BUS 460: Organizational Behavior: An Evidence-Based Approach

Important Note: This course is cross-listed with PSYC 460. This course was formerly PYBS 460.

Course Description

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and topics in organizational behavior with three main areas of focus: the individual, the interpersonal, and group levels. At the individual level, this course will cover decision-making, motivation, and personality. At the interpersonal level, power, influence, and negotiations will be discussed. Finally, at the group level, the leadership and organizational context will be explored.

Effectively using organizational behavior concepts means being a leader – i.e., being able to diagnose problems, communicate clearly, and make effective decisions that will motivate and influence others to effectively drive organizational change all within a diverse environment. This course will help students gain leadership skills within a structured, supportive classroom environment.

 

The course service learning project will use organizational behavior concepts studied in this course to help Chiesa del Carmine at the interpersonal and group level.

Course Objectives
At the end of this course, students will have:

• increased their knowledge of organizational behavior concepts;
• developed the ability to analyze how organizations and people within them work;
• gained knowledge of how leadership motivates and influences people with regard to organizational change;
• worked with community partners to apply organizational behavior concepts to diagnose and communicate viable solutions for a well-defined issue;
• developed and broadcasted materials that will help students to start thinking about their future careers;
• learned how to constructively criticize fellow students’ work; and
• developed effective leadership skills.

Service Learning Project Description

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and topics in organizational behavior that includes three main areas of focus: the individual, the interpersonal, and group levels. At the individual level, the class will analyze the process of our partner’s decision-making practices and gain a better understanding of their motivations, which will, in turn, help students better understand their role in the project. At the interpersonal level, the class will gain a better understanding of the power, influence, and negotiations needed to organize these various events and divisions within the company. At the group level, the class will gain a better understanding of David Lang’s leadership and organizational skills to help students better locate weaknesses, thus informing student’s suggestions intervention.

Based on the visit to Chiesa del Carmine and online research, students will analyze key aspects of wine and product tasting experiences. These results will be aimed at helping inform and improve the company’s approach to marketing and communicating the Chiesa del Carmine experience to local and international clients. Furthermore, students’ work may eventually be used to support Chiesa del Carmine’s future efforts to encourage the Umbrian regional government to invest in wine-related tourism.

Community Partner
Chiesa del Carmine is a recently restored ancient church on the Carmine Estate, a privately-owned Umbrian valley at the foot of Monte Tezio, which includes an ancient olive grove, a vineyard, a truffle wood, and pasture.