SYLLABUS FOR BA302-004

ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR

Instructor: Sejin Keem, Ph.D (sejin@pdx.edu)

Office: #360H

Class Time Tues Thurs 12 pm – 1:50 pm @KMC 285

 Face-to-Face Office Hour: Thurs 11:00 am – 12:00 pm, or by appointment (email me)
 Online Office Hour: Wed 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm via Google hangout

Course Website
https://d2l.pdx.edu – Grades, course materials, and announcements will be posted here. Check
out the website at least every 72 hours, preferably 24 hours before each class begins.

Course Material
“Organizational Behavior by Bauer & Erdogan, Flat World Knowledge. Version 3.0” is
recommended, but any version of the same book is equivalent.

Link to the up-to-date textbook:

https://catalog.flatworldknowledge.com/catalog/editions/bauer_3-organizational-behavior-3-0

The book comes in a variety of formats, in hard copy or online. You may also find a copy of the
book in the library reserve section.

Make sure to compare the price of the textbook thoroughly first and then make a purchase!
Sometimes Amazon can be more expensive.

Supplementary Readings - will be available through D2L.

Course Overview
The goal of this course is to enhance student’s managerial and organizational skills by
developing a sound understanding of organizational behavior (OB). This course introduces the
basic concepts in OB. Topics of this course deal with the individual, group, and organizational
factors that are relevant in managing people in organizations.

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Course Objectives
The course is designed to achieve several learning objectives that are important to the
development of managerial skills. Specifically, this course seeks to develop/ hone your abilities
to:

(1) Demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

(2) Work effectively and creatively within diverse groups.
(3) Apply organizational behavior theory to real organizational contexts that require leadership
of groups and other types of interpersonal interactions to share and communicate vision and
motivate others.
(4) Think critically about organizational issues and use relevant concepts and frameworks in
making decisions on the problems.
(5) Promote discussions and interact with peers & coworkers.
(6) Present information professionally, and give and take criticism in a constructive manner.

Email Rule
When you send emails to me please title your email as BA302 first, followed by your topic, so
that I can be as responsive and effective as possible.

Promoting Respectful Classroom Environment

I treat every student with respect therefore I have zero-tolerance for disrespectful behaviors (e.g.,
using disrespectful language, showing violent behaviors) AND any behaviors that hinder other
student’s learning experience. Anyone who disrupts learning environment will be gently asked to
leave the classroom.

Grade Distribution

A= 93-100 B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 67-69

A- = 90-92 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 63-66
B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72 D- = 60-62

 Based on SBA policy, this class is offered only in the graded option (A-F). It is not
possible to change the grading option to Pass/Fail or audit

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  Grade Composition
Two Exams 70%
Team Project 20%
Two Quizzes 10%
Total 100%

1. Exams (total 70%):

There will be two closed-book exams in total (mid-term and final). Each exam is non-cumulative
and consists of multiple choice, true and false, and short essay questions. Exams will cover class
lectures (e.g., materials from the lecture notes) and required readings (e.g., textbook). I will
bring scantrons.

Although there’s no exam drop policy, your total exam score calculation will be weighted. That
is, 30% will be allocated to your lowest scored exam and 40% to the remaining exam (total
70%).

 Make-up exam policy

Note that make-up exam will be allowed ONLY IF you can provide me with a valid
documentation.
(1) If you already have a pre-scheduled event: You will have to let me know via email
with valid documentation attached at least three days before the exam (e.g., doctor’s
note). The pre-scheduled event has to be really important for your career or
health (e.g., job interview, business trip, surgery). Make up exam to accommodate
your personal travel is not allowed. Please check the exam dates and plan your
personal travel accordingly.
(2) If you could not take the exam due to unexpected personal emergencies: Make-up
exam will be allowed ONLY if you present me a valid documentation (e.g., doctor’s
note, police report) within 24 hours of the exam date.
(3) Make up exam is taken at the testing center. Bring your own scantron.
(4) Make up exam should be taken no later than one week after the regularly scheduled
exam date.
(5) Make up exam involves more essay questions.

 Exam review policy

You will be able to view your score posted via D2L. If you would like to review your
exam, send me an email within one week following the exam score posting to set up an
appointment.

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2. Team Project (total 20%):

You will form a team of total 4-5 members for integrative team consulting project. Your team
will provide consulting services to a local organization analyzing strengths and weaknesses, and
recommendations. Your team will use the theories and concepts you have learned in this class to
assess strengths and suggest effective and appropriate recommendations to the company’s
weaknesses.

 Two components of the team project

(1) a report of initial team planning (2-3 pages) (30%) (Due by noon, Thursday Feb
21st)
(2) writing a brief report (10 pages) on describing the strengths, problems, and
suggestions (70%) (Due by noon, Thursday March 14th).
* More details will be posted on D2L. We will have some class time devoted to the
project for effective coordination, but you are also expected to complete significant
proportion of work outside class.

 Late submission policy

20% of the allocated grade will be deducted for every 24 hours.

3. Two Quizzes (total 10%):

There will be two quizzes in total (quiz 1 and quiz 2). All quizzes are open-book and include true
and false, multiple choice, and essay questions. Each quiz is total 5% worth of your grade. The
purpose of the quiz is to provide you an idea of how mid-term and final exam will look like.

