Psychology 317 Course Offerings

Course Information

• Department: Psychology
• Prepared By: DR. Michael Goodstone and DR. Christina Fleck
• Date: Fall 2017
• Course Title: Organizational Development
• Course Code: PSY 317
• Credits: 3
• Contact Hours: 45

Course Description:

This course examines the behavioral science based theories, strategies and interventions that organizations use to execute planned, organization-wide changes to increase organization effectiveness and health. Theoretical models and processes will be reviewed and used to evaluate an organization’s capacity to improve and change. The course is structured to cover the background, process, and content of organizational development. Real–world examples of organizational development will be presented to illustrate current and best practices used by modern organizations. Prerequisite(s): PSY 101 Credits: 3 (3,0)

Prerequisites: PSY 101

Required For:

Elective For: Upper level social science elective for any curricula

Required Text: Organization Development and Change by Thomas G. Cummings and Christopher G. Worley, 10th ed. 2015, Cengage Learning. Additional materials may be required.

Course Outline

• PSY 317 Organizational Development Dr. Christina Fleck
• Credits: 3

Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology (Psy 101) or permission of the Department Chairperson.

Required Text: Organization Development and Change by Thomas G. Cummings and Christopher G. Worley, 10th ed. 2015, Cengage Learning. Additional materials may be required.

Course Overview: This course examines the behavioral science based theories, strategies and interventions that organizations use to execute planned, organization-wide changes to increase organization effectiveness and health. Theoretical models and processes will be reviewed and used to evaluate an organizations’ capacity to enhance and change. The course is structured to cover the background, process, and content of organizational development. Real–world examples of organizational development will be presented to illustrate current and best practices used by modern organizations.

Course Learning Objectives:

Students will develop a deep understanding of organizational development and change. Upon completing this course, students will be able to…

• define key terms and review theories related to organizational development and change
• discuss the process of change in an organization when it comes to individuals, groups, and work cultures
• articulate the roles and responsibilities of an OD practitioner and business leader
• analyze activities within an organization and provide guidance on how to identify and plan OD interventions
• give real-world examples of different OD interventions, special cases, and the future of OD

Week	Topic	Assignments (Week Due)
1	Class and OD Introduction	Chapter 1, 2
2	OD Theories and The Role of the Practitioner	Chapter 3, 4
3	Understanding the OD Process; Sign up for one of four intervention presentations	Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 Email final paper topic due
4	OD Interventions	Chapter 9, 11
5	Leading OD	Chapter 10
6	Human Process Interventions; Presentations	Chapter 12, 13
7	Midterm
8	Technostructural Interventions; Presentations	Chapter 14, 15, 16 Paper Outline Due
9	Management Interventions; Presentations	Chapter 17, 18, 19
10	Strategic Interventions; Presentations	Chapter 20, 21, 22
11	Special Interventions (Global, POC)	Chapter 23, 24
12	Future Directions	Chapter 25
13	Final Prep Class	Final Paper Due
14	Final

Assignments: It is important to keep up with the reading assignments as we progress through the topics. The class presentations will extend your understanding of the material that you have read in the text, but you must stay current with the reading to get the most help from the classes. There is some information presented in the text that may not be covered in class. A significant amount of important material will be presented in class that is not covered in the text. As all material may appear on the exams, it is critical that you obtain the course notes from a classmate if it is necessary for you to miss a class.

Tests: There are two tests during the semester, worth 100 points each. The tests are multiple choice and cover the material presented/assigned since the previous exam. The midterm and final are NOT cumulative. There are no make-up tests unless there is an exceptional, verifiable circumstance! If it is necessary for you to miss a test you must notify the instructor immediately (e-mail preferably, but phone if necessary) so that an alternative assignment can be assigned. It is not acceptable to notify the instructor that you require a make-up assignment when you arrive for the next scheduled class!

Paper: There is one five page paper due in this course on a topic that interests you from the material we covered during the semester. You must submit the topic by the third class and receive my approval before you begin work on the paper. The Topic Form is the last page of this syllabus - you must complete to have your paper topic approved. You must also submit a paper outline by the eighth class (I will give you my feedback by the eight class).

IMPORTANT PAPER DEADLINES:

     Third Class - Proposed paper topic submitted in writing on the Topic Form

     Eighth Class - Paper outline due date.

     Twelfth - Paper due date.

Note: You will not be able to submit a paper if you have not already handed in the Paper Topic Form and Outline. DO NOT LEAVE THE PAPER TOPIC AND OUTLINE TO THE LAST MINUTE AS YOU MAY NOT HAVE TIME TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK!

Presentation: There is a team presentation in this course on one of the intervention focus areas. In class you will be asked to sign-up for one topic area. You and your team will be asked create and present an example case study of the intervention type for twenty minutes. This is worth 100 points. 50 points will be a team grade and 50 points will be a grade for you as a team member. More details will be discussed in class.

Grades:

     200 points = Tests are worth 100 points (Midterm and Final)

     100 points = Paper is worth 100 points

     100 points = Team presentation is worth 100 points

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     400 points = Your final grade will be based on all four of the above assignments

Class participation counts! The topics discussed in this class have direct relevance to the lives of everyone who works or ever will work. During class discussions, you will be asked to express your opinions and observations about the material presented and how it may relate to any work experiences that you may have had. Students who contribute to the class by participating in discussions, asking and answering questions will have their course grade increased by one grade (i.e., C+ to B-). Obviously, regular attendance is required for participation. Students who do not attend regularly and/or do not contribute to the class may have their course grades lowered by one grade.

PSY 317 - Dr. Christina Fleck

Paper Topic Form 

Student’s Name:__________________________________

Proposed Paper Topic (What is the problem and type of intervention you’re using? – SEE 1-4 BELOW): Remember, you’re the consultant here – take an intervention from OD and use it to solve an organizational problem that you have experienced or thought of.

______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

Instructor’s comments/suggestions:_________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Approved Paper Topic:___________________________________________ Instructor’s Signature:_________________ Date:______________

Paper Topic

Select a concept from material related to the course that interests you and you can apply to your work situation, a work situation that you are aware of or a work situation that you can invent. Your task for the paper is to:

1. Describe a work/organizational problem or situation in detail
2. Identify the intervention that you have learned from the course or from other material covered in the text.
3. Describe the relevant concepts of the intervention.
4. Explain how you would use the intervention that you have learned to solve the organizational problem that you described in step 1.

In other words, take an intervention from the field of organizational development and apply it to the world of work/organizational life to solve a real (or imagined) problem.

Paper Format

The paper must be Times New Roman, 12 font and double spaced.

References

References outside of the text are necessary, at least 2 are requires. References must be noted by author last name and page (in parenthesis) within the text and a complete reference list provided at the end of the paper. Internet references are encouraged, but be careful about the source. Make sure Internet sources are authentic and respected.

IMPORTANT: Attach this form (completed and signed to your paper) along with your outline when you turn it in.