McGill University - Centre for Continuing Education

Department of Career and Management Studies (http://www.mcgill.ca/conted)

COURSE OUTLINE WINTER 2008

INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR MGCR

222 (741 / 751/ 761 / 771)
LECTURERS: Dr. Zina Suissa (zina.suissa@mcgill.ca)
Dr. Sharyn Sepinwall (sharyn.sepinwall@mcgill.ca)

Jim Fraser (james.fraser@mcgill.ca)

Irv Rosenstein (irving.rosenstein2@mcgill.ca)

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS:

Effective management of human resources within organizations requires an

understanding of various behaviour and processes. Managers need to know why people
behave as they do in relation to their jobs, their work groups and their organizations.
This knowledge of individuals' perceptions, motivational attitudes and behaviour will
enable managers to not only understand themselves better, but also to adopt
appropriate managerial policies and leadership styles to increase their effectiveness.

The focus of instruction will move progressively through the individual, group and
organizational levels of behaviour and will examine the interrelationships of behaviourial
phenomena among these levels. Additionally, concepts such as motivation,
communication and leadership and their relevance to organizational behaviour will be
examined in detail.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The major objective of this course is to provide students with a better understanding of
behaviourial processes and thereby enable them to function more effectively in their
present or future roles as managers of human resources. Specific learning objectives
for this course are as follows:

1. To provide a basic knowledge of main ideas and key theories relating to

organizational behaviour;
2. To develop an understanding of these and of related ideas and concepts.
3. To develop skills in diagnosis and problem solving by applying the learned
material to given situations;
4. To develop an interest in, an appreciation of, and a positive attitude toward the
many aspects of the subject matter of management.
TEXTS AND READINGS:
Johns, G., & Saks, A., ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR, UNDERSTANDING AND

MANAGING LIFE AT WORK, 7th Ed., Pearson

OTHER REFERENCES AND READING MATERIAL: As assigned or distributed in

class.

Several case studies and exercises will be used in class to facilitate the students'
understanding and application of key theories and concepts. All students are expected
to attend all classes in their entirety. Unauthorized early class departures, poor
attendance will be penalized.

STUDENTS EVALUATION:

Students' work during the term will be evaluated on the following basis:

TYPE OF EVALUATION:

1. Mid Term Examination

2. Term Paper
3. Final Examination

PERCENTAGE

25%
25%

50% 100%

TOTAL:

You may not submit assignments via e-mail without the permission of the instructor.

Students are responsible for all materials for the tests and exams, whether or not it is
covered in detail in class. Exams will be a combination of all types of questions based
on all sources (text, handouts, and videos shown in class).

Late submissions will not be accepted.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Only non-programmable, no-tape, noiseless calculators are permitted. Calculators

capable of storing text are not permitted in tests and exams.
Translation dictionaries will be permitted at the final exam only.
Additional Information:

Academic Integrity:

Methodology

Student participation during classroom sessions is highly encouraged. You are

expected to read ahead and come to class prepared to discuss substantially any
assigned material. Being well prepared will enable you to discuss assigned readings
and cases and to engage constructively in experiential exercises.

Every chapter should be read twice. The first reading should be done prior to attending
class and the second reading should be done after the class discussion of the chapter.
The questions at the back of each chapter follow directly from the reading. Students
should be able to answer these questions after a thorough reading of the material.

Code of Student Conduct

McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore all students must understand the
meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under
the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (see www.mcgill.ca/integrity
for more information).

L'université McGill attache une haute importance à l'honnêteté académique. Il incombe

par conséquent à tous les étudiants de comprendre ce que l'on entend par tricherie,
plagiat et autres infractions académiques, ainsi que les conséquences que peuvent
avoir de telles actions, selon le Code de conduite de l'étudiant et des procédures
disciplinaires (pour de plus amples reseignements, veuillez consulter le site
www.mcgill.ca/integrity).

Final Exam Policy: Regulations

Students should not make other commitments during the final exam period. Vacation
plans do not constitute valid grounds for the deferral or the rescheduling of
examinations. See the Centre Calendar for the regulations governing Examinations:

http://www.mcgill.ca/conted-students/exams/regulations/

Students are required to present their I.D. Card (with photo) for entrance to their
examination.

Conflicts

If you are unable to write your final examination due to scheduling conflicts, you must
submit a Final Exam Conflict Form with supporting documentation at least one month
before the start of the final examination period. Late submissions will not be accepted.
For details, see

http://www.mcgill.ca/conted-students/exams/conflicts/

Exam Timetable

Examination schedules are posted at the Centre and on the following page
approximately 6-8 weeks before the examination period commences

http://www.mcgill.ca/conted-cms/exams/

The Centre cannot provide examination dates over the telephone.

Classroom Rules: All electronic devices (cell phones and beepers) must be turned off
during class time.

