CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE

TSENG COLLEGE MPA Program

Seminar in Organizational Theory & Human Behavior MPA 630
Instructor:
Time/room
Office Hours:
Telephone:
E-mail:

Karen Morgaine, PhD

Fall 2015
Thursdays 6:00-9:45 8/27/15-10/15/15
Jerome Ritchfield 204
Monday/Wednesdays 12:30-2:00; also by appt. Office Location: SN 321
818-677-3591
karen.morgaine@csun.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course gives students a historical perspective on organizational theory and examines
contemporary approaches to the study of organization. The concepts discussed apply to public,
private and nonprofit organizations. Students take an active role in bringing their own
observations to the discussion of topics such as decision-making, power, conflict,
communication, leadership, motivation, group effectiveness, organizational change, personal
and organizational autonomy.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES ADDRESSED
1. Acquire the breadth and depth of knowledge about challenges and model practices of
contemporary public sector administration needed to be effective in that context.
2. Develop the skills and knowledge needed to manage public sector organizations and staff.
3. Develop the conceptual versatility needed to define, analyze, and solve problems within and
across unit and functional lines. Develop an understanding of the importance of cooperation
and collaboration across unit lines and with external and community partners.
INSTRUCTOR APPOINTMENTS/CONTACT:
The best way to contact me is via email either with clarification questions or to schedule an
appointment. You can always feel free to stop in during office hours but it is best to check first
so that I can schedule you an appointment in case I am already meeting with another student at
that time. I can be available shortly before class on site also given that my office hours may not
meet all students needs. I will respond to email normally within 24 hours with the exception of
Fridays. That day is the day I have reserved for my research so I will most likely respond to a
Friday inquiry by Saturday or Sunday.
COURSE FORMAT
Students will be co-leading one class each and bringing in their weekly application of material to
the discussion in this seminar-based class. Students all bring unique experiences and
knowledge to the class and are encouraged to actively engage in the learning process. As the
instructor I am committed to academic freedom and integrity and open and collegial dialogue.
Students are also encouraged to meet with me during office hours to discuss or clarify course
material, written assignments or share any comments or ideas on class format and content.

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REQUIRED TEXT
Bolman, L. G. and Deal, T. E. (2013). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership.
San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. (5th Edition)
Any articles supplementing the text will be available on moodle during the semester.
EXPECTATIONS
1. Students are expected to attend each class and, out of courtesy to other class
participants, to be on time. Class discussion and active participation will be important in
the final grade.
2. Please silence cell phones and other devices that could be disruptive. If you learn best
by taking notes on a laptop this is certainly fine, yet doing anything else on a laptop
(internet searches, checking email and so on) is considered disruptive and while you
may be physically attending class, your attendance will not be counted fully (or at all) if
you choose to do this.
3. All assignments are to be turned in via moodle. The papers should be in a standard
font (such as Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica), 12-point font, and have 1-inch
margins. Final paper must use ASA or APA referencing format (see
http://www.asanet.org/page.ww?name=Quick+Style+Guide&section=Sociology+Depts;
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/583/01/; American Sociological Association
Style Guide, 3rd ed., 2007).
4. Papers need to be uploaded in either Microsoft Word or rich text (not WordPerfect). If
you are concerned that you may be unable to do this, please see me as soon as
possible so we can arrange for you to turn in hard copies of the assignments.
DISABILITY SERVICES
Students with disabilities must register with the Center on Disabilities and complete a services
agreement each semester. Staff within the Center will verify the existence of a disability based
on the documentation provided and approve accommodations. Students who are approved for
test taking accommodations must provide an Alternative Testing Form to their faculty member
signed by a counselor in the Center on Disabilities prior to making testing arrangements. The
Center on Disabilities is located in Bayramian Hall, room 110. Staff can be reached at
818.677.2684.
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
This course relies on class discussion to review reading, introduce supplemental material,
critically examine concepts, and to develop an understanding of your own personal values,
ideologies, and experiences with human behavior in organizations. As such, attendance and
participation are considered to be a significant part of the learning and assessment process.
Missing more than a class will begin to significantly affect your attendance and participation
grade. If you are unable to attend class please notify me via email prior to class unless
extenuating circumstances prevent doing so. Participation is primarily gauged through
participation group discussions, although I do attempt to take into account non-verbal active
participation.
Regarding attendance and participation points: All students start with 56 out of 75
attendance/participation points (which is a Caverage participation); points are added or
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deducted based on attendance/participation. Please noteattending all or most classes, while

