Course Description

Students will study and discuss the importance of a healthy organizational culture to influence safety in the aeronautics profession. Emphasis will be placed on adapting a Biblical perspective to influence team behavior.

Rationale

Aviation safety scholars need an in-depth understanding of safety culture methods in order to influence employee behavior in their organizations to mitigate errors, prevent mishaps, and save money.

Measurable Learning Outcomes

1. Research the basis of culture to influence human behavior in the aerospace community.
2. Study the work of thought leaders in safety culture methods including James Reason, Sidney Dekker, E. Scott Geller, Nancy Leveson, Robert Helmreich, Eduardo Salas, Lucian Leape, Peter Pronovost, Atul Gawande, and others.
3. Explore and synthesize how team dynamics influence behavior
4. Study and discuss seminal mishap cases from aviation and other
5. Design and present a safety culture training workshop to graduate-level students using a method researched during the course (possible continuation of capstone project).
6. Correlate a Biblical worldview during critical analysis and discussion of safety culture

Course Assignment

Textbook Readings and Lecture Presentations/Notes

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Class Introduction Discussion

The student will post a short video describing their background and what they hope to get out of this class. The student will then respond to two other students’ videos.

Discussions (4)

There are four Discussions to be completed in this course. The student is required to post one thread of at least 500 words and three paragraphs (3-5 sentences/ paragraph) and two replies of at least 250 words and two paragraphs (3-5 sentences/ paragraph) to two classmates’ threads.  (MLO: A, B, C, D, F)

Article Critique Assignments (2)

The student will research and select one article written five years ago or less that details current trends and topics related to aviation safety. The student will write a 1000-1250 word APA-formatted summary of the article and offer a critique of the article, which may include how you may apply the concepts presented. At least one of these assignments will focus on ‘Just Culture and how to influence organizational culture. (MLO: A, B, C, D)

Issue Critique Assignments (2)

The student will select and research an issue as described in the assignment instructions. The student will write an 800-1000 word APA-formatted summary of the theory and underlying frameworks. The student will give his/her own opinion; therefore, this will have very limited quoted content. This assignment provides a path toward continuation with the Course Capstone project.  (MLO: A, B, C, D)

Safety Culture Workshop Assignment

The student will investigate current research on safety culture strategies. Incorporating the information gained through research the student will create a training workshop for implementing aviation safety in an organization.

Safety Culture Workshop: Preview Assignment

During Week 3 the student will provide an outline for the professor as a workshop preview.

Safety Culture Workshop: Presentation Assignment

The workshop must be 15 PowerPoint slides minimum with accompanying notes. The brief must include at least two APA-formatted citations per each of a minimum of five required scholarly references and a Biblical worldview application. This assignment provides a path toward continuation with the Course Capstone project. The professor will give an optional time for students to present their work to the class via a web-based interactive session. (Not required).

(MLO: A, E, F)

Quizzes (4)

The student will complete four quizzes in this course. All quizzes will be open-book/open-notes and contain 10 questions in varying formats. The allotted time for each quiz is 1 hour. (MLO: A, B, C, D, F)

Course Reflection Assignments (5)

The student will write a 250-300 word multiple paragraph (3-5 sentences per paragraph) essay reflecting on the experience in this course. The reflection must answer the questions posed in the assignment instructions.  (MLO: A, B, C, D, F)