PSYK1610 Organization, Society and Work life Course description

The course provides an introduction to organisation theory and how different ways of thinking in the organisation of work are linked to the development of society, from the emergence of the industrial society to today’s knowledge society. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding processes that contribute to stability and change in organisations. The course also addresses how global developments in technology and the environment affect the organization of work.

Admission to the programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and competence:

Knowledge

The student can

• describe the historical emergence of different types of labour organisations
• describe main features and changes of the Norwegian labour market and "The Norwegian Model"
• discuss different organizational forms and theoretical perspectives on organised work
• describe what is meant by learning and chancing in organisational structures
• reflect on practice, values and ethical conduct in organisations
• discuss what global development trends in technology, climate, sustainable development and the "green shift" mean for Norwegian working life

Skills

The student can

• reflect on and discuss important developmental features in society, organizations and working life
• apply various mandatory and other sources to analysing, discussing, and presenting key knowledge in the course, both in writing and orally

General competence

The student can

• reflect on and discuss the understanding of organisations and working life
• make his/her own assessments and develop professional based lines of reasoning relating to these

Work and teaching methods used in the course are lectures, self-study and group work. The groups will work independently on different issues related to the course. 

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the examination:

• Submission of one group assignment (max. 3 000 words). The group then presents the submission in plenary.

Individual written home exam over three days, maximum 3,000 words.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with

Grade scale A-F

All answers are assessed by one examiner.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.