Course Syllabus
Course Title, Number, and Section:
- Course Title: Managing & Leading Organizations
- Course Number: SPEA V-236
- Semester: Fall 2026
- Section: 14717
Course Delivery Method:
- In-Person: Meeting twice per week for 16-Weeks (less holidays, special events)
- Canvas: Delivery for course materials and assignments
- Classroom: Experiential and active learning environment
Course Description:
V236 (Managing and Leading Organizations) at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) introduces domestic and global challenges of management in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors. This course examines a range of management concepts and how they can be applied in a contemporary setting. Topics include the organizational environment as well as employee attitudes, cognition, behavior, and performance.
Required Text:
- Your course fee includes the e-textbook, Management Fundamentals 10e: Concepts, Applications, Skill Development, by Robert N. Lussier – available as an e-book in Canvas.
- Please Note:
- I do not teach the textbook in chronological order. Please align your reading to what is indicated for each week (outlined in our course calendar/schedule later in our syllabus).
- Other complementary (required or optional) videos and articles will be posted in designated Canvas Module pages as “Preparation Prior to Class #XX.”
Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
At Indiana University, we believe that clearly defined student learning outcomes (SLOs or LOs) are the foundation for academic excellence and personal growth - aligned to the course description and goals. By articulating what students can expect to be able to do, we empower learners to engage creatively, think critically, and contribute meaningfully to research, innovation, and assessment work. These outcomes guide our shared commitment to student success and lifelong learning. Upon successful completion of V236, students can expect to be able to:
- LO1: Core Management Functions: Apply the core functions of management - planning, organizing, leading, and controlling - to organizational situations.
- LO2: Organizational Context (Structure & Culture): Evaluate how organizational structure and culture shape behavior and performance within organizations.
- LO3: Self-Awareness & Management Approach: Assess their own management and leadership style, including approaches to decision-making, stress, and creativity.
- LO4: Motivation, Power & Leadership: Analyze how motivation, power, and leadership influence individual and organizational performance.
- LO5: Communication & Team Dynamics: Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills in managing teams, including addressing conflict.
- LO6: Leading Change: Apply principles of change management to lead and manage organizational change efforts.
Grading System and Learning Impact - Specifications (Specs) Grading:
- An innovative grading strategy that prioritizes learning and empowers self-monitoring and investment.
- Satisfactory Work (SW): ≥ 80% of rubric criteria per quiz/assignment aligned to student learning outcomes.
- Unsatisfactory Work (UW): < 80% of rubric criteria per quiz/assignment aligned to student learning outcomes.
- Final Earned Grade Determination: Lowest earned grade bucket, across all buckets, drives (determines) overall course earned grade.
- TOKENS: These incentives allow for you to request a 48-Hour Extension or submit a reflection on UW earned within a timeframe.
Buckets and Assessments (Assignments) Within Specs Grading:
- Bucket 1: 9 Purposeful Progressions
- Bucket 2: 9 In-Class Imperatives
- Bucket 3: 8 Culminating Capstones
Eanred Specifications Grading Tiers/Matrix:
Please Note: The lowest one bucket earned, across the 3 buckets, drives (determines) your overall course grade. Learners may earn SW (higher hurdle rates) in some of the buckets, but if one bucket earns the criteria noted below, the overall course grade is aligned to that lowest one bucket earned.
| Section | Specs Grading Student Self-Monitoring Tool | Number of TOKENS = 1 | Number of Absences = 0 |
| 1 | Lowest 1 Bucket Earned, Across | All 3 Buckets Below, Determines Your | Overall Earned Grade for Our Course |
| Bucket 1 | Bucket 2 | Bucket 3 | |
| Earned Grade Matrix: | 9 Purposeful Progressions | 9 In-Class Imperatives | 8 Culminating Capstones |
| A Grade = | SW in 9 of 9 | SW in 9 of 9 | SW in 8 of 8 |
| B+ Grade = | SW in 8 of 9 | SW in 8 of 9 | not available to earn |
| B Grade = | SW in 7 of 9 | SW in 7 of 9 | SW in 7 of 8 |
| C Grade = | SW in 6 of 9 | SW in 6 of 9 | SW in 6 of 8 |
| D Grade = | SW in 5 of 9 | SW in 5 of 9 | SW in 5 of 8 |
| F Grade = | SW in ≤ 4 of 9 | SW in ≤ 4 of 9 | SW in 4 ≤ of 8 |
TOKEN System:
- Each student starts with 1 TOKEN
- Each student can earn additional TOKENS via optional experiential learning and learning outcome-aligned assignments (+1 TOKEN Optional Assessments) and select in-class leadership/experiential learning opportunities
- TOKEN use / criteria:
- 48-hour extension if requested prior to assignment due date/time
