Calendar Description

An introduction to the theories, methods, findings and applications of industrial and organizational psychology. Topics to be covered include: personnel recruitment and selection, employee training and development, performance appraisal, work attitudes and motivation, leadership and group processes, and organizational design.

Antirequisites: Psychology 164, 265E, and the former 146, 160, 264.

Prerequisite: At least 60% in a 020 level Psychology course.

2 lecture hours, 2 tutorial hours, half course.

Please note that students are responsible for ensuring that they have completed the necessary prerequisites (and have not taken any of the antirequisites) for this course. Students who do not meet the registration requirements may be dropped from the course by the University Registrar.

Course Information

 Course Website:  psychology.uwo.ca/undergraduate/psych266a

Textbook

Levy, P. E. (2003). Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Understanding the Workplace. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. Second Edition.

Norris-Watts, C., & Levy, P. E. Study Guide. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company. (optional)

Course Objectives

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the field of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology. Upon completion of the course, students should be familiar with both the science and practice of I/O psychology. Discussion will focus on the critical evaluation of theory and research in major topics of interest to I/O psychologists (e.g., personnel selection, performance evaluation, motivation, leadership) as well as on the application of theory and research to improve productivity and quality of work life.

Evaluation

The course will be divided into three sections and there will be a test after each section. The first two tests will be held during class time (Monday, October 6 and Monday, November 10, respectively), and the third test will be held during the December examination period (date and time to be announced). The tests will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions on reading and lecture material covered in the relevant section. (Note. The format of make-up exams might be different.) Tests are not cumulative. Each test will account for one third of the final course grade.

Test and Examination Schedule

Lecture Schedule^§

^§ Topics will be discussed in the order presented here, but dates might vary slightly.

Policy on Cheating and Academic Misconduct

Students are responsible for understanding the nature and avoiding the occurrence of plagiarism and other academic offenses. Students are urged to read the section on Scholastic Offenses in the Academic Calendar. Note that such offenses include cheating on an examination, submitting false or fraudulent assignments or credentials, impersonating a candidate, or submitting for credit in any course, without the knowledge and approval of the instructor to whom it is submitted, any academic work for which credit has previously been obtained or is being sought in another course in the University or elsewhere. In writing scholarly papers, you must keep firmly in mind the need to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is the unacknowledged borrowing of another writer’s words or ideas. The following rules pertain to the acknowledgments necessary in academic papers: in using another writer’s words, you must both place the words in quotation marks and acknowledge that the words are those of another writer; in adopting another writer’s ideas, you must acknowledge that they are his/hers. If you are in doubt about whether what you are doing is inappropriate, consult your instructor or TA. A claim that “you didn’t know it was wrong” will not be accepted as an excuse.

The penalties for a student guilty of a scholastic offense may range from refusal of a passing grade in the assignment, refusal of a passing grade in the course, suspension from the University, to expulsion from the University.

Procedures for Appealing Academic Evaluations

The grounds for an appeal may be one or more of: medical or compassionate circumstances, extenuating circumstances beyond the appellant’s control, bias, inaccuracy, or unfairness. All grounds must be supported by a clear and detailed explanation of the reasons for the appeal together with all supporting documentation.

In the first instance, all appeals of a grade must be made to the course instructor as soon as possible after a mark is issued (informal consultation). In the event that the student is not satisfied with the decision of the course instructor, or if the instructor is unavailable to the student or fails to act, a written appeal must be made to the Department Chair. The deadlines for appeals to the Department Chair are January 31 for Fall Semester marks and June 30 for Winter Semester marks. If the response of the Department is considered unsatisfactory to the student, he/she may then appeal to the Dean of the Faculty in which the course or program was taken (with submission of written request). Only after receiving a final decision from the Dean may a student appeal to the Senate Review Board Academic. A Guide to Appeals is available from the Ombudsperson’s Office.

Policy on Attendance

Any student who, in the opinion of the instructor, is absent too frequently from class or laboratory periods in any course will be reported to the Dean (after due warning has been given). On the recommendation of the Department concerned, and with the permission of the Dean, the student will be debarred from taking the regular examination in the course.

Policy Regarding Makeup Exams and Extensions of Deadlines

Instructions for students registered in social science who are unable to write tests or examinations or submit assignments as scheduled.

