Course Syllabus

6301 Cohort
School of Management
The University of Texas at Dallas

Course Information

Course Number OB 6301 Cohort

Course Title Organizational Behavior
Term and Dates 8/26 – 12/2
Room SM 2.117

Professor Contact Information

Professor Laurie Ziegler, Ph.D.
Office Phone 972-883-2847
Email Address Internal course email
Office Location SOM 4.210
Office Hours Wednesday 4:30 – 6:30 and by appointment
Other Information The best way to contact me is through eLearning email.
I am happy to talk with you on the phone or meet with you in
person. If you would like to make an appointment, please email
me through the course site.
TA Sungjin Hong
TA Office Hours TBA

About the Instructor

Hi. I am Laurie Ziegler (aka Dr. Z.). I have been a member of the faculty at UTD since 1993. I
primarily teach Organizational Behavior and Negotiation/Dispute Resolution in Graduate,
Undergraduate and Executive Education programs. My research interests include
organizational communication, personality and organizational performance, managerial and
organizational cognition, leadership, and dispute resolution. I enjoy reading, old movies (the
black and white versions), snow skiing, golf, refinishing furniture, gardening and my family
including my rescue dog.

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

No course pre/co-requisites. I just want you to be engaged in the course.

Course Description
This is an introductory course to the field of human behavior in organizations. You will learn
about research and the application of associated theories and current findings at the individual,
group, and organizational levels. We will use readings, videos, cases, discussions, exercises,
and surveys to help you incorporate knowledge of organizations into your thinking and behavior.
Your participation in the course is critical to your learning and the learning of your classmates.
When the semester concludes you will have enhanced understanding of workplace behavior,
improved competency in critical management skills and the ability to transfer this knowledge to
work and personal settings.

Course Syllabus Page 1

AACSB Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes
1. Apply theories of motivation and assess the efficacy of motivational programs
2. Recognize decision making (DM) problems and opportunities and apply the appropriate DM
models while considering ethical dilemmas and applications.
3. Assess organizational culture, recognize the value of diversity and develop strategies for
transforming cultures to improve organizational performance.

Required Textbooks
Required Texts
“Organizational Behavior” Stephen Robbins and Timothy Judge, 13th edition, Pearson Prentice
Hall.

Textbooks can be ordered online through Off-Campus Books or the MBS Direct Virtual
Bookstore online ordering site. They are also available in stock at the UTD Bookstore and Off-
Campus Books.

Course Policies

Make-up quizzes
None

Extra Credit
None

Late Work
Not accepted

Special Assignments
None

Assessments
Grading Information

Weights (Points)

Participation 20%
Team Facilitation 30%
Quizzes (5) 50%
Total 100%

Grading conversion

Scaled Score Letter Equivalent

90 - 100% A
80 - 89% B
70 - 79.9% C
Less than 69.9% F

Course Syllabus Page 2

Course Organization
This course is organized around five modules. After each module you will take a quiz
demonstrating your understanding of the material.

Course Learning Activities

Participation (20%)

In this course it is imperative that you participate in course activities. Participation may take a
variety of forms. You may actively participate in class discussions both as a member of the
entire class or in small group discussions. You may find material that is relevant to the course
(e.g. a news report, movie) and summarize it for your classmates or give the summary to me
and I can incorporate into that day’s discussions. You may attend outside course-related
activities and give me an oral summary or present it to the class. The purpose is not to make
you talk for talking’s sake but to meaningfully engage you in the material.

Personal Statement (3%): Submit up to a one page personal statement on the discussion
board under the personal statement forum by 9/9 at 8:00 am. We will use this information
to get an idea of what our class members are like. Information you provide might include:
who you are, what you do, what industry you are in, what your hobbies are, and what you
want to get from this course. You could attach a picture of yourself (with family, friends,
pets, alone, etc.) if you like. Your experience in this course will be greatly enhanced if you
read your classmates’ statements. You might even find out that you have synergies with
fellow students and wish to explore further relationships with them.
Class Contributions and Discussions (17%): It is expected that you will be prepared to
discuss readings and participate in assessments and other activities. I will institute required
write-ups if I perceive that the class, as a whole, is not adequately prepared each class
period. I will keep track of your value-added comments and questions.

