Business Courses

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Address as human resource management issues the relevance of managers becoming familiar with warning signs of substance abuse problems in employees.

Assign students the task of developing an employee assistance program to provide assistance for employees with substance-related problems (which could prove cost effective for the company as well).

In the context of discussing or practicing problem-solving and assertiveness skills (relevant to effective management), note the application of these skills to social situations in which pressure to drink excessively or use elicit drugs may be present.

 

A COURSE MODULE FOR ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR
http://www.virginia.edu/case/curriculum/currbus.htm#instruct

The students in my organizational behavior class are primarily business administration majors. They take my course in order to learn about management of organizational behavior. As a general approach, I intend to teach the module from an organizational and managerial perspective. In other words, I would ask the students to think of themselves as "future managers" in organizational settings who are expected to be knowledgeable about issues of, and relatively competent in recognizing and preventing, alcohol and drug use and dependency in individuals. Thus, I would pursue an indirect approach in teaching the students to be aware of the likelihood of their own addiction to alcohol and drugs, and how to prevent their own dependency problems.

Week #
Description...
I (session one) Pre-testing:
a)Standardized(program's instrument.)
b)Module's specific passage underlining method (see below, section V)
I (session two) Pre-testing (continued):
c) Module's specific verbal discussion and analysis method (see below, section V).An introductory lecture by the instructor on the relevance and significance of the topic of drug use and dependency to the management of organizational behavior.
2 (two sessions) Dramatization: Showing students the detrimental and damaging effects and consequences of drugs and substance abuse on the user's physical and mental health, family, and organization. Teaching tools: slides, film, live appearance of former drug users.
3 (two sessions) There's Hope:
a) Showing students that drug dependency is not insurmountable, and it can be prevented.
b) Showing students the positive effects that follow the drug prevention cases at individual organizational and societal levels.
c) Dividing the class into small groups to discuss how they can prevent drug dependency by their future employees in organizations.
4 (two sessions) Discussion of Assignments:
a) Readings will be assigned from a list.
b) As a term project, each student will be asked to interview both a real world manager, and an employee (worker),abouttheirknowledge, awareness, experience and competence in confronting the individual (including seft) cases of drug dependency and prevention.
c) As a class project, the entire class will be asked to prepare andeodectcartoondrawingsthat illustrate the problems of drug use in society and organizations. Students will be presenting these cartoons to other university students and officials in a special exibit during week 11.
4 & 5 (four sessions) Knowledge Generation:
Specific information oriented lecturing with regard to types of drug dependency, its causes and effects. Teaching tools: slides, films, and transparencies.
6 (two sessions) Discussion, Catch-Up, Clarification etc...:
 
7 (one session) Field Trip:
To relevant organizations and/or government agencies (e.g., state agencies involved in drug prevention programs). (this may occur after weeks 8 & 9)
8 & 9 (four sessions) Prevention Information and Skills:
Lectures on drug prevention methods, strategies, and programs. Teaching tools: slides, films, role playing, in-class practices, speakers.
10 (two sessions) Discussion, catch-Up, clariti-eadon, etc..
 
I I (one session) Cartoon Exhibit Day
12 (two sessions) Individual Interviews:
Instructor will interview each class student about the drug use and prevention issues.
13 (two sessions) Student Presentations:
Students will present the results of their interviews to the class. To enhance the significance of the occasion, real world managers, along with some university officials will be asked to attend student presentations.
14 (two sessions) Post-Testing:
 

The methods and procedures used in pre-testing will be repeated in post-testing.

 

 

MARKETING

Market research techniques could be used by students in conducting a study of factors predicting college students purchasing of various types and brands of alcohol.

Develop, conduct, and analyze a plan to market the elimination of drug abuse on a College Campus.

Research the legal and ethical issues in the marketing of alcohol and tobacco, especially to underage consumers and target groups such as African Americans and women.

Have the students discuss what happens in the workplace and the effects of doing drugs or having an alcohol problem (i.e. sick days, tardiness, health care, work quality).

 

 

SAMPLES ACROSS CLASSES

Organizational Behavior" -   Hamid Akbari 
This "Organizational Behavior" module will ask students to think of themselves as future managers in organizational settings where they will be expected to be knowledgeable about issues of and competent in recognizing and preventing alcohol and drug use and dependency in employees.  The module uses film, slides, small group discussions, readings, interviews with managers and employees, and student oral presentations.

"Personnel Administration" -  Allen Shub
As opposed to a module that is covered in only one segment of the course, this module covers material that can be infused throughout the Personnel Administration course.
 The module will infuse material into the course units on Recruitment, Selection Devices, Performance Appraisal, Work Stress, and Termination.  The format will combine a lecture, discussion, and case approach to providing knowledge of the cost of substance abuse on one's present or future employment and that the user had best get help to eliminate the problem.  Also, since drug and alcohol use is a perceived consequence of stress, some material will be presented on reducing daily work stress through more acceptable means.

"Financial Management" -  Rasoul Rezvanian 
Financial Management is a course in the College Of Business and Management.  The prevention module will enhance the students' awareness of substance abuse within the context of business and economics.  The message will be delivered through a combination of short lectures, library research and small group discussions.  This module will encourage alcohol and drug prevention by 1) examining the magnitude of productivity loss at both macro-economic and form levels, and 2) analyzing the negative effect of dependency on individual's productive efficiency.

"Management Information Systems" -
Andy Chen
 
Management Information Systems (MIS 350) is an introductory course for all students who want to major in business.  These students will be in the business of serving or managing people.  Thus their knowledge of alcohol and substance use/abuse may enable them to prevent development of alcohol/drug dependency in them or in their employees.  This course will utilize computers, decision support systems, and group problem solving techniques for implementing the module.  By the end of the semester, the students should know about the negative impact of drug dependency on a person's job security, promotion opportunities, and general health.  

"Principles of Marketing" -  Anil Pandya 
Principles of Marketing is a core course in the College of Business and Management.  The course provides a unique opportunity to infuse drug and alcohol prevention messages in the curriculum.  As a discipline marketing teaches how to design products and messages and create and mold opinions about a vast range of products, services, ideas and people.  The drug and alcohol prevention module provides an active opportunity to instruct students how to infuse value based ideas (anti substance abuse messages) in the target segment.  

 

Organizational Behavior
Students role-play or think of themselves as a future manager in organizational settings where they will be expected to be knowledgeable about issues of and competent in recognizing and preventing alcohol and drug use and dependency in employees.

 

Look at area EAP (Employee Assistance Programs) in the community.

 

Invite presenters from community agencies that have been affected by substance abuse.