If, on medical or compassionate grounds, you are unable to write term tests or final examinations or complete course work by the due date, you should follow the instructions listed below. You should understand that academic accommodation will not be granted automatically on request. Instructors are under no obligation to offer more than one opportunity to write a makeup exam. You must demonstrate to your instructor that there are compelling medical or compassionate grounds that can be documented before academic accommodation will be considered. Different regulations apply to term tests, final examinations and late assignments. Read the instructions carefully. In all cases, action must be taken at the earliest possible opportunity, preferably prior to the scheduled examination, test or assignment.

Term Tests

1. If you are unable to write a term test, inform your instructor (preferably prior to the scheduled date of the test). If the instructor is not available, leave a message for him/her at the department office.
2. Be prepared to provide the Academic Counseling Office and your instructor with supporting documentation (see below for information on documentation).
3. Discuss with the instructor if and when the test can be rescheduled.

N.B. The approval of the Dean is not required when rescheduling term tests.

Final Examinations

1. You require the permission of the Dean, the instructor, and the chair of the department in question to write a special final examination.
2. If you are unable to write a final examination, contact the Academic Counseling Office in the first instance to request permission to write a special final examination and to obtain the necessary form. You should also contact your instructor at this time. If your instructor is not available, leave a message for him/her at the department office.
3. Be prepared to provide the Academic Counseling Office and your instructor with supporting documentation (see below for information on documentation).
4. You must ensure that the Special Examination form has been signed by the instructor and department chair and that the form is returned to the Academic Counseling Office for approval.

N.B. Make sure you know the date, time and location of the special examination.

Late Assignments

1. Advise the instructor if you are having problems completing the assignment on time (prior to the due date of the assignment).
2. Be prepared to provide documentation, if requested by the instructor (see below for information on documentation).
3. If you are granted an extension, establish a due date. The approval of the Dean is not required if assignments will be completed prior to the last day of classes.
4. Extensions beyond the end of classes must have the consent of the instructor, the department chair and Dean. Documentation is mandatory. In these instances, please follow the procedure for Final Examinations above. A Recommendation of Incomplete form must be filled out indicating the work to be completed and the date by which it is due. This form must be signed by the student, the instructor, the department chair, Dean or the Dean’s representative in the Academic Counselling Office.

Other Issues

Short Absences

If you miss a class due to a minor illness or other problems, check your course outlines for information regarding attendance requirements and make sure you are not missing a test or assignment. Cover any readings and arrange to borrow notes from a classmate.

Extended Absences

If you are absent more than approximately two weeks or if you get too far behind to catch up, you should consider reducing your workload by dropping one or more courses. The Academic Counsellors can help you to consider the alternatives. At your request, they can also keep your instructors informed of your difficulties.

Documentation

Personal Illness:

If you consulted Student Health Services regarding your illness or personal problem, you should complete a Records Release Form at the Academic Counseling Office. This form will be forwarded to Student Health Services which in turn will provide confirmation of the problem to the Academic Counselor. At your request, the Academic Counselor will send confirmation to your instructor(s).

If you were seen by an off-campus doctor, obtain a certificate from his/her office. In either case, the doctor should provide verification of the severity of the illness for the period in question. Notes stating “For Medical Reasons” are not considered sufficient

In Case of Serious Illness of a Family Member:

Obtain a medical certificate from the family member's physician.

In Case of a Death:

Obtain a copy of the newspaper notice, death certificate or documentation provided by the funeral director.

For Other Extenuating Circumstances:

If you are not sure what documentation to provide, ask your instructor or an Academic Counselor.

N.B. Forged notes and certificates will be dealt with severely. To submit a forged document is a scholastic offense (see below) and you will be subject to academic sanctions.

Academic Concerns

You need to know if your instructor has a policy on late penalties, missed tests, etc. This information may be included on the course outline. If not, ask your instructor.

You should also be aware of attendance requirements in courses such as Business and English. You can be debarred from writing the final examination if your attendance is not satisfactory.

If you are in academic difficulty, check the minimum requirements for progression in your program. If in doubt, see your academic counselor.

If you are registered in Social Science courses but registered in another faculty (i.e., Arts or Science), you should immediately consult the Academic Counseling Office in your home faculty for instructions.