This module emphasizes the experiential nature of nontraditional education and adult development theory. Students will become familiar with various theories and instruments that will provide a cognitive basis for personal analysis and understanding. The objective of the module is personal discovery and affirmation through examination of one's strengths and the subsequent adjustments that may assist areas of personal growth. The student's portfolio development takes place during this module. This module focuses on organizational structure and design.
Primary emphasis is placed on understanding the organization as an open system.
Students will learn to utilize a systems approach in basic organizational diagnosis. Contingency theory provides a theoretical framework for understanding the impact of the environment on organizational effectiveness and design. This module will help students refine their research question for the project thesis by learning how to conduct a qualitative needs assessment and how to locate and read sources of published information on their topic. In addition, students will have regularly scheduled opportunities to work out their research hypothesis and data collection methods with a small group of faculty and their cohort in preparation for quantitative research. This module is a study of group behavior and how group functioning affects organizational effectiveness.