Organizational Theory & Practice

This course is designed to help students understand the basic concepts of organizational theory by studying the impact of the social sciences upon organizational life. By closely examining the processes and interactions within organizations and the theoretical bases upon which they are predicated, students will be able to better understand the problems facing today?s complex organizations. An extensive cadre of case studies and presentations will be used to conduct an in-depth exploration of topics such as individual and group motivation, the learning organization, and leadership stress. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be expected to have developed an appreciation of the importance of the culture and context of organizations, gained insight into the impact of individual behavior upon the functioning of organizations, and analyzed the various components of group processes upon issues such as power, conflict and organizational politics.