Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Credits: 3

Schedule: 07.06.2021 - 31.08.2021

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Sarri Nykänen

Contact information for the course (valid 03.05.2021-21.12.2112):

Instructor’s contact information:
Name: Sarri Nykänen
Email: sarri.nykanen@aalto.fi
Office hours: by appointment

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• Applies in this implementation:

  1.Overview

   

  If you ask “Why is this thing done the way it is?” and somebody answers
  along the lines of “Because it has always been done this way, this is the way
  it is done, and it will always be this way.”, very probably, you are dealing
  with an institutionalized practice. Institutions are social structures that are
  generally taken for granted, such as norms, industry practices, organizational
  forms, status hierarchies and laws. At their best, institutionalized structures
  might embed social learning, meaning that they automate wisdom acquired by
  others. Yet, often, things are done as they are not because it is the most
  efficient or objectively best way but because it is considered “normal”.

   

  These assumptions often become major barriers for changing
  organizational practices, industry practices, divisions of roles, and the
  effects of businesses on society and society on businesses. Institutional
  theory and research on institutional change seeks to understand how we can
  change wide-spread taken-for-granted and shared assumptions, practices and
  norms, and foster the emergence of new institutions.

   

  During the 3-credit course in June, we will start with an introduction
  of institutions and institutional theory. Then, we review the long-standing
  debate of whether the purpose of a company is to serve its shareholders or
  stakeholders. We learn how algorithms and AI have become sociotechnical
  institutions that shape our daily lives and why they can be so prone to bias.
  In the last unit of the 3-credit course, we learn about the emergence of the
  sustainability certification standards market.

   

  In an additional 2 credit part of the course, we discuss theories on
  changing institutions. Firstly, we discuss framing strategies. Next, we learn how
  and why to organize free spaces to change wider institutional arrangements, how
  actors can work on organizational boundaries and practices to reshape
  industries and organizational fields, and how you can utilize and shape
  perceptions of time to promote a new institutional order. Finally, we also
  discuss the role of resources in exerting institutional influence and how
  coalitions form and acquire resources.

   

  The course is structured into a 3-credit module (in June) and a 2-credit
  module (completion by end of August).  The
  June 3 credit module has 4 units that each last one week. The course follows
  the inverted classroom method. In each unit, you will first read the course
  materials independently. Next, you discuss the articles in a small group of 3
  to 5 students and submit a group report of your discussion. Third, you write an
  individual essay on the unit article(s).

   

  The additional 2-credit module of the course can be completed at an
  independent pace by the end of August. It consists of 4 units. In each unit,
  you read the course material and then write an individual essay on the unit
  article(s).

   

   

  2.Pre-requisites

  The course is intended for Master level students and students close to
  finishing their Bachelor degree.

   

  3.Learning objectives

  -   Ability to recognize how taken-for-granted
  institutions shape organizational, industry, economic, and social activity

  -   Awareness and understanding of reasons and solutions
  of AI and algorithmic bias

  -   Ability to recognize, understand and apply many of the
  existing explanations for how institutional arrangements can be altered:
  framing strategies, constructing free spaces, working with boundaries,
  practices, and perceptions of time, and mobilizing resources and building advocacy
  coalitions.

  -   Gain access to an improved cognitive and strategic
  toolset for shaping organizational or industry practices and better ability to partake
  in the processes that change institutions

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• Applies in this implementation:

  1.Asessment and grading

  The course is graded on a 1 to 5 range.

   

  Module	3-credit module in June:	Additional 2-credit module independently by end of August
  Grading	Group discussions and reports:           30% MyCourses discussion forum:              10% Individual essays:                                  60%	Individual essays:  90% MyCourses discussion forum:              10%
  Submission cycle	Weekly submission of group report and individual essay by Friday. Weekly discussion forum questions by Wednesday.	Submission of all essays by end of August. Weekly discussion forum questions by Wednesdays in August.
  Recommended schedule	Mon – Tue: Read articles Wed: Group discussion + finalize group report + post individual question to discussion forum Thu – Fri: Write individual essay	Start working on the essays at the beginning of August and don’t do everything in the final week. Wednesdays: Post questions and answers to discussion forum

   

  The grading of course submissions will be anonymous. Therefore, please
  do not write your names or student ids on the submission documents. MyCourses
  will know whose submission it is. If possible, please also use the same
  formatting in all submissions to ensure anonymity: Calibri font, 12 pt, and 1.5
  spaces between lines. Both group reports and individual essays are submitted
  through Turnitin to check for instances of plagiarism.

   See the course syllabus pdf for a more detailed description of the assignments and assessment.
  

Workload

• Applies in this implementation:

  1.     Course workload

   

  3-credit module

  Reading syllabus and instructions	4 h
  Reading articles (3h per full length article)	30 h
  Coordination with group	2 h
  Group discussions (1,5h per round)	6 h
  Finalizing group reports after discussions (2 h per round)	8 h
  Post question to discussion forum and answer student questions	4 h
  Writing essays (5h per essay)	20 h
  Something always takes more time than assumed (unknown unknowns)	7 h
  Total	70 h
  Credits (1 ECTS / 27 h)	3 credits

   

  2-credit module

  Reading syllabus and instructions	4 h
  Reading articles (3h per full length article)	24 h
  Post question to discussion forum and answer student questions	4 h
  Writing essays (5h per essay)	20 h
  Something always takes more time than assumed (unknown unknowns)	2 h
  Total	54 h
  Credits (1 ECTS / 27 h)	2 credits

   

   

  
  

DETAILS

Study Material

• Applies in this implementation:

  Academic articles and other readings supplied on mycourses.
  

  See the course syllabus pdf for the full list of the course materials.
  

   

  
  

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule

• Applies in this implementation:

  1.     Course schedule

   

  Summer course

   

  3-credit module

  June:

  3-credit module with weekly group
  meetings and written submissions.

  The first unit starts on Monday the
  7^th June.

  Weekly submission deadlines for
  group reports and essays on Fridays: 11^th June, 18^th
  June, 25^th June, and 2^nd July.

  Weekly discussion forum questions by
  Wednesdays: 9^th June, 16^th June, 23^rd June,
  and 30^th June.

  Weekly discussion forum answers by
  Wednesdays: 16^th June, 23^rd June, 30^th June,
  and 7^th July.

   

  July:

  Course instructor is on holiday and
  does not answer messages.

  You can already start to work on the
  2-credit module if you prefer.

   

  2-credit module

  August:

  End of August: Final date to submit
  essays for the additional 2 credit module is on Tuesday the 31^st of August.

  
  

Description

Registration and further information