Overview of the origins, scope, and development of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, highlighting its role in understanding workplace behavior. Assessments: None assigned.

Examination of research methods and ethics in studying behavior at work. Assessments: Prepare for upcoming reflection assignment next week.

Study of reliable and valid selection procedures supported by job analysis and competency modeling to ensure fair and effective hiring decisions. In-Class Debate: “People learn more from real-life experience than from experiments.” Connection: Links research-based hiring tools with the value of real-world learning in organizational decision-making. Assessment Assigned: Individual Reflection: Fair and Effective Hiring Assessment Due: Session 4 (February 26) Debate Reflection: Due within 48 hours (by February 21)

Job Attitudes: Satisfaction, Commitment, Engagement Assessing Work Performance: Measurement, Feedback, and Evaluation Description: Exploration of how employee attitudes influence performance and how organizations evaluate effectiveness. Assessment Due: Individual Reflection No Debate This Week.

Employee Training and Development: Designing Effective Programs Leadership Theories and Styles (Group Project Assigned) Description: Examination of training design and leadership models supporting learning and effectiveness at work. Ongoing: Students begin Group Presentation Project. No Debate This Week

Description: Exploration of shared values, norms, and their impact on employee motivation and cohesion. In-Class Debate: “Every workplace should have one clear set of rules for everyone.” Connection: Encourages discussion on cultural uniformity versus diversity and flexibility in organizations. Debate Reflection: Due within 48 hours (by March 21).

Guest Speaker information: Lucie Bendová is a coach and psychology graduate student with a background in organizational psychology and crisis intervention. Her work focuses on helping individuals move forward in their personal and professional lives through coaching that integrates psychological insight with body-based awareness. Lucie has worked as an internal coach in a corporate environment in PwC and has also coached in a startup setting in Portugal, where she supported individuals in navigating growth, change, and professional development. She also has her individual 1:1 clientele, where she focuses on starting entrepreneurs and creators who need support navigating new careers. In her work, she is particularly interested in how coaching can support well-being, self-awareness, and sustainable performance in organizational contexts.

Group Dynamics, Teams, and Communication in Organizations Organizational Change and Development: Managing Transitions and Resistance Description: Study of teamwork, communication, and effective management of organizational transitions. In-Class Debate: “Conflict in teams is always a bad thing.” Connection: Explores functional vs. dysfunctional conflict and its role in team innovation and change. Assessment Assigned: Case Study Analysis: Leadership in Action Debate Reflection: Due within 48 hours (by April 11).

Decision Making in Organizations: Individual and Group Processes Organizational Structure and Design: Hierarchies, Networks, Virtual Teams Description: Analysis of how decisions are made and how structure influences efficiency and collaboration. Assessment Due: Group Presentation Project (presented in class) Case Study Analysis: Ongoing work. No Debate This Week.

Occupational Health and Well-Being: Stress, Burnout, Work-Life Balance Diversity and Inclusion: Cultural Influences in Workplaces Description: Study of psychological well-being and inclusion at work; strategies to prevent burnout and promote health. In-Class Debate: “Working from home makes people less stressed and happier.” Connection: Examines autonomy, work-life balance, and isolation effects of remote work. Assessments: Case Study Analysis Due Creative Project: Design for Well-Being presented in class Debate Reflection: Due within 48 hours (by April 25).

Description: Exploration of ethical leadership and social responsibility as part of organizational sustainability. No Assignments or Debates.

Description: Examination of global and cross-cultural workplace psychology practices. In-Class Debate: “Companies should care more about people than about profit.” Connection: Links to global ethics, human-centered leadership, and social impact. Debate Reflection: Due within 48 hours (by May 9).

Description: Comprehensive assessment of major theories, models, and applications in Work Psychology. Assessments: Final Exam (in class).