Organization Theory Organization TheoryCourse Purpose: Organization theory helps the public administrator solve everyday problems. In this course we explore the many varieties of theories about public organizations; consider the relationship between theory and practice as we develop a critical discourse and move toward the development of a coherent, integrated theory of public organizations.
Objectives: By the end of the semester, the student should be able to:
Texts:
Denhardt and Denhardt Thhe New Public Service
Gareth Morgan Images of Organizations Second Edition
Cases from the Case Program at the Kennedy School: Tailhook Parts A, B and epilogue; The City of Chicago and the 1995 Heat Wave A and B; and others as announced:
Internet re sources
Other Resources:We will useUcompass as our course management program. Access Ucompass at https://ucompass.mnsu.edu . Check this site before every class session. You will find additional assignments, additional materials, the course discussion board, exams, e-mail and other items here. A caution: unless you plan to ckeck this site daily, set a forward on your Ucompass e-mail (the default is to your MavMail.If you don't use MavMail put a forward on it.) This is also where you will post your assignments and materials to be shared with other students. be sure to unlock your student folder so others can read your materials.
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Be sure to read in the organization theory periodical literature.
Requirements:
1. Students will be expected to have read, thought about, and prepared the assigned materials. You will be expected to discuss - to ask questions as well as to answer them. It is your responsibility to demonstrate your preparation each class meeting. For some weeks you may be be asked to do a short writing assignment based on the reading or to take a short quiz. Check Ucompass for additions to the syllabus..
The more widely read you are the more effectively you will be able to incorporate theoretical perspectives into your everyday practice and to use your practice to develop theoretical perspectives. We'll use several devices to extend your reading knowledge by sharing materials.
2. Panels: You will be assigned to a group. Each group will be responsible for the class discussion for a chapter in Denhardt and Denhardt and for one in Morgan. Complete details of this are in the Ucompass assignments folder.
3. Book and article reviews. You will be responsbile for one book review and one article review. Details are in the assignments folder in Ucompass.
4. Final - The final will be a mini version of the comprehensive exams. You will be asked to write an essay relating the Chicago Heat Wave case. I will giv eyou some specific questions to addresss as you use organization theory to develop an ubnderstanding of the many issues in that case. On April 22, we will hold a one hour on-line discussion over the case. By the next class meeting time you must have posted your essay. You will then read the essays of all other members for discussion at our final meeting.
Notes: Anyone needing special accommodations should visit with me early in the semester. If you are a student with a documented disability, please see me as early in the semester as possible to discuss the necessary accommodations, and/or contact the Disability Services Office at 507-389-2825 (V) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY).
As in all graduate only level classes, this class assumes that we are all professionals and have responsibilities for a successful learning opportunity for all of us.
Schedule: Readings must be completed before class. be sure to read the bibliographic essay at the end of Morgan as a part of each chapter's assignment..
January 14 Introductions
to each other
to the course
to organization theory.and to theories about public organizations
We begin our study with Denhardt and Denhardt The New Public Service
January 21 Contested issues in the theory of public organizations
Read Chapters 1 and 2
January 28 Some peinciples
Groups begin. Everyone reads Chapters 3,4,5
February 4 More principles
Groups continue Everyone reads chapters 6.7.8
February 11 Theories of public organizations temporarily concluded; begin perspectives on organization theory
Group 7. Everyone reads Chpaters 9, 10. We also start Morgan, Chpater 1.
February 18 Organizations as Machines
Everyone reads chapter 2.
February 25 Organisms
Group 1 Everyone reads Ch. 3
March 4 Brains
Group 2 Everyone reads Chapter 4
Spring Break
March 18 Cultures and Political Systems
Groups 3&4 Everyone reads Chapters 5 and 6
March 25 Flux and Transformation
Note we temporarily skipped a chapter. Everyone reads Chpater 8 Group 5
April 1 The Unconscious and Domination
Group 6 Everyone reads Chapters 7 and 9
April 8 Postmodernism and Implications
READ Power and Postmodernity: Reflections on the Pleasure Dome by Richard Marsden and Barbara Townley at http://www.mngt.waikato.ac.nz/depts/sml/journal/commissi/powerpos.htm
alsp read Morgan chapters 10-12.
April 15 Apllications Tailhook
Prepare to discuss the Tailhook case
All book reviews must have been posted by this date.
April 22 Class meets on-line to discuss Chicago Heat Wave case
April 29 No class. FInal must be posted by 6:00.
May 7 Discussion of final papers
Read everyone's paper. You will also be asked to evaluate them.
Last revised : 1/06/03
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