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Curricula and Courses

Plan of Study: A.S. Degree, B.S. Degree, B.S. Degree(898) Effective Fall 2004 | Minors available to OLS Majors | Minor in OLS Plan of Study | Course Catalog | OLS Selectives | OLS Electives | OLS Certificate | Disney College Program | Counseling Information

Course Catalog

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100-Level Courses

OLS 100 Introduction to Organizational Leadership 
Class 1, cr. 1. For organizational leadership and supervision freshmen only. 
Transitional course to orient the organizational leadership and supervision freshman to the department and Purdue. 

200-Level Courses

OLS 252 Human Behavior in Organizations 
Class 3, cr. 3. 
A survey of the concepts that provide a foundation for the understanding of individual and group behavior in organizations, with special emphasis on typical interpersonal and leadership relationships. 

 OLS 274 Applied Leadership 
Class 3, cr. 3.  An introduction to applied leadership in the context of organizational functions, structures, and operations. The focus of OLS 274 is to introduce the topic of applied leadership in the context of working organizations. Specifically OLS 274 serves as an introduction to organizational functions, structures, and operations. OLS 274 then takes the basic organizational knowledge learned in lecture and allows students to apply that information by analyzing actual organizations using the case study approach. In addition to introducing the basic functions, structure, and operation of organizations OLS 274 will help students consider the leadership challenges faced by organizational leaders. Additionally, OLS 274 intends to teach professional habits of mind that are critical for all organizational leaders such as a daily consumption of global business news.


 OLS 284 Leadership Principles 
Class 3, cr. 3. 
An in-depth study of a sequence of manager actions that influence employees to achieve desired performance results. How these manager actions are transformed by employers into desired performance is also covered. 

300-Level Courses

OLS 325 Meeting Management   
Class 3, cr. 3. 
Class 4, cr. 3. Prerequisite: COM 114. 
Understanding the role of facilitating group discussion in business and industry conferences. Special emphasis on developing group facilitation skills.

OLS 331 Occupational Safety and Health  
Class 3, cr. 3. 
A presentation of the aspects of occupational safety nd health that are essential to the first-line supervisor. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of the economic, legal, and social factors related to providing 
a safe and healthy work environment. 

OLS 345 Critical Thinking in Organizations 
Class 3, cr. 3.  Prerequisite: OLS 386 & 388
This course focuses on systems thinking and the understanding of research design and measurement theory used in solving organizational and human resource development problems. The emphasis is on applied methodology rather than on statistical issues, with the intent of the student becoming an effective consumer of information. The students will learn how to report findings in a practical and influential manner. Includes the importance of knowledge management issues in organizations.

OLS 351 Innovation and Entrepreneurship 
Class 3, cr. 3. 
An in-depth study of innovation in existing organizations as well as entrepreneurship in start-up businesses, franchises, family-owned firms, and other business formats. 

OLS 362 Cooperative Education Program 
Cr. 2. For organizational leadership and supervision majors only. (May be repeated for up to eight credits.) Instructor consent required. 
Supervised work experience directed toward professional development in supervisory or related leadership positions. Rotational work-study periods planned and coordinated by department staff in conjunction with the student and the employing organization. 
 
OLS 364 Professional Development Program 
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 375 and 376. For organizational leadership and supervision majors only. 
A survey course covering many professional and personal facets relative to entering the work force upon graduation. Major areas addressed include résumé preparation, interviewing techniques, development of job-search plans, social skills, and analysis of career fields and opportunities. 

OLS 375 Training Methods 
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 252 and 274. 
Principles, practices, and methods of employee training. Introduction to systematic training program design, development, and evaluation. Emphasis is on the supervisor as a trainer. 

OLS 376 Human Resource Issues 
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 252 and 274. 
Analysis and discussion of case problems concerning typical leadership and personnel situations that impact upon the supervisor/manager. Emphasis directed toward development of attitude, philosophy, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills within the working environment. 

OLS 378 Labor/Management Relations 
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 386 and 388. 
An introduction to, and overview of, the fundamental concepts of labor relations, collective bargaining, and dispute resolution procedures. An international comparative analysis is used to assess some of the legal, economic, and political structures of labor relations. 

