Courses
Adult and Organizational Development
5401. System Dynamics (3
s.h.)
Formerly 0502.
Frameworks for understanding dynamic social systems that form
the bases for research, assessment, planning, intervention
and evaluation of social entities are explored. Linear and
nonlinear theories will be examined especially as they may
be applied to group and organizational training and development.
5402. Communication and Conflict (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0508.
This course focuses on the role of communication in settings where there is an attempt to manage conflict among individuals or groups. Students study the major factors that influence conflict interaction and learn to apply conflict theories to interpersonal, group and organizational settings.
5403. Facilitating Adult
Learning (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0504.
This course examines teaching and learning transactions in
adult educational settings and the methods and techniques appropriate
for facilitating adult learning.
5404. Organizational
Communication (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0506.
Looks at the elements of constructive organizational culture.
Students learn to design and implement dispute systems to create
constructive conflict cultures. Change and learning processes
are studied to help navigate cultural and systemic change effectively.
5515. Conflict Resolution
in Education (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0515.
Educators need to know how to deveop safe and constructive
learning environments. Effective management of conflict in
educational settings and the creation of conflict competence
in strudents and staff are key. This course provides an overview
of search proven programs in conflict resolution education
in K-12 contexts.
5516. Negotiation Processes (3
s.h.)
Formerly 0516.
Prerequisite: AOD 506.
Negotiation is a critical skill in any professional or personal
context. This course teaches students to engage effectively
in cooperative and competitive orientations to negotiation
in dyadic and multiparty situations.
5518. Third Party Conflict
Intervention (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0518.
Prerequisite: AOD 508.
This course examines the various roles that third parties adopt
as they intervene in conflict in interpersonal, group or organizational
settings. Students learn the fundamentals of various third
party roles, including mediators, arbitrators, ombudspersons
and facilitators.
5522. Interpersonal Skills
Training (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0522.
This course examines training methods to develop interpersonal
and team effectiveness in the workplace. Skills included are
understanding others, clear communication, asserting needs,
exchanging feedback, influencing, resolving conflict, collaboration,
and shifting gears.
5524. Socio-cultural Dynamics (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0524.
This course examines contending frameworks for understanding conditions and dynamics of socio-cultural diversity, and scenarios for preferred outcomes. Contemporary and evolving issues of human diversity in our global, local and personal contexts are explored especially as these relate to professional practice.
5527. Training Design
and Deliver (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0523.
Prerequisite: AOD 504.
This course examines the design of training programs in public
and private sector organizations. Students will learn to design
active, experientially-based training programs.
5532. Leadership and Management (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0532.
This course addresses the theoretical understandings that guide appropriate implementation of professional managerial and facilitative roles in adult and organizational development. Students will gain increased clarity regarding contextually appropriate practice of both management and leadership.
5533. Team Development (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0533.
This course provides a comprehensive overview of group research and theory and explores how group or team development influences adult learning and organizational goal achievement. Students will become familiar with both basic and applied research in the area especially as these relate to change and/or learning contexts.
5534. Group Facilitation and Consultation (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0534.
This course focuses on the skills needed to assist groups and teams in their decision-making processes. Students learn both voting and consensus processes and they develop the skills needed to facilitate either approach to decision-making. The course also covers a range of specialized formats for assisting group decision-making such as brainstorming, nominal group technique, problem-solving, incrementalism and mixed scanning.
5535. Organizational
Assessment, Design and Strategy (3
s.h.)
Formerly 0531.
Prerequisite: AOD 502.
Through the exploration of theory, research and practice, this
course is designed to enhance understanding of models and methods
for assessing organizations, for strategic and focused planning,
and for the creation of alternative system designs that may
be employed to determine deliberate interventions.
5540. Current Topics in AOD (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0542.
The topics of this course vary. Its inclusion in the curriculum allows faculty and students to explore emerging issues in the field.
9187. Practicum in Adult
and Organizational Development (3
s.h.)
Formerly 0540.
This course provides students with the opportunity to translate
adult and organizational theory into practice by gaining experience
working in contexts in which change and learning are being
fostered. Students work under the auspices of the Training
and Development Center and are placed in a variety of contexts.
This course should be taken near the end of the student's program.
9231. Proseminar in AOD (3 s.h.)
Formerly 0600.
This capstone course provides students with the opportunity to design and complete a culminating project that applies the principles of AOD theory and practice.