TRDV 435

TRDV 435: Organization Development

Online, Spring 2008, TRDV 435.98.SPR.08

Course Description

Course Structure

Key theories and practices in organization development that lead to improved organization effectiveness. Principles of organization structure, assessment practices, interventions, employee involvement, work design, and organization transformation.

TRDV 435 examines OD models and interventions with an emphasis on the integration of individual development within organizational goals and objectives.

The course is divided in six 2-week modules. For each module you will complete a series of activities designed help you review, retain, and practice the course competencies.

Objectives

Upon the completion of this course, learners will be able to...

1. Gain factual knowledge of the terminology, methods, and trends in organization development.

2. Learn fundamental principles of organization assessment and diagnosis.

3. Apply course material to organizational issues.

4. Practice working with others in a team environment.

5. Develop competencies as and OD practitioner.

6. Use resources to answer questions and solve problems.

7. Analyze and evaluate trends in organization development.

8. Practice self-directed learning by formulating questions and locating answers related to course issues.

Books

Instructor

Organization Development & Change,

8th Edition, 2004 by Cummings and Worley

Kathy Iverson, Ph. D.

Associate Professor Graduate Program in Training & Development

E-mail: kiverson@roosevelt.edu

Work phone: 847-619-8736

http://faculty.roosevelt.edu/iverson

Office Location: Schaumburg campus, room 360

Office hours: Mondays & Wednesday 1 to 3
Additional days by appointment

Course Schedule

Topics	Activities(Discussion boards, Quizzes Assignments, and Group Assignments)	Due Date *
Module #1 02/11-02/24 Welcome to Organization Development! Getting to know your course site OD the Big Picture	¨ Review the entire course site. Make sure you know what is behind each button ¨ Print out course materials ¨ Read the "Survival Tips" in the forum ¨ Review Module Lesson ¨ Read Chapters 1, 2, & 3 in your text. ¨ Post to Ice-Breaker and OD Speak class forums ¨ Module 1 Quiz	Feb 24
Module #2 02/25-03/09 Organization Assessment	¨ Read Chapter 7 & 8 ¨ Review Lesson materials ¨ Organization Assessment--Post to Class Forum ¨ Community of Knowledge post to class forum ¨ Module 2 Quiz	Mar 9
Module #3 03/10-03/30* Interpersonal and Group Interventions Organization Process Approaches	¨ Read Chapter 12 & 13 in your text ¨ Review Lesson materials ¨ Team Building Web Walk--Post to Class Forum ¨ Group Forum Project: Case Analysis ¨ Module 3 Quiz	Mar 30
*Spring Break* 03/17-03/23	* extended due to spring break
Module #4 03/31-04/13 Structural Interventions Employee Involvement	¨ Read Chapter 14 & 15 in your text ¨ Review Lesson materials ¨ Group Forum: Hindsight is 20/20 ¨ Post to class forum ¨ Module 4 Quiz	Apr 13
Module #5 04/14-04/27 Work Design Organization Transformation	¨ Read Chapter 16 & 20 in your text ¨ Complete and Post your "Perfect Job" assignment ¨ Post to class forum ¨ Module 5 Last Quiz!	Apr 27
Module #6 04/28-05/11 Wrap up	¨ Professional Meeting Assignment Due--Post to Class Forum ¨ Final project, "You're the OD Consultant"--Post in Class Forum ¨ Post to final class forums	May 11

* Note that you have two weeks to complete the activities. Modules begin on Monday and end 13 days later on Sunday.

Assignments

Grading Scale

There are seven graded assignments plus participation and five quizzes to take. Examine the detailed description of each assignment and ask questions if you do not understand the expectations.

See course schedule above for due dates; see “Assignments” and “Course Expectations” under Syllabus button for more details on the assignments and how you’ll be graded.

A (90% or greater) means outstanding achievement; available for only the highest accomplishment;

B (80% or greater) means praiseworthy performance; definitely above average;

C (70% or grater) means average, awarded for satisfactory performance.

In general, professors in the department award "A" grades to acknowledge achievements that meet all course criteria with regard to the quality of work and participation, and demonstrate exceptional creativity, commitment, involvement, ingenuity, or elegance.

