PSYC 100: Human Relations in Organizations (2 Credits) Course Description The focus of this course is an examination of human relations in business and industry with emphasis on how people can work effectively in groups to satisfy both organizational and personal goals. Motivation, emotion and mental health, communication techniques, and coping with stress are explored. Activities are used to encourage the application of concepts to enhance personal growth and insight and to increase social skills. Course Textbook Reece, B.L., and Brandt, R. Human Relations: Principles and Practices, 7th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. Course Objectives Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: 1. Explain the nature, purpose, and importance of human relations in an organizational setting. 2. Identify major developments in the workplace and factors influencing human behavior at work. 3. Identify ways to communicate effectively in person and through technology (including voice mail and e-mail). 4. Explain how self-esteem influences human relationships and career success. 5. Identify ways that individuals can increase self-esteem, while understanding the impact of organizations upon it. 6. Identify ways to resolve values conflicts with others. 7. Understand how to make the right ethical decisions based on personal values. 8. Understand the impact of employee attitudes upon the success of both individuals and organizations. 9. Describe attitudes that employer s value. 10. Identify ways that individuals and organizations can change attitudes within themselves and in others. 11. Explain the importance of professional presence, including factors that contribute to a positive image. 12. Discuss that factors that contribute to a favorable first impression. 13. Understand how manners contribute to improved interpersonal relations in the workplace. 14. Understand the importance of valuing diversity in the workplace. 15. Identify ways that individuals and organizations can enhance work force diversity. 16. Identify major causes of conflict and options for successful conflict resolution. 17. Describe strategies for achieving emotional control. General Educational Outcomes 1. The student will demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills (participation in weekly class discussions). 2. The student will demonstrate effective written communication skills (participation in weekly class discussions, e-mail messages, journal assignments, and a Life Plan paper). 3. The student will demonstrate understanding of key concepts (assignments and quizzes).
Course Assessment Student mastery of course material will be evaluated based upon interactivity with peers in weekly discussion boards, journal assignments, chapter quizzes, and his/her Life Plan paper. Assignments Students will be required to come into the course each week, at least twice and sometimes more often, for attendance and completion of multiple assignments. Assignments in the discussion boards are due on Wednesday evenings before midnight and on Saturday evenings before midnight. Journal assignments and quizzes are due on Saturday evenings before midnight. Please keep in mind that NDSCS online classes are not self-pace/independent study courses. The classes follow the same academic calendar schedule as our on-campus classes (term start and end dates). While online learning allows flexibility in when you do your coursework, i.e. time of day or day of week, instructors facilitate progress in the classes by setting assignment and exam deadlines. Please note that late assignments will not be accepted and missed assignments/quizzes cannot be made up. Your grade is determined by the total number of points earned for the scheduled course work, and there are no provisions for extra credit work for this course. Please do not ask me to change your grade because of effort you feel you have put into your work. Remember, I cannot grade potential or effort. I can only grade output. 1. Introductory Activities: You will be asked to complete a brief, thought-provoking activity before reading each chapter. The purpose of the introductory activities is to stimulate thought about your experiences and needs. The introductory activities are for your use only, and do not need to be turned in to me anywhere. 2. Reading chapters: You will be asked to read each chapter (1-9), referring to your textbook while participating in weekly discussion boards and completing other assignments. 3. Observation/Interview/Activity: You will be asked to observe and/or to interview others in your community, in order to complete discussion board assignments. You will also be asked to document your own experiences and use of time in order to complete journal assignments. 4. Discussion boards: You will be asked to respond online in the discussion area each week. Usually you will be asked to answer four questions for each chapter. Your responses are due before midnight on Wednesday evenings. Please read what your classmates have written after Wednesday evening. It adds to the quality of the course if you respond to a few of your classmates before midnight on Saturdays. After reading online responses by your peers, you will be asked to give your conclusions about the subject at hand. It is important to respond in a timely manner, according to the schedule that is provided. You will earn total points only for responses given before the deadline each week. If you notify me within a reasonable amount of time, with a good reason for missing the deadline, you may earn partial points for a response given later (Examples: accident, hospitalization of self or family member). You must be able to document/verify the reason(s). You will not be able to earn any points for missed assignments otherwise. The success of the course depends upon all students participating in current discussions! (The discussion assignments are a student forum; and although I will monitor postings and responses, I will limit my own participation to an "as needed" basis. If you have questions or other issues with the topics and responses, please feel free to email me at any
time.) 5. Journal Assignments: You will be asked to complete three to five journal assignments per chapter. These assignments are designed to improve personal self-awareness, goal-setting, and skills. Most journal assignments will apply to the creation of your Life Plan. The assignments are all listed in the DocSharing section of the course. Please download a copy and print so that you will know what your weekly assignments are and when they are due. Late assignments will only be accepted for credit if you have made arrangements with the instructor in a timely manner, demonstrating a responsible attitude toward the course. 6. Quizzes: You will be asked to complete a 15 question quiz over each chapter (1-8) of your textbook. Quizzes consist of a combination of multiple choice and true/false questions over chapter material. (Chapter one includes a "fill in the blank" question). Quizzes are timed (20 minutes). Again, quizzes must be completed according to schedule unless you have notified me of difficulties and I have agreed to allow testing at a later date. 7. Life Plan Paper: You will be asked to complete a Life Plan paper, to be entered into the Journal section of the course during the last week of class. Please refer to the DocSharing section of the course for specific requirements. Download and print a copy for use as you write. Note: There will be no final exam for this course. Your Life Plan paper will take the place of a final exam and is due the end of Week 16 (by midnight on May 7th). Note: Please check the announcements section for updated information each time you enter the course. This is where I will let you know about any changes in the course, help aids, or clarification of course material. At times I may give information regarding the previous week's discussion board in the announcements section (further information, responses, etc.). The announcements section is also where I will let you know of times that I will be off-line and unavailable (times when I will not check in online due to other commitments). Submitting Assignments Discussion board assignments must be posted under the individual topic links for each board. Journal assignments and your Life Plan paper must be submitted in the "Journal" area of the "Tools" section. You are strongly encouraged to make hard copies of your assignments and communications with the instructor to avoid losing data in the case of technical issues. At the first sign of problems, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) immediately. Please do not use attachments when submitting your assignments. It is your responsibility to access the class on another computer in the event of hardware or software problems. If your problems are not cleared up within 12 hours, contact the instructor by email to make other arrangements.
