Psychology 3241

Dr. John G. Cope

Spring, 2010


Office:                        110 Rawl; Office Hours: 08:00 to 09:30 am, Monday-Wednesday-Friday and by appointment.

Telephone:                 328-6497 (O)

e-mail:                         Copej@mail.ecu.edu

On-Line Syllabus:       http://core.ecu.edu/psyc/copej/cope.html


Course Objectives:

Content: Students will learn the subject matter of psychology as it relates to people at work. This course will provide an examination of employee behavior in organizational settings. Specifically, the approach will be to discuss issues relevant to management and personnel administration based on an understanding of human behavior. The class will revolve around two main content areas: personnel issues regarding criterion and predictor variables; and organizational theories such as the study of leadership, motivation, and satisfaction.

Methods: The course will focus on research-based (empirical) methods and information typically found in refereed publications, books, and on the web. Students will gain theoretical and practical information about the subject matter through an understanding of the research methods used in studying the various topics. Many of the examples used in class involve actual case studies and antidotal information taken from real-world settings. 

Broader Impact: Industrial/Organizational psychology deals with real-life topics and has broad implications for student’s lives in the world of work.  Much of the subject matter (e.g., selection, appraisal, training, leadership, and motivation) is drawn from everyday questions and problems that arise in organizations and other places of employment.

Course Requirements: The course will be structured around an hour and 15 minutes of class lecture, and assigned readings in the accompanying text. The final grade will be determined on the basis of performance on three tests, covering 13 topic areas (see below). Each test will account for a third of the final grade for the class. Specifically, each test will consist of 50 multiple-choice items which will represent information provided in the text and from class notes. As the tests will be machine scored, all test responses are to be provided on machine-scored (i.e., op-scan) answer sheets.  Attendance is required.  Extra points will be awarded for those in attendance on randomly selected class days several times throughout the semester.

Class will meet Tuesday and Thursday in 103 Rawl from 08:00am to 09:15.

Text:  Greenberg & Baron (2008). Behavior in Organizations.9th Ed.)  Prentice Hall. 
 http://www.prenhall.com/greenberg
 



Class Syllabus

Topics to be Covered                                                                        Chapter

Introduction                                                                                        01

Organizational Theory and Design                                                     15

Organizational Culture, Creativity, and Innovation                           14

Test 1                                                                                                  TBA

Nature of Man                                                                                    Notes

Personality                                                                                          04

Learning Theory                                                                                  03

Motivation                                                                                          07

Leadership                                                                                          13

Test 2                                                                                                  TBA

Power                                                                                                  12

Communication                                                                                   09

Decision Making                                                                                 10

Human Resource Management                                                           Notes

Test 3              Thursday, 08:00 to 10:30, May 6th, 2010


University Information:   In the event of a weather emergency, information about ECU can be accessed through the following sources:
ECU emergency notices:   http://www.ecu.edu/alert
Emergency Information Hotline:   252-328-0062

ECU seeks to fully comply with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).  Students requesting accommodations based on a covered disability must go to the Department for Disability Support Services, located in Brewster A 114, to verify the disability before any accommodations can occur.  The telephone number is: 252-328-6799.