This course explores how organizations understand and integrate with their environments. Theories are valuable and important because they help us explain and control our surroundings. Thus, organizational theory is important and valuable because it can explain how organizations view themselves and help us bring control to how they interact with their environment. When we design organizations, theory can bring a logical foundation to our design efforts. It can help us put in place mechanisms to control those organizations to meet their goals. Finally, this course will examine the constant need to understand and approach vital changes that must be made if organizations are to remain dynamic and vital. Change in organizations is the way they respond to, and shape, their environment. How will organizations take control of how and when they change? Students will be able to identify relevant organizational theories that will allow them to design effective organizations, and construct change strategies that can keep organizations viable in changing environments.