Institutions and Organizations.

Catalog description

Semester course; 3 lecture hours. 3 credits. Organizational and institutional theories, in the broadest sense, look to the political, organizational and cultural contexts that shape social life. Some theories conceptualize environments in terms of networks and resources, within which social actors are “embedded.” Others stress historically built-up structures (e.g., laws and governmental agencies) that shape and channel subsequent dynamics. More radical theories argue that the core features of modern social actors, themselves, are largely products of social context, rather than existing a priori as many theories assume. This course explores theories of institutions and organizations to inform our thinking about the roles and responsibilities of the public, business and nonprofit organizations in shaping public life in a democratic society.