Course Syllabus

Rosemont College is a community of lifelong learners dedicated to academic excellence and fostering joy in the pursuit of knowledge. Rosemont College seeks to develop in all members of the community open and critical minds, the ability to make reasoned moral decisions, and a sense of responsibility to serve others in our global society. Rooted in Catholicism, Rosemont welcomes all faiths and is guided by the principles of Cornelia Connelly and the Society of the Holy Child Jesus to meet the needs of the time. Rosemont College values: Trust in the reverence for the dignity of each person; Diversity with a commitment to building an international community; Persistence and courage in promoting justice with compassion; Care for the Earth as our common home.

Instructor Contact Information

Instructor Name: April Higigns, MA

Preferred Email Method: Canvas Inbox

Phone(s): 610-527-0200, ext. 2958

Office Hours: via appointment and available by email and Zoom

Course Description & Prerequisites

Description: This course presents an overview of individual behavior, group behavior, and organizational structures and processes that impact the effectiveness of organizations. The course emphasizes the analysis and application of knowledge to improve performance and organizational effectiveness and to manage organizational change.

Course Prerequisites: N/A

Course Outcomes

Course Outcomes

1. Understanding Organizational Behavior in the Workplace

• Define and explain key Organizational Behavior (OB) concepts, including motivation, leadership, teamwork, and organizational culture.
• Recognize how OB theories apply to real-world workplace challenges.

2. Personal and Professional Development in the Workplace

• Assess the impact of personality, values, perception, and emotions on professional interactions and career success.
• Evaluate personal strengths and areas for growth using OB theories.
• Apply motivation strategies to enhance self-discipline and productivity in professional settings.

3. Effective Teamwork and Collaboration

• Analyze team dynamics, roles, and group decision-making processes to improve collaboration.
• Apply active listening and conflict resolution techniques to manage workplace disagreements.
• Identify key factors that contribute to effective team performance in professional environments.

4. Leadership and Workplace Influence

• Compare different leadership styles and assess their effectiveness in various organizational settings.
• Develop leadership skills by practicing delegation, motivation, and decision-making.
• Recognize the role of power, influence, and office politics in workplace relationships.

5. Communication and Professionalism in Organizations

• Apply professional communication strategies, including verbal, written, and nonverbal communication.
• Recognize barriers to effective workplace communication and develop strategies to overcome them.
• Use technology tools effectively for virtual collaboration and organizational communication.

6. Organizational Culture and Workplace Environment

• Understand how organizational culture impacts job satisfaction, employee engagement, and productivity.
• Identify strategies for adapting to different workplace cultures and structures.
• Discuss ethical behavior and professionalism in workplace interactions.

7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Professional Settings

• Recognize the benefits of a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Develop strategies for fostering cultural competence and inclusivity in professional environments.
• Address biases and stereotypes that may affect workplace relationships.

8. Managing Stress, Work-Life Balance, and Employee Well-Being

• Identify common workplace stressors and apply stress management techniques.
• Develop strategies to balance professional and personal responsibilities effectively.
• Recognize how organizations can promote employee well-being and mental health.

9. Ethical Decision-Making and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• Analyze ethical dilemmas in the workplace and apply ethical decision-making frameworks.
• Understand the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in modern business practices.
• Evaluate the impact of ethical leadership on workplace culture and employee trust.

10. Applying Organizational Behavior to Career Growth

• Use OB principles to improve workplace performance and career advancement opportunities.
• Develop a professional development plan incorporating OB strategies for success.
• Apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to workplace scenarios using OB concepts.

 

Textbooks & Technology

Required Textbooks:

OpenStax Organizational Behavior, by J. Stewart Black, Richard Steers, Jason Lambert, Laura M. Leduc, Eva Hartmann, David S. Bright, et al

The textbook used in this course is a free, open-educational resource (OER). You are able to access a free, digital version of this textbook by visiting this link:  https://openstax.org/details/books/organizational-behavior

ISBN: 978-1-947172-71-5

Additional Course Resources:

N/A

Technology Requirements:

N/A

Weekly Schedule & Topics

Weekly Dates	Assignments Due for the Week
Week 1 3/10/2025 to 3/16/2025	Required Readings: Complete all readings in the Week 1 Reading & Resources Module  Weekly Discussion Assignment: Initial post due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Response post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Case Study: Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Reminder:  Research information for Final Project.
Week 2 3/17/2025 to 3/23/2025	Required Readings: Complete all readings in the Week 1 Reading & Resources Module  Weekly Discussion Assignment: Initial post due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Response post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Case Study: Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Reminder:  Research information for Final Project.
Week 3 3/24/2025 to 3/30/2025	Required Readings: Complete all readings in the Week 1 Reading & Resources Module  Weekly Discussion Assignment: Initial post due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Response post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Case Study: Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Reminder:  Research information for Final Project.
Week 4 3/31/2025 to 4/6/2025	Required Readings: Complete all readings in the Week 1 Reading & Resources Module  Weekly Discussion Assignment: Initial post due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Response post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Case Study: Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Reminder:  Research information for Final Project.
Week 5 4/7/2025 to 4/13/2025	Required Readings: Complete all readings in the Week 1 Reading & Resources Module  Weekly Discussion Assignment: Initial post due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Response post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Case Study: Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Reminder:  Research information for Final Project.
Week 6 4/14/2025 to 4/20/2025	Required Readings: Complete all readings in the Week 1 Reading & Resources Module  Weekly Discussion Assignment: Initial post due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Response post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Case Study: Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Reminder:  Research information for Final Project.
Week 7 4/21/2025 to 4/27/2025	Required Readings: Complete all readings in the Week 1 Reading & Resources Module  Weekly Discussion Assignment: Initial post due by Wednesday at 11:59 pm. Response post due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Case Study: Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm Final Project: Organizational Behavior in Action Due by Sunday at 11:59 pm