- 100-word reflection for UW earned on original submission (as a text entry in the applicable UW earned assignment on key learnings and missed opportunities) by new due date (towards the end of the semester) for submission, review, and regrade
Course Calendar (any changes will be shared):
| Week | Date | Class # | Topic and/or Book Chapter (What We Will Learn) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
8/25 |
1 |
Welcome! Partnership & Learning Goals |
|
1 |
8/27 |
2 |
IGNITE Presentations, Individual Development Plans (IDPs), & Specs Grading |
|
2 |
9/1 |
3 |
Ch 1: Management and Its History – Part 1 of 2 |
|
2 |
9/3 |
4 |
Ch 1: Management and Its History – Part 2 of 2 |
|
3 |
9/8 |
5 |
Ch 10: Organizational Behavior - Part 1 of 2 |
|
3 |
9/10 |
6 |
Ch 10: Organizational Behavior - Part 2 of 2 |
|
4 |
9/15 |
7 |
Ch 11: Motivating for High Performance – Part 1 of 2 |
|
4 |
9/17 |
8 |
Ch 11: Motivating for High Performance – Part 2 of 2 |
|
5 |
9/22 |
9 |
Ch 12: Leading With Influence |
|
5 |
9/24 |
10 |
Ch 5: Strategic and Operational Planning |
|
6 |
9/29 |
11 |
Ch 9: Human Resource Management |
|
6 |
10/1 |
12 |
Critical Incident Memo #1 & EXAM #1 Workshop |
|
7 |
10/6 |
13 |
EXAM #1 |
|
7 |
10/8 |
14 |
NO CLASS |
|
8 |
10/13 |
15 |
Ch 13: Communication, IT, and EQ – Part 1 of 2 |
|
8 |
10/15 |
16 |
Ch 13: Communication, IT, and EQ – Part 2 of 2 |
|
9 |
10/20 |
17 |
Ch 7: Organizing and Delegating Work |
|
9 |
10/22 |
18 |
Ch 8: Managing Teamwork |
|
10 |
10/27 |
19 |
Ch 4: Creative Problem-Solving and Decision Making |
|
10 |
10/29 |
20 |
Critical Incident Memo #2 & IDP Workshop |
|
11 |
11/3 |
21 |
Ch 6: Managing Change, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship |
|
11 |
11/5 |
22 |
Ch 14: Managing Control Systems & EXAM #2 Prep |
|
12 |
11/10 |
23 |
TA Led Class - Workshop Style |
|
12 |
11/12 |
24 |
EXAM #2 |
|
13 |
11/17 |
25 |
IDP & Team Case Study Report Workshop |
|
13 |
11/19 |
26 |
NO CLASS |
|
14 |
11/24 |
27 |
NO CLASS |
|
14 |
11/26 |
28 |
NO CLASS |
|
15 |
12/1 |
29 |
Team Case Study Presentation Workshop |
|
15 |
12/3 |
30 |
Team Case Study IGNITE Practice Presentation |
|
16 |
12/8 |
31 |
Team Case Study IGNITE Final Presentation |
|
16 |
12/10 |
32 |
Class Celebration & Sustainability Planning |
Course Assessments Aligned to Learning Outcomes (LOs):
| Weeks | Assessments | Due Date |
| Rotational | Individual "IGNITE" Presentations (due day before rotation day) | Student Rotational Day |
| Course Long | Attendance & Professionalism (final evaluations by 12/08) | Course Long |
|
1 |
In-Class Activity #1: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 8/27 |
|
2 |
In-Class Activity #2: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 9/1 |
|
2 |
Knowledge Check #1: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 9/3 |
|
3 |
Knowledge Check #2: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 9/10 |
|
4 |
In-Class Activity #3: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 9/15 |
|
5 |
Knowledge Check #3: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 9/22 |
|
5 |
In-Class Activity #4: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 9/24 |
|
5 |
Optional +1 TOKEN: 2 LinkedIn Learning Certificates & Video |
09/27/26 |
|
6 |
Knowledge Check #4: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 9/29 |
|
6 |
Critical Incident Memo #1 (Capstone) |
10/04/26 |
|
7 |
EXAM #1: Chapters 1, 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12 (Capstone) |
Due in Class, 10/06 |
|
8 |
Mid-Semester Student Course Survey |
10/18/26 |
|
8 |
Knowledge Check #5: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 10/15 |
|
8 |
Optional +1 TOKEN: Career Coach Appointment & Reflection |
10/18/26 |
|
9 |
In-Class Activity #5: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 10/20 |
|
9 |
Knowledge Check #6: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 10/22 |
|
9 |
Optional +1 TOKEN: Legacy Learning Group Testimonial |
10/25/26 |
|
10 |
In-Class Activity #6: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 10/27 |
|
10 |
In-Class Activity #7: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 10/29 |
|
10 |
Optional +1 TOKEN: Creation of New Spring 2027 +1 TOKEN Assignment |
11/01/26 |
|
11 |
Knowledge Check #7: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 11/03 |
|
11 |
Knowledge Check #8: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 11/05 |
|
11 |
Critical Incident Memo #2 (Capstone) |
11/08/26 |
|
11 |
Optional +1 TOKEN: Spring 2027 V236 TA Position |
11/08/26 |
|
12 |
EXAM #2: Chapters 4, 6, 7, 8, 13, and 14 (Capstone) |
Due in Class, 11/12 |
|
13 |
IDP (Capstone) |
11/19/26 |
|
13 |
Team Case Study Report (Capstone) |
11/19/26 |
|
15 |
In-Class Activity #8: Due In Class |
Due in Class, 12/01 |
|
15 |
Team Case Study IGNITE Practice 12/03 Presentation Day (Capstone) |
12/01/26 |
|
15 |
Team Case Study IGNITE Final 12/08 Presentation Day (Capstone) |
12/06/26 |
|
16 |
Student Evaluation of Course |
12/14/26 |
| * "Ignite Presentations": 2 Students per class numbers: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25 | ||