ORG425 Topics in organization theory
- ECTS Credits:
- 10
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Course Leader:
- Gro Kvåle
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Duration:
- 1 term
The course is connected to the following study programs
- Advanced Teacher Education level 8-13, 5-year Master's Programme
- Master's Programme in Political Science and Management
Course contents
The course provides a thorough overview and delves deeply into different theoretical perspectives and research traditions contributing to the understanding of the phenomena of organisation and organisations. The main perspectives are institutional and rational instrumental. Specific research traditions within these perspectives (such as historical institutionalism, classical institutionalism, new institutionalism, Scandinavian institutionalism, contingency theory, etc.) are the basis for thorough presentation and discussion of current topics linked to modern organisations and how they are structured, including for example social evaluation, power, trust, communication etc.
Key questions are, first of all, what characterises formal organisations compared with other social systems such as the judgment's network and institution. Second, how do different external and internal contexts, structures and processes affect organisational design? Third, how do the organisations and how they are organised have an impact on individual and collective tasks, the outcomes of internal processes and organisational results, and the environment?
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will:
-
have thorough knowledge of different overall perspectives and specific theories about organisations and how they are organised, and understand the equality and inequality that exists between them
-
be able to discuss and reflect critically on theories and conversations
-
understand and discuss how organisations are shaped
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understand and discuss the relationship between organisation and outcomes
-
be able to use theories and conversions in empirical analysis, to be judged in connection with the master's thesis
-
have an understanding of the practical implications of theories of organisation and organisations
Examination requirements
Submission and oral presentations.
Teaching methods
Lectures and seminars with plenary discussions, group work and group presentations
Evaluation
The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1.
Offered as Single Standing Module
Yes. Corresponding admission requirements as for the Master in Political Science and Management
Assessment methods and criteria
7-day home exam.
Reduction of Credits
This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:
Course | Reduction of Credits |
---|---|
ORG400 – Changes in the Public Sector | 10 |