The content, assignments, and assessments for Organizational Behavior/Human Relations are aligned to the following learning outcomes. For a complete list of topics covered in the course, see the Detailed Learning Outcomes. 

Module 1: Introduction to Organizational Behavior

Describe the field of organizational behavior and discuss its relevance to the workplace

• Describe the general history of management theory and practice and frame how organizational behavior has developed from these into a discreet field.
• Describe organizational behavior and differentiate between the three levels of influence
• Describe contemporary issues and topics in organizational behavior

Module 2: Social Diversity in the Workplace

Discuss the impact that diversity of race, gender, ability, religion, and age has on the workplace

• Describe the history of social progress in the workplace
• Describe the complexity of diversity in the workplace
• Describe how contemporary organizations both benefit and struggle with diversity oriented themes and topics

Module 3: Ethics in Business

Describe the methods of encouraging ethical behavior and the laws encouraging good corporate practices

• Describe the history of business ethics as a topic in organizational behavior
• Describe the methods to encourage ethical behavior in contemporary organizations

Module 4: Individual Personalities and Behaviors

Recognize the importance of recognizing and valuing individuals’ differences

• Describe how individual personality and behavior impacts the typical contemporary work experience
• Describe how the modern workplace can both homogenize/conform behavior, and encourage individuality and personal expression

Module 5: Organizational Culture

Discuss the impact organizational culture has on individuals and the workplace

• Discuss the definition and levels of organizational culture
• Describe the external factors associated with organizational culture
• Describe the internal factors associated with organizational culture

Module 6: Motivation in the Workplace

Discuss theories of motivations and strategies to improve motivation in the workplace

• Describe how “motivation” operates in organizational behavior
• Describe various theories of motivation
• Discuss impact of motivation in the workplace

Module 7: Managing Stress and Emotions

Explain the importance of managing stress and emotions in the workplace

• Discuss stress and the consequences of stress in an organization
• Describe how theories and concepts around work–life balance affect notions of workplace stress management

Module 8: Communication in the Workplace

Discuss appropriate methods and styles of communication in the workplace

• Describe the key components of effective communication in contemporary organizational life
• Discuss the importance of technology and various methods of communication available
• Discuss the other issues in workplace communication

Module 9: Group Dynamics

Explain group dynamics within organizations

• Explain and explore the tension between individual versus groups and group dynamics in organizational life.

Module 10: Managing Groups and Teams

Discuss strategies to manage groups and teams

• Describe the relationship between general group and team management with various structures and techniques
• Describe the study and theories of group and teamwork

Module 11: Conflict and Negotiation

Discuss strategies for managing conflict and negotiation in the workplace

• Describe why conflict resolution, “crucial conversations,” and other higher stakes communication is necessary to study in organizations
• Discuss the history of negotiating techniques within organizational behavior

Module 12: Making Decisions

Explain the process and techniques of individual and group decision-making

• Describe the types of decisions made in different types of organizations
• Describe the role of statistics, data analytics, data science and managerialism in contemporary decision-making

Module 13: Leadership

Recognize good and poor leadership and the varieties of leadership

• Describe the history of leadership as a topic inside organizational behavior
• Discuss the pros and cons of leadership styles and topics
• Describe the history, context and utility of the distinction between leadership and management

Module 14: Organizational Structure

Identify common organizational structures and the advantages and disadvantages of each

• Describe the various organizational structures and their history
• Identify the best structures for different types of organizations

Module 15: Organizational Change

Discuss the impact organizational change has on individuals and the workplace

• Discuss change management as it functions in organizational behavior
• Discuss various ways change has succeeded and failed in contemporary examples and organizations