Main Content
Syllabus
The information presented here is reflective of the MBA version of this course. Content, assignments, and other aspects of the class may vary when offered in other programs.
MBADM 816: Managing and Leading People in Organizations
Prerequisites: none
Course Overview | Objectives | Materials | Library Resources | Technical Requirements | Course Requirements and Grading | AI Policy | Course Schedule | Academic Integrity | Accommodating Disabilities | Additional Policies
Course Overview
This course will be an overview of human behavior in organizations, and implications for managing and leading individuals, teams, and organizations. This course provides an overview of the theories, concepts, applications, and research findings of human behavior in formal organizations and their implications for individual, team, and organizational performance. This specifically includes the study of individual differences in organization, of motivation, decision making, job design, group dynamics, power and politics, conflict management, organizational culture, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, stress management, leadership, authentic leadership, and the important role of the external environment of organizations.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course, and this course does not serve as a prerequisite for any OMBA courses.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:
- Identify individual differences important to organizational effectiveness, and explain implications for individual performance;
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of individual and group decision-making;
- Understand the motivation process and explain the goal characteristics that increase performance;
- Describe how group dynamics affect group performance; build high-performance teams and know how to facilitate team performance;
- Discriminate between the bases of power; understand the factors that contribute to political behavior in organizations;
- Explain how conflict can enhance performance and how to effectively manage it; understand the negotiation process and how to improve negotiation skills.
Collaboration and Teams in the OMBA
Helping you to enhance skills and competencies related to group dynamics and teaming is a principle goal of the OMBA. Consequently, this course includes team activities and group work that allows for the application of teaming concepts that you learned in the Team Performance course (MBADM 810). You are expected to work in teams effectively and productively to complete all team assignments. Students may not request to work individually on team projects. Any adjustments to team composition are the sole right of the instructor. If you have concerns related to this commitment, please contact your instructor.
Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning
In order to provide an optimal learning experience, all OMBA courses will incorporate both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on your own) learning activities that create balance, stimulate engagement, and appeal to diverse learning preferences. Zoom is one example of a synchronous tool used in the OMBA. All synchronous sessions will be recorded for your convenience. Live attendance is not mandatory. Conversely, asynchronous tools include discussion boards, blogs, quizzes, and tests where participation occurs at your own pace but within stated deadlines and due dates. Instructors will identify when and how each synchronous and asynchronous tool will be used throughout their course.
Integration, Collaboration, and Engagement (ICE)
The OMBA is designed around the three-part ICE framework, a teaching and learning approach that incorporates the principles of integration, collaboration, and engagement (ICE). Learning and application of these essential business concepts through course content will provide students with a comprehensive and innovative outlook on the challenges in today’s business environment. The ICE framework involves the following types of learning:
- Integrative learning: Unifies concepts across business disciplines, allowing you to engage in authentic problem-solving from a holistic perspective.
- Collaborative learning: Embraces hands-on projects that promote team-based problem-solving, decision-making, and project management.
- Engaged learning: Applies business concepts in an interactive and participative learning environment through the use of virtual classrooms and diverse multimedia forums.
Curricular Themes
The OMBA course design and instruction process is based on eight curricular themes that embody fundamental principles of business and industry. These themes are deliberately woven throughout the curriculum and, together, represent anchors for the OMBA program that fosters skill-based learning characterized by vision and transformation:
- Leadership: Understand how to empower and inspire people through a shared vision based on ethical decision-making and integrity.
- Innovation: Understand how to create new methods, products, and/or ideas in a way that generates added value, in order to solve a problem.
- Globalization: Understand the benefits of an integrated global economy through exposure to diverse perspectives related to the interconnectivity of technology, products, services, goods, and knowledge.
- Collaboration: Understand how groups and individuals work collectively across functions to achieve a common goal.
- Ethics: Understand ethical principles and moral decision-making as they relate to business decisions and management doctrines.
- Sustainability/Community: Understand the management of financial, social, and environmental risks to ensure ongoing and responsible outcomes.
- Strategy: Understand the creation and implementation of a high-level plan that guides decision-making to ensure future success.
- Analytics: Understand how the collection, assessment, and application of digital data can be used for optimal decision-making and management.
Required Course Materials
Most World Campus courses require that students purchase materials (e.g., textbooks, specific software, etc.). To learn about how to order materials, please see the Course Materials page. You should check LionPATH approximately 3–4 weeks before the course begins for a list of required materials.
