Syllabus: MGT 6681 4
TROY UNIVERSITY
SORRELL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
SYLLABUS
MGT 6681 Organization Development and Change
Summer Session A: May 23-June21, 2011
Class Information
Instructor: Associate Professor Alan Wright (DBA, University of Memphis)
Office: 16 McCartha Hall
Office Hours: MTWTh 2-3, and by appointment
Office Telephone: 334-808-6350
E-mail:
Class Time: 8:00-10:20 MTWTh
Class Location: Wallace Hall 349
Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Description: A study of management concepts and practices useful in improving organizational performance. Theories and concepts applicable to making organizations more hospitable to people and more productive in accomplishing their goals and objectives are identified and discussed. Special attention is paid to strategic interventions and change in both private and public sector organizations and in the global arena.
Objectives: On completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1. Recognize the common characteristics of open or complex systems as they relate to organization development.
2. Describe the common characteristics of organizational growth and evolution, including the entrepreneurial, professionalizing, and mature stages of growth.
3. Diagnose organizational problems at the individual, group (including team or unit), and organization levels of analysis.
4. Recommend solutions to solve organizational problems by select from among alternative interventions, including human-process, HRM, technostructural, and strategic interventions.
5. Develop a careful plan for implementing an organization development intervention project.
6. Apply organization development and change strategies to business objectives in an apt scenario.
Text: Cummings, T. G., & Worley, C. G. (2009). Organization Development & Change (9th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. ISBN 13: 978-0-324-42138-5.
Purpose: To provide basic knowledge of organizational-change principles and interventions in preparation for the constant change that typifies organizational life. This is a required class for MSM Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness or Applied Management concentration. It is an unspecified elective (non-Accounting) for the MBA and can be an MSHRM elective.
Sorrell College of Business Vision Statement
Sorrell College of Business will be the first choice for higher business education students in their quest to succeed in a dynamic and global economy. Sorrell College of Business will create the model for 21st century business education and community service.
Sorrell College of Business Mission Statement
Through operations that span the State of Alabama, the United States, and the world, Sorrell College of Business equips our students with the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies to become organizational and community leaders who make a difference in the global village and global economy. Through this endeavor, we serve students, employers, faculty, and Troy University at large as well as the local and global communities.
Course Requirements
· Attendance at all class sessions, and participation in class discussion are required. Each student is expected to be an active participant and make meaningful contributions.
· Students are expected to complete all assignments when due. Late work will not be accepted.
· Written exams will be given.
Assignment of Grades and Method of Evaluation
There will be two written exams using MC, TF, SA, essay, and case analysis questions. Do not think that the light-natured tone of the class will be reflected in the tests or the grading standards.
Two individual tests, 200 points; In-class exercises, case presentations, and quizzes (some group), 100 points; Oral and Written book report, 100 pts (guidelines on Blackboard); Grades will be awarded on the 90% = A, 80% = B… scale.
Make-Up Policy
It is usually beneficial to show up to class and show up on time. Quizzes and in class exercises cannot be made up. If you know ahead of time you will miss a scheduled test for school activities, arrange with me a time you can take the test early. Requests for make-up tests must be accompanied by appropriate documentation (i.e. dated obituary, doctor's excuse, ticket or summons, repair bill) and will carry a 10% penalty. I do not drop a test.
Class Procedure
The method of instruction for the class will consist of lecture and group interaction. It is essential that each student prepare for class to insure active participation. Please respect the rights of others to express their views and provide the setting for meaningful discussions.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory. Students must attend all classes during the course. No automatic absences are authorized. Excessive absences will be reported to appropriate university officials. Arrangements for excused absences must be made PRIOR to the absence. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain all information and materials presented during his/her absence.
Incomplete Grade Policy
An incomplete grade indicates that the student has not completed all of the assigned class work or has not taken all class examinations. It will not be automatically assigned, but rather must be requested by the student by submitting to the instructor the Petition for and Work to Remove an Incomplete Grade form. Only the instructor can determine whether an incomplete grade is justified. A grade of incomplete may not be removed by repeating the course.
It is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor regarding the deadline for completing all course requirements. Any student who receives a grade of “Incomplete” must adhere to the work completion deadline set by the instructor, not to exceed the end of the following term. This deadline applies whether or not the student re-enrolls for the semester following the assignment of the incomplete grade(s). Failure to clear the incomplete within the specified time period will result in the assignment of a grade of F for the course.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):
Troy University supports Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which insure that postsecondary students with disabilities have equal access to all academic programs, physical access to all buildings, facilities and events, and are not discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligible students, with appropriate documentation, will be provided equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills and potential through the provision of academic adaptations and reasonable accommodations. Further information, including appropriate contact information, can be found at the link for Troy University’s Office of Human Resources at http://www.troy.edu/humanresources/ADAPolicy2003.htm
Cell Phone and Other Electronic Device
Use of any electronic devise by students in the instructional environment is prohibited unless explicitly approved on a case-by-case basis by the instructor of record or by the Office of Disability Services in collaboration with the instructor. Cellular phones, pagers, and other communication devices may be used for emergencies, however, sending or receiving non-emergency messages is forbidden by the University. Use of a communication device to violate the Troy University “Standards of Conduct” will result in appropriate disciplinary action.
In order to receive emergency messages from the University or family members, devices must be in the vibration mode or other unobtrusive mode of indication. Students receiving calls that they believe to be emergency calls must answer quietly without disturbing the teaching environment. If the call is an emergency, they must move unobtrusively and quietly from the instructional area and notify the instructor as soon as reasonably possible. Students who are expecting an emergency call should inform the instructor before the start of the instructional period.
Standards of Conduct
The commission of or the attempt to commit any cheating and/or plagiarism are in violation of the Standard of Conduct at Troy University, and may be disciplined up to and including suspension and expulsion. Plagiarism is the passing off of the thoughts or works of another as one’s own. Plagiarism involves giving the impression that a person has thought, written, or produced something that has, in fact, been borrowed from another. Plagiarism may result from poor technique of citation or more serious cases as: copying the work of another person; submitting the work of another person; or closely paraphrasing a piece of work without due acknowledgement.
Plagiarism
Depending on the circumstances, the penalty imposed for plagiarism may include warning, resubmission, and loss of points, failure on a particular assignment or course, or a charge of misconduct to be dealt with by Troy University.
Syllabus Changes
The instructor may make amendments to this syllabus. Students absent on that day are responsible for syllabus changes, like they are for homework and other assignments.
Daily Assignments
This class will follow the University calendar for all drop dates and holidays.
Below are the currently scheduled dates for all lectures and tests; flexibility may be required.
OD&C / Wallace Hall 349 8:00-10:20 MTWThMay 23 / Introduction
24 / Reading Assignment C1, C2, C3
25 / “ C4, C5
26 / “ C6, C7
31 / “ C8, C9
June 1 / “ C10, C11
2 / “ CASE
6 / Test 1
7 / Reading Assignment C12, C13,
8 / “ C14, C15, C16,
9 / “ CASE
13 / “ C17, C18, C19,
14 / “ CASE
15 / “ C20, C21, C22,
16 / “ C23
20 / Oral reports, Written report due
21 / Test 2