Students
SOCI821 – Sociology of Institutions and Organisations
2015 – S1 Evening
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Markus Hadler
Contact via markus.hadler@mq.edu.au
W6A 823
by appointment
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
4
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPASR or GradDipPASR or GradCertPASR or MPPP or MDevCul
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit provides an overview of the field of organisational theory and research, with a specific focus on sociological contributions to the study of organisations and institutions. It will discuss different organisational types such as economic organisations, non-profits, governmental and non-governmental organisations, voluntary associations, etc. Questions that will be explored include: Why do organisations have so much influence over modern life? How are organisations formed, and why do so many have similar characteristics, structures, and strategies? In what environments are organisations embedded, and how do organisations and environments evolve over time?
|
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- situate ‘institutions’ and ‘organisations’ within sociological theory
- identify different types of organisations and the main drivers of organisational change
- analyse the various situations and problems which commonly occur in organisations using a critical approach
- identify different influences on organisational change
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Short Quiz (1) | 20% | Week 6 |
| Short Quiz (2) | 20% | Week 11 |
| Case Study | 10% | Week 10 |
| Research Paper | 30% | Week 13 |
| Participation | 20% | continuous |
Short Quiz (1)
Due: Week 6
Weighting: 20%
This short quiz will be administered in week 6. Students will have 30 minutes to complete the quiz (and 5 minutes reading time). It will cover materials from weeks 2 to 5. It will comprise 15 multiple-choice questions. Marks will be awarded for correct answers, but will not be deducted for incorrect ones. The quiz is designed to provide students with feedback on their progress in the course. It is highly recommended that students attend the weekly lectures, as this quiz can draw upon reading material and lecture content.
More information on the quiz will be provided in week 5.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- situate ‘institutions’ and ‘organisations’ within sociological theory
Short Quiz (2)
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 20%
This short quiz will be administered in week 11. Students will have 30 minutes to complete the quiz (including 5 minutes reading time). It will focus on course materials covered in weeks 6-10, but may also draw on your knowledge from earlier in the course. The quiz will comprise multiple-choice and short answer questions. Marks will be awarded for correct answers, but will not be deducted for incorrect ones.
More information on the quiz will be provided in week 10.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify different types of organisations and the main drivers of organisational change
- identify different influences on organisational change
Case Study
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 10%
This case study is supposed to describe an organisation, its structure, and/or development. Students are encouraged to pick an organisation they are familiar with or an organisation in a field they are interested in. This description will be used as a basis for the presentations and discussions in weeks 11 and 12 and also for the final research paper.
Dependent on the enrollment, the due date of the case study and presentations might be changed. More information on this task will be provided throughout the semester and also posted on ilearn.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify different types of organisations and the main drivers of organisational change
Research Paper
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
This final research paper is supposed to discuss a specific topic addressed in the lecture and to apply it to the organisation described in the case study. It goes well beyond a simple summary of lecture content or descriptions of an organisation, as it is supposed to show how organisational structures, changes, goals etc. are affected by external and internal developments and how these changes can be described using concepts discussed in the lecture.
More information on this task will be provided throughout the semester and also posted on ilearn
On successful completion you will be able to:
- situate ‘institutions’ and ‘organisations’ within sociological theory
- identify different types of organisations and the main drivers of organisational change
- analyse the various situations and problems which commonly occur in organisations using a critical approach
- identify different influences on organisational change
Participation
Due: continuous
Weighting: 20%
Ongoing Participation: It is highly recommended that students attend the weekly combined lectures and workshops. As an incentive, 10 per cent of your final mark will be awarded based on your participation and engagement.
Presentation and Discussion of Case Studies in weeks 11 and 12: These presentations have two goals: sharing the case studies of different organisations with other students and receiving useful feedback for the final research paper. Each student will present her/his case study and also discuss of a presentation of another student. 10 per cent of your final mark will be awarded based on these tasks.
Dependent on the enrollment, the due date of the presentations might be changed. More information on these tasks will be provided throughout the semester and also posted on ilearn
On successful completion you will be able to:
- situate ‘institutions’ and ‘organisations’ within sociological theory
- analyse the various situations and problems which commonly occur in organisations using a critical approach
- identify different influences on organisational change
Delivery and Resources
Lecture and workshop times
Lectures and Workshops are combined.
Place: E5A 230 Tutorial Rm
Time: Mondays, 6pm-8pm
Technology used
iLearn
Important information about the weekly schedule for this unit, course readings and assessment are all available on the course iLearn page. If you do not have access, please contact IT help. You are required to check iLearn and your student email regularly for course updates and information.
Information about Turnitin and GradeMark
All written assessments to be submitted via Turnitin. A link to Turnitin is available via the Assessments tab on the iLearn page. Please contact the convenor if you cannot find it (do not leave it until the day of the assessment). Assessments will be marked via GradeMark and returned to students electronically.
Textbooks
This course draws on the following textbook:
Scott, W. (2014) Institutions and Organizations. Sage
This book is available @ Macquarie University Library RESERVE COLLECTION
Additional readings for this course will be posted on ilearn.
Unit Schedule
|
Week 1 |
Introduction & What are Organisations? |
|
Week 2 |
The Organisation and its Environment |
|
Week 3 |
Classical Studies |
|
Week 4 |
Towards Contemporary Studies |
|
Week 5 |
What are Institutions (and Organisations)? |
|
Week 6 |
Institutionalism and Neo-Institutionalism |
|
Week 7 |
Organisational Behaviour |
|
Week 8 |
Internal Organisational Design |
|
Week 9 |
A Comparison of the Approaches |
|
Week 10 |
Organisational Culture |
|
Week 11 |
Case Studies |
|
Week 12 |
Case Studies |
|
Week 13 |
Conclusions |
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- analyse the various situations and problems which commonly occur in organisations using a critical approach
Assessment task
- Participation
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- situate ‘institutions’ and ‘organisations’ within sociological theory
- identify different types of organisations and the main drivers of organisational change
- analyse the various situations and problems which commonly occur in organisations using a critical approach
- identify different influences on organisational change
Assessment tasks
- Short Quiz (1)
- Short Quiz (2)
- Case Study
- Research Paper
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- situate ‘institutions’ and ‘organisations’ within sociological theory
- identify different influences on organisational change
Assessment tasks
- Short Quiz (1)
- Short Quiz (2)
- Research Paper
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- identify different types of organisations and the main drivers of organisational change
- analyse the various situations and problems which commonly occur in organisations using a critical approach
- identify different influences on organisational change
Assessment tasks
- Case Study
- Participation
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- identify different influences on organisational change
Assessment tasks
- Case Study
- Participation
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment task
- Participation
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 20/02/2015 | Unit schedule updated |