Organizational Behavior and Leadership Course Descriptions

OB - 319. Foundations of Organizational Behavior (3)

Examines the complex relationships among individuals, groups, organizations and society. A dynamic, holistic, systems approach to understanding and facilitating work relationships is emphasized. Consideration is given to the interaction of individual values, attitudes, needs, abilities, traits, and motivation within teams and organizations.

OB - 321. Organizational Communication (3)

Presents the theory and practice of communication in an organizational setting, with a focus on understanding the complexity of communication content, process, context, and outcomes through the lenses of history, culture, critical theory, technology and ethics.

OB - 322. Organizational Leadership (3)

Analyzes leadership styles with an emphasis on what constitutes effective leadership given the organization and its context. Focuses on how leaders emerge and assume responsibility within learning organizations while assessing leadership styles, values, and skills for empowering individuals as they confront organizational challenges.

OB - 323. Leading Change in Organizations (3)

Considers the internal and external forces impinging on complex organizations and work behavior. Develops the knowledge, skills and tools necessary to being an effective change catalyst/agent within a variety of organizational contexts.

OB - 324. Group Process and Decision-Making (3)

Focuses on group processes and their impact on decision-making within a broad organizational and societal context. Emphasis is on identifying characteristics of effective groups; diagnosing dysfunctional group behavior; and applying communication and problem-solving models and techniques to improve group decision-making performance. Students apply and extend what is learned in the classroom through group service learning projects.

OB - 335. Organizations in Context (3)

Studies the complex relationships among individuals, groups, organizations and society. Focuses on the structures and processes that formally and informally shape individual and organizational perspectives and behaviors. Emphasis is on relationships and interdependencies that impact organizational functioning and the organization's ability to adapt to ambiguity and uncertainty.

OB - 336. Topics in Organizational Behavior (3)

Investigates current and emerging issues related to organizational life and directions of the field.

OB - 351. Organizational Research and Analysis (3)

Explores the application of basic and applied methods of research and analysis to organizational behavior phenomena. Focus is on the design and evaluation of surveys and the statistical methods used to analyze data.

OB - 361. Financial Analysis for Costing Organizational Outcomes (3)

Uses organizational behavior concepts to understand the budgeting process - including the tracking of costs and cost savings - so that managers can make decisions to ensure the organization's long-term viability through maximizing human capital. Integrates statistics, accounting and financial information leaders and managers rely on as they consider budgetary tradeoffs and capital budgeting decisions.