important, does not equal an A (excellent) in attendance and participation unless there is
significant participation attached to each class attendance. If you attend regularly yet do not
participate in any class discussion, this is typically a C; if you attend regularly and participate a
minimal to moderate amount, this is typically a B; if you attend regularly and participate
consistently in every class, this is typically an A.
At no time should you feel entitled to openly disrespect any member of the class or any group of
people. This includes verbal as well as nonverbal responses. We will also work to remove racist,
sexist, heteronormative and gendernormative language and assumptions from our discussions.
ASSIGNMENTS
Class Discussion Leaders/Discussion Guide (75 pointsassigned for both portions of
assignment; discussion guide to be uploaded to moodle by 11:00 p.m. on the Wednesday prior
to class)
Each week, assigned students will be required to complete the discussion preparation guide
(see last 2 pages of syllabus for guide). Additionally, assigned students will help facilitate class
discussion with the class using their prepared discussion preparation guide. Students should be
able to demonstrate strong oral communication skills in a variety of ways during the class
discussion process. Regarding the discussion preparation guide, question number two, please
be sure to develop intriguing, open-ended questions which will invite participation as well as
diverse ideas and responses related to the assigned reading and the learning objectives. Please
see example on Moodle for additional direction.
Learning Objective #9:
Develop advanced communication skills needed for leadership in the public sector: strong
oral communication skills in small groups and in larger public contexts. Strong written
communication and skills appropriate for writing reports, explaining issues and policies,
persuasively presenting initiatives, corresponding with colleagues and clients, and media
communications.
Frame Application Papers (4 @ 50 points each; due on 9/3, 9/10, 9/17 and 9/24 by 6:00 p.m.
via moodle)
Apply concepts from each framing section (structural, human resources, political, and symbolic)
to your organization (i.e. on 9/3 you will utilize the structural framework and apply this to your
organization and so on). Since each set of chapters contains numerous concepts, feel free to
focus in on a few specific ones that are most applicable to your particular organization. Papers
need to be 3-5 pages long. Please see examples on Moodle for additional guidance.
Learning Objective #2:
Acquire the foundation knowledge needed to understand the distinctive character and
responsibilities of public sector administration in a democratic society.

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Learning Objective #8:

Develop the foundation skills and abilities needed to address the essential issues of human
resources management to build a strong and effective team in the public sector through:
effective hiring, staff development, staff evaluation, staff discipline and performance
correction and dismissal.
Learning Objective #9:
Develop advanced communication skills needed for leadership in the public sector: strong
oral communication skills in small groups and in larger public contexts. Strong written
communication and skills appropriate for writing reports, explaining issues and policies,
persuasively presenting initiatives, corresponding with colleagues and clients, and media
communications.
Final Organizational Analysis Paper (100 points; due on 10/15 by 6:00 p.m. via moodle)
This paper is a combination of all four previous frame application papers with an additional 3-5
page section that incorporates issues raised in the final section, Improving Leadership
Practice, which addresses integration of frames, action and change, and ethical issues and/or
issues raised in the Callier and Box articles. The final product will be a 15-25 page analysis of
your organization through all four frames and through application of various additional
considerations. For the final section you do not have to address all of the elements in the last six
chapters (or two articles)pick two or three most salient to your organization and experiences.
You will need to make sure you tie all sections of the paper together and, if applicable,
incorporate edits and suggestions that were made on your previous papers. The paper should
utilize appropriate APA heading style throughout to organize by frame and subthemes within
each frame.
The final class session will focus on a brief presentation of your analysis to the class. Given that
it is likely some of the earlier frame application material will have already been brought into the
class discussion, you should focus the presentation on integration of the previous work and the
final section you develop. These presentations will need to be relatively brief due to class size
about 5-7 minutes in length.
Learning Objective #2:
Acquire the foundation knowledge needed to understand the distinctive character and
responsibilities of public sector administration in a democratic society.
Learning Objective #8:
Develop the foundation skills and abilities needed to address the essential issues of human
resources management to build a strong and effective team in the public sector through:
effective hiring, staff development, staff evaluation, staff discipline and performance
correction and dismissal.

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Learning Objective #9:

Develop advanced communication skills needed for leadership in the public sector: strong
oral communication skills in small groups and in larger public contexts. Strong written
communication and skills appropriate for writing reports, explaining issues and policies,
persuasively presenting initiatives, corresponding with colleagues and clients, and media
communications.
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
I will accept the only the Frame Application papers late. Late papers will lose one letter grade
automatically and will be accepted up to one week past the due date. The final paper will not be
accepted late as final grades are due 5 days after the last class. If there are extenuating
circumstances (serious illness, family emergency) please speak to me as soon as possible and I
may waive the point deduction. Additionally, if there is an on-going crisis, please communicate
with me as I would much rather attempt to work out an incomplete plan rather than failing a
student for incomplete work.
GRADING
Attendance and participation ------------------------------------75 points
Class Discussion Leaders/Discussion Guide----------------75 points
Frame Application Papers (4 @ 50 points)-------------------200 points
Final Organizational Analysis Paper---------------------------100 points
Total-------------------------------------------------------------------450 points
LETTER GRADE
A
= 417-450
B+
= 396-404
C+
= 348-364
D+
= 300-315
F
= 269 and below

AB
C
D

= 405-416
= 378-395
= 331-347
= 286-299

BCD-

= 363-377
= 316-330
= 270-285

COURSE OUTLINE
Week

Date

Topic

Reading Assignment

8/27

Intro to class/reframing/complex orgs

Assign Class Discussion Leaders

Chapters 1 & 2

9/3

The Structural Frame

Chapters 3, 4, & 5
Class Discussion Leaders
Frame Application Paper Due by 6:00 p.m.