OLS 386 Leadship for Organizational Change  
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 252 and 274.
A survey of the concepts that provide a foundation for the understanding of leadership and its relationship to the management of organizational change, with special emphasis on managing the human side of quality improvement. 

OLS 388 Leadership through Teams 
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 252 and 274. 
An in-depth study of self-directed work teams and team processes in the work setting with a view to understanding team functions under varying task conditions. Especially emphasized will be the leadership of teams for effective performance and maximum member satisfaction. This course deals extensively with maintenance and task behaviors of team members. 

400-Level Courses

OLS 440 Leading with Integrity  
Class 3, cr. 3.  Prerequisite: OLS 386 and 388.

An investigation of ethical problems in business practice. Topics include personal morality in profit-oriented enterprises; codes of ethics; obligations to employees and other stakeholders; truth in advertising; whistle-blowing and company loyalty; regulation; self and government; the logic and future of captialism. Emphasis on business law and legal impacts on ethical decision making.

OLS 454 Gender and Diversity in Management  
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 386 and 388. 
The work force of the future will represent multiple differences, including gender, race, culture, ethnicity, physical abilities, and age. Following this broad-based perspective of diversity, this course will focus on using knowledge of diversity to develop the leadership potential of individuals in organizations. 

OLS 456 Leadership in a Global Environment
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 386 and 388. 
Exploration of leadership strategiesf for organizations engaged in international business. Includes understanding of cultural differences and diverse business practices, and challenges of competing in a global marketplace.

OLS 467 Supervised Practicum

Class 3, cr. 3.Cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 386 and 388.
For organizational leadership and supervision majors only. Instructor consent required. Credit awarded upon the completion of  department-approved project. (May be repeated for up to six credits.)  An instructor-directed practicum designed to combine University study with work experience directly related to the student's plan of study. Designed to be scheduled during a regular semester. 

OLS 477 Conflict Management 
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 386 and 388. 
A study of the methods for dealing with inner-personal, interpersonal, and political disputes by means generally outside the traditional court system. Students will investigate the theoretical and practical aspects of conflict assessment, negotiation, problem solving, mediation, and arbitration. 

OLS 479 Staffing Organizations 
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 386 and 388. 
An applications-oriented study of key concepts in staffing organizations, including principles and issues in conducting job analysis; preparing job descriptions/ specifications; and screening/selecting employees. Special emphasis on the design, validation, and operation of high-volume staffing systems. 

OLS 484 Leadership Strategies for Quality and Productivity 
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: IT 342, OLS 386 and 388. 
A study of how organizational leaders create an environment conducive to high levels of employee self-motivation, quality, and productivity. Actual case situations are used to illustrate the application of course content. 

OLS 487 Leadership Philosophy  
Class 3, cr. 3. Prerequisite: OLS 386 and 388. 
A review of current managerial education and development theories and practices; discussions of fundamental social, economic, and political changes affecting business and the art of managing; implications of these changes for individual development and continued growth. Open to seniors and graduate students only. 

OLS 491 Internship Program 
Cr. 1-3. For organizational leadership and supervision majors only. Consent of instructor required. (May be repeated for up to six credits.) 
A practicum designed to combine University study with work experience directly related to the student's plan of study. 

OLS 499 Individual Research Problems 
Cr. 1-3. Prerequisite: instructor consent and departmental approval. (May be repeated for up to six credits.) 
Supervised individual research on appropriate topics. 
 

500-Level Courses

OLS 567 Supervised Field Practice in Industrial Training

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
An instructor-directed practicum designed to combine University study with service learning. Designed to be scheduled during a regular semester.

OLS 574 Managerial Training and Development

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
Review of current managerial education and development theories and practices; discussion of fundamental social, economic, and political changes affecting business and the work of managing; implications of these changes for individual manager development and continued growth.

OLS 576 Advanced Topics in Human Resource Management

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
Prerequisite: graduate student status or consent of instructor. An exploration of current topics in Human Resource Management.

OLS 577 Organization and Administration of Training and Development 
Class 3, cr. 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.) 
A study of issues in managing workforce training and development.  Emphasis is on productivity improvement through analyzing and designing training as an organizational strategy, as well as developing a learning organization. 

OLS 578 International HRM

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
An examination of current topics and issues in global resource management.

