Course Syllabus

 

Kurt Monroe, M.A.

Sociology 103: Human Behavior in Work & Business

Sat.  9:00-11:40 am

Phone: 925-1488 or

e-mail: kmonroe@mail.win.org

 

Required Text:  B. Reece & R. Brandt, Effective Human Relations in

                                  Organizations, 6th Ed.

 

How Important is Effective Human Relations?

According to Dr. Marv Finkelstein, Professor of Sociology at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville(SIUE), “There is a revolution going on in the world of work, jobs and organizations.  The old way of doing things is being replaced with the new.  Change is everywhere.  Change may be good for some, bad for others, but one thing is certain - there is no escaping it.”  Organizations are continually downsizing in order to be more efficient and productive, terminating large proportions of the workforce in the process.  At the same time, other businesses are closing due to the inability to successfully compete in and adapt to an ever-changing,  global economy.  Because of this unstable job market, it is speculated that people will have to change their occupations several times throughout their lives.  People will need what Reece and Brandt (1996) call “general” or “transferable” skills (e.g., interpersonal skills) in order to survive and be more marketable in a dynamic and competitive job market.  Hence, effective human relations has become a precious skill in a turbulent job market.  

 

Course Objectives:

 

Material discussed in this course will include the following:

·         the historical development of Human Relations and its major themes.

·         effective communication, communication filters and barriers, and the importance of accurate and efficient communication.

·         explore Structural-Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Role Strain, Exchange Theory, and Symbolic Interaction as ways of understanding human behavior in work settings.

·         compare and contrast Maslow’s, Herzberg’s, McGregor’s, and Ouchi’s models, and understand the self-fulfilling prophecy and its role in human behavior.

·         identify and manage conflict by understanding and applying styles of conflict management.  Also, stress and stress management will be discussed.

·         different styles of leadership, early approaches to leadership, empowerment, and four key elements to leadership.  Also, understand what it takes to be the leader of the future.

·         the impact of Affirmative Action on human attitudes and behaviors within organizations, and the importance of diversity within the workforce.

·         explore social problems such as racial/gender discrimination and income gaps in the workforce, the phenomena of the shrinking middle class, and the growing number of part-time, minimum-wage employment in today’s job market.

 

Examinations:

 

Exams will mainly consist of multiple choice and essay, possibly some true/false and matching - depending on the material being covered.  A full review will be given for each exam.  There will be 3 exams, including the final, worth 100 points each.  Test material will cover readings from the text, articles handed out in class, and topics discussed in class.

 

Grading:

 

                2 Exams                  200                          90 & up                  A= 450 points & up

                Group Presentation     100                          80 - 89                    B= 400 - 449 points

                2-3 Page Paper              50                          70 - 79                    C= 350 - 399 points

                Group Work  &                                           60 - 69                    D= 300 - 349 points

                     Participation            50                           59 & below            E = 299 & below

                Final Exam                  100

 

                Total Points                500

 

 

Attendance and Class Participation:

 

You will only be allowed 1 absentee.  Since this class meets only once a week, attendance is crucial.  Missing one class is like missing a whole week of class.  Also, this class will be group oriented and geared toward class participation.  Your opinions and involvement in class and group discussions will be a valuable component to the class.  Absenteeism will be seriously considered in computing final grades.  In addition, exhibiting extra effort for class discussion will be considered in your final grade - especially in boarder line cases.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group Presentation:

 

The purpose of this group project is for your team to focus on a particular human relations problem, analyze it, and provide recommendations for change by applying course concepts and material.  The product of your group analysis will be presented in the last two weeks of the term.  Your analysis may be illustrated using any medium you wish: simulation of human interaction and behavior in an organization, video, group presentation, etc.

 

                The following guidelines should be used in doing this project:

1)     Your group’s analysis of a human relation’s problem should in some way be generated out of course material and may have relevance to your current/past work experiences.

2)     Your group will have 20 to 30 minutes to present your analysis to the class.

3)     Criteria for evaluating your presentation shall be the following:  The extent to which your presentation demonstrates:

a)     application of course material

b)     preparation - a thorough and critical understanding of the human relations problem

c)     organization - clarity and logical development of ideas

d)     creativity - an imaginative and innovative form of presentation

 

 

Paper:

 

The paper should be only 2-3 pages typed.  The paper can be on any topic relating to human relations in work and business.  You will need at least one outside reference.  I will discuss this more in class.  You are more than welcome to hand in a rough draft of your paper.  In fact, I strongly encourage it.  Not only does it show me you are putting forth extra effort, but you are likely to learn more in the process.  If you haven’t noticed by now, I take considerable attention to individuals that give extra effort in and outside of class!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tentative Course Schedule

 

Date                                        Assignment

 

1/18                         Chapter 1

 

1/25                                         Chapter 2

 

2/1                                           Chapter 5

 

2/8                                           Chapter 11

 

2/15                                         Review

 

2/22                                         Exam I

 

3/1                                           Chapter 6

 

3/8                                           Chapter 7

 

3/15                                         SPRING BREAK - NO CLASS

 

3/22                                         Chapter 3

 

3/29                                         Chapter 15 & Review

 

4/5                                           Exam II

 

4/12                                         Chapter 16

 

4/19                                         Chapter 12 & have handout read

 

4/26                                         Chapter 13

 

5/3                                           Chapter 14 & Review

 

5/10                                         Group Presentations/ 2-3 page paper due

 

5/12 through 5/18                 Final      

 

·         Additional readings may be given in class or specific sections of chapters may be omitted.  So be sure to write down the assignment every week as indicated by me.