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AOS130 Introduction to Organisation Theory

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Arild Wæraas

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Norsk

Course frequency:Annually.

Nominal workload:125 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts and finishes in the January block. This course has teaching/evaluation in January block.

About this course

In the first part of the course, emphasis is placed on some of the most central ideas of organisation theory: tasks and functions, organisational culture, structure, power, and management. The second part of the courses addresses organisational environments and how they shape organisations.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing this course, the student shall possess basic knowledge of topics and issues concerning the functioning and design of modern organisations. The students shall also possess knowledge of the history of organisational thinking, its development and key charateristics.

Skills

After the completed course, the student shall be able to:

- Explain the concept of formal organisation and describe the purpose of organisation as well as explain the difference between formal and informal organisation

- Explain the concept of formal organisational structure, describe the different types of structures that are common today, and identify the effects of these structures on organisational performance and functioning

- Explain the concepts of goals, strategy, vision, value, and production system, give examples and describe their role in modern organisations

- Explain the concept of organisational culture and describe the elements that constite organisational culture, their role in modern organisations, and how they shape organisational performance and functioning

- Explain the concept of organisational environments and describe the elements that constitute these environments, the types of environments, and how these shape organisational performance and functioning

  • Learning activities
    Lectures, seminars and group assignments.
  • Teaching support
    Teaching assistants will supervise the students throughout the seminars.
  • Assessment method
    Final written in-class examination (3,5 hours) accounts for 100% of the grade.

    Written exam Grading: Letter grades Permitted aids: A1 No calculator, no other aids
  • Examiner scheme
    An external examiner will review the syllabus, assignments and exams.
  • Mandatory activity

    Mandatory group assignments and participation in lectures and study groups each day of the course.

    Students who show up after the 2nd day of the course will not be allowed to take the course.

    If a student wants to retake the course the next time it is offered, he/she does not have to redo the mandatory activities.

  • Admission requirements
    Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)