citation and reference in APA format. Replies must be submitted by the end of the day on Sundays of each week.

 

Strategic Plan with Issues Analysis

Too often people tend to describe symptoms of a problem and not the problem itself.  For this Part I of the Strategic  Plan, students are asked to identify a problem that is real to their classrooms, to their schools and/or to their districts. Evidence (data) must be presented to support the fact that there is indeed a problem, and for this assignment students are asked to analyze the problem using at least three of the five disciplines presented in the class text.

 

SWOT Analysis

SWOT is an acronym that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. A SWOT analysis is an organized list of an organization’s greatest strengths (S), its weaknesses (W), its opportunities (O), and its threats (T). For this assignment, students are asked to produce/write a SWOT analysis related to the problem identified previously in their Strategic Plan with Issues Analysis assignment. Doing a SWOT analysis can enable an organization to develop effective strategies to resolve problems and, at the same time, recognize the strengths inherent to the organization as well.

 

SMART Goals

SMART goals, most commonly defined as Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound, can also be referred to as a “method or tool” for creating realistic and achievable goals.  The task for this assignment is for students to create goals that are clearly defined, goals where progress can be measured over time, goals that can be placed in a time-line or schedule, and goals that aren’t so “lofty” that they cannot be achieved or met.

 

Estimated Cost Worksheet

For this assignment students are asked to create an “Estimated Cost Worksheet” that addresses each of their stated SMART goals and the anticipated initiatives that support each goal.  The items/resources/expenditures needed for each initiative will be listed and an estimated cost for each item/resources/expenditures will be included on your worksheet.

 

Strategic Plan

This final assignment is a compilation of the work you completed in Weeks 3, 6 and 7 that result in your “Strategic Plan.” You will include your Issues Analysis, SWOT analysis, SMART goals and Estimated Cost Worksheet.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Assignments	100 Total Points
8 Discussion Board Threads (whole class & small group)	20 points
Strategic Plan with Issues Analysis	25 points
SWOT Analysis	15 points
SMART Goals and Cost Worksheet	26 points
Strategic Plan	14 points

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