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Sociology 3020: Social Organization

This course examines the ways in which the society and economy in which we live and work are organized. We will focus on organizations as actors in the socio-economic system of the U. S. as well as the global system and examine, for example, how networks among organizations shape society. Since most of our social interactions take place in organizations (just think how many organizations you have come into contact today), we also will explore relations between individuals and organizations. Thus, the course is divided roughly into four themes: First we examine the basic analytical levels of society from social institutions to organizations, groups, and individuals. Then we explore life both outside and inside of organizations and conclude the semester with an in-depth look at the critical argument that the organizational goals of rationality and efficiency have ‘spilled over’ to the society at large and, as such, command our daily lives.

The books required for this course are:

Carruthers and Babb: Economy/Society and 

Ritzer: McDonaldization of Society (New Century Edition)