RETURN
updated 11/22/10

I. Course Description
Through the use of presentations of research, critiques and discussion and where pertinent, simulations, workshops and lecture, this course explores and contrasts major conceptual models that describe the structure, organization, and administrative processes employed in postsecondary educational institutions in the United States today. Topics include: governance and management models, decision making in an institutional culture, sharing power and values, bureaucracy, politics and politicizing, cybernetics.

II. Major Course Objectives
A. Class members will understand and be able to function as reflective practitioners in higher education. A particular emphasis is placed on two kinds of skills:

• anticipating and dealing with practical organizational problems;
• understanding the contexts that generate conflict and developing procedures to address them.

• Robert Birnbaum How Colleges Work
  Jossey-Bass 1988
  ISBN: 1-55542-354-X
  
• Charles Perrow Complex Organizations. A critical essay
  McGraw-Hill Higher Education 1986
  ISBN: 0-07-554799-6
  
• Edward G. Rozycki Workbook for Organizational Studies
  NewFoundations Press 2008 (Contained on CD with additional materials available at first class)
  ISBN: 1-929463-11-1 (Click here for pdf sample pages)    (Click here for Update)

Plus articles researched from various sources.

III. Learning Activities
Teaching methodologies will include the use of research readings, lectures, dialogue, diagnostic sessions, visual displays, question and answer periods, case studies, and where pertinent, simulations.

IV. Evaluation
The following grades are used: A (4.0); A- (3.7); B+ (3.3); B (3.0); B- (2.7); C+ (2.3); C (2.0); F (0.0)

The grade of I (incomplete) is given when the course requirements have not been met for excuseable reasons. The maximum limit for completing an incomplete grade is one calendar year. A student may withdraw from the course for any reason at any time prior to the completion of the course and shall receive the grade of W.

V. Requirements

A. Each person will select a theme on which to do a major research paper submitting by January 31st, at the latest, an annotated (30 - 50 words per article not including citations) bibliography of 5 books or articles pertaining to the theme.

B. By February 14th at the latest, 5 more annotated bibliographic entries will be handed in.

C. A short overview of that paper (1000 words following specification given in the Workbook) will be given to class members for critiquing by February 14th.

D. After receiving back the critiques -- two weeks maximum wait, parts of a revised and expanded version of the initial draft incorporating (2000 words) the critiques will be read to the class at a time arranged with the instructor.

E. Each person is responsible for a critique (600 words) of two class members' papers. These two critiques will follow the specifications in the Workbook.

F. The final draft of the paper- due by April 25th-- will approximate 2500 words, not including references.

 

VI. Appeal Procedure for Student Academic grievances. (See Student Handbook.)

VII. Academic Fraud
The Center for Education strictly enforces the University’s policy on cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic fraud. Commission of such makes the student liable to sanctions ranging from failure in the course to expulsion from the University. (See appropriate parts of the Student Handbook.)