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Psyc 404: Industrial/Organizational Psychology

 

Instructor:      David Campbell

Office:                        103 HGH

Phone:              826-3721

Office Hours: Wed 8:00-11:30

E-mail:             dec1@humboldt.edu

Web site:         www.humboldt.edu/~campbell/psyc.htm

 

Required texts:

   Muchinsky, P.M. (2000). Psychology applied to work.  Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

 

   Marchese, M. (2000). Study guide & exercise workbook.  Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

 

   Rosnow, R.L., & Rosnow, M. (2000). Writing papers in psychology. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

 

Course Objectives:

  • To learn how the findings of psychology are applied in the solution of problems involving human behavior in the workplace.
  • To develop an acquaintance with the main topics, principle characters, and leading theories in the discipline of industrial-organizational psychology.
  • To gain an appreciation of how the methods of science are used to study human behavior and experience in work settings.

 

Class Procedure:

     Each week, we will cover a chapter from the Muchinsky text plus two or three homework tasks from the workbook.  Class time will feature review and discussion of the assigned work.  This will not be a strict lecture class.  Rather, you will be expected to come ready to talk about what you have read or done during the week.  It is suggested that you read actively, taking notes on your reactions and ideas as you complete your assignment for each class meeting.

      At the end of each class session, you will have a short quiz over the assigned reading.

 

Grade (approximate weighting):

40%     Quizzes.  We will drop your lowest one.  Make-up quizzes will not normally be allowed and require prior arrangement with the instructor.

20%     Homework activities.  A variety of assignments are provided on our schedule to get you actively involved in the I/O material.  In addition, you should prepare three 1-2 page summary & reaction papers based on articles selected from the “InfoTrak Articles” listed at the end of each text chapter.  You should read the entire article and then describe and discuss it using your own words.  Most of these articles can be read using the Academic Search database found on the library’s web site.

20%     Term paper.  See the info provided on the web site for this course.  You are encouraged to meet with your professor to get feedback on a section of your term paper in draft form, but do this at least a week before the paper is due.

20%     Final exam

 

NOTE:  The above percentages indicate the approximate weighting of each component of the course.  Your actual grade will reflect the instructor’s evaluation of the quantity and quality of your total contribution in all components of this course.

 

Student responsibilities:  You are expected to tackle this course in a constructive and mature manner.  Your instructor expects you to attend almost all classes and to participate fully in the class activities.  All assignments should be turned in when due.  If you will miss a test, contact your instructor about it in advance if possible (e-mail or phone suggested).

 

                                 Schedule

Date      Topic, Muchinsky Chapter, & Workbook Assignments

Jan 22     Orientation Session

Jan 29     History of I/O Psychology & Research Methods

                   Ch 1,2 Muchinsky and Ex 1-1, 2-1, 2-3.

                   Explore the SIOP web site (items 1&5 from p 12 of workbook.

                   Do Ex 1-3 if you are seriously considering graduate school.

Feb 5       Criteria: Standards for Decision Making

                   Ch 3 plus Ex 3-1, 3-2

Feb 12     Predictors: Psychological Assessments

                  Ch 4 plus Ex 4-1, 4-2

Feb 19     Personnel Decisions

                  Ch 5 plus Ex 5-1, 5-2, 5-3

                  TERM PAPER TOPIC DUE (you select or one will be assigned)

Feb 26    Training and Development

                  Ch 6 plus Ex 6-1, 6-3

Mar 5      Performance Appraisal

                  Ch 7 plus Ex 7-1, 7-2, 7-3

Mar 12    Organizations and Work Teams

                  Ch 8 plus Ex 8-1, 8-2

Mar 19    SPRING BREAK

Mar 26    Organizational Attitudes and Behavior

                  Ch 9 plus Ex 9-1, 9-2, 9-3

Apr 2      Stress and Well-Being at Work

                  Ch 10 plus Ex 10-1, 10-2, 10-3

Apr 9      Work Motivation

                  Ch 11 plus Ex 11-1, 11-2, 11-3

Apr 16     Leadership

                  Ch 12 plus Ex 12-2, 12-3

                  TERM PAPER OUTLINE DUE (e-mail it to your professor)

Apr 23    Job Design and Organizational Development

                  Ch 13 plus Ex 13-1, 13-2

Apr 30    Ergonomics and Work Conditions

                  Ch 15 plus Ex 15-1, 15-2, 15-3

                  Extra credit: 1-page report on http://www.baddesigns.com/index.shtml

May 7      Changing Nature of Work

                  Ch 16

                  ORAL PRESENTATIONS ON TERM PAPER TOPICS

May 14 at 5:00    Final Exam, Term Papers Due