Grading Criteria CHAPTER Discussion Journal Assignments Quizzes Life Plan Paper One 25 points 25 points 15 points 0 Two 25 points 25 points 15 points 0 Three 25 points 25 points 15 points 0 Four 40 points 25 points 15 points 0 Five 25 points 25 points 15 points 0 Six 25 points 25 points 15 points 0 Seven 30 points 25 points 15 points 0 Eight 40 points 15 points 15 points 55 points Total: 235 points 190 points 120 points 55 points By participating each week in the course and completing all of your assignments on time, you can earn up to a total of 600 points. 600-540 = A 539-480 = B 479-420 = C 419-360 = D 359-0 = F Course Policies and Procedures Disabilities and Special Needs If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you are encouraged to contact both your instructor and the Student Accessibility Coordinator, 215 Mildred Johnson Library (phone 671-2623, or toll-free 1-800-342-4325 ext. 3-2623) as early as possible in the term. NDSCS Attendance Policy Regular attendance and completion of all assignments, on time and as scheduled, is important to your success in this course. As your instructor, if I am unexpectedly unavailable and may be delayed in reviewing or correcting assignments, I will notify the class of this as a sign of courtesy and respect. An online student who does not submit course work for ten (10) consecutive calendar days may be dropped from the course. Efforts to contact inactive students are attempted as soon as each semester begins; however, if there is no response from the student and inactivity continues, a drop will be enacted. The following action may be taken regarding irregular attendance:
1) Dropped from a course or program; 2) Course grade may be lowered; 3) Termination of financial aid assistance; 4) Cancellation of registration; 5) Restriction from extra-curricular activities; or 6) Any other judgments deemed necessary. (See the entire NDSCS Attendance Policy at http://www.ndscs.nodak.edu/online/links/ndscsattendance-policy/ ) Access Policy: Computer Failures and Viruses Online students must maintain computer access at all times to the online course. Lack of computer access as an excuse for late work or missed exam/quiz will NOT be accepted. Review the Access Policy (Appendix A) to learn how you can take a proactive approach to your online success. Online Student Participation and Conduct Guidelines The practices of courtesy and respect that apply in the traditional classroom also apply online. However, the expectations and practice differ in the online classroom to greater extent. Review the Online Student Participation and Conduct Guidelines (Appendix B) for future reference. Online Discussions The online discussions are required activities, and full participation is essential for your success of this course. Student-Instructor Communications While an online class is available 24 hours a day and offers greater flexibility for the student and instructor, keep in mind that your instructor will not be available 24 hours a day. I will check my email and online Office messages on a regular basis, but there may be times when I am unavailable due to other commitments and job responsibilities. I will respond to email or online Office messages as time allows. As a general rule, you can expect your direct question to be answered within 24 hours during week days. When sending an email, please include your full name so I know to whom I am responding. Often, the email addresses do not indicate who is sending the message. Help Desk For technical problems like not being able to view a page, slowness issues, problems viewing video or hearing audio, things not working as they should, please contact the 24/7 ecollege helpdesk at (877) 740-2213, or email them at helpdesk@ndscsonline.org. In addition, there is a Tech Support tab in the upper right corner where you can communicate with someone from tech support in a chat. Note: They do not answer homework questions; send those to me. Academic Integrity Integrity is an NDSCS core value and there is an expectation that all students, as members of
the college community, adhere to the highest levels of academic integrity. Dishonesty in class, laboratory, shop work or tests is regarded as a serious offense and is subject to disciplinary action by the instructor and dean of the respective division. For more information, refer to the NDSCS Student Planner or College Catalog under College Policies and Basic Regulations of Conduct. http://www.ndscs.nodak.edu/uploads/resources/480/catalog-policies.pdf Types of Misconduct Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. Fabrication: Intentionally and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Facilitating academic dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one s own in any academic exercise. Tuition/Fees See tuition and fee information, Refund Policy and Withdrawal Schedule information in the NDSCS Online site under Financial Information. Tuition and fee costs do not include books, software, supplies and other program or course fees which may vary by program. Instructor Information Carolyn Loe carolyn.loe@ndscs.edu