* Quiz make-up policy: If you missed one of the two quizzes, your other option to make up for
the quiz is to write a minimum 5-page report about an empirical research article (an “empirical”
article uses statistical techniques to analyze data). You should choose an article that investigates
an HR and OB related topic from either the Journal of Applied Psychology or Personnel
Psychology. (If you choose Personnel Psychology, be careful not to select a book review; you
need to choose an actual research article.) Your article must be current, with publication coming
on or after January 1st of 2017. There are no exceptions to this policy regarding journal selection
or date range. You should describe the hypotheses, methodology, sample of participants, and
results, as well as discussing the article's main conclusions. Prepare a minimum of 3-page report
(12-point, Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins) that includes this
information, plus a copy of the article you used. You need to submit this before the final exam
day.

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5. Extra Credit

An extra credit opportunity will be available during the term. Extra credit is worth 2% of your
course grade.

Disability Statement & DRC: PSU values diversity and inclusion; we are committed to fostering mutual
respect and full participation for all students. My goal is to create a learning environment that is equitable,
useable, inclusive, and welcoming. If any aspects of instruction or course design result in barriers to your
inclusion or learning, please notify me. The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides reasonable
accommodations for students who encounter barriers in the learning environment. If you have, or think
you may have, a disability that may affect your work in this class and feel you need accommodations,
contact the Disability Resource Center to schedule an appointment and initiate a conversation about
reasonable accommodations. The DRC is located in 116 Smith Memorial Student Union, 503-725-4150,
drc@pdx.edu, https://www.pdx.edu/drc.

Title IX Reporting Statement: Portland State is committed to providing an environment free of all forms
of prohibited discrimination and sexual harassment (sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and
gender or sex-based harassment and stalking). If you have experienced any form of gender or sex-based
discrimination or sexual harassment, know that help and support are available. PSU has staff members
trained to support survivors in navigating campus life, accessing health and counseling services,
providing academic and on-housing accommodations, helping with legal protective orders, and more.
Information about PSU’s support services on campus, including confidential services and reporting
options, can be found on PSU’s Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response website at:
http://www.pdx.edu/sexual-assault/get-help or you may call a confidential IPV Advocate at 503-725-
5672. You may report any incident of discrimination or discriminatory harassment, including sexual
harassment, to either the Office of Equity and Compliance or the Office of the Dean of Student Life.
Please be aware that all PSU faculty members and instructors are required to report information of an
incident that may constitute prohibited discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
This means that if you tell me about a situation of sexual harassment or sexual violence that may have
violated university policy or student code of conduct, I have to share the information with my supervisor,
the University’s Title IX Coordinator or the Office of the Dean of Student Life. For more information
about Title IX please complete the required student module Creating a Safe Campus in your D2L account.

Student Health and Counseling (SHAC): The Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) is a
community-based health care organization that provides high quality, accessible mental health, physical
health, dental, and testing services targeted to the needs of the PSU student population. To make an
appointment with SHAC, please call SHAC at 503.725.2800 or come directly to the clinic (1880 SW 6th
Ave. UCB, Suite 200).

School of Business Career & Academic Advising: The School of Business provides Career and
Academic Advisors to assist students in making the most of their collegiate experience. Career &
Academic Advisors are trained to provide advice for a wide range of issues; from selecting a business

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Advisors are here to help students with all of their academic & career related questions. Business students
are assigned an academic and career advisor who will assist them from orientation through graduation to
career. Advisors are available by appointment. Students can make an academic & career advising
appointment online by visiting www.pdx.edu/sba/academic-career-advising, by visiting their office in
room 486 of the University Center Building (527 SW Hall St.) or calling 503-725-3712. Drop-in peer
advising hours are available as well. Drop-in hours are held regularly throughout the week and are
designed to help answer routine or simple questions. For more information about SBA advising and drop-
in hours, please visit the School of Business website at www.pdx.edu/sba and click on Undergraduate,
then Student Resources. Students with concerns about courses, requirements or advising services
provided by the Undergraduate Programs Office can contact the Director of Undergraduate Career &
Academic Services via email at beckys@pdx.edu.

School of Business Tutoring: Peer tutoring is available in the University Center Building room 486.
Tutoring is provided for BA 211, 213, 303 and ACTG 381 classes free of charge.

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Tentative Class Schedule

Dates Lecture Contents Readings In-Class Activities Team Project Dues

1/08 (Tues) Introduction to OB Syllabus
1/10 (Thurs) Introduction to OB Chapter 1 OB common sense quiz
1/15 (Tues) Diversity Chapter 2
1/17 (Thurs) Individual difference and perception Chapter 3 Personality assessment
1/22 (Tues) Individual attitudes and behaviors Chapter 4 TBD
1/24 (Thurs) Theories of motivation Chapter 5 TBD Form your team and submit team information via D2L
1/29 (Tues) Designing a motivating work environment Chapter 6 TBD
1/31 (Thurs) Managing stress and emotions Chapter 7 TBD
2/05 (Tues) Quiz 1, team project meet-up
2/07 (Thurs) Exam 1 Review (Optional Day)
2/12 (Tues) Exam 1
2/14 (Thurs) Managing creativity in organizations Design thinking: Gift giving experience
2/19 (Tues) Managing groups and teams Chapter 9 Team building activity Marshmallow Activity
2/21 (Thurs) Making Decisions Chapter 11 Stress assessment Submit initial team planning report via D2L
2/26 (Tues) Leading people within organizations Chapter 12
2/28 (Thurs) Power and politics Chapter 13
3/05 (Tues) Conflict and negotiation (1) Chapter 10 Negotiation role playing
3/07 (Thurs) Conflict and negotiation (2), team project meet-up Chapter 10 Negotiation role playing
3/12 (Tues) Quiz 2, team project meet-up Last day to fire your team member
3/14 (Thurs) Class make-up day (extra-credit opportunity) Final team project report due at noon via D2L
3/21 (Thurs) Final Exam Same classroom, begins 10:15