Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course  attempts to help the participant understand the behavior of people in organizations.  This will be accomplished with the use of a textbook, my personal notes and additional links on each chapter to other web sites, as well as various assignments that ask participants to examine their workplace in light of the weekly topic.  Participants actively practice written communication skills and the exchange of ideas through weekly assignments and the class Discussion Board.  They will develop conceptual skills by examining organizational situations and attempt to understand and predict human behavior through the application of concepts and techniques.  Students will be encouraged to share their own knowledge and experiences in light of the subject at hand.  Additionally, through the use of various self-tests in the text and the web, students will increase their self-awareness.  By the end of the course the participant should have a clear understanding of how to influence work outcomes through controlling the work behavior of their team members.

Upon successful completion, the student should be able to:

1. Apply an understanding of individual and team behavior to promote productivity and positive team relationships in a constantly changing work environment.
2. Utilize an understanding of the impact an organization’s structure and culture has on effectively managing work groups in creating and sustaining a motivating climate.
3. Apply effective change management skills to integrate procedural and technological changes within the workforce, while minimizing the negative impact on productivity.
4. Anticipate and adjust to environmental changes like globalization, increasing workforce diversity, and changes in technology to make effective management decisions.
5. Utilize principles of effective organizational development to advance career opportunities in management and supervision.

• Various individual and/or group skill-building activities such as role-plays, case studies, or other exercises geared toward critical analysis of course concepts.
• Written assignments or oral reports designed to integrate course material into personal experience or experiences of others.
• Complete exams comprised of essay and/or objective questions, or an individual and/or team project or paper which requires integration, application, and critical examination of course concepts, issues, and themes.

COMPETENCIES/SKILLS:

• Leadership skills
• Implementing change
• Creating a motivating climate
• Conflict management
• Strategies to overcome barriers to teamwork
• Managing & measuring productivity
• Critical thinking
• Analyzing and making decisions

CONCEPTS, THEMES & ISSUES:
General Concepts

• Values, attitudes, perceptions.
• Leadership styles
• Team dynamics
• Behavior of individuals and work teams
• Motivational climate
• Maintaining positive environment
• Promoting positive team relationships

Themes

• Implementing organizational change
• Organizational culture
• Team dynamics
• Leadership skills

Issues

• Barriers to teamwork
• Managing conflict
• Integrating humans and technology