Admission requirements
This course is only available for students in the BA International Studies and BA Urban Studies programmes.
Description
In this theory-meets-practice course, students develop skills to analyse the structure and culture of any organisation. They will be able to understand the implications of organisational design for employees, managers, and society. These skills are useful for selecting employers, for sending applications, and for preparing to enter future workplaces. A unique aspect is learning to frame organisational phenomena through two different theoretical lenses i.e. traditional/managerialist and critical, and to form policy recommendations.
Students will apply their academic knowledge in practice in two case studies on organisational culture and structure.
During the course, students write these case studies with a writing team, as outsider to the organisation under study. After the course, students write these cases individually on their internship, now as insider to the own workplace.
Former interns feel this application of knowledge to everyday context, makes the theory and concepts “come to life”.
Classes consist of 1) lectures and 2) internship labs.
The lectures provide guidance and space for questions and collective case writing (group coordination, planning and discussion, peer review etc.). In two classes, the floor opens to individual pitches by students on their case-writing-progress (so-called check-points).
The internship labs are interactive workshops where students receive and work with concrete guidance for organising their internship in the elective space. This includes: how to find an internship, how to write an internship planand short research proposal, how to navigate workplace encounters. During these practical internship labs, students will get the opportunity to learn from Humanities Career Services, former interns, and the internship coaches.
Throughout its activities (e.g. classes, internship labs, case writing, individual pitching) the course aims to equip students with skills to understand the dynamics of any organisation. By engaging in all course activities, students will prepare themselves to organise their internships meaningfully, and to understand and navigate their future places of work.
Course objectives
This course aims to:
teach you to quickly grasp an organisation’s culture and structure while searching for, and doing an internship, to understand your workplace well and make strong contributions as intern;
develop your knowledge on two theoretical perspectives in organisation theory (traditional and critical), and how to think about organisational phenomena from the perspectives of managers, employees and the wider society;
build your ability to analyse and evaluate the key concepts of organisational structure and culture through case studies resulting in policy recommendations;
to build your knowledge on group development and extend your teamwork competencies (e.g. accountability, responsibility, empathy and professional communication with peers);
to introduce you to data collection and analysis of secondary data, observations and an interview with an organisational member (manager or employee);
to provide guidance on how to find an internship, and how to approach internship organisations, how to organise your internship and how to manage yourself in future workplaces.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Lectures
This course consists of twelve classes. To benefit all students should actively participate in all course activities (classes, internship labs, collective case writing, individual pitching) and prepare and apply insights from course book chapters.
Assessment method
Assessment and Weighing
| Partial grade | Weighing |
|---|---|
| Case Study I | 20% |
| Case Study II | 30% |
| Final Exam | 50% |
End Grade
To successfully complete the course, please take note of the following:
The end grade of the course is established by determining the weighted average of both Case Study Grades, and Final Exam grade.
The weighted average of the Case Study Grades and the Final Exam grade needs to be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
If the end grade is insufficient (lower than a 6.0), there is a possibility of retaking the exam, replacing the Final Exam grade. No resit for the Case Studies is possible.
Retaking a passing grade
Please consult the Course and Examination Regulations 2025 – 2026.
Exam review
How and when an exam review takes place will be determined by the examiner. This review will be within 30 days after official publication of exam results.
Reading list
- Selected chapters from core book: Work and Organizational Behaviour (4th Edition) by John Bratton.
Registration
- Enrolment through My Studymap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration Exchange
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Student Affairs Office for BA International Studies/Urban Studies
Remarks
This course must be passed in the Spring semester prior to the internship in the elective credits
This course can also be taken by students interested in an introduction in organisational theory (structure, culture) with a practical focus through team case writing, and they may choose to follow the course as part of their extra-curricular space.