Team Project - Team Name Due 9/09/09 at 11:59 PM Central Time

You will form your own teams at the beginning of the semester. Sign up for team membership
on the eLearning Homepage. This team formation is different than that assigned by the Cohort
program. There will be 3-4 people in each team. By 9/09 have one, and only one, team
member submit your team name on eLearning mail by 9/9/09 with team name in the subject
heading.

Team Facilitation of OB Concepts (30%)

Teams are responsible for facilitating OB concepts over the course of the semester. The goal of
these activities is for us to go beyond the material I provide and to allow you the opportunity to
learn material in greater depth by conducting some research about that concept.

1. My lectures provide the theory and basic concepts (learning, communication etc.).
2. You will expand on the OB concept. You may use my lectures/slides as a guideline but do
not repeat the information.
3. Supplement your analysis with additional academic resources (journal articles, books).
Provide a reference list or bibliography as appropriate. Contact Loreen Phillips the SOM Library
liaison for help with your research. Loreen.phillips@utdallas.edu; 972-883-2126

Course Syllabus Page 3

4. Use questions, dialogue, PowerPoint presentations, Audio/Videos, surveys/assessments,
web links, etc. to enhance your facilitation. Post material on the eLearning site: Discussion
Board: Presentation Material no less than two days before your presentation (e.g. Mondays at
8:00 am CT).
5. You should then provide interactive activities that engage the entire class in meaningful
applications of course content. You may have them complete surveys, conduct role plays, build
objects, etc. You may choose to bring in a guest speaker. What a great idea! If you do so,
please inform me in advance so I can find out specifics about the speaker and the topic.
6. The evaluation form will be provided on a separate document.
7. You have approximately 90 minutes for your team facilitation.

Team Peer Evaluation (required) Due 12/02/09

I want all members to contribute fully to the team facilitation project; therefore, you are required
to complete an evaluation of your participation and the participation of your team mates.
Consider each member’s ability to adhere to deadlines, availability, interpersonal skills,
creativity, leadership, and responsibility to the team. The Team Peer Evaluation is confidential.
Team evaluations are submitted under the Assignment: Peer Evaluation link. Type it in – do
not submit it as an attachment.

Grading Rubric:

Full contributor: (A) 100% of team points; contributed fully to the team project.
Less than full: (B) 85% of the team grade
(C) 75% of the team grade
(F) 50% of the team grade
(0) 0% of the team grade

Overall Evaluation:

I will review the feedback and determine the percentage of the team grade you have earned. It
is my hope that everyone receives an A and earns 100% of the team grade. If you are
consistently rated low you may fail the team project. For example, if your team earns 80:90
(88%) on the team project and you receive an average of a “C” from your peers, you will earn a
66% for the project. The moral of the story is “don’t be a social loafer”. Besides, this is a fun
project! Also, it will help you learn how to get the most out of team members in your work place.

Provide the following information in this format.

List team member names in alphabetical order by last name, and assign a grade. Include
yourself in the list.

Team Name Team Member Name Grade

Team Member #1
Team Member #2
Team Member #3 etc.

1. Explain the contributions that each team member made. Why did you grade each person the
way you did? Be specific. Justify any grades you assign that are below an “A”.
2. What worked well within your team and what would you do to improve your team process?

Course Syllabus Page 4

 Quizzes (10% each for a total of 50%)

The quizzes (one per module) consist of multiple choice questions covering course materials.
The quizzes assess definitional, conceptual, and applied levels of proficiency. My plan is to
put the quizzes on line and I will provide to you the quiz time window. Do not download the
quizzes or share the information with anyone else as this constitutes scholastic dishonesty.

Course Syllabus Page 5

 Course Schedule

Module/ Required Audio Required Readings Other

Dates Lectures & Cases
8/26 Syllabus, Ice
Breaker
M1: Unit 1: Ch. 1: What is
9/2 Organizational
Introduction to OB Behavior?

Research Ethical Dilemma:

Lying in Business

M1: Unit 2: Ch. 2: Foundations Personal Statement

9/9 of Individual
Learning Behavior Team Name
Case 2: Pro Sports:
Rewarding And
Punishing The
Same Behavior?

M1: Unit 3: Ch. 3: Attitudes and TF 1

9/16 Job Satisfaction
Attitudes
Case 2: Long Hours,
Hundreds of Emails,
and No Sleep.

