AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course offers an analysis of the theoretical, epistemological and methodological foundations for the study of administrations, with particular reference to those operating within the public sphere. The lessons are designed as a critical reading of the fundamental contribution of Herbert Simon "The Administrative Behaviour". The central themes of this essay will be investigated and related to the subsequent evolution of organizational thought and the main problems of administrative activity in contemporary societies. In this sense, attending students will be asked to read two tales of administrative life in our country and interpret them used the categories discussed in the course.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the students are expected to have acquired:

1. The ability to understand critically a classic of the social sciences.
2. Awareness of the main determinants of the functioning of complex organizations.
3. Awareness of the mechanisms related to organizational stability and change.
4. The basic concepts which are useful for evaluating the performance of organizations and policy programs.

TEACHING METHODS

The course will be based mainly on lectures. The active participation of the students will however be encouraged.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course is organised into four Didactic Units (UD):

UD1 – Problems of administrations

UD2 – Introduction to Herbert Simon

UD3 – Mechanisms of influence (Authority, communication, efficiency, loyalty)

UD4 – Organizational change.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Attending students.

H. Simon (2001), Il comportamento amministrativo, il Mulino, Bologna.

One of the following two books:

R. Balzani (2012) Cinque anni di solitudine, il Mulino, Bologna.

W. Tocci (2015) Roma: non si piange su una città coloniale. Note sulla politica romana, goWare, Firenze.

Non attending students.

M. Catino (2012), Capire le organizzazioni, il Mulino, Bologna.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 15, 2021

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attending students will take the written exam at the first call. Subsequently the procedure will take place exclusively in oral form.

Non-attending students will take the oral exam to ascertain knowledge of the contents of the manual indicated.

Exam schedule