Library Resources
Many of the University Libraries resources can be utilized from a distance. Through the Libraries website, you can
- access magazine, journal, and newspaper articles online using library databases;
- borrow materials and have them delivered to your doorstep—or even your desktop;
- get research help via email, chat, or phone using the Ask a Librarian service; and
- much more.
You must have an active Penn State Access Account to take full advantage of the Libraries' resources and service. The Off-Campus Users page has additional information about these free services.
This course requires that you access Penn State library materials specifically reserved for this course. You can access these materials by selecting Library Resources in your course navigation, or by accessing the Library E-Reserves Search and search for your instructor's last name.
Technical Requirements
As a student choosing to study through an online learning environment it is anticipated that you have a basic knowledge and experience with the standard digital tools used in online courses. These include use of a learning management system, Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, Excel), and communication tools.
| Operating System | Canvas, Penn State's Learning Management System (LMS), supports most recent versions of Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac operating systems. To determine if your operating system is supported, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
|---|---|
| Browser | Canvas supports the last two versions of every major browser release. It is highly recommended that you update to the newest version of whatever browser you are using. Note: Cookies must be enabled, and pop-up blockers should be configured to permit new windows from Penn State websites. |
| Additional Canvas Requirements | For a list of software, hardware, and computer settings specifically required by the Canvas LMS, please review Canvas' computer specifications. |
| Additional Software | All Penn State students have access to Microsoft Office 365, including Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. |
| Hardware | Monitor: Monitor capable of at least 1024 x 768 resolution |
| Mobile Device (optional) | The Canvas mobile app is available for versions of iOS and Android. To determine if your device is capable of using the Canvas Mobile App, please review the Canvas Mobile App Requirements. |
Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ)
During the semester you will receive information for completing the Student Education Experience Questionnaire (SEEQ). Your participation is an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback on your learning experience. Your feedback is important because it allows us to understand your experience in this course and make changes to improve the learning experiences of future students. Please monitor email and course communications for links and availability dates.
Technical Support
If you need technical assistance at any point during the course, please contact the Service Desk.
For registration, advising, disability services, help with materials, exams, general problem solving, visit World Campus Student Services!
Communication
Your instructor will routinely respond to e-mails from students as soon as possible, but in no case more than 24 hours after receipt of the student’s e-mail. All assignments will be graded and returned to students, with significant feedback no later than three days after the submission deadline.Course Requirements and Grading
Individual Assignments
- Individual Participation (Discussion Posts): Participation grades are awarded at the end of the course. However beginning Week 6, if you wish to receive feedback relative to how your are doing please email TSS Alexa Maille and feedback will be provided. Guidelines for participation are under Assignments tab. Worth 35% of final grade.
- Learning Journals (3 of them) These are brief essays that will enable you to deeply reflect upon and integrate the course material. Due on three separate dates as noted in "Assignments". These cannot be completed in a day, indeed one entails extensive reading. Students, early in the course, are advised to familiarize themselves with these assignments. Each is worth 15% of the final grade.
Team Assignments
- Team Essay #1: Virtual Teambuilding. See the assignment for specifics. 5% of final grade.
- Team Essay #2: Team Decisions & 'Fights'. See the assignment for specifics. 5% of final grade.
- Team Exercise: Lost at Sea. See the assignment for specifics. 5% of final grade.
- Team Exercise: Carter Racing Case. See the assignment for specifics. 5% of final grade.
- Team Peer Evaluation: At the end of the course each student must complete a confidential team peer evaluation in which you rate your team members regarding the quality of their contributions to the team. This is Mandatory. It is not worth any points, however, this will be taken into account in potentially adjusting points for team assignments.
- Team's dedicated discussion forums are not monitored by your Instructor. Teams may communicate through any electronic medium they choose.
General Guidelines for Written Assignments
The use of Artificial Intelligence such as ChatGPT in this course is prohibited. For Learning Journals and Discussion posts high-quality concise writing is essential. There are tight word limits intentionally. When given lengthy assignments, Undergraduates often learn to fill up space (to 'bs'). We endeavor to take you in the opposite direction. Concise writing is powerful, especially in business contexts. For the Learning Journals a helpful approach is to write out everything you have to say, then pare down. Revise until you are satisfied with the quality. Writing should demonstrate mastery of relevant material, and show critical analysis, reflection, and insight. Writing should also have good flow, and be interesting to read. Please avoid use of bulleted or numbered lists; write it out. When an assignment stipulates minimum and/or maximum word length, put # words in parenthesis at end.