Assignments Pickup: Marked assignments cannot be picked up from the offices at

Continuing Education, therefore if your marked assignments are

Email Policy:

not available in class before the end of term you must submit a self-addressed stamped
envelope to you instructor or these assignments will not be returned. Remember to
keep a photocopy or back-up of your creative work before it is handed in to your
instructor.

E-mail is one of the official means of communication between McGill University and its
students. As with all official University communications, it is the student's responsibility
to ensure that time-critical e-mail is accessed, read, and acted upon in a timely fashion.
If a student chooses to forward University e- mail to another e-mail mailbox, it is that
student's responsibility to ensure that the alternate account is viable.

Please note that to protect the privacy of the students, the University will only reply to
the students on their McGill e-mail account.
General Grading System: The grading will be as follows;
Graduate Level (please note that the highlighted area is

average grade range).

A (85-100%) A- (80-84%) B+
B

B- (65-69%) F (0-64%) P

Undergraduate Level (please note that the highlighted area is average grade range).

A (85-100%) A- (80-84%) B+ (75-79%) B

B-
C+ (60-64%) C (55-59%) D* (50-54%) F (0-49%) P

* Although D is a passing grade, it will not permit entry into a subsequent course for which it is a
prerequisite, nor will it be recognized if the course is a compulsory course in your program.

Grade Point Average

Letter grades are assigned grade points according to the following table:

A 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 D 1.0 F0

Pass

(75-79%)

(70-74%)

Failure

Pass

(70-74%)
Satisfactory
Pass

(65-69%)

Conditional Pass

Failure

Pass

Standing in a department will be determined on the basis of the Cumulative Grade Point
Average (CGPA) computed by adding the product for each course of the course credits
times the grade points, and dividing by the total course credits attempted:

sum (course credits x grade points) CGPA = -----------------------------------

sum (course credits attempted)

Grades of D or F continue to be used in the calculation of the CGPA even after the
course is repeated or a supplemental examination is taken.

Grades of J and KF count as 0 grade points in the CGPA. Courses with a grade of W,
WF, WL or KK are not included in the calculation.

For details, see http://www.mcgill.ca/conted-students/grades/

Computing Resources:

Students Rights and Responsibilities:

Regulations and policies governing students at McGill University can be downloaded

from the website:

http://www.mcgill.ca/deanofstudents/rights/

Students Services and Resources:

Various services and resources, such as email access, walksafe, library access, etc.,
are available to Continuing Education students:

http://www.mcgill.ca/conted-students/services/ Minerva for Students:

http://www.mcgill.ca/minerva-students/
The McGill Association of Continuing Education Students, MACES
nd
(www.maces.mcgill.ca), at 3437 Peel, 2 floor, tel. (514) 398-4974 has a computer lab
available for all students of Centre for Continuing Education.
TERM PAPERS:

All papers are due WEEK OF MARCH 17th OR AS ADVISED BY YOUR INSTRUCTOR.

CLASS
DATE CHAPTER

TOPIC

1234567

Week of January 7th 1

8 9 10

8 Groups and T eamwork

11 12 13

9 Leadership
10 Communication
11 Decision Making
13 Conflict and Stress
14
Organizational Structure

Organizational Behaviour and Management 2 Personality and Learning

3. 3  Perception, Attribution and Judgement of Others

4. 4  Values, Attitudes and Work Behaviour
5. 5  Theories of Work Motivation
6. 6  Motivation in Practice

MID-TERM EXAM

STUDY BREAK WEEK OF FEB. 25 – 29 – NO CLASSES

FINAL EXAM PERIOD:
Students should NOT make other commitments during this period. Vacation plans DO
NOT constitute valid grounds for the deferral or the rescheduling of examinations. STUDENTS
ARE REQUIRED TO PRESENT THEIR I.D. CARDS (WITH PHOTO) FOR ENTRANCE TO
THEIR EXAMINATION.

April 14 – 30, 2008

MACES (McGill Association of Continuing Education Students) has a computer lab

nd
available for our students. They are situated at 3437 Peel, 2 Floor or at 398-5474.

McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore, all students must

understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other
academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary
Procedures (see www.mcgill.ca/integrity for more information).
MGT 122 C2 Organizational Behaviour

Alhaji Unisa Kuyateh

Contact Information

Email: alhajiunisak@gmail.com +23277662604/+23276553520

Important Dates:

First Day of Class: Last Day of Class:

Welcome to Organizational Behaviour!

Course Description

Effective management of human resources within organizations requires an

understanding of various behaviour and processes. Managers need to know why people
behave as they do in relation to their jobs, their work groups and their organizations.
This knowledge of individuals' perceptions, motivational attitudes and behaviour will
enable managers to not only understand themselves better, but also to adopt
appropriate managerial policies and leadership styles to increase their effectiveness.

The focus of instruction will move progressively through the individual, group and
organizational levels of behaviour and will examine the interrelationships of behavioural
phenomena among these levels. Additionally, concepts such as motivation,
communication and leadership and their relevance to organizational behaviour will be
examined in detail.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course the student will be able to:

Demonstrate the importance of understanding organizational behaviour and identify factors that influence the
effectiveness of organizations.

