Organizational Behavior and Leadership Course Descriptions

OB - 319. Foundations of Organizational Behavior (3)

Emphasizes the complex relationships among individuals, groups, organizations and society. A dynamic, holistic, systems approach to understanding and facilitating work relationships is examined. 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. The focus is 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. Visionary leadership within a framework of social responsibility is also examined.

OB - 323. Leading Change in Organizations (3)

Develops the knowledge, skills and tools necessary for change catalysts/agents to influence change within a variety of organizational contexts while examining the internal and external forces impinging on complex organizations and work behavior.

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

Focuses on understanding group goals, roles and norms; identifying characteristics of effective groups; diagnosing dysfunctional group behavior; and applying communication and problem-solving models and techniques to improve group decision-making performance. Emphasis is placed on experiential learning through group service learning projects.

OB - 335. Organizations in Context (3)

Studies the complex relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, and society, while examining 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)

(online)Examines current and emerging topics related to organizational life and directions of the field. Course is offered as one three-unit course in the 15-month program and three one-unit offerings (offered in conjunction with OB 319, OB 321, and OB 323) in the 23-month program.

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 statistical methods used to analyze data along with concepts related to quantitative and qualitative research methods.

OB - 361. Human Capital Investments (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, through a capstone project, research methods, and the statistical, accounting and financial information leaders and managers rely on as they consider budgetary tradeoffs and capital budgeting decisions.