9/10

The Human Resource Frame

Chapters 6, 7, & 8
Class Discussion Leaders
Frame Application Paper Due by 6:00 p.m.

9/17

The Political Frame

Chapters 9, 10, & 11
Class Discussion Leaders
Frame Application Paper Due by 6:00 p.m.
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9/24

The Symbolic Frame

Class Discussion Leaders
Frame Application Paper Due by 6:00 p.m.

Chapters 12, 13, &14

10/1

Improving Leadership I
Integration, Action, Reframing Leadership
Class Discussion Leaders

Chapters 15, 16, & 17

10/8

Improving Leadership II
Chapters 18, 19, & 20
Change, Ethics, Change and Leadership in Action
or
Job satisfaction and change in P.A.
Caillier and Box
articles
Class Discussion Leaders

10/15

Final Presentations
Final Organizational Analysis Paper Due by 6:00 p.m.

Concerns, questions, and so on

If you have questions about assignments/expectations or if extenuating circumstances come up
for you, please contact me and make an appointment so we can discuss any issues. It works
much, much better to be proactive and let me know if something serious comes up for you so, if
necessary, we can creatively try to work it out rather than contacting me after the fact when it
may be too late to try to work out any concerns.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
The maintenance of academic integrity and quality education is the responsibility of each
student within this university and the California State University system. Cheating or plagiarism
in connection with an academic program at a campus is listed in Section 41301, Title V,
California Code of Regulations, as an offense for which a student may be expelled, suspended,
or given a less severe disciplinary sanction. Academic dishonesty is an especially serious
offense and diminishes the quality of scholarship and defrauds those who depend upon the
integrity of the campus programs. Such dishonesty includes:
A. CHEATING
Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any
academic exercise.
Comments:
1. Faculty members are encouraged to state in advance their policies and procedures
concerning examinations and other academic exercises as well as the use before examinations
of shared study aids, examination files, and other related materials and forms of assistance.
2. Students completing any examination should assume that external assistance (e.g., books,
notes, calculators, conversation with others) is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the
instructor.
3. Students must not allow others to conduct research or prepare any work for them without
advance authorization from the instructor. This comment includes, but is not limited to, the
services of commercial term paper companies.
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4. Substantial portions of the same academic work may not be submitted for credit in more than
one course without authorization.
B. FABRICATION
Intentional falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.
Comments:
1. Invented information may not be used in any laboratory experiment or other academic
exercise without notice to and authorization from the instructor. It would be improper, for
example, to analyze one sample in an experiment and covertly invent data based on that
single experiment for several more required analyses.
2. One should acknowledge reliance upon the actual source from which cited information was
obtained. For example, a writer should not reproduce a quotation from a book review and
indicate that the quotation was obtained from the book itself.
3. Students who attempt to alter and resubmit returned academic work with intent to defraud the
faculty member will be in violation of this section. For example, a student may not change an
answer on a returned exam and then claim that they deserve additional credit.
C. FACILITATING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic
dishonesty.
Comments:
For example, one who knowingly allowed another to copy from his or her paper during an
examination would be in violation of this section.
D. PLAGIARISM
Intentionally or knowingly representing the words, ideas, or work of another as ones own in any
academic exercise.
Comments:
1. Direct Quotation: Every direct quotation must be identified by quotation marks, or by
appropriate indentation or by other means of identification, and must be cited in text; the
reference must appear on the reference page.
2. Paraphrase: Prompt acknowledgment is required when material from another source is
paraphrased or summarized in whole or in part in your own words. To acknowledge a
paraphrase properly, one might state: to paraphrase Lockes comment . . . and conclude with
the exact reference.
3. Borrowed Facts or Information: Information obtained in ones reading or research which is not
common knowledge among students in the course must be referenced in text. Examples of
common knowledge might include the names of leaders of prominent nations, basic scientific
laws, etc.
NOTE: this syllabus is subject to change if necessarythis would be clarified in class and on
moodle if either I or we need to make any alterations.

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CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE

MPA 630Seminar in Organizational Theory & Human Behavior
Discussion Preparation Guide
Name______________________________________________________ Date________
Chapter Numbers:
A.

You must fill out this discussion preparation guide and upload it to moodle by 11:00 p.m.
the Wednesday prior to your class discussion. No exceptions will be made for late
papers. I will be uploading these to moodle for all students to have access to prior to
class.

B.

Use this guide to help you formulate the issues you would like to bring up during the
discussion.

C.

As this is a discussion guide, feel free to answer the more detailed questions (3 and 4 in
particular) in note/outline form as opposed to a lengthy narrativethink of it as key
points that you will expand on in the class discussion.

1.

State the topic of the readings in about 4-6 sentences (for each chapter). What are the
chapters about?

2.

What ideas seem significant or puzzling to you? Prepare two questions (per chapter)
about these to ask during discussion.

3.

How does the reading relate to things you and your colleagues have experienced in an
organizational setting? Noteapplying the frame/concepts here as you did in your frame
application paper is a good idea (you can briefly summarize).

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4.

How does the reading relate to other materials you have read in this class and/or in
other classes?

Any additional comments:

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