Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
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 forumThu – 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 questions4 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 questions4 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
7th June.Weekly submission deadlines for
group reports and essays on Fridays: 11th June, 18th
June, 25th June, and 2nd July.Weekly discussion forum questions by
Wednesdays: 9th June, 16th June, 23rd June,
and 30th June.Weekly discussion forum answers by
Wednesdays: 16th June, 23rd June, 30th June,
and 7th 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 31st of August.