Spring 2007

WGS 345 • Theory and Practice Outside the Academy

Course Description

Students will examine an organization of their choice (e.g., a nonprofit, government agency, business) to examine how theories of Women's and Gender Studies explain the dynamics of particular ecologies. They will first read recent work in ecologies and organizations to construct a methodology that will guide their investigations into such questions as: " What are the communication patterns in the organization? " Does they reflect a hierarchy? " What written and oral forms are used and for what purpose? " How well do particular theories and methodologies reveal and account for the dynamics of this organization? By attending to such questions, students will understand how discourse patterns can foster or impede the work of an organization.

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