Assignment Overview

You have a possible 1,000 points for this semester with each assignment being worth the following:

1. Organization Assessment	50
Choose one of the assessment methods you examined in your text or online lesson and create your own assessment tool.
2. Teambuilding Web Walk	50
You are going on a "web walk" to further explore principles of teambuilding.
3. Group Case Analysis	100
As a group, you will review and analyze a case study from your text. The general OD case is a suitable case for system-wide process interventions such as search conferences and inter-group relations interventions associated with Chapter 13.
4. Group Forum: Hindsight 20/20	50
You are given a brief "thought experiment" to discuss in your group forum.
5. Perfect Job Design	100
In this assignment you will have the opportunity to create your "perfect job".
6. Professional Meeting	100
Attend a professional meeting that relates to organization development and report back to your group about your experience. Note: This assignment is not due until the end of the semester, but you need to schedule and attend your meeting as early as possible to avoid a conflict.
7. OD Consultant	200
You have been contracted by an organization to act as an OD consultant. To complete this mission you will first provide a description of the organization, then, following the ‘General Model of Planned Change’ you will diagnose a problem and supply a plan for an intervention to improve the effectiveness of the organization. Note: This assignment is not due until the end of the semester, but you will want to work on it throughout the semester.
8. Quizzes	100
There are quizzes in module 1 through 5.
9. Participation	250
These points can be earned through your active participation in the class forums. This means you will need to log into the course site several times during each week to read and respond to posts. You'll want to add one or two new threads to each forum and then follow up and read the posts of 3 or 4 students carefully and make quality posts (not just, "good idea" or "I agree") by asking a question, providing additional insight based on your experience, or offering links to additional resources. Be sure to check back later to make additional comments to continue the dialogue.

Portfolio Project

In the Graduate Program in Training and Development, there is a capstone course called TRDV 499: Master's Portfolio Project. In this course you are required to create a portfolio of your work while in the TRDV Program. The portfolio will consist of theoretical papers, several samples of work from MATD courses, and a reflected assessment. In some TRDV courses, a "portfolio project" will be identified. This is a project that you complete in the course that can be used for your Master's Project Portfolio in TRDV 499.

So, as you complete TRDV 435, you may later choose to include some of your work from this course in your portfolio. Potential sample from this course is the OD Consultant assignment. All you need to do at this time is keep these documents in an electronic format so later, when you take 499, you will have them readily available. I suggest you create a CD of all TRDV assignments from various classes you complete and keep it in a safe place. Then, when you take TRDV 499, you will have a wide assortment of assignments to choose from.

ASTD Areas of Expertise (Competencies)

Every course in the curriculum of the Graduate Program in Training and Development is based on the areas of expertise (AOE) identified by the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). TRDV 435 is linked to the following competences:

1. Facilitating Organizational Change

2. Coaching

3. Measuring and evaluating

4. Career Planning and Talent Management

Attendance and Policies

Online Face Time is Important!

This course is delivered asynchronously, meaning that we don't all have to log on to the site at the same time, but just like a traditional course, attendance is critical to your success. You will have things to do every week to keep you engaged and involved in learning. Each week you will need to complete the course lesson, take a quiz, post to the forums, and post assignments. You will be logging onto the course site several times each week to complete activities, so be sure to bookmark the Blackboard URL.

If you experience any difficulties with the course site or assignments, please let me know. I am very happy to help you. My goal is make this a positive and valuable learning experience for you.

Incomplete Grades

You may petition for an "I" grade or incomplete only if you face significant extenuating circumstances that make it impossible for you to complete the course (i.e., severe illness, birth, military service). Students must be making reasonable progress in their coursework as evidenced by completion of at least 50% of assignments at the "B" level before petitioning for the "I".

Late Work

Due dates for all assignments are posted in the class schedule. Assignments that are submitted after the due date will be accepted up to 10 days after the due date, but will lose 2% points for each day late. No assignments will be accepted if they are more than 10 days late.

Free Pass

You have one free pass that allows you to post an assignment of your choice up to 7 days later than the due date with no loss of points. To use your fee pass, just notify me by e mail.

RUOnline

For more information on technical requirements and support, and the use of Blackboard please go to the New to RUOnline button on the main course page.

Accommodation of Persons with Disabilities

Students with disabilities or other conditions that require special accommodations are encouraged to identify themselves to the instructor and/or Academic Success Center/Office of Disability Services at 312-341 3810 as early as possible.