INLS
385: Information Use for Organizational Effectiveness
School of Information and Library Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Spring Semester 2015
CLASS TIME: Tuesday & Thursday 12:30 to
1:45pm
CLASS MEETING PLACE: 304 Manning Hall
|
INSTRUCTOR: |
Mohammad
Hossein Jarrahi, PhD |
PHONE: |
919-962-8364
(Office) |
|
OFFICE: |
200 Manning
Hall |
EMAIL: |
OFFICE HOURS: Each Tuesday from 2:00PM to
3:15PM or by appointment.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to some of the
organizational and management issues that shape the role of information and
knowledge in organizational contexts. It focuses on basic concepts in the way
that information, people, and technology interact to influence organizational
effectiveness.
INLS 385:
•
Provides an overview of concepts in the
study of information & knowledge and their use in organizations.
•
Creates a rich base of knowledge &
experience about human behaviors in organizations
•
Introduces principles of organizational
behavior (e.g., teamwork, leadership, and organizational change/innovation.)
•
Focuses on organizational implications
of information technologies and prepare students for dealing with change in
organizational contexts
•
Allows students to experience &
integrate fundamental organizational concepts through multiple case studies and
other assignments.
STRUCTURE
OF THE COURSE
The course will
comprise an overlapping cycle of reflection and action. The actions will include exercises, case
studies, and lots of readings. The
reflection will include class discussion, integrative essays, and group
projects. Students are expected to have
read assigned readings prior to the class.
We will focus
on some of the topics presented in a textbook that was adopted for the course.
The book is available at UNC Student Stores.
You may be able to buy it for less, new or used, at online book
stores. In addition, a number of
supplementary readings will be uploaded to the class Sakai site, so please
download Adobe Reader if you have not already done so.
We will form
and begin working in groups almost immediately.
With some variations, we will maintain these groups through most of the
semester. Your activities and behavior
within these groups will illustrate many of the principles of organizational
behavior that anchor the course.
SCHEDULE
You should regularly check the Sakai site for the course schedule and
assigned readings for each class. Please Note: Course schedule may change. The
Sakai version will always represent the official and up-to-date syllabus.
|
CLASS |
DATE |
TOPIC |
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENTS DUE |
GROUP ASSIGNMENTS DUE |
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1 |
8-Jan |
TH |
Introduction and overview |
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INFORMATION
AND ORGANIZATIONS |
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2 |
13-Jan |
T |
Information in organizational contexts |
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3 |
15-Jan |
TH |
The nature of knowledge |
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4 |
20-Jan |
T |
Knowledge management |
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5 |
22-Jan |
TH |
Knowledge sharing and seeking in organizations |
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6 |
27-Jan |
T |
Guest lecture (knowledge management) |
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PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS |
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7 |
29-Jan |
TH |
Groups and teams in organizations |
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8 |
3-Feb |
T |
Groups and teams in organizations (2) |
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Tower building (in class) |
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9 |
5-Feb |
TH |
Strategy |
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10 |
10-Feb |
T |
Learning and perception |
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11 |
12-Feb |
TH |
Leadership |
1st integrative essay due |
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12 |
17-Feb |
T |
Organizational diversity |
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13 |
19-Feb |
TH |
Personality and intelligence |
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14 |
24-Feb |
T |
Organizational communication |
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15 |
26-Feb |
TH |
Leadership |
Leadership presentation
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16 |
3-Mar |
T |
Organizational structure and design |
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17 |
5-Mar |
TH |
Organizational culture |
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10-Mar |
T |
Spring break (No Class) |
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12-Mar |
TH |
Spring break (No Class) |
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18 |
17-Mar |
T |
Organizational decision making |
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19 |
19-Mar |
TH |
Work processes and practices |
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24-Mar |
T |
iConference (No Class) |
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26-Mar |
TH |
Group work in class |
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20 |
31-Mar |
T |
Organizational structure and culture |
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Structure and culture presentation |
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21 |
2-Apr |
TH |
Informal networks and communities of practice |
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INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY AND ORGANIZATIONS |
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22 |
7-Apr |
T |
IT uses and organizations - Work system method |
2nd integrative essay due |
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23 |
9-Apr |
TH |
Group work in class |
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24 |
14-Apr |
T |
IT & strategy |
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25 |
16-Apr |
TH |
Emerging IT: Social media |
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26 |
21-Apr |
T |
Group presentations (work system assignment) |
Work system assignment |
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27 |
23-Apr |
TH |
Evaluation – Wrap-up |
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1-May |
F |
Final Examination (No class) |
Due 12:00pm |
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COURSE MATERIALS
Course materials include the textbook and additional course readings (to be posted
to the course site on Sakai).
