Power and Resistance in Organizations
The course focuses on key issues and problems concerning power and resistance in organizations.
On completion of the course the students are expected to be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of key ideas and concepts relating to issues of power and resistance in organizations.
Change and struggle are central aspects of organizational life, and processes of organizational change are penetrated by expressions of power and resistance. Different organizational actors have different interests in managing change, and change initiatives may be met by a range of different responses - from compliance and commitment to resistance.
The course therefore investigates the politics and ongoing struggle of organizational change and how this is enacted by managers, employees and other organizational stakeholders. Rather than providing "quick fix" solutions and alleged "best practices", the course takes a critical and analytical approach necessary to understand the complexity of organizational change. Key topics include manipulation, control and discipline, dissent, cynicism and misbehavior in processes of organizational change.
On completion of the course the students are expected to be able to demonstrate a solid understanding of key ideas and concepts relating to issues of power and be able to relate them to the issues of change and resistance.
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Course structure
Teaching format
The course consists of a combination of lectures, seminars and group work and requires a significant portion of self-study on the part of students. Assessment for the course will be continuous and is carried throughout the different activities of the course.
The total course workload is 200 hours equivalent to 7,5 ECTS (40 hours per week equivalent to 1,5 ECTS).
The language of instruction is English. Please note that all course activities, such as lectures, seminars, assignments and assessment are performed in English.Assessment
Assessment for the course will be continuous and is carried throughout the different course activities. Each assessment task is weighted in relation to its importance in the overall assessment of the course. The student’s results from the different assessment tasks are added up to a total course score that will then translate into the final grade for the course.
Assessment tasks
The course contains the following weighted assessment tasks:
1. Individual essay.
2. Memo 1.
3. Memo 2.
4. Memo 3.
After completion of the course, students will receive grades on a scale related to the intended learning outcomes of the course. Passing grades are A, B, C, D and E. Failing grades are Fx and F. A grade Fx can be completed for a grade E. -
Schedule
The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course. -
Course literature
Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.See reading list in the current syllabus.
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Course reports
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Contact
