Customs in an Organizational and Societal Perspective (TOL130)
The purpose of the course is to provide students with an introduction to key theories, ideas and discourses about organisations, management and their role in society, especially in relation to Norwegian Customs (including agency description and social mission). An important starting point for the course is that organisations must not only be understood from a narrow, internal perspective, with a focus on internal tasks and their own social mission, as well as management and control. Organisations - and the management of organisations - must also be understood based on a broader social context, where cooperation, interaction processes and professional understanding take on a more prominent role.
Course description for study year 2024-2025. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
TOL130
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
Norwegian
Content
The course introduces students to theories about organisations and their role in society, be it the importance of organisations’ formal normative structures, as well as recent theories that are more concerned with organisational culture and organisational processes as a collective term for both understanding and influencing organisations’ mode of operation.
The course is also an introduction to various management discourses; from instrumental ideas and theories where leadership largely appears as the exercise of hierarchical management and control, to theories where leadership is exercised more through personal influence and dialogue.
An important aim of the course is to reflect on theories about organisations and their role in society, as well as various management discourses, in relation to practical examples from everyday life that are introduced in guest lectures, visits to organisations (customs offices) and in project work. In addition, the course will address questions about how organisations should function and see this in relation to business development, as well as cooperation with relevant organisations, agencies and authorities. The pedagogical angle of the learning material is threefold; Great emphasis is placed on theory, frameworks and models, as well as problem-oriented and experience-based learning at individual and collective levels. Students are thus challenged to actively use both the base of experience they bring with them onto the course, as well as make use of the experiences they are given access to during visits to, and guest lectures from, Norwegian Customs.
Learning outcome
After successfully completing the course, students will have the following learning outcomes defined in knowledge, skills and general competence:
After successfully completing the course, students will have knowledge about:
- Key theories, ideas and discourses about management, organisations and their role in society
- Characteristics and functions of key institutions in society
- The roles and social missions of Norwegian Customs and collaborative agencies and authorities.
- Basic professional ethics and professional understanding
After successfully completing the course, students will be able to:
- Apply various theories in order to analyse how organisations work
- Apply theories about organisation, management and society to analyse organisational challenges related to the development and understanding of one’s own organisation, together with collaborative organisations.
After successfully completing the course, students will have general competence in:
- Basic insight into organisations, management and their role in society.
- Ability to reflect on organisations’ mode of operation and how organisations should function.
- Being able to analyse collaboration and interaction processes using a social science conceptual apparatus.
- The work and role of Norwegian Customs from a societal perspective.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Exam
Project and written exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | 2/5 | 14 Weeks | Letter grades | All |
| Written exam | 3/5 | 5 Hours | Letter grades | None permitted |
The course consists of several assessment elements that are included in an ongoing assessment. All elements must be passed in order to achieve an overall course grade.The written exam is digital and individual.The project assignment is to be carried out as group work.There are no continuation opportunities regarding the project assignment. Students who wish to retake this part may do so the next time the course has ordinary teaching.It is recommended that the project assignment is completed before taking the written examination.