OLS 579 Emerging World-Class Leadership Strategies

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
The aim of this course is to expose the graduate student to the theoretical foundation and empirical research associated with emerging strategies and theories in world-class leadership. The structure of the course will be four fold. The first aspect will provide an element of discovery of critical leadership skills and behaviors through critical review of what leaders do. The second aspect will encompass the forms of leadership and discovery of critical leadership strategies - rethinking the sources of leadership. The third area researches situations and world-class leadership as it flourish, and the fourth and final area of the course will encourage self analysis and discovery of leadership strengths and weaknesses as measured against the skills and behaviors studied. Learning will be accomplished through lectures, exercises and research in world-class leadership.

OLS 580 Interpersonal Skills

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
Developing and improving interpersonal and group dynamic skills for effective for leadership in organizations. Emphasis on action learning and real-world application of skills.

OLS 581F Entrepreneurship

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
The objectives of this course are to teach students about the fundamentals of strategic planning, implementation, evaluation, and entrepreneurship. This course will use the case method with lectures and readings suited for a graduate student level of instruction.

OLS 581K Conflict Management

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
This course offers you a framework and knowledge to enhance your understanding and application of techniques and skills in the fast paced, changing environment of customer and employee-centered firms. It is designed to teach you the methods to productively manage organizational conflict and interpersonal conflict. You will investigate the theoretical and practical aspects of power, personality traits, conflict assessment, and problem solving with regards to appropriate strategies and tactics to accomplish your goals. This course will focus on union and non-union environments along with present day issues as a way to understand the complexity of interest-based disputes.

OLS 581N Leadership, Ethics and Public Policy

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
One of the most important challenges of this century is the crisis in ethical leadership and decision making. Ethics involves a social conscience - a deep and abiding personal commitment to act as a good steward over those things for which we are responsible, to cause no harm or injustice, and to promote that which is best for the welfare of humanity. This course is offered in response to a growing public awareness of the need to restore ethics in leadership, in technology and scientific advancement, and in public policy. Using the case study method, students examine current events and issues dealing with ethics and public policy and identify recommendations and considerations to guide leaders, scientists, engineers and public policy analysts in making ethical and socially responsible decisions. It challenges today's leaders in the public and private sectors to think globally, act responsibly, and lead with integrity.

OLS 581R International Employee Relations

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)

OLS 582 Leading Organizational Change

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)<br>This course explores issues in leadership and organizational change. Included are change theories, utilizing resistance to change, contemporary approaches to change, the future workplace, and researching best practices in organizational change.

OLS 583 Coaching and Mentoring in Organizations

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)<br>The development of personal and professional competencies in present and future leaders is critical to the success of technologically-driven organizations, businesses, and society as a whole. Personal development occurs because of individual drive and motivation but may be enhanced through well-thought out and executed coaching and mentoring strategies.
When managers and/or leaders routinely communicate a genuine interest in helping their employees develop, and combine this with positive evaluation skills, they create opportunities for learning. The coaching and communication skills that enable this process can also be used to develop highly effective mentoring programs that can enhance and facilitate employee socialization and advancement in the workplace. In this class, you will have the opportunity to identify coaching opportunities, enhance your communication skills, develop and implement coaching and mentoring strategies, and evaluate the outcomes of these strategies. Through case problems and role plays, you will hone your personal coaching mentoring skills and create both formal and informal mentoring programs within the organization of your choice.

OLS 590 Individual Research Problems in Supervision and Personnel

Cr 1-6. (Open to seniors and graduate students only.)
Opportunity to study specific problems in the field of supervision and personnel under the guidance of a qualified faculty member within the department. Does not include thesis work. Research projects are arranged through individual instructors.

OLS 623 Special Problems: Customer & Employee Relationships

Class 3, cr 3. (Open to graduate students only.)
Theory and practice in the development of comprehensive solutions to problems in industrial, technical, and human resource development environments. Solutions based on emerging procedures will be emphasized.

OLS 698 Thesis Research Work

Cr 6. (Open to graduate students in PhD program.)
Theory and practice in the development of comprehensive solutions to problems in industrial, technical, and human resource development environments. Solutions based on emerging procedures will be emphasized.

 

 

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