The WPS Curriculum

36 credit hours (12 courses) total are required to complete this degree as outlined below. Students must also complete ODU general education requirements and either a approved cluster and/or a minor in another field (download this form). 

IDS Core courses	6 hours required (2 courses)	C	R
Course #	Title
IDS 300W	Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies: Theory and Concepts
	IDS Senior Integration Project (choose one)
IDS 368	Internship (Guidelines)
IDS 493	E-Portfolio (Sample course syllabi)
IDS 497	Individualized Senior Project (Outline)
	Subtotal:
UNDERSTANDINGS	9 hrs minimum (3 courses)
Course #	Title
CRJS 395 *NEW*	Topics: Crime in the Workplace
COMM / POLS 395	Internet Policy
ECON 407	Labor Economics
ENGL 371W	Communications Across Cultures
ENGL 395 *NEW*	Topics: Perspectives on Work in Literature
HIST 355	The United States 1945-1991
MGMT 325	Contemporary Organizations and Management
MGMT 350	Employee Relations: Problems and Practices
MGMT 360	Labor Management Relations
MGMT 451	Organizational Behavior
OTS 370T	Technology and Society
Phil 303	Business Ethics
Phil 304	Marxism
Phil 395/495	Philosophy of Work
PSYC 345	Organizational Psychology
SOC 415	Sociology of Work and Occupations
SOC 495	Perspectives on Organizational Behavior
SOC 495	Sociology of Work, Family and Children
WMST 390T	Women and Technology Worldwide
Equivalencies:	Title
	Subtotal:
APPLICATIONS	9 hrs minimum (3 courses)
Course #	Title
COMM 303*NEW*	Public Relations in the Communication Industries
COMM 351	Interpersonal Communication in Organizations
COMM 355	Organizational Communication
COMM 421	Communication and Conflict Management
ENGL 371W	Communications across Cultures
ENGL 334W	Technical Writing
ENGL 335 *NEW*	Editing and Document Design
ENGL 354 *NEW*	Client Based Research Writing
ENGL 381	Public Relations
ENGL 435	Management Writing
ENVH 406 *NEW*	Principles of Occupational Safety and Health
ENVH 407 *NEW*	Occupational Safety Standards, Laws and Regulations
FIN 411	Employee Benefit Planning
HMSV 344 *NEW*	Career Development and Appraisal
MGMT 340	Human Resources Management
MGMT 417 *NEW*	Employment Law
OTED 400	Instructional Systems Development
OTS 351	Communication Technology
OTS 402	Training Methods
OTS 495	Topics on Occupational Technology
PSYC 303	Industrial / Organizational Psychology
PSYC 343	Personnel Psychology
PSYC 344	Human Factors
Equivalencies:	Title
	Subtotal:
ELECTIVES	12 hrs total (4 additional courses from above)
Course #	Title
	Subtotal:
	WPS Degree Total:
CLUSTER*/MINOR	9 hrs total for cluster / Varies for minor
Course #	Title

* 3 hrs (1 course) may apply to both your major and cluster requirement. See course descriptions for prerequisites.

Interdisciplinary Studies Core

IDS 300W. Interdisciplinary Theory and Concepts. Lecture and discussion 3 hours; 3credits. Co requisites: ENGL 111C, PHIL 111C or HIST 111C. Prerequisite: ENGL 110C. An examination of the history, concepts and application of interdisciplinary study. Includes an examination of similarities and differences among academic disciplines and the application of interdisciplinary approaches to a specific topic of study.

IDS 368. Internship in Interdisciplinary Studies. 1-3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing and permission of Individualized interdisciplinary studies program coordinator. An opportunity to integrate service and applied learning experience with interdisciplinary perspectives.

IDS 493. IDS Electronic Portfolio Project. 3credits. Prerequisites: IDS 300W and senior standing. The preparation of an electronic portfolio integrating the student's academic study, work experiences, skill identification and work products. Alternative formats are used for varying uses of the portfolio.

IDS 497, 498. IDS Individualized Senior Project. A total of 3 or 6 credits over one or two semesters. Prerequisites: IDS 300W, permission of the instructor and an approved IDS curriculum plan. This course is a vehicle for the execution of the senior project requirement of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program. The project and number of credits will be negotiated between the student, the department, and the faculty sponsors.

Understandings

CRJS 395, 396. Topics in Criminal Justice. Crime in the Workplace 3 credits. Prerequisite: CRJS 215S or permission of the instructor. A study of selected topics designed for non-majors or for elective credit within a major. These courses will appear in the course schedule, and will be more fully described in information distributed to all academic advisors.

COMM 395, 396. Topics in Communication. 1-3 credits each semester. Prerequisites: junior standing and permission of the instructor. A study of selected topics designed for non-majors, or for elective credit within a major. These courses will appear in the course schedule, and will be more fully described in information distributed to all academic advisors.

ECON 407/507. Labor Market Economics. Lecture and discussion 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: ECON 202S (or 200S and permission of the instructor) and junior standing or permission of the chief departmental advisor. Economic analysis of various facets of labor markets. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of labor supply, labor demand, wage determination, earnings differentials and inequality, occupational choice, human capital investment, labor market discrimination, mobility and immigration, impact of unions, and unemployment.

