Behaviour in Organizations

Curriculum guideline

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Course
SOSC 2140
Discontinued
No
Course code
SOSC 2140
Descriptive
Behaviour in Organizations
Department
Social Sciences
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15
Max class size
35
Contact hours
Lecture: 2 hrs. per week / semester Seminar: 2 hrs. per week / semester
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Learning activities

The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:

  • lectures
  • structured experiences
  • audio visual presentations
  • group projects/discussions
  • case studies
  • Seminar presentations
  • library research papers

Course description
This course introduces and explores social science theory and research as it applies to human behaviour in organizations. Organizational systems, group dynamics, and individual behaviour are studied in order to gain an understanding of how these factors contribute to organizational effectiveness and member satisfaction.
Course content

 

  1. Organizations:
    • The nature of organizations
    • Historical approaches to managing organizations
    • The social context in which organizations function
  2. Organizational Behaviour as a Social Science:
    • Research and the scientific method
    • Contributing disciplines
  3. Individual Behaviour in Organizations:
    • Individual differences
    • Perception, learning, and motivation
  4. Individuals Working Together:
    • Communication and decision making
    • Group development, cohesiveness, and productivity
    • Leadership and power
    • Conflict and negotiation
  5. Organization-wide Factors:
    • Organizational structure, policies, and procedures
    • Organizational climate and culture
    • Ethics and social responsibility
    • Organizational change and development

 

Learning outcomes

At the conclusion of the course the successful student will be able to:

  1. Explain the nature of organizations and identify the important individual, group, and organizational factors that contribute to organizational effectiveness and member satisfaction.
  2. List the determinants of individual behaviour and describe the complexity of behaviour in organizations.
  3. Describe how individuals can enhance their effectiveness in organizations and how human resources can be managed effectively to accomplish organizational goals.
  4. List important elements of interpersonal relations and group dynamics and explain how they influence organizational functioning.
  5. Describe the changing social, cultural and economic context in which organizations function and explain the need for leadership, change, and change management.

Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  Evaluation will be based on course objectives and will include some of the following:  quizzes, exams, research paper, case study assignment, group project, oral presentation, participation, etc.  The specific evaluation criteria will be provided by the instructor at the beginning of the semester.

An example of an evaluation scheme:

Three multiple choice quizzes -- 60%

Semester assignments -- 10%

Group project/presentation -- 20%

Class participation/involvement -- 10%

Total -- 100%

Textbook materials

Texts will be updated periodically. Typical examples are:

  • Johns, G. & Saks, A. M. (2016). Organizational Behavior: Understanding and Managing Life at Work (Tenth Edition). Toronto, ON: Pearson.
  • McShane, S., Steen, S., & Tasa, K. (2017). Canadian Organizational Behavior (Tenth Edition). Toronto, ON: McGraw-Hill Ryerson.

 

Prerequisites

Minimum 12 credits completed.

Corequisites

Courses listed here must be completed either prior to or simultaneously with this course:

  • No corequisite courses
Equivalencies

Courses listed here are equivalent to this course and cannot be taken for further credit:

  • No equivalency courses