| Learning objectives |
On successful completion of the course, students
should be able to:
- Account for, at a basic level, how organizations are defined
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, introduced in the course
curriculum
- 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.
in the first year project
|
| Course prerequisites |
| The courses BA-BSOCU1009U Introduction to
Organisational Sociology, BA-BSOCU1010U Introduction to Research
Methods, BA-BSOCU1011U Philosophy of Science, and BA-BSOCU1012U
Quantitative Methods I have one intergrated exam. You can only
participate in BA-BSOCU1009U Introduction to Organisational
Sociology if you also register for the other courses: BA-BSOCU1010U
Introduction to Research Methods, BA-BSOCU1011U Philosophy of
Science, and BA-BSOCU1012U Quantitative Methods I. |
| Examination |
The exam in the subject consists of five parts:
| Project on
organisational sociology and quantitative
research: | | Sub exam weight | 60% | | 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. 20 pages | | Assignment type | Project | | Duration | Written product to be submitted on specified date and
time.
20 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 related to
the courses in the exam
- select, 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 discuss
them in relation to theoretical positions presented in the syllabi
of the courses ’Philosophy of Science’ and ’Introduction to
Organisational Sociology’,
- discuss how the knowledge acquired in the second semester
courses ‘Philosophy of Science’, ‘Introduction to Research
Methods’, organisational sociology” and ‘Quantitative Methods I’ is
reflected throughout the project, and
- structure the layout and present the material in a clearly
formulated and accessible way in terms of both language and
content.
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.
|
| Individual
paper in introduction to Organisational
Sociology: | | Sub exam weight | 10% | | Examination form | Home assignment - written product | | Individual or group exam | Individual | | Size of written product | Max. 5 pages | | Assignment type | Essay | | Duration | 48 hours to prepare | | Grading scale | 7-step scale | | Examiner(s) | One internal examiner | | Exam period | Summer Term | | Make-up exam/re-exam | Same examination form as the ordinary
exam |
| Individual
paper in Philosophy of science: | | Sub exam weight | 10% | | Examination form | Home assignment - written product | | Individual or group exam | Individual | | Size of written product | Max. 5 pages | | Assignment type | Essay | | Duration | 48 hours to prepare | | Grading scale | 7-step scale | | Examiner(s) | One internal examiner | | Exam period | Summer Term | | Make-up exam/re-exam | Same examination form as the ordinary
exam |
| Home
assignment 1 in Introduction to Research Design and Quantitative
Methods I: | | Sub exam weight | 10% | | Examination form | Home assignment - written product | | Individual or group exam | Individual | | Size of written product | Max. 5 pages | | Assignment type | Essay | | Duration | 48 hours to prepare | | Grading scale | 7-step scale | | Examiner(s) | One internal examiner | | Exam period | Summer Term | | Make-up exam/re-exam | Same examination form as the ordinary
exam |
| Home
assignment 2 in Introduction to Research Design and Quantitative
Methods I: | | Sub exam weight | 10% | | Examination form | Home assignment - written product | | Individual or group exam | Individual | | Size of written product | Max. 5 pages | | Assignment type | Essay | | Duration | 48 hours to prepare | | Grading scale | 7-step scale | | Examiner(s) | One internal examiner | | Exam period | Summer Term | | Make-up exam/re-exam | Same examination form as the ordinary
exam |
|
| 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. |
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