Emotions in organizations

The course is a programme course within the Masters Programme in Sociology. It is an optional component in the Masters Degree in Sociology. It can also be followed as a freestanding course on the advanced level.

The course can be part of the following programmes: 1) Programme for Master in Sociology (S2SOC), 2) Master's Programme in Strategic Human Resource Management and Labour Relations (S2HRM)

To be eligible to follow the course 15 credits in Sociology at the advanced level is required or equivalent. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English level 2/English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The course builds on lectures and seminars. It offers a broad perspective on the role of emotions in social life by addressing a variety of cases concerning organizations, movements, networks and situated interactions and their respective ways of organizing emotions and emotional processes among members. The social scientific study of emotions is inherently a multidisciplinary field involving Sociology, Psychology, Organization and Work Science, Social Psychology and so on. What tends to distinguish the Sociology of Emotions is its focus on the social components of emotions, their enactment through social interactions and their embeddedness in social structures. The course offers a critical perspective on the way that emotions are commonly talked about in contemporary workplaces and academia.

After completing the course the student is expected to be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Define, explain and apply key theories and concepts within the Sociology of Emotion and identify its key characteristics
• Independently conduct advanced comparison and integration of current international research on emotions in organizational life and be able to critically assess the relevance of different theories and concepts in relation to different objects of study. 

Skills and abilities

• Propound and critically apply adequate theories and concepts in the analysis of an empirical problem dealing with emotions in social life.
• Demonstrate a high degree of independence, creativity and analytical prowess in the identification of emotions and emotional processes in an object of study.
• Eloquently present in writing and orally conclusions of own independent analyses of emotions in social life
• Analyze and critically reflect over own and others' conclusions in dialogue with others.

Judgment and approach

• Identify additional knowledge requirements and assess the need of further resaerch in the field of the Sociology of Emotions allowing the student to assume greater responsibility for their own personal knowledge development as well as for the knowledge development of wider society.
• Evaluate the possibilities and limits of theories and empirical research results within the field of the Sociology of Emotions.
• Identifty and assess the ethical implications of different research strategies and knowledge applications within the field of the Sociology of Emotions.

Language of instruction: English.

Learning outcomes will be examined through an individually written paper (home exam). The paper will be presented and discussed in a paper seminar.

Restrictions regarding the use of generative AI are specified on the learning platform or equivalent. Students are responsible for informing themselves of the current rules for examination elements such as assignments, seminar assignments and exams in the course in question.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). To pass the course it is not permitted to fail any examined moment in the course (exam paper and paper seminar). To pass the course with distinction it is required to receive the grade of VG on the exam paper.

The Course Leader ensures that students have the opportunity to make a written evaluation in anonymous form during the course or at the end of the course. Where possible, students also have an opportunity for an oral course evaluation. A summary of the results, and any suggestions for changes, shall be made available to students, and dealt with in the course introduction in the subsequent course.