2025
Sociology of Organizations
Name: Sociology of Organizations
Code: SOC02416L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Sociology
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
The main goal of the course is to study and understand the origins, structure and dynamics of complex organizations and their relationship with their environment.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
General objective: to critically understand organizations as social phenomena, analyzing structures, internal dynamics, and social impacts from a sociological perspective.
Specific objectives:
i) to understand the organizational phenomenon in contemporary society, recognizing the characteristics, functions, and social impacts of organizations;
ii) to know the main theories and authors, comparing classical and contemporary approaches;
iii) to analyze organizational structures, culture, and decision-making processes, applying analytical tools in case studies;
iv) to evaluate power relations, conflicts, and internal negotiations, interpreting their social implications and developing an ethical stance; and
v) to understand processes of organizational change, innovation, and adaptation, interpreting social, political, and technological factors to study strategies for innovation and adaptation.
Specific objectives:
i) to understand the organizational phenomenon in contemporary society, recognizing the characteristics, functions, and social impacts of organizations;
ii) to know the main theories and authors, comparing classical and contemporary approaches;
iii) to analyze organizational structures, culture, and decision-making processes, applying analytical tools in case studies;
iv) to evaluate power relations, conflicts, and internal negotiations, interpreting their social implications and developing an ethical stance; and
v) to understand processes of organizational change, innovation, and adaptation, interpreting social, political, and technological factors to study strategies for innovation and adaptation.
Contents
Module 1 ? The Organizational Phenomenon in Contemporary Society
Module 2 ? Theories and Approaches in the Sociology of Organizations
2.1 Organizations as Rational Systems: Scientific Management, Bureaucracy, Contingency Theory
2.2 Organizations as Human and Social Systems: Human Relations Theory, Humanistic and Participative Management, Informal Organization
2.3 Organizations as Open Systems and Their Environment: Resource Dependence Theory, Institutional Theory, Organizational Ecology
Module 3 ? Structure, Culture, Power, and Decision-Making Processes
Module 4 ? Organizations and Society: Gender, ethnicity, and social classes in organizations; Organizational politics and social participation
Module 5 ? Deviations and Organizational Alternatives: Organizational deviance; Democratic alternatives to bureaucratic capitalism
Module 6 ? Governmental and Non-Profit Organizations: Governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, and volunteer associations
Module 2 ? Theories and Approaches in the Sociology of Organizations
2.1 Organizations as Rational Systems: Scientific Management, Bureaucracy, Contingency Theory
2.2 Organizations as Human and Social Systems: Human Relations Theory, Humanistic and Participative Management, Informal Organization
2.3 Organizations as Open Systems and Their Environment: Resource Dependence Theory, Institutional Theory, Organizational Ecology
Module 3 ? Structure, Culture, Power, and Decision-Making Processes
Module 4 ? Organizations and Society: Gender, ethnicity, and social classes in organizations; Organizational politics and social participation
Module 5 ? Deviations and Organizational Alternatives: Organizational deviance; Democratic alternatives to bureaucratic capitalism
Module 6 ? Governmental and Non-Profit Organizations: Governmental organizations, non-profit organizations, and volunteer associations
Teaching Methods
The teaching and learning methodologies are diversified and aligned with the theoretical-practical nature of the UC.
1. Interactive lectures (theoretical): aim to present organizational concepts, theories, and models, with active student participation through questions, quick debates, and contemporary examples.
2. Case study analysis (practical): aims to place students in contact with real or simulated organizational contexts and to train their critical analysis skills and understanding of organizational structure and dynamics.
3. Group work (practical): focused on the collective production of reports or sociological intervention proposals in organizations, including oral presentations.
4. Debates and guided discussions (theoretical-practical): on critical topics such as power, inequalities, and innovation, aiming to develop critical thinking, argumentation skills, and sociological awareness.
5. Guided readings and classroom discussions (independent study): of classical and contemporary texts, case studies, scientific articles, and institutional reports, to develop critical reading, synthesis, and theoretical application skills.
6. Student participation in conferences and other scientific events related to the UC program topics.
7. Formative assessment: based on the completion of practical exercises on the taught material, with feedback provided, aiming to monitor learning and guide students? study for the final assessment.
Moodle is an essential resource for implementing the pedagogical model, as its functionalities allow diverse interactions between teachers and students, including session organization, availability of study materials and activities, and communication between the and the teacher.
1. Interactive lectures (theoretical): aim to present organizational concepts, theories, and models, with active student participation through questions, quick debates, and contemporary examples.
2. Case study analysis (practical): aims to place students in contact with real or simulated organizational contexts and to train their critical analysis skills and understanding of organizational structure and dynamics.
3. Group work (practical): focused on the collective production of reports or sociological intervention proposals in organizations, including oral presentations.
4. Debates and guided discussions (theoretical-practical): on critical topics such as power, inequalities, and innovation, aiming to develop critical thinking, argumentation skills, and sociological awareness.
5. Guided readings and classroom discussions (independent study): of classical and contemporary texts, case studies, scientific articles, and institutional reports, to develop critical reading, synthesis, and theoretical application skills.
6. Student participation in conferences and other scientific events related to the UC program topics.
7. Formative assessment: based on the completion of practical exercises on the taught material, with feedback provided, aiming to monitor learning and guide students? study for the final assessment.
Moodle is an essential resource for implementing the pedagogical model, as its functionalities allow diverse interactions between teachers and students, including session organization, availability of study materials and activities, and communication between the and the teacher.
Assessment
Students have two assessment options:
Continuous assessment, which consists of:
1st written test (40%)
2nd written test (50%)
Completion of assigned work and participation (10%)
Final assessment, which consists of a written exam (100%).
Continuous assessment, which consists of:
1st written test (40%)
2nd written test (50%)
Completion of assigned work and participation (10%)
Final assessment, which consists of a written exam (100%).
Teaching Staff
- Maria Manuel Renga Capelão Serrano [responsible]
Accreditations and Certifications
