Organizational Behavior and Urban Politics

An introduction to the theory of the operation and behavior of public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Students will be introduced to the works of theorists such as Woodrow Wilson, Max Weber, Frederick Taylor, Chester Barnard, Robert Merton, Abraham Maslow, Douglas MacGregor, Frederick Moshier, Robert Dahl, and Charles Lindblom. Students will examine selected aspects of organizational operation including organizational decision-making, organizational culture, motivation and politics. The course will study human behavior in organizations at the individual and group level, including the effect of organizational structure on employees' performance. Issues such as diversity in the workplace, ethics, and social responsibility will be analyzed and specific problems discussed in detail. Case analyses are drawn from City and State agencies and contemporary political issues.