TEAM PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC 301)

OVERVIEW

1. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of teamwork and team dynamics with a focus on real world scenarios and application. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively participate in, lead, and manage teams. The course includes regular review sessions and case studies, allowing students to consolidate their learning and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.

2. REASON FOR THE COURSE

Accountants must be able to work effectively in teams because the field of accountancy often involves collaborative efforts. Whether it’s working with other accountants on a complex audit, collaborating with different departments within a company to gather necessary financial information, or partnering with clients to provide financial advice, teamwork is a crucial skill.

3. STUDY HOURS

4. ROLE IN CURRICULUM

Prerequisites:
Psychology (PSYC 101) is a prerequisite for this course.

SKILLS

  • COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)
  • ASSESSMENT AND GRADING
  • TEACHING METHODS
  • STUDY PLAN
  • TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

5. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Knowledge Level of Learning Related
PLO
Discuss Teamwork Theories and Dynamics (CK1)
Discuss the main theories on teamwork		 Understand PIP1
Cognitive Skills Level of Learning Related
PLO
Evaluate and Improve Team Performance (CC1)
Evaluate Team Performance and techniques for effective decision making, communication and conflict resolution.		 Evaluate PIP1
Apply Strategies to Manage Diversity in Teams (CC2)
Apply strategies to manage group processes influenced by (cultural) diversity in teams.		  Apply PIP1
Communication, Information Technology, and Numerical Skills Level of Learning Related
PLO
Demonstrate Communication Skills (CCIT1)
Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills in team settings.
 Apply PCIT3
Interpersonal Skills and Responsibilities Level of Learning Related
PLO
Weigh in Own Influence on Team Process (CIP1)
Weigh in your own interpersonal behavior in teams to prevent miscommunication and strengthen the team process.
 		 Evaluate PIP2

6. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING

Grades will be determined based on the following assessments and score allocations:

SKILL Assessment Skill Weighting for Grade
Participation Case Studies Assignment Final Exam
Discuss Teamwork Theories and Dynamics (CK1) 30% 70%     20%
Evaluate and Improve Team Performance  (CC1) 30% 30%  40%    20%
Apply Strategies to Manage Diversity in Teams (CC2) 30%  30%   40%  20%
Demonstrate Communication Skills (CCIT1) 20%   40% 40%  20%
Weigh in Own Influence on Team Process (CIP1) 20%   40% 40%  20%

7. TEACHING METHODS

This course is primarily lecture based. Assigned readings will support topics covered in class. Lectures will have an emphasis on real world application of team work theories. Half of the lectures will be reserved for explaining and discussing theories and the other half will focus on group problems, case studies, group discussions and short kahoot reviews. Assessment of the learning outcomes will mainly be based on case studies, group problems as part of participation, assignment and final project.

During the term there will be one assignment.
Assignment ( CK1, CC1, CC2, CCIT1, and CIP1)

For this assignment students have to reflect on their own interpersonal behavior and put this in context of group dynamics. The assignment will be an essay describing one’s own team role preference according to the theory of Belbin and an analysis of the potential strengths and challenges this can give in teams when taking group dynamics into account.
Assignment Rubric:

8. STUDY PLAN

The course targets the 20 lessons in the study plan below. Each lesson is 1.5 class hours each; there are a total of 30 class hours. The study plan below describes the learning outcome for each lesson, described in terms of what the student should be able to do at the end of the lesson. Readings should be done by students as preparation before the start of each class. Implementation of this study plan may vary somewhat depending on the progress and needs of students.

