• 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

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 administration permeate all aspects of public and private life and shape our everyday 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 provide the student with a basic sociological knowledge about organizational structure, purpose and functioning. We secondly will examine specific organizational phenomena such as power, conflict or organizational change, and the ways in which organizations handle their everyday operations by attending to these. Based on this knowledge and drawing upon case studies of different types of organizations, students will thirdly acquire the skills to identify and analyse how various types of activities are organized in the private and the public sector.

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.

There will be a compendium for the course available in CBS bookstore. Further readings and other material will be provided on LEARN if necessary. The compendium consists largely of original or primary texts as apposed to secondary or more explanatory texts. If you are interested in the latter, I can recommend purchasing or borrowing one of the following books:

Handel, Michael J. (2003) The Sociology of Organizations. Classic, Contemporary, and Critical Readings. Thousand Oaks, London, New Dehli: SAGE.

Hatch, Mary Jo (2006) Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic, and Postmodern Perspectives. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Both feature excellent introductions to most of the texts in the compendium and can assist in providing a more fundamental understanding of the material. Good for introduction to the topics or a quick  ’brush up’.