Grading 

Your final grade will be based on the following assessments:

(Update the Assignment Categories & Weights and then go to Assignments to make sure they match. Adjust the weights and categories if needed)

 

Your final grade will be calculated using Rosemont's Grade Scale:

 

Assignments, Assessment & Feedback

Methods of Evaluation:

• Weekly Online Discussions:
  • The purpose of the Weekly Online Discussions is to have an interactive online discussion with your peers about specific topics and/or assigned readings. Your instructor will post the initial discussion instructions and questions. Students are expected to participate by making an initial post on the weekly topic and to provide one response to another student’s post. Proper grammar, sentence structure and spelling are expected. Please be thorough in your initial posting and in your response posts. Missed discussion board assignments cannot be made up. The discussion forum posts are only available during the assignment time frame. Initial posts are due by the end of the day on Wednesday of each week. The response posts are due by the end of the day on Sunday of each week for Weeks 1-7. Each post and response is worth 2.86 points for a total of 20 points of the final grade.

• Case Study Assignments:
  • Students will review case studies weekly throughout the semester. Each case study provides a series of questions that encourage students to consider what they’ve learned, apply principles to the situation, and to use critical thinking skills in responding to these questions. Case Study Assignments should total approximately 1-2 pages each. Case Study Assignments are due by the end of the day on Sunday as designated on the syllabus. The due dates will also be posted in Canvas. Each case study is worth 4.29 points for a total of 30 points of the final grade. 
•  Final Project: Organizational Behavior in Action Paper:
  • This project will give you hands-on experience applying organizational behavior concepts to real-world organizations. You will analyze an organization of your choice, evaluate its workplace culture, and propose recommendations to improve effectiveness, employee satisfaction, and overall organizational health.  The Final Project should total approximately 5-6 pages.  The due date will be posted in Canvas.  The Fianl Project is worth 50 points for the final grade.
  • APA Format: The paper should utilize APA Format and include a Title Page, Main Body pages with citations, and a Reference page. Please see “Welcome Module” in Canvas which contains information and resources about APA Format.

Assessment

Grading rubrics outline how student work is assessed throughout this course and are included with most discussions and assignments. Please review the instructions for viewing assignment rubrics and for viewing discussion rubrics.

Feedback

It is important to review feedback for assignments and discussions to see where expectations have been met and where additional work may be needed. Students can review rubric results from the instructor for assignments and discussions. Instructors may also leave general comments or annotation feedback within the assignment link.

Communication

Changes in schedules, assignments, guidance, etc. will be communicated only to your Rosemont e-mail address. E-mail is the preferred way to communicate with the instructor and must be sent through Canvas mail or to the email listed above.

 

Attendance Policy & Late Work

Attendance (Online)

Timely, consistent attendance in class has been shown to have a direct correlation to student performance. Missing classes may cause students to fall behind in the course material. The policy for this class is that undocumented absences and tardy attendance are unacceptable. Absences are permitted only in cases of illness or other legitimate causes (family emergency, death in the family, etc.). Official notice that a student has presented documentation for an absence is sent from the Office of the Academic Dean to faculty on a timely basis. In cases of a documented absence from a class, the student has both the opportunity and responsibility to make up all class work missed.

Students are allowed documented absences equivalent to one week of classes for any course in which they are enrolled. Class attendance is required and is taken each week.

Late Work

Assignments that are not completed by the stated deadline will not be accepted, except for submission of assignments that are late due to legitimate medical reasons or other extraordinary circumstances will be considered. Such circumstances must be supported by written documentation from an acceptable third party.

 

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is important to the intellectual climate at Rosemont College. Violations of academic integrity cannot be tolerated and may result in the student’s failure in a course and/or suspension or expulsion from Rosemont College. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: plagiarism; fabrication of data, information, or citations; multiple submissions of the same work in different courses; and cheating on exams or assignments.

At the instructor’s discretion, cheating will result in a zero on the work in question and it may also result in failing the course and/or reporting of the incident to the administration for further action.

 

Student Concerns

Students who have any course-related concerns should talk directly with their faculty member prior to the next class meeting. If a mutually acceptable resolution cannot be achieved, the student is advised to follow the procedures outlined in the appropriate Student Handbook.

 

ADA Accommodations

If you have been approved for accommodations under ADA/504, please connect with your instructor so that it is certain that all accommodations are provided promptly and completely. 

To receive disability accommodations for the first time at Rosemont College, you must register with the Student Academic Success Center by submitting documentation. If more information is needed regarding our program, please contact the Student Academic Success Center at sascada@rosemont.edu.

 

Student Support & Policies

Please review the following policies and support services:

 

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