Required texts: Organization Behavior (Hitt, Colella, and Miller, 2011,
3rd Edition - ISBN: 0470538532)
The older version is suitable, but the reading assignments will be based
on this version. One copy of the book is
on reserve in the SILS library and the book is available for purchase in the
UNC Student Stores
Other required readings will be provided on Sakai during the semester.
COURSE
WEBPAGE – SAKAI
Sakai will play a central role in this
course. The readings, handouts, this syllabus, and all other electronic
information about the course (including your grades) will appear on Sakai. In addition, both individual and group
assignments should be submitted to Sakai.
PARTICIPATION
AND CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Your
participation and thoughtful discussion of the various exercises will make the
class a successful learning experience. Since the class exercises and
discussion are an integral part of the course, your attendance at every class
is expected. If you will be unavoidably absent, please notify me before the
class (or as soon afterward as you can).
Any late assignment will incur a penalty of 25% of the grade for each
day late. If you have a recurring issue
which causes you to repeatedly miss assignments, you will need to provide the
relevant documentation from a medical practitioner, counselor, etc. If you are experiencing a personal problem,
disability, or lifestyle issue that will interfere with your attendance and
performance throughout the semester, I encourage you to contact me as soon as
possible.
There is no
educationally appropriate reason to
be “facebooking,”
tweeting,
or web-surfing during class
time.
You are welcome to
use
your digital device for note-taking and
to support in-class work.
As a common courtesy to us all, cell phones
and other electronic devices should be on “silent” mode. You should bring your laptops but they should
only be used for class purposes (i.e., not for checking email, surfing the web,
or working on other class assignments, etc.).
Please note that points may be deducted from your participation grade
for disruptive behavior such as texting, and inappropriate use of laptops, etc.
ASSIGNMENTS AND EVALUATION
In order to encourage participation in class activities, I have included an evaluation component for participation and involvement in class-time work. With reference to learning goals, the evaluation will include a set of group projects as well as individual integrative essays. Working on a system of 100 points total, different components will carry the following weights:
|
2 Integrative essays |
25 points |
|
Final exam |
20 points |
|
Group projects and presentations |
30 points |
|
Attendance / Participation / In-class Activities |
25 points |
|
Total |
100 points |
Integrative essays: These are individual assignments, where you will be required to synthesize material from the textbook or other sources. Assignments will be described in detail in the assignment section of Sakai. These may involve analysis of a case or a movie based on organizational concepts that we discuss. These should be typed, double-spaced (Times New Roman 12 point font).
Final examination: This will be a take-home exam and comprehensively assesses different aspects of the course. The final exam is similar to integrative essays in that it will require insights from your experiences during the semester and optimal application of organizational concepts. It therefore reduces the dependence on memorization. You will be given enough time at the end of the semester to complete this assignment and it is due in the final examination period.
Group work: These include a few group projects that motley result in PowerPoint presentations. You will work in groups to prepare presentations for the class. There will be no social loafing. In the end, you will get an opportunity to evaluate your fellow group members, and likewise be evaluated by them.
