Organizational Studies

Organizational Studies is an interdisciplinary course of study focusing on administrative, economic, political, psychological and sociological factors that affect cooperative human systems. A major in Organizational Studies emphasizes an understanding of how organizations operate, how they affect society and how they change. Students are encouraged to design a specific thematic focus to structure the depth of their study.

Students interested in public administration, business administration, public health administration, organizational behavior, industrial psychology, labor, or sociology of work may find this program an appropriate preparation for either career or graduate work in these areas.

Pitzer Adviser: B. Junisbai, J. Lewis. Affiliated faculty: N. Boyle, M. Federman.

Student Learning Outcomes

Objectives for Majors in Organizational Studies

  1. Organizational Studies majors will correctly identify human interactions in organizations and workplaces according to social science perspectives from the fields of organizational behavior and organizational theory.
  2. Organizational Studies majors will apply integrative concepts and perspectives from psychology, sociology, economics and political studies to specific organizations and to participants in them using case studies or analytic observations.
  3. Organizational Studies majors will describe distinctive elements of organizational culture, social influence, interpersonal communication, and organizational change as applied to work settings.
  4. Organizational Studies majors will attain competent knowledge in a thematic area within the major.
  5. Organizational Studies majors will demonstrate critical awareness of the influence of organizations in society in the context of at least one of the following: class and social stratification, gender, power, community and economic development, technology, alternative organizational forms, critical theory, an industry such as education, law or health care.
  6. Organizational Studies majors will accurately select and apply qualitative and quantitative research findings to case studies, and demonstrate basic knowledge of probability and statistics.