   Lesson Learning Outcomes Teaching and Learning Activities, Assessment
1

Introduction to Teamwork

  1. Explain teamwork in all its facets (CK1)
  2. Discuss importance of teamwork in various fields (CK1)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Reading: Team Dynamics and Processes in the Workplace
2

Theories of Teamwork

  1. Describe the main theories of teamwork (CK1)
  2. Apply main theories in real-world scenarios (CC1)
 Lecture Kahoot Practice Case Study Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
3

Team Formation

  1. Explain the different stages of team formation (CK1)
  2. Identify important team characteristics and their effect on the team process (CC1)
  3. Analyze team characteristics in real-world scenarios (CC1, CC2)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
4

Review and Controlled Case Study: Theories of Teamwork

  1. Review lectures 1 – 3 
  2. Case study assessment (CK1, CC1, CC2)
 Kahoot Group Discussion Case Study
5

Team Roles

  1. Describe team-roles according Belbin’s team-roles theory. (CK1)
  2. Identify own team-roles, their strengths and weaknesses (CCIT1, CIP1)
 Lecture Self-Test Group Discussion Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers Introduction in Belbin’s Team-roles
6

Communication in Teams

  1. Explain the importance of communication in the team process (CC1)
  2. Create interventions in order to prevent miscommunication in teams (CC1, CC2)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Practice Case Study Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
7

Conflict resolution in Teams

  1. Identify own conflict management styles. (CIP1)
  2. Create Interventions that effectively solve conflicts. (CC1, CC2, CIP1)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
8

Decision Making in Teams

  1. Understand team decision making processes (CK1)
  2. Apply decision making models in team context (CC1, CC2)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Practice Case Study Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
9 Review and Controlled Case Study: Roles and Communication Processes (CK1, CC1, CC2) Kahoot Group Discussion Case Study
10

Leadership in Teams 

  1. Understand the role of a leader in a team (CK1)
  2. Analyze the influence of leadership styles on the team process (CC1)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
11

Motivation in Teams 

  1. Explain varies influences on motivation in team context (CK1)
  2. Apply interventions that will lead to increase of motivation in teams (CC2)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
 12

Trust and Collaboration 

  1. Identify different facets of trust in team context (CK1)
  2. Explain the relation of trust and collaboration on various team processes. (CK1)
  3. Apply strategies that enhance trust and collaboration (CC1, CC2)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
 13 Review and Controlled Case Study: Leadership, Motivation and Collaboration (CK1, CC1, CC2) Kahoot Group Discussion Case Study
14

Diversity in Teams

  1. Explain diversity and the influences of diversity on various team processes. (CK1)
  2. Identify challenges from different levels of diversity. (CC1)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Discussion Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
 15

Teams and Culture

  1. Understand frameworks of culture (CK1)
  2. Recognize cultural differences in teamwork (CC1)
  3. Describe influence of own culture on the teamprocess (CC2, CIP1)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
 16

Team Processes Across Cultures 

  1. Contrast team processes in different cultures (CK1)
  2. Identify challenges in international teams (CC1)
  3. Apply interventions for cultural specific challenges in teams (CC2)
 Kahoot Lecture Practice Case Study Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
17 Review and Controlled Case Study: Diversity and Culture (CK1, CC1, CC2) Kahoot Group Discussion Case Study
18

Ethical Considirations in Team Context

  1. Understand common ethical dilemma’s in teams (CK1)
  2. Apply ethical decision making strategies (CC1, CC2)
 Kahoot Lecture Group Problems Group Discussion Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
 19

Casestudy Successful Team

  1. Review of all CLO’s through real world case study (CK1, CC1, CC2, CCIT1, CIP1)
 Kahoot Lecture Case Study Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
 20

Casestudy Unsuccessful Team

  1. Review of all CLO’s through real world case study (CK1, CC1, CC2, CCIT1, CIP1)
 Kahoot Lecture Case Study Reading: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers
Total Hours: 30

9. TEXTBOOKS AND REFERENCES

Reading Material

  1. Thompson, L. (2017). Making the Team: A Guide for Managers (6th Edition). Pearson Education.
  2. An introduction to Belbin Team Roles

References

  1. Lencioni, P. M. (2010). The five dysfunctions of a team: A Leadership Fable, 20th Anniversary Edition. John Wiley & Sons.
  2. Levi, D. (2015). Group dynamics for teams. SAGE Publications.
  3. Lewis, R. (2018). When cultures collide: Leading Across Cultures. Hachette UK.

Education Resources