Consider: “I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter.” Blaise Pascal. “Not that the story need be long, but it will take a long while to make it short.” Henry David Thoreau. “If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter.” Marcus Tullius Cicero
Formatting Guidelines
Use 12-point font. Single space; 1" margins. While not required, you may draw on outside sources (appropriately cited); references are not included in word limits.
Honor Code and Professionalism
As a professional, you're expected to act with the highest level of integrity and an exemplary work ethic. Likewise, in this course you're required to adhere to the Smeal Honor Code and the Penn State University Code of Conduct, and also to hold your peers accountable to the same standards. In group assignments, you should do your share of the work, on time, to the best of your ability. In discussions, always be courteous and accepting of others' thoughts. Be supportive to classmates on assignments that allow or encourage collaboration. Keep in mind that you're in this course to study and learn new material that will benefit you in the future; you aren't here to simply get a grade in the easiest way possible. Enjoy and embrace the learning experience with an ethical mindset, and you'll always be proud of your work.
Grading
All assignments will be graded and returned to students, with significant feedback no later than three days after the submission deadline. Your final grade will be based on the percentage of each category in Table 1. Generally, students do well in this course. To avoid grade inflation, grades will not be rounded up. Thank you for understanding this policy.
Assignment Summary
| Assignment | Percent of Total Grade |
|---|---|
| Team Exercise: Lost at Sea | 5% |
| Team Exercise: Carter Racing Case | 5% |
| Team Essay #1: Virtual Teambuilding | 5% |
| Team Essay #2: Decision-Making | 5% |
| Team Peer Evaluation | 0% |
| Learning Journal 1 | 15% |
| Learning Journal 2 | 15% |
| Learning Journal 3 | 15% |
| Individual Participation | 35% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Scale
| Percentage Earned | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 94.0–100% | A |
| 90.0–93.9% | A- |
| 87.0–89.9% | B+ |
| 83.0–86.9% | B |
| 80.0–82.9% | B- |
| 77.0–79.9% | C+ |
| 70.0–76.9% | C |
| 60.0–69.9% | D |
| 0–59.9% | F |
Please refer to the University Grading Policy for Graduate Courses for additional information about University grading policies. If, for reasons beyond the student's control, a student is prevented from completing a course within the prescribed time, the grade in that course may be deferred with the concurrence of the instructor. The symbol DF appears on the student's transcript until the course has been completed. Non-emergency permission for filing a deferred grade must be requested by the student before the beginning of the final examination period. In an emergency situation, an instructor can approve a deferred grade after the final exam period has started. Under emergency conditions during which the instructor is unavailable, authorization is required from one of the following: the dean of the college in which the candidate is enrolled; the executive director of the Division of Undergraduate Studies if the student is enrolled in that division or is a provisional student; or the campus chancellor of the student's associated Penn State campus.
For additional information please refer to the Deferring a Grade page.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) use prohibited. Do not use AI in any form for this course, including applications like ChatGPT, Bard, or Bing.
AI Guidance, University Policies, and Resources
If you choose to use an artificial intelligence (AI) technology for an assignment, your ethical responsibilities as a student are to:
- Check your course syllabus and assignments for the AI policy, including how it can or cannot be used.
- Avoid submitting sensitive information as it may be used to train the tool. Never provide personal or private information or restricted data (see Penn State’s University Information Assurance and IT Security Policy AD95). Commercial data protection is provided in Microsoft Copilot when signing in with your Penn State login.
- Comply with relevant institutional policies, federal and state laws including Privacy Policy AD53, Accessibility Guidelines AD69, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Also see Guidelines for AI Use at Penn State.
- Verify and carefully review generated content as AI may hallucinate and produce biased, inaccurate, incorrect, or incomplete information.
- Be transparent and acknowledge how you used artificial intelligence in your work and properly cite it. Failure to cite artificial intelligence may be considered an academic integrity violation. Citation resources may be found at Penn State Libraries Generative AI: ChatGPT and Beyond.
- Recognize that you are ultimately responsible for your submissions.
- If in doubt, ask your course instructor or TSS for clarification before using AI for any course work.
