Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
Course Prerequisites
Students must have graduate standing in the Human Relations program.
Course Materials
Required:
- Required readings and videos are available on the Required Resources page of each module
- There are no required textbooks to purchase for this course
Recommended (not required):
- Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castañeda, C. R., Hackman, H. W., Peters, M. L., & Zúñiga, X. (2010). Readings for diversity and social justice. New York: Routledge.
Grades
Breakdown
| Graded Assignments & Activities |
Description | Individual Points |
Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Papers | Written paper assignments | 2 papers x 100 points | 200 |
| Weekly Live Sessions | Synchronous Zoom meetings | 8 Live Sessions x 10 points | 80 |
| Discussion Board Participation | Asynchronous Discussion topics | 8 Discussions x 10 points | 80 |
| |
Total |
360 |
Scale
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 68% and below
Keep track of your scores for the course through the Canvas grade book.
Course Components
Course Paper Assignments
There are two written paper assignments for this course (100 points each). The paper assignments provide an evaluation of learning over the course content material that may not be adequately reflected in the standard format of an exam.
- The first written assignment will focus on management theory, leadership theory, and organizational theory.
- Based on your reading of the management and leadership articles on Canvas, and scholarly references that you select from articles for class or other scholarly sources, (e.g., professional journal articles, academic books), write a 6-8-page paper (not counting title page and reference pages) detailing your theoretical approach to management.
- You should make at least 5 major points in which you specify and prioritize key principles for managing others.
- Note: I want you to outline your perspective, but do not write this paper in the first person. Present your ideas using the third person (e.g., “Effective managers should keep in mind the following five principles of leadership…”). However, avoid referring to yourself (e.g., “the author believes…”). Imagine you are writing a scholarly paper to a professional audience, presenting your ideas with scholarly support.
- Include at least 6 scholarly (i.e., professional journal articles and books) citations to support your ideas.
- Follow APA-style, including citing references that you use. The paper should be typed, 12-point font and double-spaced, with a title page and references. Pay close attention to writing style and carefully edit your papers. Please, submit on the appropriate assignment page on Canvas.
- In the second written assignment, you will have an opportunity to “move theory to practice” through the application of human relations theory to a diversity, inclusion, or social justice issue.
- Based on your reading of the diversity, equity, and inclusion articles on Canvas, and scholarly references that you select from articles for class or other scholarly sources (e.g., professional journal articles, academic books), write a 6-8-page paper (not counting title page and reference pages) in response to one of the following questions:
- “What effective strategies or practices might leaders/managers employ to foster a sense of inclusion, belonging, and equity on a daily basis among their direct reports?”
- “How might effective leaders/managers advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion with colleagues who do not understand its importance?”
- Again, present your ideas using the third person. Imagine you are writing a scholarly paper to a professional audience, presenting your ideas with scholarly support.
- Illustrate how the theories support your approach, perspective, and overall paper.
- Use the scholarly literature to define the social concepts.
- Include at least 6 scholarly (i.e., professional journal articles and books) citations to support your thoughts.
- Follow APA-style, including citing references that you use. The paper should be typed, 12-point font, double-spaced and include a title page and references. Pay close attention to writing style and carefully edit your papers. Please, submit on the appropriate assignment page on Canvas.
- Based on your reading of the diversity, equity, and inclusion articles on Canvas, and scholarly references that you select from articles for class or other scholarly sources (e.g., professional journal articles, academic books), write a 6-8-page paper (not counting title page and reference pages) in response to one of the following questions:
Discussion Board Participation
There are eight threaded discussion topic assignments (10 points each).
To receive full credit for a weekly Threaded Discussion assignment, students must answer all of the questions posed, as well as comment on the response of at least two other classmates for each question posted. Additional expectations regarding original and response Threaded Discussion posts follow.
Students will participate weekly in the online discussion board on Canvas. Questions will be based on assigned readings. For example, discuss the main features of each theory and identify two strengths and two weaknesses of each theory.
- Original posts must:
- Fully address the question(s) posed;
- Be written in complete sentences and at least 200 words in length;
- Include reference information for any unassigned learning resources cited; and
- Draw connections with observations of and/or experiences with transitioning theory to practice, when possible.
- Response posts must:
- Be written in complete sentences and at least 100 words in length;
- Be reasonable and courteous;
- Include reference information for any unassigned learning resources cited; and
- Go beyond the general sentiments of “I disagree” or “I agree,” and specifically address why, for example, another’s post differs from or resonates with previous experiences and/or observations.
Consider the following questions when writing posts: What do you see as the most valuable contribution, thesis, or idea from this material? What aspects of the author’s findings or argument do you find especially useful, well-argued, problematic, confusing, or unconvincing? How does this connect to some of our key ideas or themes in the course?
