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2013/2014  BA-2IOS  Introduction to Organisational Sociology

English Title
Introduction to Organisational Sociology

Course information
Language English
Exam ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Course period Third Quarter
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Business Administration and Sociology
Course coordinator
  • Sine Nørholm Just - Department of Business and Politics (DBP)
Main academic disciplines
  • Organization
Last updated on 14-08-2013
Learning objectives
On successful completion of the course, students should be able to:
  • Account for, at a basic level, how organizations are viewed and analyzed from a sociological perspective based on relevant theories of organizational sociology,
  • Account for the organizational structure, purpose, and functions of organizations when analyzed through different perspectives in organizational sociology,
  • Describe, explain, compare and assess organizational circumstances and identify models for how organizations handle their everyday operations,
  • Account for and discuss the implications of different models of organization for actual organizational practices, and
  • Apply the theories covered in the curriculum to empirical cases and use them to formulate and justify relevant research questions.
Course prerequisites
The courses 2IOS, 2PS, 2IRM, and 2QNM have one intergrated exam. The exam is 30 ECTS. You can only participate in 2IOS if you also register for the other courses: 2PS, 2IRM, and 2QNM.
Examination
First year project on organisational sociology and research design:
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance.
Individual or group exam Individual
Size of written product Max. 30 pages
Assignment type Project
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
30 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Preparation time No preparation
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Summer Term
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Description of the exam procedure
See the guidelines at e-campus

Learning objectives for the exam
The student should demonstrate ability to:
  • formulate, delimit and analyse an academic problem,
  • apply and discuss the theories and methods relevant to the project, in particular the concepts and theories relevant to organisational sociology,
  • select and apply fundamental quantitative methods, and relate these to theoretical positions presented in the syllabi of the courses ’Philosophy of Science’ and ’Introduction to Organisational Sociology’,
  • structure the layout and present the material in a clearly formulated and accessible way in terms of both language and content,
  • discuss how the knowledge acquired in the second semester courses ‘Philosophy of Science’, ‘Introduction to Research Methods’, and ‘Quantitative Methods I’ is reflected throughout the project, and
  • reflect upon his/her own ways of applying data.


  • The aims of the 1st year project are:

  • To facilitate and reinforce the learning of the subjects taught during the second semester by encouraging students to work independently and in a focused way with selected theories.
  • To develop analytical skills needed to undertake problem-oriented project work. The problem-solving process during project work is shaped by the systematic, professional and scientific demands of academic knowledge production.
Course content and structure
The study of organizations is an interdisciplinary field drawing upon disciplines such as sociology, economics, psychology, management studies and political science. This reflects the role organizations play in modern societies. Organizations such as trade unions, companies, universities or public administrations permeate all aspects of public and private life. The primary focus of this course will be on the sociological dimension of organizational analysis. We will examine and discuss the development, relevance and impact of organizations. In order to do so we draw upon classical and contemporary organizational sociology. The main objectives of this course are therefore to first establish a basic sociological knowledge about organizational structure, purpose and functioning. We secondly will examine specific organizational problematiques such as power, conflict or organizational change, and we will investigate the ways in which organizations handle their everyday operations by looking into management, decision-making and leadership. Based on this knowledge and drawing upon concrete case studies of different types of organizations, you will thirdly acquire the skills to identify and analyze how various types of activities are organized in the private and public sector.
Teaching methods
We have 10 2/3-hour sessions which will be combinations of lectures and group discussion/case work. The teacher will be available to discuss any queries and issues arising in relation to the course as well as project ideas.
Further Information
The course is an introduction to organizations and will provide sociological tools for how to analyse them. As such, it relates to the other courses in the program in such a way that it provides the substance on which the first-year project is supposed to be based. Students will not only engage with theories of organizations but also analyze selected case studies of different organizations that might assist and inspire them to generate research questions for their own project.
Expected literature
The primary literature of the course consists of original research - introducing a (classical) theory or concept. Many of these texts can be found in the reader: 
Handel, Michael J. (2002) The Sociology of Organizations. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
However, a compendium will also be provided.
Last updated on 14-08-2013