Course Schedule
Note: All due dates reflect North American eastern time (ET).
- Spring and Fall Semesters: 15 weeks
- Summer Semester: 12 weeks
| Module 1 | Introduction to Organizational Behavior |
|---|---|
| Readings: |
Required
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 2 | Individual Differences – Attitudes, Job Satisfaction, and Personality |
|---|---|
| Readings: |
Required
Optional
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 3 | Perception, Individual & Group Decision-making |
|---|---|
| Readings & Videos: |
Required
*Harvard Business Review articles can be found by following the instructions for searching the PSU Libraries. |
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 4 | Motivation Concepts |
|---|---|
| Readings & Videos: |
Required
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 6 | Group Behavior and Team Performance |
|---|---|
| Readings: |
Required
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 7 | Organizational Power and Politics |
|---|---|
| Readings: |
Required
Optional
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 8 | Conflict and Negotiation |
|---|---|
| Readings: |
Required
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 10 | Leadership |
|---|---|
| Readings: |
Required
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 11 | Emotional Intelligence and Leadership |
|---|---|
| Readings & Videos: |
Required
Optional
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 12 | Stress and Stress Management |
|---|---|
| Readings & Videos: |
Required
Optional
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 13: | Mindfulness at Work |
|---|---|
| Readings & Videos: |
Required
Optional
|
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 14: | Authentic Leadership |
|---|---|
| Readings: |
Required
Optional
*Harvard Business Review articles can be found by following the instructions for searching the PSU Libraries. |
| Assignments: |
|
| Module 15: | OMBA Synthesis and Tying Together |
|---|---|
| Readings: |
Required
|
| Assignments: |
|
Formal instruction will end on the last day of class. Provided that you have an active Penn State Access Account user ID and password, you will continue to be able to access the course materials for one year, starting from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered (with the exception of library reserves and other external resources that may have a shorter archival period). After one year, you might be able to access the course based on the policies of the program or department offering the course material, up to a maximum of three years from the end date of the academic semester in which the course was offered. For more information, please review the University Course Archival Policy.
Intent to Graduate
Note: If you are planning to graduate this semester, please communicate your intent to graduate to your instructor. This will alert your instructor to the need to submit your final grade in time to meet the published graduation deadlines. For more information about graduation policies and deadlines, please go to the Graduation Information on the My Penn State Online Student Portal.Academic Integrity
According to Penn State policy G-9: Academic Integrity , an academic integrity violation is “an intentional, unintentional, or attempted violation of course or assessment policies to gain an academic advantage or to advantage or disadvantage another student academically.” Unless your instructor tells you otherwise, you must complete all course work entirely on your own, using only sources that have been permitted by your instructor, and you may not assist other students with papers, quizzes, exams, or other assessments. If your instructor allows you to use ideas, images, or word phrases created by another person (e.g., from Course Hero or Chegg) or by generative technology, such as ChatGPT, you must identify their source. You may not submit false or fabricated information, use the same academic work for credit in multiple courses, or share instructional content. Students with questions about academic integrity should ask their instructor before submitting work.
Students facing allegations of academic misconduct may not drop/withdraw from the affected course unless they are cleared of wrongdoing (see G-9: Academic Integrity ). Attempted drops will be prevented or reversed, and students will be expected to complete course work and meet course deadlines. Students who are found responsible for academic integrity violations face academic outcomes, which can be severe, and put themselves at jeopardy for other outcomes which may include ineligibility for Dean’s List, pass/fail elections, and grade forgiveness. Students may also face consequences from their home/major program and/or The Schreyer Honors College.
How Academic Integrity Violations Are Handled
World Campus students are expected to act with civility and
personal integrity; respect other students' dignity, rights, and
property; and help create and maintain an environment in which all
can succeed through the fruits of their own efforts. An environment
of academic integrity is requisite to respect for oneself and
others, as well as a civil community.
In cases where academic integrity is questioned, the Policy on Academic Integrity indicates that procedure requires an instructor to inform the student of the allegation. Procedures allow a student to accept or contest a charge. If a student chooses to contest a charge, the case will then be managed by the respective college or campus Academic Integrity Committee. If that committee recommends an administrative sanction (Formal Warning, Conduct Probation, Suspension, Expulsion), the claim will be referred to the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
All Penn State colleges abide by this Penn State policy, but review procedures may vary by college when academic dishonesty is suspected. Information about Penn State's academic integrity policy and college review procedures is included in the information that students receive upon enrolling in a course. To obtain that information in advance of enrolling in a course, please contact us by going to the Contacts & Help page .
