SSC 324 The Psychology of Organizations, Management and Leadership

Content

The focus of this course is the study of human behavior in organizations and the approach taken is multidisciplinary. The emphasis is on Organisational Behaviour, Management and Leadership. Because of the importance of the course content for students who opt for a psychology master after graduation from RA, particular emphasis is put on the role played by psychology in the diagnosis, analysis and solution of organizational problems and on the acquisition of skills in software for organizational (risk)assessment. Therefore this course will explore the interactions between individuals and the systems in which they live and work. Individual, group and organizational levels of analysis and intervention are included in covering such topics as perception, communication, motivation, emotion and mood,learning, individual effectiveness & development, team and group development and performance, work design, creativity, intergroup behavior, organizational development and change, leadership, management, management of change, and human resource practices. The materials applicable to all of these subjects are too vast and numerous to be fully covered in one course; but the course is designed in such a way that a number of these subjects are covered profoundly, while for others the surface will be scratched deep enough so that student will become motivated to pursue in depth learning in the respective areas on his/her own. A subject that will receive special emphasis is theory and methods of assessment of organizational factors of individual, group and leadership risk behaviors, such as behaviors that have led to or elicited the recent unprecedented financial and economic crisis around the globe.

Instructor

Prof. Dr. Rene Diekstra

Period

Spring / 2012

Prerequisites

The following course is required in order to take this course:

• SSC 121 Introduction to Psychology

Additional Prerequisites

In addition, a 200 level course in one of the social sciences is required. Students are particularly advised to complete SSC 221 (Social Psychology) before attending this course. In some cases, subject upon approval of the instructor, the 200 level requirement may be waived.