Class objective(s) (learning outcomes)

Purpose: The purpose of this course is to develop men and women’s basic understanding of central concepts of feminist theories and to explore ways in which feminist theories and ideas (1) should be included in and (2) are actually included in high performing organizations.

Feminist analysis will be applied to business and organizational settings. Emphasis will be on recognizing and working out issues related to gender in work settings. Attention also will be directed to ways that knowledge from this to course can increase one’s employability.

Teaching and learning method(s)

Lecture, discussion, and small group class presentations.

Criteria for successful completion

Requirements:
- Regular attendance and active participation.
- A written paper analyzing the convergence and divergence of two books, one on feminist theory and one on organizational excellence or higher performing organizations. The paper can be reworked after feedback from the instructor before final grading.
- Compellation of and delivery of a presentation in a working group with handouts and PowerPoint or other audio visual aids. The presentation must focus on the analysis of a high performing organization from the vantage of feminist theory. At the discretion of the instructor there may be other written work during the sememster such as reading notes.

Availability of instructor(s) for contact by students

per email: mailto:mary.ann.danowitz@wu-wien.ac.at

Content: This proseminar offers students the opportunity to actively confront selected material from the introductory lectures—especially the lectures, “The starting points of feminist theory,” and “The starting points of organizational excellence.” This will be accomplished through shared discussion and working on selected issues such as evaluating organizational reports and materials and recommending possible changes.