Attendance and Participation: The structure of this course is meant to engage and stimulate you. Your attendance and participation are therefore strongly encouraged, and will be rewarded. This includes attending classes, contributing to class discussions and activities, and working within your group. Your contribution will be judged not only on quantity, but quality and consistency as well. Your participation and attendance will fall in one of the following categories:
a) You attend regularly and frequently have thoughtful things to say.
b) You attend regularly and speak often (and on topic).
c) You attend regularly but rarely speak.
d) You attend sporadically and do not contribute.
e) You have exceeded the maximum number of allowed unexcused absences.
You are required to attend all but two of the classes; in other words, you can miss two classes without penalty. Two points will be deducted for missing a third class and four points will be deducted for missing a fourth class, fifth class, etc.
LETTER GRADES
The numeric total will translate into a letter grade according to the following
scheme:
|
Letter |
Points |
What it means |
|
A |
95-100 |
Clear excellence:
Student performance demonstrates full command of the course materials that
surpasses course expectations. In INLS 585, this means that the student has
contributed on a regular basis to the in-class activities and the discussion
forums with insightful comments supported by professional literature beyond
that provided by the basic required readings. Command and understanding of
the subject is demonstrated in the written assignments and the mid-term
examination. The H student initiates issues discussions, leads in summary and
conclusions, and shares knowledge with classmates. Leadership and initiative
are demonstrated throughout the semester. |
|
A- |
91-94 |
Satisfactory:
Student performance meets designated course expectations, demonstrates
understanding of the topics across the entire semester and supports this
understanding with the required readings. The students participates in both
in-class and forum discussions with relevant comments. |
|
C+ |
77-79 |
Unsatisfactory Work:
Student performance demonstrates incomplete or inadequate understanding of
course material and/or is frequently absent. |
|
F |
< 60 |
Failing: Student may continue in program only with
the permission of the dean |
|
IN |
|
Work Incomplete:
A grade of incomplete may be taken only because of illness or special
circumstances and only with the permission of the instructor. |
UNIVERSITY-WIDE
POLICIES
Student Religious Observance Policy: UNC recognizes the diverse faith traditions represented and
supports the rights of faculty, staff,
and students to
observe according to
these. A more detailed student
policy can be found at
http://equalopportunity-ada.unc.edu/accommodations/religious-accommodations/ . Under this
policy, students are provided an opportunity to make up examination, study, or
work requirements that may be missed due
to religious observance.
Please notify the instruction before the end of
the second week of classes.
UNC Honor System: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has had
a student-administered honor system and judicial system for over 100 years.
Because academic honesty and the development and nurturing of trust and
trustworthiness are important to all of us as individuals, and are encouraged
and promoted by the honor system, this is a most significant University
tradition. More information is available at
http://www.unc.edu/depts/honor/honor.html. The system is the
responsibility of students and is regulated and governed by them, but faculty share the responsibility and readily commit to its
ideals. If you have questions about you responsibility under the honor code,
please bring them to me or consult with the Office of the Dean of Students. The
web site identified above contains all policies and procedures pertaining to
the student honor system. We encourage your full participation and observance
of this important aspect.
Diversity Statement: If you feel you may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, please contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. Also, please contact UNC Disability Services at (919) 962-8300 or disabilityservices@unc.edu at the Student and Academic Services Buildings, located in Suite 2126, 450 Ridge Road, to formally coordinate accommodations and services.
In support of the University’s diversity goals and the mission of the School of Information and Library Science, SILS embraces diversity as an ethical and societal value. We broadly define diversity to include race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, religion, social class, age, sexual orientation and physical and learning ability. As an academic community committed to preparing our graduates to be leaders in an increasingly multicultural and global society we strive to:
· Ensure inclusive leadership, policies and practices;
· Integrate diversity into the curriculum and research;
· Foster a mutually respectful intellectual environment in which diverse opinions are valued;
· Recruit traditionally underrepresented groups of students, faculty and staff; and
· Participate in outreach to underserved groups in the State.
The statement represents a commitment of resources to the development and maintenance of an academic environment that is open, representative, reflective and committed to the concepts of equity and fairness.