M1: Unit 3 cont: Ch. 8: Emotions and TF 2

9/16 Moods
Emotions Quiz 1
Case 2: Abusive
Customers Cause
Emotions to Run
High

M2: Unit 4: Ch. 4: Personality TF 3

9/23 and Values
Personality
Case 2: A Diamond
Values Personality.

Course Syllabus Page 6

 M2: Unit 5: Ch. 5: Perception TF 4
9/30 and Individual
Perception Decision Making

Case 2:
Whistleblowers:
Saints or Sinners?

M2: Unit 6: Ch. 5: Perception TF 5

10/7 and Individual
Decision Making Decision Making Quiz 2

Creativity Case 1: Natural

Disasters and the
Decisions that
Follow

M3: Unit 7: Ch. 6: Motivation TF 6

10/14 Concepts
Motivation
Concepts Ch. 7: Motivation:
From Concepts to
Motivation Application
Applications
Ethical Dilemma:
Are U.S.
Excecutives Paid
Too Much?

M3: Unit 8: Ch. 9: Foundations TF 7

10/21 of Group Behavior
Group Foundations
Case 2: The
Dangers of
Groupthink.

M3: Unit 9: Ch. 10: TF 8

10/28 Understanding Work
Teaming Teams Quiz 3

Case 1: Teamwork:
One Company’s
Approach to High
Performance

M4: Unit 10: Ch. 11: TF 9

11/4 Communication
Communication
Case 1: Dianna
Abdala

M4: Unit 11: Ch. 12: Basic TF 10

11/11 Approaches to
Leadership Leadership

Course Syllabus Page 7

 Case 2: The Kinder,
Gentler Leader?

M4: Unit 11 cont: Ch. 13: TF 11

11/11 Contemporary
Leadership Issues in Leadership

Case 1: The Making

of a Great President

M4: Unit 12 Ch. 14: Power & TF 12

11/18 Politics
Power Quiz 4
Case 2: The Politics
Politics of Backstabbing.

M5: Unit 13: Ch. 15: Conflict & TF 13

Negotiation
11/25 Conflict
Ethical Dilemma: Is
it Unethical to Lie,
Deceive, or Collude
During
Negotiations?

M5: Unit 14: Ch. 15: Conflict & TF 14

11/25 Negotiation
Negotiation
Case 2: Negotiation
Puts Hockey in the
Penalty Box.

M5: Unit 15: Ch. 17: Quiz 5

12/2 Organizational
Organizational Culture
Culture
Case 2: Wegmans

This schedule may be modified based on the course dynamics.

Course Syllabus Page 8

Scholastic Honesty
The University has policies and discipline procedures regarding scholastic dishonesty. Detailed
information is available on the UTD Judicial Affairs web page. All students are expected to
maintain a high level of responsibility with respect to academic honesty. Students who violate
University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the
possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty
harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic
dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

Course Evaluation

As required by UTD academic regulations, every student must complete an evaluation for each
enrolled course at the end of the semester..

University Policies

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each
student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations
which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and
discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered
students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules
and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI,
Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university’s Handbook
of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the
Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in
interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship.
He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules,
university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating
the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or
criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done
by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of
individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Course Syllabus Page 9

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work
or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any
other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism
(see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which
searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some
issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The
university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T.
Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it
originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of
confidence in the identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted
information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all
communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T.
Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other
accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level
courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration
procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements
from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper
paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to
attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other

fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious
effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with
whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members
retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be
resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy
of the respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided
by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the
grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal
to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an
Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of
the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

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Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at
the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete
grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long
semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is
not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a
grade of F.

Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities
equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the
Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and
Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments
necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be
necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders or animals (in the case of
dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment requirement may be
substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is
hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be
rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or university may need to provide special
services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals
requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for
the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are
exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.

The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will
be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the
absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student

Course Syllabus Page 11

who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized
for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed
period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.

If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of
observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has
been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the
student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or
his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the
legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of
the chief executive officer or designee.

Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and
University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information
regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address given below.
Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
(http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm)

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the
Professor.

Course Syllabus Page 12