Organizational Leadership and Supervision Course Descriptions
OLS 252 Human Behavior in Organizations (3 cr.) 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 (3 cr.) Introduction to, and overview of,
the fundamental concepts of leadership and supervision. Emphasis is placed on the supervisor's
major functions and essential areas of knowledge, relations with others, and personal
development.
OLS 331 Occupational Safety and Health (3 cr.) A presentation of the
aspects of occupational safety and health that are essential to the first-line supervisor.
Emphasis is placed on developing and understanding of the economic, legal and social factors
related to providing a safe and healthy work environment.
OLS 351 Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3 cr.) 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 364 Professional Development Program (3 cr.) P: OLS 386 and 388.
A survey course covering many professional and personal facets relative to entering the work
force upon graduation. Major areas addressed include resume preparation, interviewing techniques,
development of job-search plans, social skills, and analysis of career fields and opportunities.
OLS 375 Training Methods (3 cr.) P: OLS 386 and 388. Principles,
practices, and methods of employee training. Introduction to systematic training program design,
development and evaluation.
OLS 376 Human Resource Issues (3 cr.) P: OLS 386 and 388. 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 (3 cr.) P: 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 284/384 Leadership Process (3 cr.) 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.
OLS 454 Gender and Diversity (3 cr.) P: 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 467 Supervised Practicum (3 cr.) P: OLS 386 and 388. 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 325/474 Meeting Management (3 cr.) P: COMM R110. Understanding
the role of facilitating group discussion in business and industry conferences. Special emphasis
on developing group facilitation skills.
OLS 477 Conflict Management (3 cr.) P: OLS 386 & 388 or consent of
instructor. 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 (3 cr.) P: 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 (3 cr.)
P: STAT, OLS 386 & 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 388/485 Leadership through Teams (3 cr.) P: 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.
OLS 386/486 Leadership for Organizational Change (3 cr.) P: 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 487 Leadership Philosophy (3 cr.) P: 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.
OLS 499 Individual Research Problems (1-3 cr.) P: Instructor consent
and departmental approval. Supervised individual research on appropriate topics.