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2026-2027 / SOCI0060-1

Sociology of organized action

Duration

30h Th, 15h Lect.

Number of credits

 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in public administration5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in European policies5 crédits 
 Master in political sciences : general, professional focus in international relations5 crédits 
 Master in sociology, research focus6 crédits 
 Master in labour sciences, research focus6 crédits 
 Master in sociology, teaching focus (Réinscription uniquement, pas de nouvelle inscription)6 crédits 
 Master in human resource management, professional focus in management of organisational systems in transition (Réinscription uniquement, pas de nouvelle inscription )5 crédits 
 Master in human resource management, professional focus in HR policy and management5 crédits 
 Master in sociology and anthropology (60 ECTS)6 crédits 
 Master of education, Section 4: Social sciences5 crédits 
 Extra courses intended for exchange students (Erasmus, ...) (Faculty of social sciences)6 crédits 

Lecturer

Christophe Dubois

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Through the reading of scientific articles, the presentation and discussion of case studies, this course aims to provide students with methodological and conceptual tools enabling them to describe and analyse various situations of collective action. They will also apply these methods to carry out a case study and thereby address an organisational question.

In this course, we will review three bodies of work to synthesise and deepen the knowledge and methods already acquired, in order to better understand the organisation as an entity (comprising three dimensions), as an ontology (organising oneself is a mode of existence, a way of life, a vital issue) and as a process (a process of interaction, enunciation and awareness).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

At the end of the course, students will be able to

- Combine knowledge of the sociology of organisations, public action and markets to create a relevant methodological and analytical framework.

- Encourage collaboration within a group with a view to achieving certain goals.

- Conduct a case study by mastering the methodological, analytical and theoretical tools needed to carry out a detailed diagnosis in a context of collective action.

- Conduct research in a number of relevant English and French scientific journals (Sociologie du travail, Organisation Studies, Human Relations, Work, Employment and Society, etc.).

- Read and use English and French scientific articles.

- Present and discuss orally and collectively these scientific articles collectively.

- Write a working paper consisting of an organisational diagnosis.

- Give an oral presentation of a reading summary.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Néant

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Activities are organised in a variety of formats (provisional programme):

  • llectures based on academic articles and case studies, followed by discussions on key concepts in the sociology of organised action;
  • readings from the text portfolio, followed by oral presentations and discussions of key concepts such as sense-making, intermediary objects, instruments of public action, networking, etc.;
  • work in small groups;
  • conferences bringing together authors, practitioners and students.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course


Additional information:

Classroom teaching

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Reading material available on MyUliege, inluding:

  • Compulsory readings (scientific articles);
  • Presentation of empirical cases;
  • PowerPoint presentations.
  Reference books:

  • Czarniawska, B. (2008) A theory of Organizing, Edward Elgar
  • Crozier, M., & Friedberg, E. (1992). L'acteur et le système: les contraintes de l'action collective. Éd. du Seuil.
  • Friedberg, E. (1988). L'analyse sociologique des organisations. POUR.
  • Friedberg, E. (1997). Le pouvoir et la règle: dynamiques de l'action organisée. Éd. du Seuil.
  • Weick, K. (1995). Sense-making in organisations. SAGE Publications.
  • Barthélémy, F. (2011). Sociologie de l'action organisée. Nouvelles études de cas. Editions De Boeck, Bruxelles.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( multiple-choice questionnaire, open-ended questions )


Further information:

Any session :

- In-person

written exam (MCQ and open-ended questions )

- Remote

written exam (MCQ and open-ended questions )

- If evaluation in "hybrid"

preferred in-person


Additional information:

Written exam in June

Oral exam in August

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The list of the scientific articles that will be presented and discussed through the course is available on myuliège

Contacts

c.dubois@uliege.be 

nathan.rivet@sciencespo.fr 

Association of one or more MOOCs