ENGL 371W. Communication Across Cultures. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: passing score on the Writing Sample Placement Test, three hours of composition or permission of the instructor. An interdisciplinary examination of intercultural communication through film and readings in anthropology, linguistics, and world literature, this course will compare the values, beliefs, social structures and conventions of a number of cultures to those of the U.S. This course is part of the World Cultures cluster.

ENGL 395, 396. Topics in English. Perspectives on Work in Literature 1-3 credits each semester. Prerequisites: passing score on the Writing Sample Placement Test and three semester hours in literature. A study of selected topics designed for non-majors or for elective credit within a major. These courses will appear in the course schedule and will be more fully described in information distributed to all academic advisors.

HIST 355. The United States, 1945-1991. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: HIST 101H, 102H, 103H, 104H or 105H. The history of the United States from the end of World War II to the end of the Cold War. The course focuses on domestic politics, social change, economic developments and international relations.

MGMT 325. Contemporary Organizations and Management. Lecture and discussion 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the chief departmental advisor. The fundamentals of the managerial process (planning, organizing, leading and controlling) are considered in the context of 21st century organizations. Topics are almost evenly split between macro and micro perspectives

MGMT 350. Employee Relations Problems and Practices. Lecture and discussion 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the chief departmental advisor. Examines personnel topics such as absenteeism, substance abuse, theft, gambling and counseling problem employees. Policies and practices used by organizations to anticipate and resolve these problems are explored and evaluated.

MGMT 360. Labor Management Relations. Lecture and discussion 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: MGMT 340, junior standing or permission of the chief departmental advisor. A contextual study of the trade union movement-its development, structure and processes. Emphasizes the impact of union organization on management practice and effectiveness in both private and public sector organizations.

MGMT 451. Organizational Behavior. Lecture and discussion 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: senior standing and MGMT 325 or permission of the chief departmental advisor. An interdisciplinary approach to the study of interpersonal relationships and problems encountered in managing employees. Topics include motivation, conflict, group behavior, and leadership.

OTS 370T. Technology and Society. (Writing intensive course) Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: junior standing or permission of the instructor. A multidisciplinary course designed to provide insight into the fundamental, historical, and contemporary nature of technology as an area of human knowledge. Attention is given to the positive and negative aspects of technology and how they affect society.

PHIL 303. Business Ethics. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: junior standing and three semester hours in philosophy or permission of the instructor. An intensive examination of ethical issues which arise in conducting business; an exploration of the principles underlying ethical decisions

PHIL 304. Marx and the Marxists. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing and three semester hours in philosophy, or permission of the instructor. Learning how to understand Marxism, yesterday and today, through readings, applications, exercises for discussion and projects.

PHIL 395, 396. Topics in Philosophy. 3 credits each semester. Prerequisite: junior standing or approval of the department chair. A study of selected topics designed for non-majors, or for elective credit within a major. These courses will appear in the course schedule, and will be more fully described in information distributed to all academic advisors.

PSYC 345. Organizational Psychology. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 303. This course emphasizes the study of human behavior in organizations. Topics include leadership, motivation, group behavior, communications, power and politics, and organization change.

SOC 415. Sociology of Work and Occupations. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: SOC 201S or permission of the instructor. The study of the social processes involved in the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services within various political economic systems. Includes the study of occupations and the nature of work.

SOC 495/595, 496/596. Topics in Sociology. 3 credits each semester. Prerequisite: SOC 201S or permission of the instructor. The advanced study of selected topics designed to permit small groups of qualified students to work on subjects of mutual interest, which, due to their specialized nature, may not be offered regularly. These courses will appear in the course schedule, and will be more fully described in information distributed to all academic advisors.

WMST 390T. Women and Technology Worldwide. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: three semester hours in the social sciences or history. An exploration of women as designers and users of technology and of the impact of technology on women's lives across the world. Variations in women's experiences by race, class, and culture will be stressed.

Applications

COMM 303. Public Relations in Communication Industries. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: COMM 200S or permission of the instructor. A study of interactions within and among communication workplaces and the public. Attention is given to the media, promotions, community relations, and public information.

COMM 351. Interpersonal Communication in Organizations. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing and COMM 200S, or permission of the instructor. Focuses on communication theory, research, and applications of a variety of forms of communication in organizational relationships. Topics include superior-subordinate communication, interviewing, and presentations with an emphasis on a diversity of perspectives and types of organizations.

COMM 355. Organizational Communication. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: COMM 200S or permission of instructor. Focuses on critical analysis of theory and research organizations as functional communication systems at the individual, dyadic, small group, and organizational levels. Topics include information processing, problem solving, impression management, compliance gaining, and network analysis.

COMM 421/521. Communication and Conflict Management. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing and COMM 200S or permission of the instructor. Focus on theory and research of communication processes in conflict episodes across social and personal relational contexts. Applications of communication approaches to conflict management emphasized.