Analyze business scenarios in an objective, rational manner, and describe the primary issues through the eyes of all
involved.
Identify the individual characteristics that influence work behaviour and organizational effectiveness.

Integrate current knowledge of motivation, leadership, conflict and political processes in organizations.

Required Materials:

Text:
Organizational Behaviour
-
Author: Title: Publisher: Edition: ISBN: Required:

Bookstore:

Robbins and Judge

Organizational Behavior (w/out MyManagementLab)

PEARSON EDUCATION 16th

9780133507645

Johns, G., & Saks, A., ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOUR, UNDERSTANDING AND

MANAGING LIFE AT WORK, 7th Ed., Pearson

OTHER REFERENCES AND READING MATERIAL: As assigned or distributed in

class.

Classroom Guidelines and Student Responsibilities, Expectations

Students have the following responsibilities in this, and any other course taught at Golden Gate University:

1. 1)  Read syllabus and course information carefully.

2. 2)  Read lectures and other required learning materials online carefully.
3. 3)  Participate in discussions and engage in learning activities.
4. 4)  Actively engage the material and ask questions of the instructor when confused about

any aspect of the course.

5. 5)  Complete activities (discussion, quizzes, case studies, essay, applied learning

assignment and final exam) in a timely manner following the instructions for each activity.

Treat other students and the instructor with civility and respect.
Learning Objectives /Lesson plan

Session One: Introduction

After studying the text and lecture, the successful student will be able to:

Define and describe the term “Organizational Behaviour”

Classify and explain various functions, roles and skills associated with being a manager
Demonstrate the differences between intuition and systemic study
Relate personality characteristics to the challenge of change

Session Two: The Individual

Describe how personality characteristics influence behaviour

Explain how our own individual lenses shape our perception and understanding of what we
experience
Describe the impact culture has on our understanding of ourselves and others

Session Three: The Group ( Communication)

Identify common barriers to effective communication.

Contrast the advantages and disadvantages of your Personality Type
Discuss the impact technology-mediated communication has on the nature of Our
interactions with others

Session Four: The Organizational System

Explain the characteristics of a variety of organizational structures

Describe how organizational design influences employee behaviour

Clarify how culture is transmitted to employees within an organization

Session Five: Organizational Dynamics

Define teams and groups, and be able to identify the characteristics of effective teamwork
Describe the nature of conflict and identify conflict management strategies

Describe how diversity impacts the way in which individuals within an organization relate to
one another

Describe a theory of motivation and discuss motivation as it relates to organizational

behavior

Session Six: Management

Identify the elements common to three current Management Theories. List the
characteristics that influence job performance
Analyze the points made in a current Theory of Motivation and apply this analysis to their
current work environment
Session Seven: Leadership

Define the qualities of an effective leader

Contrast and compare differences in traits common to leaders and managers

Identify one’s leadership style and discuss areas for further development

Session Eight: Tying it All Together

Identify techniques for managing the impression one makes on others

Apply concepts learned throughout the course in gaining an understanding of leadership
abilities and organization structure as reflected in the Final Interview Project

Assignments

Each week you will have a reading assignment from the textbook and one to two
discussion forum questions. You will also have 3 research assignments and will be
preparing brief reflection papers. The brief papers will be due at the end of Sessions
2, 4 and 6. You will also have a final interview project. Instructions for the
assignments as well as due dates will be indicated.

Grading Policy:

You will receive numerical point scores for your work – discussions, reflection papers, the
final quiz and your final project. Points can be converted to letter grades as follows:

Component Percentage of the Final Grade

Attendance and class
5%
participation
Assignments and presentations 15%
Final Quiz
10%

Mid Semester Test 20

Semester exams 50%

Total 100%

Subject to Revision as Necessary

SESSION/DATE TOPIC TEXT BOOK
READING ASSIGNED
PAGES
SESSION 1 Introduction Chapter One

SESSION 2 The Individual Behaviour and Chapter Two

Diversity

SESSION 3 The Group (Communication) Chapter Nine

 SESSION 4 The Organizational System and Chapter Sixteen
Culture

SRSSION 5 MIG TERM TEST COVERS WORK ON

TOPICS ABOVE
SESSION 6 Organizational Dynamics – Chapter Ten
Understanding Work Teams

SESSION 7 Management - Motivation Chapter Seven

SESSION 8 Leadership Chapter Twelve

SESSION 9 Career, Power and Politics Chapter Thirteen

SESSION 10

Academic Integrity Policy

Academic integrity means doing academic work in a manner that strives to achieve the learning objectives your
courses have set out for you. It means that you follow the rules and procedures prescribed by your instructors so that
you acquire the skills and knowledge your courses are designed to give you. It means that you engage in ethical
practices in taking tests and doing assignments and that you respect intellectual property rights by fully disclosing
sources of information that appear in your papers and presentations.