The Houston Community College is an open admission, public institution of higher education offering associate
degrees, certificates, academic preparation, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities that prepare
individuals in our diverse communities for life and work in an increasingly international and technological society.
PSYCHOLOGY 2303 FALL 2005 INTERNET COURSE
BUSINESS PSYCHOLOGY
Instructor: Madeleine E. Wright, Ph.D.
Telephone 713-718-6861

Office Hours  MW 10:30-3:30 & TR 10:30-11:30
Room 207 JBW Central College
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course of psychological principles applied to the workplace. This course will introduce you to the
psychosocial, interpersonal and behavioral dynamics of people in organizations.
This course may be substituted for Psychology 2302

INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Madeleine Wright earned a B.S. degree from Wayne State University in Family Life Education and M.A. and
Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in Education. Dr. Wright currently serves as Chair of the Department of
Behavioral Science.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
This class is organized and presented in the Web CT format and students must master the following tools:
Mail
Discussion
Test Tools
Assignments
(students will only receive grades on assignments that are uploaded in the designated area
Help is available through the distance education help desk: (Ramiro.Chapa <ramiro.chapa@hccs.edu>).
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Understand the selection, motivation and training of workers.
2. Define stress and sources of stressors in the workplace.
3. Define sexual harassment and other cause of workplace distress.
4. Understand leadership and teamwork in the workplace
5. Understand organizational culture and climate.
6. Display knowledge of the communication process and conflict management techniques.
TEXT
DuBrin, A. Applying Psychology: Individual and Organizational Effectiveness. (2004) Pearson /Prentice Hall. ISBN
0-13-097115-4.
: http://hccs.bkstore.com
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
A zero will be given on any paper on which there is cheating. Information used from the textbook or web sources
should be put in your own words. Students must also include the reference and  page number or web source.
Verbatim (word for word from the book) copying is plagiarism.
DISABILITY POLICY
Please inform the instructors at the beginning of the semester if you have any documented disability that requires
instructional modifications
INCOMPLETE POLICY
The grade “I” may be given at the discretion of the instructor if the student has missed one assignment. The
student is responsible for contacting the instructor and arranging to complete the work the following semester. An
assignment will be considered missed if it is turned late.

NETIQUETTE

In an academic environment, respect for the thoughts.
feelings and experiences of class members is essential. The relative anonymity of the web environment amplifies
this necessity. Dr. Madeleine Wright reserves the right to drop students whose behavior is disruptive to the
learning process.
 
 COURSE OUTLINE
WEEK DATE READINGS & ASSIGNMENTS DUE DATES*
1.  9/26 Chapter 1 Foundations of Business Psychology
2.  10/3 Chapter 2  Perception, Learning, Values and Ethics Chapter 3 Major Sources of Individual Differences
3.  10/10 Chapter 4  Understanding YourselfExam I  (1-3) 10/14-16
1.  10/17 Chapter 5 Problem Solving and Creativity Chapter 6 Motivating Others and Yourself 
2.  10/24 Chapter 7 Achieving Wellness and Managing StressChapter 8 Managing Conflict and Anger EXAM II (4-6)
10/28-30
3.  10/31 Chapter 9  Building Workplace RelationshipsChapter 10  Coping with a Variety of Personalities WORK CASE
HISTORY 11/7
4.  11/7 Chapter 11  Communicating with People EXAM III (7-9) 11/11-13
5.  11/14 Chapter 12  Groups and Group Decision Making
6.  11/21 Chapter 13  Adapting to the OrganizationChapter 14   Leading and Influencing EXAM IV (10-12) 11/23-29
7.  11/28 Chapter 15 Achieving Personal Productivity Discussion Report 12/5/05
8.  12/5 Chapter 16  Achieving a Rewarding and Satisfying Career EXAM V (13-16) 12/9- 11
9.  12/12 Class Feedback 12/09-12
*The dates are subject to change, any changes will be posted on the class website. Detailed instructions for the
assignments will be given on the website
LEARNING ACTIVITIES

KEY TERM MASTERY
Students will systematically cover the text material by mastering core concepts from each unit.  These terms are
blackened and italicized in the chapters and the specific topics are covered in the list at the end of the syllabus.
EXAMINATIONS
Students will have forty-five minutes to answer multiple choice questions based on chapter core concepts online.
DISCUSSION & PARTICIPATION
Students are required to demonstrate communication skills by participating in discussions on one of the topics
posted. To earn credit for discussion participation each student must focus on the following:
1. Include a fact from the textbook.
2. Ask a question
3. Answer a question
 
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

Topic Discussion Report
Students are required to discuss one of the topics posted with other students (one or two others). to complete a
Topic Discussion Report. Students may select any one of the discussion topics listed based on interests. Students
may submit this 2 page report on or before the due date.

1. Title Page (Topic, Group members names) 5 points
2. Discussion Summary summarize the discussion. 45 points
3. References from the textbook, does the textbook support or contradict the text book? (cite pages) 50 points

Individual Work Case History
Each student will apply key terms from the textbook to a specific work problem. The directions are as follows:
Individual Work Case History

The purpose of this paper is to analyze your work life utilizing the case study approach and applying course
concepts to your work history.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Free writing:
Begin writing about your work life. You may write about a particular work situation, your work experiences, your
career path, aspirations or your work history. The secret of free writing is to continue writing without stopping
until you have completed five or six hand written pages. Free writing draws information from the right side of your
brain or the unconscious. Don’t try to structure this section, just keep writing everything that come to your mind
about working. (0-25 points)

2. Define and explain three concepts (these concepts may be from the key term concepts at the end of each
chapter) that apply to the situation or situations described in your free write.  (15 points.)

3. Describe a problem or challenge discussed in your free write. (5 points)

4. List two techniques (communication techniques, problem solving, etc.) from our text that would make the
situation better. (5 points)

5. Explain how these techniques could have been applied to your situation. (0-15 points)

6. Discuss reasons that these techniques were not used. (0-10 points)

7. Based on the information (site concepts & page numbers) you have gained this semester, describe changes you
would like to make in your work behavior to improve your career. (0-15 points)

8. Explain your reasons for targeting the areas for change in above. (0-10 points)

EVALUATION & GRADING*
Your final course grade will be calculated according to the following formula:
Core Concept Mastery Examinations    50%
Individual Work Case Study    30%
Topic Discussion Reports     20%
The grading scale at HCC is 90-100 A, 80-89 B, 70-79 C, 60-69 D, 59 and below F.
· Grading Assignments: Although this course provides you the opportunity to complete work early, your work will
be graded after the due date. Assignments are graded in the order submitted.
· Timing: technical difficulties are a reality with web-based courses. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE VERY LAST MINUTE.
The system inevitably goes down. This is particularly true during the end of the semester.

CHAPTER 1: Foundations of Business Psychology
CHAPTER 2: Perception, Learning, Values and Ethics

CHAPTER 3: Major Sources of Individual Differences
 

CHAPTER 4: Understanding Yourself
 

CHAPTER 5: Problem Solving and Creativity
 

CHAPTER 6: Motivating Others and Yourself
 

CHAPTER 7: Achieving Wellness and Managing Stress
 

CHAPTER 8: Managing Conflict and Anger
CHAPTER 9: Building Workplace Relationships
CHAPTER 10: Coping with a Variety of Personalities

CHAPTER 11: Communicating with People

CHAPTER 12: Groups and Group Decision Making
 

CHAPTER 13: Adapting to the Organization
 

CHAPTER 14: Leading and Influencing
 

CHAPTER 15: Achieving Personal Productivity
 

CHAPTER 16: Achieving a Rewarding and Satisfying Career