ALS 451
Organizational Behavior

You have already spent a significant amount of your life in an organization (e.g. school). Very likely, you will spend many future years of your life in organizations. This Organizational Behavior course addresses contemporary management challenges arising from complex workplace dynamics, “irrational” human behavior, multifaceted organizational processes, and increasingly diverse workforces. The focus of this course is on the scientific study of behavioral processes in organizations. It highlights critical management issues involved in planning, organizing, controlling, and leading an organization. This course aims to strengthen students’ managerial potential by providing general frameworks, or “foundations,” for analyzing, diagnosing, and responding to complex organizational situations. It strives to challenge students’ existing notion of management pedagogy by using evidence-based theoretical and practical knowledge to rigorously dissect organizations as changing social systems. It also provides opportunities for students to enhance their communication and interpersonal skills, which are essential to effective management.

The primary objectives of this course are to help you:

1. have a clearer understanding of how to become an effective management leader and decision-maker;
2. learn how to better manage your relationships with members of your organization;
3. be better equipped with an arsenal of analytical skills;
4. hone your skills to think critically and inquisitively about complex and ambiguous organizational issues.