Group, Organizational & Community Contexts

Communication 3170: Introduction to Organizational Communication (This is the gateway course for COMM majors who are in the organizational sequence; however, it is available to non-majors as well.) (3) This is the study of work and organizational life, emphasizing history as well as contemporary practices. The organizations we study certainly include corporations and work related entities but also include volunteer, social, and other member directed associations. Students are invited to explore topics such as communication networks, leadership and relationships, the expressions of power and of resistance, teamwork and employee participation, the roles of new technologies, debates over globalization, and ethical issues such as diversity and social responsibility. The organizational communication student will learn to think critically about work/professional/associational practices and situations, as well as acquiring specific skills for the analysis of messages in organizations.

Educational Leadership and Policy 4540: Cultural Diversity in American Colleges and Universities (3) Fulfills Diversity This course is designed to help learners develop a better understanding of the complex issues related to cultural diversity in American colleges and universities. The analytical framework for the course centers on the intersection of class, race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality in order to develop a better understanding of the common and distinct educational experiences that typically affect women and other historically underrepresented cultural groups in higher education.

Ethnic Studies 3450: Intergroup Relations—Our Prejudices and Sterotypes (3) Cross0listed as PSY 4450. Prerequisite: PSY 1010. Fulfills Diversity. Provides an overview of research and theories on the topic of prejudice and stereotyping. Discussions will include the origins, maintenance, and function of stereotypes of groups (e.g., racial, gender, ethnic). In addition, how prejudice and stereotypes affect group members and relations will be covered.

Management 3680: Human Behavior in Organizations (3) Examination of behavioral theories and research. Application to human-resource problems and administrative processes in service and production-oriented organizations. Focuses on the individual in such areas as socialization, motivation, communications, leadership, decision-making, conflict resolution, and adaptation to change. Application is demonstrated through the consideration of the impact of the individual on the overall performance of the organization.

Philosophy 3730: Justice and International Affairs (3) This course will examine ethical questions about the relations among states and citizens throughout the world. Its prime focus is global distributive justice. It will examine conflicting views about the obligations of wealthy nations and citizens to those who are poor. It will also examine ethical issues that arise from increasing globalization. It will also ask when war is justifiable and what acts are justifiable in war, and it will consider the possibilities of greater global democracy.

Political Science 3150: Political Executives (3) Structure, function, powers, and politics of the American presidency and governorship. Examines both intra-executive branch and legislative relations.

Psychology 3410: Introduction to Social Psychology (3) Prerequisite: PSYCH 1010 The psychology of everyday social interaction. Topics may include impression formation, attitudes, persuasion, conformity, attraction, aggression, and altruistic behavior.

Psychology 4410: Advanced Topics in Personality and Social Psychology (3) Prerequisite: PSYCH 3410 or 3440 or instructor’s consent Each course deals in depth with a selected topic in personality or social psychology, such as attitudes, stereotyping, motivation, the self, aggression, traits, and dispositions.

Psychology 4450: Intergroup Relations: Our Prejudices and Stereotypes (3) Cross listed as ETHNC 3450. Prerequisite: PSYCH 1010. Fulfills Diversity. Provides an overview of research and theories on the topic of prejudice and stereotyping. Discussions will include the origins, maintenance, and function of prejudice and stereotypes of groups (e.g., racial, gender, ethnic). In addition, how prejudice and stereotypes affect group members and group relations will be covered.

Sociology 3020: Social Psychology (3) Prerequisite: SOC 1010 or PSYCH 1010 or instructor's consent. This introductory course has three inter-related focal points: (1) interactive human experiences in social settings, (2) social influence and networking processes, and (3) social behavior in intimate relationships, groups, organizations, and diverse cultures. Using a sociological perspective, lectures and readings draw upon research findings from surveys, experiments, and observational studies to explore these three focal points together with specific applications in the areas of criminal justice, public health, and the human environment. Internet-based student research projects are integrated with the course's theoretical content.