This course will focus on understanding of human behavior patterns and motivation, conflict management and resolution, group process and functioning, decision making, and the importance of recognizing and managing change.  Other considerations will be the application of psychological research on interpersonal communications, employee relationships and the selection, training, supervision and evaluation of personnel.

Prerequisite : The following are suggested skills that would assist you in being successful in this course:

• Eligibility for (or completion of) English 111 or equivalent
• Working knowledge of basic internet, email and Microsoft Word

Please e-mail me, if you feel you lack any of these skills.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the characteristics common to all organizations and explain why organizations come to exist.
• Describe how situational factors and group structure (i.e. size and task) affect group process, satisfaction and productivity.
• Describe what it is that people bring to organizations.
• Discuss motivation and its importance as it relates to topics such as leadership, stress, job satisfaction, and conflict.
• Describe the similarities and differences between individual and group decision making processes.
• Describe the concepts of roles, norms, status and how they affect and are affected by the organization.
• Describe the concepts of power and influence and discuss how these affect organizational effectiveness, decision-making, leadership, etc.
• Describe the process of selection, placement, supervision and evaluation and discuss the role of managers in maintaining the performance of effective employees.
• Describe the probable effects of behavioral decisions on an organization.

Required Texts
The required textbook for this course is:

• Organizational Behavior , 13th Edition. by Robbins, Stephen P. & Timothy A. Judge. Prentice Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ.
  

* At that time of your purchase, please be certain that your text includes the access code for the Online Self Assessment Library. This cannot be obtained from the instructor, but comes with the text.

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Call before going to a campus bookstore to make sure the materials are in stock. If you don't see what you need, ask for assistance. Each bookstore has a separate section for ELI courses. Print this page and take it with you to avoid confusion.

Please note: The number of points outlined for each assignment represents the maximum allowable points that will be awarded in terms of the quality, accuracy and promptness of each assignment. Failure to comply with these standards will result in a reduction of points.

All exams are online and closed book.  Examinations will cover material that is covered in your textbook, your written assignments and any internet exercises that you may be given.  Exams will consist of multiple-choice and true/false questions.  Below is exam information that I hope you will find helpful in preparing for the four exams that are required for this course:

You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. Testing Centers will NOT let you take an exam if you bring your children.  This is an issue of liability.

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

At all Testing Centers, you will be required to show photo identification to take your examination. This may be an official driver's license, a DMV ID, or a military ID. You will also be required to provide the appropriate Exam Pass found on your course web site or in the Syllabus, and your NovaConnect ID (also called your Student Number and EmplID). To look up your NovaConnect ID before you go to the testing center, go to http://www.nvcc.edu/novaconnect /.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

BY EMAIL: tswetnam@nvcc.edu
BY TELEPHONE: 703-907-7305

1. Use your web browser to connect to www. nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Log on to your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to your Blackboard account.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk.