Course Description
This course will focus on research and major theories within the field of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, as well as their practical applications. Students will explore the history and current research methods being used within the field of industrial and organizational psychology, including: employee recruitment and selection, job analysis, performance appraisal and management, employee training and development, work motivation, perceptions of fairness, reactions to stress, diversity, teamwork, and leadership. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
- PSY 101: Psychology
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of Industrial/Organizational Psychology as a relevant field within current psychology. This will include the knowledge of the history of Industrial/Organizational Psychology, its current research methods, and theoretical perspectives.
- Evaluate the domains that comprise Industrial/Organizational Psychology, which include:
- a. Ethical, legal, and professional contexts.
- b. Measurement of individual differences.
- c. Criterion theory and development.
- d. Job and task analysis.
- e. Employee selection.
- f. Performance appraisal.
- g. Training and development.
- h. Work motivation.
- i. Attitude theories.
- Apply conceptual tools of Industrial/Organizational Psychology to analyze and recommend changes in organizational structure, operations, and employee performance.
- Demonstrate knowledge in the practice of Industrial/Organizational Psychology by applying the concepts in the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology to the functioning of organizations.
- Analyze the organizational recruitment, selection, and retention procedures confronting organizations struggling with market demands, competition, and the changing global environment.
- Evaluate approaches for changing organizational structure and design to improve employee performance, optimize motivational employee systems and processes, and enhance work-life balance.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Points | Weight |
|---|---|---|
Discussions (Weeks 1-8) | 280 (35 per discussion) | 28% |
Quizzes (Weeks 1, 2, 5, & 7) | 120 (40 per quiz) | 12% |
Case Study 1 (Week 3) | 100 | 10% |
Midterm Exam (Week 4) | 150 | 15% |
Case Study 2 (Week 6) | 200 | 20% |
Final Exam (Week 8) | 150 | 15% |
Total |
| 100% |
Required Textbooks
- This course uses Open Educational Resources (OER). OER are openly licensed, educational resources that can be used for teaching, learning and research. OER may consist of a variety of resources such as textbooks, videos and software that are no cost for students.
- The textbooks used for this course are:
- Powers, K. (2019). Workplace Psychology. Creative Commons. Retrieved from https://pressbooks.pub/workplacepsychology/.
- University of Minnesota Libraries. (2010). Organizational Behavior. Retrieved from https://open.lib.umn.edu/organizationalbehavior/.
Note: If you would like to purchase a print edition of the OER textbooks listed above, you can save as a PDF or you can order via Chemeketa Press for a print version. Please contact your instructor if you have questions about this.
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,2,3 | Topic: Introduction to I/O Psychology, History, & Research Methods
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2 | 2,3,4 | Topic: Job Analysis and Employee Selection
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3 | 2-5 | Topic: Employee Screening & Evaluating Employee Performance
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4 | 1-6 | Topic: Employee Training, Development, & Motivation
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Midterm Exam – Closes Saturday 11:59 PM ET The Midterm Exam covers all course readings, exercises, lectures, videos, and resource material presented so far in the course. SLOs 1 – 6 | |||
5 | 2-6 | Topic: Positive Employee Attitudes, Worker Stress, & Negative Employee Attitudes
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6 | 2,3,4 | Topic: Communication in the Workplace & Group Processes in Work Organizations
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7 | 2-6 | Topic: Organizational Leadership, Influence, Power & Politics
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| 8 | 1-6 | Topic: Structure, Culture, & Development
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Final Exam The Final Exam covers all course readings, exercises, lectures, videos, and resource material presented throughout the course. SLOs 1 – 6 | |||
COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.