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):
- Northouse, P. (2019). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles, CA: Sage. ISBN: 9781506362311.
Grades
Breakdown
| Graded Assignments & Activities |
Description | Individual Points |
Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Papers | Written paper assignments | 2 papers × 100 points each | 200 points |
| Weekly Live Sessions | Synchronous Zoom meetings | 8 Live Sessions × 10 points each | 80 points |
| Discussion Board Participation | Asynchronous Discussion topics | 8 Discussions × 15 points each | 120 points |
| |
Total |
400 points |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
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 paper 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 ten 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 7 scholarly (i.e., professional journal articles and books) citations to support your ideas.
- In the second written assignment, you will apply human relations theory to a diversity or social justice issue. Illustrate how the theory enhances understanding of the issue. It is acceptable to use the first person for this assignment. Include at least 7 scholarly (i.e., professional journal articles and books) citations to support your ideas.
Follow APA-style for each paper including in citing references that you use. Both papers should be typed, 12-point font, double-spaced, and include a title page. Your first paper should be 5–7 pages long, and your second paper should be approximately 10 pages long (not counting title page and references). Pay close attention to writing style and carefully edit your papers. Please, submit on the appropriate assignment page on Canvas.
Discussion Board Participation
There will be eight (8) threaded discussion topic assignments (15 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 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,
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 |
Course Policies
Communication
If you need to email me, I normally respond to emails within 48 hours. If you email me over a weekend, holiday break, or semester break, there may be a longer response time. If your question is urgent and requires a faster response, indicate this in the subject line of your email (you can simply type "urgent"). If you have not heard from me within 48 hours, do not hesitate to let me know (hopefully this won't happen!).
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. I am generally available to schedule a meeting time during my designated office hours, but I am also available at other times by appointment.
Late Policy
Late work will be accepted for partial or full credit, depending on the circumstances. If you experience a significant life event that makes it difficult for you to meet a deadline (e.g., illness, a death in the family, etc.), an extension will be granted for full credit (assuming you meet the new deadline). Ideally, you should communicate with the professor in advance of the deadline you will miss. However, if this is not possible, a new deadline can be agreed upon at a later date. However, late work will not be accepted for full credit if you contact the professor more than a week after the original deadline.
Any unexcused late paper will receive a ten point deduction per day. Discussion posts will receive a one-point deduction per day. If you miss a Live session, you can follow the instructions on how to make up for the session to receive credit.
Remember that a zero is always worse than some credit. I highly recommend that you hand in each assignment, even if it is late.
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 before receiving accommodations in this course.
If you have a disability and you would like to request 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. Please contact the Title IX 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. Also, please be advised that a professor/GA/TA is required to report instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or discrimination to the Sexual Misconduct Office.
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 before 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 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 |
|---|---|---|