Tentative Course Schedule
| Week |
Topics |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Human Relations Approaches & Theories of the Human Relations Movement |
| Week 2 | Theories and Concepts of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion |
| Week 3 | Social Exchange Theory; Equity Theory |
| Week 4 | Organizational Justice Theory |
| Week 5 | Theories of Motivation |
| Week 6 | Conflict Theory & Negotiation |
| Week 7 | Relational Theory |
| Week 8 | Social Influence & Feminist Theory |
Core Reading Assignments by Topic (Additional readings may be added in Resources for each module)
- Human Relations Approaches & Theories of Human Relations Movement
- Bruce, K., & Nyland, C. (2011). Elton Mayo and the deification of human relations. Organization studies, 32(3), 383-405.
- McGregor Human Side of Enterprise
- Monin, N., & Bathurst, R. (2008). Mary Follett on the leadership of ‘Everyman’. Ephemera-theory & politics in organization, 8(4), 447-461.
- Parker, L. D. (1984). Control in organizational life: the contribution of Mary Parker Follett. Academy of Management Review, 9(4), 736-745.
- Theories and Concepts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Wiggins-Romesburg, C. A., & Githens, R. P. (2018). The psychology of diversity resistance and integration. Human Resource Development Review, 17(2), 179-198.
- Thomas, D.A., & Ely, R.J. (1996). Making differences matter: A new paradigm for managing diversity. The Harvard Business Review.
- Organizational Diversity Paradigms
- Racial Identity Development Models
- Social Exchange Theory
- Cropanzano, R., & Mitchell, M. S. (2005). Social exchange theory: An interdisciplinary review. Journal of management, 31(6), 874-900.
- Equity Theory
- Adams, J. S. (1965). Inequity in social exchange. In Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 267-299). Academic Press.
- Theories of Motivation
- Maslow, A. H. (1943, abridged). A theory of motivation. Psychological Review, 50, 370-396.
- McCllelland motivation theory
- Kreitner & Kinicki chapter Foundations of Motivation
- Organizational Justice Theory
- Colquitt, J. A., Scott, B. A., Rodell, J. B., Long, D. M., Zapata, C. P., Conlon, D. E., & Wesson, M. J. (2013). Justice at the millennium, a decade later: A meta-analytic test of social exchange and affect-based perspectives. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(2), 199.
- Greenberg, J. (1990). Organizational justice: Yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Journal of management, 16(2), 399-432.
- Conflict Theory & Negotiation
- Rahim, M. A. (2002). Toward a theory of managing organizational conflict. International journal of conflict management, 13(3).
- Relational Theory; Social Influence and Feminist Theory
- Fletcher_Relational Theory in the Workplace
- Nakash et al 2002_Relational-Cultural Practice_Working in a NonRelational World
- Rashotte_Social Influence
Course Policies
Communication
If you need to email me, I normally respond to emails within 24 hours during the week, and within 48 hours on a weekend. If you email me over a weekend, holiday break, or semester break, there may be a longer response time.
If you have questions about grades or your performance in this class, I am happy to meet with you in a Zoom conference. You may email your request to meet, and we can schedule a day and time to meet.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Academic Misconduct
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
It is the responsibility of each student to be familiar with the definitions, policies, and procedures concerning academic misconduct. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
This site also defines misconduct, provides examples of prohibited conduct, and explains the sanctions available for those found guilty of misconduct.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The University of Oklahoma is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for all students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations in this course should contact their professor as early in the semester as possible.
Students with disabilities must be registered with the Disability Resource Center prior to receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to make a request for reasonable accommodation, please see the Graduate Student Handbook or get in touch with the Accessibility and Disability Resource Center.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Title IX Resources
For any concerns regarding gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, stalking, or intimate partner violence, the University offers a variety of resources, including advocates on-call 24/7, counseling services, mutual no-contact orders, scheduling adjustments, and disciplinary sanctions against the perpetrator. Please contact the Sexual Misconduct Office at 405-325-2215 (8-5, M-F) or OU Advocates at 405-615-0013 (24/7) to learn more or to report an incident.
Religious Holidays
It is the policy of the University to excuse absences of students that result from religious observances and to provide for the rescheduling of examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays without penalty. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements with the instructor at least one week prior to the actual date of the religious holiday.
Copyright Policy
It is illegal to download, upload, reproduce, or distribute any copyrighted material, in any form and in any fashion, without permission from the copyright holder or his/her authorized agent. The University of Oklahoma expects all members of its community to comply fully with federal copyright laws. If such laws appear to have been violated by any user, the university reserves the right (1) to terminate that user’s access to some or all of the university’s computer systems and information resources and (2) to take additional disciplinary actions as deemed necessary or appropriate. Repeat offenders will be sanctioned and their privileges terminated.
Registration and Withdrawal
If you choose to withdraw from this course, you must complete the appropriate University form and turn the form in before the deadline. If you stop attending the course and doing the coursework without doing the required paperwork, your grade will be calculated with missed homework and examination grades entered as zero. This could result in receiving a grade of F in the course. Deadlines are shown in the Academic Calendar, which is available from the Office of the Registrar.
Student Grievances
In addition to any policies outlined related to submitting an informal or formal grievance by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook for more information about the process of submitting a formal grievance.
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|