COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST POLI 357: ORGANIZATION THEORY

UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES

FIRST SEMESTER, 2016/2017

COURSE OUTLINE AND READING LIST

LECTURER: DR. EVANS AGGREY-DARKOH

EMAIL: eaggrey-darkoh@ug.edu.gh

COURSE OUTLINE AND READINGS

COURSE TITLE	ORGANISATION THEORY
COURSE CODE	POLI 357
CREDITS	3
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES	Organizations have been an integral feature of human civilization for thousands of years. Organization theory is an evidence-based, sociological approach to organizations that allows managers to analyze and design organizations more effectively. Organization theory also allows us to understand the social forces that affect our own careers in a more accurate and nuanced way. This course emphasizes the practical applications of organization theory in topics that are essential to organizational success, including organizational structure and culture, organizational environment, change management, and power and influence. Throughout the course, we will also consider the lessons and implications that organization theory offers for individuals’ careers. In fine, this course is about ideas and practices that can make or break organizations and careers. Thus this course is relevant to students considering careers in a wide range of fields, including (but not limited to) Corporate Management, Strategy and Management Consulting, Human Resource, Entrepreneurship, Finance and Law.
WEEK NO.	DATE	LECTURE TOPIC	TUTORIALS	VENUE	ASSESSMENT
1	25/8/2016	General Overview		JQB 9
2	01/09/2016	Understanding Organization Theory		JQB 9
3	08/09/2016	Theories of Organization		JQB 9
4	15/09/2016	Theories of Organization		JQB 9
5	22/09/2016	Formal Organizational Structure		JQB 9
6	29/09/2016	Informal Organizational Structure		JQB 9
7	06/10/2016	Organizational Culture and Diversity		JQB 9	Interim Assessment (30%)
8	13/10/2016	Organizational Culture and Diversity		JQB 9
9	20/10/2016	The Environment of organizations		JQB 9
10	27/10/2016	The Environment of Organizations		JQB 9
11	01/11/2016	Decision Making in Organizations		JQB 9
12	08/11/2016	Decision Making in Organizations.		JQB 9
13	15/11/2016	Power and Conflict.		JQB 9
14	REVISION
15-17	EXAMINATION (70%)

READINGS

• Mary Jo Hatch, Organization Theory: Modern, Symbolic, and Postmodern Perspectives, (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997)
• Jay M. Shafritz and J. Steven Ott, Classics of Organization Theory 4^th edition, (California: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1996)
• John M. Ivancevich, Robert Konopaske and Michael T. Matterson, Organizational Behaviour and Management, (New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005)
• Michael Armstrong, A Handbook of Human Resource Management, 10^th edition, (London:   Kogan Page, 2006)
• Harold F. Gotner, Juan Mahler and Jeanne Bell Nicholson, Organization Theory: A Public Perspective 2^nd edition, (Orlando: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1997)
• Luther Gulick, “Notes on the Theory of Organizations”, in Jay M. Shafritz and Albert C. Hyde (eds.), Classics of Public Administration 6^th edition, (Boston: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2007)
• R. Bennette, Organizational Behavior 2^nd edition, (London: Pitman Publishing, 1998)
• Michael Armstrong, A Handbook of Human Resource Management, 10^th edition, (London:   Kogan Page, 2006)
• Steven J. Ott, Understanding Organisational Culture, in Jay M. Shafritz and Albert C. Hyde (eds.), Classics of Public Administration  6^thdition, (Boston: Wadsworth Publishing Company, 2007)
• Nicholson, Organization Theory: A Public Perspective 2^nd edition, (Orlando: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1997)

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• There will be thirteen weeks of lectures. Full participation in the lectures is a prerequisite for admission into the final examinations.
• Each student must attend tutorials each week to be organized by tutorial assistants. Students are advised to effectively participate in the discussions. It must be emphasized that tutorials are not second lectures.
• Most of the reading materials exist in the Department of Political Science Library and the Balme Library. Some of the core readings are available in the General Office of the Department of the Political Science, University of Ghana. 
• It is imperative for students to read the literature much more intently in order to identify the hidden truths (read with understanding).
• There will be mid-term and final examinations. The distribution of the marks is as follows:

Mid-Term Assessment = 30%

Final Examination        =70%

Total                             = 100%