ENGL 334W. Technical Writing. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: passing score on the Writing Sample Placement Test and 6-hour General Education composition requirement. This course provides the student with a working knowledge of various types of technical communication, including the writing of proposals, instructions, and reports for both the specialist and the non-specialist.

ENGL 335. Editing and Document Design. Lecture/lab 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: passing score on the Writing Sample Placement Test and six hours in English to include ENGL 334W or 380. This course provides practical experience in copy-editing and includes an analysis of technical formats used in journalism, business, industry, and government. It features hands-on lab work in document presentation, page layout, and design.

ENGL 354. Client-Based Research Writing. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: ENGL 110C and 111C. This is a client-based research course that aims to provide students with workplace research experience. The primary objective is to teach students the rhetorical nature of conducting and reporting research in professional contexts for multiple audiences. Research methods such as surveys, interviews, and observations will be covered.

ENGL 371W. Communication Across Cultures. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: passing score on the Writing Sample Placement Test, three hours of composition or permission of the instructor. An interdisciplinary examination of intercultural communication through film and readings in anthropology, linguistics, and world literature, this course will compare the values, beliefs, social structures and conventions of a number of cultures to those of the U.S. This course is part of the World Cultures cluster.

ENGL 381. Public Relations. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: passing score on the Writing Sample Placement Test and six semester hours in English. This course is designed to introduce the student to certain disciplines related to the public relations process. The emphasis is equally distributed between the handling of written materials and the dynamics of group relations, i.e., the publicist and the person or persons whom he or she is representing. The course is to be distinguished from advertising by virtue of its emphasis upon public service, particularly the continued need for the free flow of information in the democratic process.

ENGL 435W/535. Management Writing. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: passing score on the Writing Sample Placement Test and six semester hours in English, to include ENGL 334W or permission of the instructor. This course focuses on writing as a means of making and presenting management decisions

ENVH 406/506. Principles of Occupational Safety and Health. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing. A broad overview of the field of safety. A study of the factors influencing the occurrence of accidents and incidents is set in the context of safety legislation, current issues in the practice of safety and the ethical and professional responsibilities of the safety practitioner. The course also includes discussions of product safety, fire prevention and protection systems safety and human elements in loss prevention.

ENVH 407/507. Occupational Safety Standards, Laws and Regulations. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing. A review of the important Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Codes with particular emphasis on application of these codes to typical work situations. Governmental enforcement methodologies are also discussed.

FIN 411. Employee Benefit Planning. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: FIN 317 or equivalent and junior standing. This course considers the ability of group insurance and other private pooling mechanisms to alleviate the financial problems arising from death, disability, medical treatment and retirement. Primary emphasis on design, tax and administrative characteristics as they relate to employer sponsored benefit programs.

HMSV 344. Career Development and Appraisal. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Co requisite: HMSV 341. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor. Focuses on career development throughout the life span with emphasis on vocational theories, interventions, assessments, and socio-economic factors

MGMT 340. Human Resources Management. Lecture and discussion 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the chief departmental advisor. A study of the functional duties associated with personnel/human resource administration. Topics include human resource planning, selection, performance appraisal, training, discipline, wage and salary, occupational safety and health, equal employment opportunity, and labor relations.

MGMT 417/517. Employment Law. Lecture and discussion 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing and MGMT 325 or 602 or permission of the chief departmental advisor. An analysis of how the federal and state governments may regulate the employer-employee relationship. Topics include labor relations law, equal employment opportunity law, other current statutory employment law and common law employment issues.

OTED 400/500. Instructional Systems Development. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing. Students learn how to design and develop classroom instructional materials including career and technical education and training curricula and programs for youths and adults. Skills in this area include the selection and use of materials, including media and computers and evaluation of pupil performance. Training specialist students learn to develop instructional materials using the instructional systems design process. Career and technical education students learn to plan instruction, to implement competency-based and standards-based education, and to modify and use the Virginia career and technical education curriculum guides.

OTS 351. Communication Technology. Lecture 1 hour; laboratory 5 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor. A study of the development and impact of communication technology. Emphasis is placed on the integration of technical skills to produce information-based products such as print and telecommunications media.

OTS 402/502. Instructional Methods in Occupational Studies. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: junior standing. Designed to develop a student's ability to use basic instructional techniques and methods applicable to career and technical education, and adults in business, government, and industrial organizations. It involves videotaped microteaching demonstrations.

OTS 495/595. Topics in Occupational Education. 1-3 credits each semester. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. The department offers selected topics designed to permit small groups of qualified students to work in subjects of mutual interest, which, due to their specialized nature, may not be offered regularly.

PSYC 303. Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 201S or permission of instructor. An application of psychological principles and research to human behavior in work settings. Among the topics covered are personnel selection, training, and evaluation; employee motivation and job satisfaction; and organizational leadership and theory.

PSYC 343. Personnel Psychology. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 303. The application of psychological principles and research to the development and improvement of personnel subsystems in business and industry. Emphasis is placed on the assessment, selection and training of workers and manager. While not required, PSYC 317 is recommended.

PSYC 344. Human Factors. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: PSYC 318W. The application and evaluation of psychological principles and research relating human behavior to the design of tools, technology, and the work environment.