Before beginning work on this week's discussion post, review the following resources:

• Doing Discussion Questions Right
• Expanded Grading Rubric

From the assigned readings, select one topic for which you will lead the discussion in the forum this week. Early in the week, reserve your selected topic by posting your response (reservation post) to the Discussion Area, identifying your topic in the subject line. By the due date assigned, research your topic and start a scholarly conversation as you respond with your initial or primary post to your own reservation post.

Some of the main topics (Determinants Themes) this week are:

• Emotions
• Attitudes
• Motivation theories
• Job design
• Performance appraisal
• Rewards
• Job satisfaction

Other potential topics and subtopics exist in the readings.

Be very specific with the topic you choose (e.g., which motivation theories or what is it about motivation that you are analyzing?).
As the beginning of a scholarly conversation, your initial post should be:

• Succinct—no more than 500 words.
• Provocative—use concepts and combinations of concepts from the readings to propose relationships, causes, and/or consequences that inspire others to engage (inquire, learn). In other words, take a scholarly stand.
• Supported—scholarly conversations are more than opinions. Ideas, statements, and conclusions are supported by clear research and citations from course materials as well as other credible, peer-reviewed resources.

For grading:

• The reservation post and initial post are assessed in the rubric line item "Quality of initial posting."
• Neither the reservation post nor the initial post count toward days of participation.
• Follow-up posts made throughout the week to your colleagues and professor will apply to participation points in the rubric.
• All posts will be assessed for writing mechanics and information literacy. Be sure to review the expanded rubric for more details on grading criteria.