Accommodating Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University's educational programs. Every Penn State campus has resources for students with disabilities. The Student Disability Resources (SDR) website provides contacts for disability services at every Penn State campus. For further information, please visit the SDR website.
In order to apply for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability resources office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation based on the documentation guidelines. If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus's disability resources office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
The university takes the accessibility of our courses and web sites very seriously. As such, all approved tools used in our courses are vetted by the university to assure that the technology tools adhere to the current ADA standards. For more information on privacy or accessibility please visit the following web sites.
- Penn State Policy and Accessibility Guidelines
- AD69 Accessibility of Electronic and Information Technology
Accessibility Statements for Third Party Tools
Additional Policies
For information about additional policies regarding Penn State Access Accounts; credit by examination; course tuition, fees, and refund schedules; and drops and withdrawals, please see the World Campus Student Center website.
Reporting Bias
Penn State takes great pride to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff. Acts of intolerance, discrimination, or harassment due to age, ancestry, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, or veteran status are not tolerated and can be reported through Educational Equity via the Report Bias webpage.
Military Service Members
Veterans and currently serving military personnel and/or dependents with unique circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployments, drill/duty requirements, VA appointments, etc.) are welcome and encouraged to communicate these, in advance if possible, to the instructor in the case that special arrangements need to be made.
Mental Health Services
If you have a crisis or safety concern, mental health services are available to you as a Penn State student. Crisis and emergency contacts are available, no matter where you are located:
- Anywhere in the United States: Call the Penn State Crisis Line at 1-877-229-6400 or text LIONS to 741741. You can also contact your local crisis services or hospital for emergencies.
- Outside the United States: Please contact emergency services in your current location. You can also use the International Crisis and Emergency Services listings.
- At University Park: Assistance is available at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) locations on campus.
- At a Penn State branch campus: You can search for counseling information at your campus.
Privacy
In order to protect your privacy, course access is limited to those individuals who have direct responsibility for the quality of your educational experience. In addition to the instructor, a teaching assistant or college administrator may be provided access in order to ensure optimal faculty availability and access. World Campus technical staff may also be given access in order to resolve technical support issues.
The university takes issues related to student privacy very seriously. As such, all approved third party tools used in our courses are vetted by the university to assure that student data will be protected and secure. For more information on privacy or accessibility please visit the following web sites.
- Penn State’s AD53 Privacy Policy
- Penn State’s Web Privacy Statement
- Penn State World Campus Privacy Policy Statement and SMS Terms and Conditions
Privacy Statements for Third Party Tools
Student Responsibilities
- Students are responsible for online course content, taking notes, obtaining other materials provided by the instructor, taking tests (if applicable), and completing assignments as scheduled by the instructor. As a general rule, students should plan on logging into the course at least three times per week and spending at least three hours per course credit per week on the course, e.g., if the course is three credits, the student should plan on spending at least 9-12 hours per week on the course, just as they would in a residence course.
- Students are responsible for keeping track of changes in the course syllabus made by the instructor throughout the semester.
- Students are responsible for monitoring their grades.
-
Students must contact their instructor (and teammates when working on any collaborative learning assignments) as soon as possible if they anticipate missing long periods of online time due to events such as chronic illnesses, death in the family, business travel, or other appropriate events. The instructor will determine the minimal log on time and participation required in order to meet course responsibilities. In the event of other unforeseen conflicts, the instructor and student will arrive at a solution together.
- Requests for taking exams or submitting assignments after the due dates require documentation of events such as illness, family emergency, or a business-sanctioned activity.
- Conflicts with dates on which examinations or assignments are scheduled must be discussed with the instructor or TA prior to the date of the examination or assignment.
- Students are responsible for following appropriate netiquette (network etiquette) when communicating with their instructor and classmates. For reference, see the Academic Success Kit.
- Behaviors that disrupt other students’ learning are not acceptable and will be addressed by the instructor.
-
For severe and chronic problems with student disruptive behavior, the following will be applied for resolution:
- Senate Committee on Student Life policy on managing classroom disruptions: Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response.
- Penn State Values.