Course Syllabus
Course Description
Learners analyze organizational development (OD) processes that are designed to improve organizational effectiveness. These OD processes are systematic, long-term efforts that focus on the human and social elements of organizational change.
Course Textbook(s)
Rothwell, W. J., Stopper, A. L. M., & Myers, J. L. (Eds.). (2017). Assessment and diagnosis for organization development: Powerful tools and perspectives for the OD practitioner. CRC Press. https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781315310596
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. Evaluate the organizational development (OD) processes and how they are applied to bring about change. 2. Develop the use of self for leading the organizational development (OD) process. 3. Evaluate how processes used in organizational interventions are designed to effectively promote change that is
supported by organization members. 4. Demonstrate how organizational development (OD) processes are used to diagnose organizational problems, design
strategies for change, communicate the strategies, and adapt organizational resources to accomplish changes necessary to achieve its goals.
5. Evaluate the use of action research for the organizational development (OD) process. 6. Evaluate the effectiveness of sustained organizational development (OD) interventions and what they mean for
organizational success.
Academic Integrity
Honesty and integrity are taken very seriously at Waldorf University. All students should be familiar with the Waldorf University Academic Integrity Policy (found in the current Student Handbook) and the consequences that will result from breaches of this policy.
Credits
Upon completion of this course, the students will earn 3.00 hours of college credit.
Course Structure
1. Study Guide: Course units contain a Study Guide that provides students with the learning outcomes, unit lesson, required reading assignments, and supplemental resources.
2. Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit.
3. Unit Lesson: Unit Lessons, which are located in the Study Guide, discuss lesson material. 4. Reading Assignments: Units contain Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook and/or
outside resources. 5. Suggested Reading: Suggested Readings are listed within the Study Guide. Students are encouraged to read the
resources listed if the opportunity arises, but they will not be tested on their knowledge of the Suggested Readings. 6. Learning Activities (Nongraded): Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of
ORG 6800, Organization Development
ORG 6800, Organization Development 1
study. 7. Discussion Boards: Students are required to submit Discussion Board posts in Units I-VIII. Discussion Boards
provide students the opportunity for student-to-student and professor-to-student interaction based on relevant course concepts and ideas. Specific information about accessing the Discussion Board rubric is provided below.
8. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with each assignment. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below.
9. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides students with an opportunity to ask their professor general questions or questions related to course content.
10. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with other classmates.
Unit Assignments
Unit I Assignment
Planning Organizational Assessment Based on Research
Throughout this course, you will prepare assignments on an organization with which you are very familiar. The assignments are designed to prepare you for the Unit VII Final Project in which you will write a culminating report.
This assignment will consist of two parts.
Part I: Identify an organization that you currently work for or may like to work for in the future. Consider the issues or problems that you believe need to be addressed in this organization. You will use this organization throughout the course, so please choose a company that you know a lot about or can research. You are encouraged to start gathering your data and research about the organization early in the course to ensure that you have ample time to complete the final project.
Submit a one-page overview of an organization that focuses on the following change areas discussed in the Unit I Lesson. Below are the change areas and a brief description of each area. You may not use all of the areas depending on the organization and the changes needed.
Organizational history: Taking the time to research where the organization has been will help the consultants to understand where the organization should be in the present and also in the future. Organizational mission: Any suggested changes should be proposed with the mission in mind to ensure that they support the mission further. Organization strategy: The entire organization should be considered since the operations of the entire organization need to be addressed in order to keep the strategic plan in place. Organization structure: The structure will impact how the change process takes place and who is involved. Organization relationships: The relationship of the organization to the industry, the community, the suppliers, and other stakeholders will be reviewed. Organizational performance: Organizational performance will be assessed against the best practices of the industry.
Part II: For this portion of the assignment, you will begin to conduct the comprehensive organizational assessment for your chosen organization. Using Table 1.1 (p. 7) in your textbook, prepare a similar table, and submit the organizational assessment for your organization. After completing the table, provide a narrative summary of the results of the assessment and what the next steps should be in resolving the issues/problems found. For this assignment, you only complete the assessment; the discussion of data collection will be coming in later units. Part II should be two pages in length.
Your submission should be a minimum of three pages in length and include at least two scholarly sources. APA Style should be used th
