who we are, what we value, what orst100 is about
How do these organizational metaphors connect?
How our metaphors connect!
When we think of organizations in our lives, what comes to mind? How do you feel being a part of these organizations?
“We control the world basically because we are the only animals that can cooperate flexibly in very large numbers. And if you examine any large-scale human cooperation, you will always find that it is based on some fiction like the nation, like money, like human rights.”
—Yuval Noah Harari (Sapiens)
The act of organizing as human beings can be a bit abstract to conceptualize. Explaining how and why people form various groups, subgroups, and “organizations” is a lifelong pursuit (hence the existence of “Organizational Studies”). Or at least, one that requires a fair amount of reflection and definitely more explanation than any one quote could provide.
To each of us, being part of an organization can have a range of different meanings and may provoke numerous images. Large and controlling corporations that use humans as machine-like cogs could be an image that comes to your mind. The Amazons, Googles, and Walmarts of the world. For others, you may see a small grassroots group who meet once a week, passionately advocating for a cause that lights their fire. Others may see families, clubs, classes, religious groups, or a myriad of other images. Organizations are not a one-size-fits-all, because what we see as organizing is so ingrained into our natural, individual, and unique identities.
All of these organizations (and more!) make up and impact our lives. In them, we are more than just individuals–we are connected to others, we have a bigger purpose, a shared identity. Far more than just places on a map, organizations affect how we see ourselves and others. Organizations send signals–they let us know who is welcome and who belongs (and who does not), who is affirmed and valued (and who is not). They let us know what position we hold in the hierarchy, whose voice matters (and whose does not), and they give us a sense of worth (or take that sense of worth away from us).
In Organizational Theory, we’ve spent many hours working collaboratively (as an organization) to develop our own understanding of this broad topic. We try to look beyond the constraints classically presented as the rules of organizing and see the possibility and promise that lies beyond these often exclusive borders. This project is the product of what many brilliant minds can do when given the space, opportunity, and strong guidance. We hope you reflect, add to our thoughts, and of course, enjoy.
Who We Are
Amya Bolden I am a sophomore at Pitzer College from Las Vegas, Nevada. I love playing the guitar/bass and being surrounded by my friends and family! |
 Zach Cohen
Im a Pitzer sophomore who really likes the badminton emoji. |
 Molly Craig
I am someone who cares deeply about myself and others. For that reason I have always prioritized my mental health and have grown to be very driven and organized. |
 Aviva V. Maxon
I am a Scripps Sophomore majoring in Organizational Studies and minoring in Politics. I enjoy reading, walks, cooking and all things food. |
 Baylen Altizer
Born in Berkeley CA, raised in Atlanta GA, honoring the traditions of both places through love of food, outdoors and fun. Now that is evolving with interests in organizational and structural change and reimagining
I am a born and raised New Yorker who has lived in Newport Beach and now Charlotte, North Carolina. I grew up singing Broadway and with a love for performing that I took with me into my arts high schools in New York and then in California. I am slowly learning that life does not always have to be a performance, though I still often think it is, and I am learning to embrace what is underneath the different roles I have played moving from state to state and school to school. |
 Emery Barajas
I am a student with a passion for making every moment a learning experience to become the best possible person I can be. I love my friends, family, sports, and movies. I would not be who I am without my family, they mean everything to me. |
 Flannery Daley-Watson
I’m Flannery and I am a Junior at Pitzer College. I love to travel, eat and play with animals, especially cats and reptiles. I hope that my future career consists of collaborating with kind and loving people. |
Jocelyn Yale
I am a Human-Centered design major at Pitzer. Org theory has given me a framework for understanding how organizations can incite change and resist systems of domination. I intend to use the information we have gathered in this class to inform my design practice. |
| Angel Lin
ORST100 for me is truly a life-changing communal learning experience and I’d like to thank everyone for being who they are. Collectively, we all help each other understand ourselves a little bit better. This class also makes me think about a central question: what is delivered by organization and why? This question is fundamental because it allows me to examine every organization, relationship, and human agency with a critical lens. I begin to think about the cause, the purpose, and consequence of our creation. I learned to contemplate, reflect, and articulate my thoughts with evidence. When theories are combined with emotions, it’s powerful. |
 Makana Shipman
Hi I am Makana. I am a friend to many and love to be outdoors and am very adventures. I would say that my family has contributed to my love of the outdoors as we are very active and are always going on hikes, to the beach, biking, and snowboarding. They have helped me to always do what I love and to be kind towards others. |
 Quincy Johnston
Hi there, my name is Quincy and I am a sophomore at Scripps College. I am a Politics major and have been fascinated with the way politics plays out in every aspect of an organization. I am grateful for my classmates, Professor Barbara, and everyone that has helped me get to sit in this classroom. 🧚♀️ |
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Shanthi Ashley Hi, I’m Shanthi 🙂 I’m a junior at Pitzer and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I’m also a daughter, sister, student athlete and friend to a lot of incredible people <3 |
 Kourosh Ariane
I am a friend. I am someone who values the relationships I have with those around me and the work we do together. |
 Larkin Barnard-Bahn
I’m a collaborative leader, which I’ve learned from both of my parents. I hope to use my new knowledge of organizational theory to inform my leadership and improve the organizations in which I participate. |
 Laura Wiederspahn
I am a daughter, friend, student athlete, and someone who loves to spend time outside. By being a part of our Org. Theory class I have been able to re-evaluate what I want to do in my future, and the types of communities I want to be a part of. This class has allowed me to realize what psychic prisons I remain trapped in, and has let me think in a more experimental way. 🪴 |
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My heart and mind are made up of all the people in my life that have touched me — family, friends, teachers, and even strangers. Organizational theory has simultaneously provided me clarity and has left me with more questions. |
 Diego Villegas
I’m a proud Latinx first gen student who loves chatting with my turtle Bartholomew and sharing stories with family members. What I love about organizational theory is how vast yet individualistic the subject can be, forcing me to reflect on my own positionality in the world. |
 Lilin Keicho
Hello! I am a Scripps Senior majoring in Organizational Studies. On campus, I am involved in acappella and in my free time, I love to sing, play instruments, and do yoga. I am passionate about organizational studies and am happy that I can spread knowledge and love through this pressbook. |
Matthew Gainsboro
I appreciate all of my group’s help, as well as all of the organizations I’ve been a part of that have helped me throughout this class. All of those experiences have been worth something and I’m thankful to be a part of them. |
| Shay Reifert
Organizational theory has given me a new lens to examine each and every organization I am a part of from my family to my workplace. It offers a view of the good and bad of organizations as a means to understand and make change. 🤩 |
 Aaron Wazana
I’m passionate about understanding how organizations can be used to improve and further human society. It seems like so much of how we understand them is through the lens of machine or domination, but I think that being able to use the other metaphors to better ourselves and how we organize is what really excites me about Org Theory and its applications outside of the classroom. |
Stryder Rodenbe
One big takeaway I got from org theory was how looking at a given scenario/organization through different lenses can foster a better understanding of its impacts, positive or negative, on everyone who interacts with or is impacted bythe organization, |
Sonya is a junior at Scripps College who is majoring in Asian American Studies with a minor in Politics. She is a daughter, friend, sister and mentor/mentee who loves art, adventure, and dance. She hopes to apply what she has learned from Organizational Theory to her work in organizing and social justice. 🥰 |
Claire Partridge I am a double major in Organizational Studies and Environmental Analysis on the Sustainability and the Built Environment track at Pitzer College. I am also an avid lover of board games and enjoy playing sports. Each of my family members have helped to raise me in their own way and I am forever grateful to have them in my life. |
Jason Kennel
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Marc Rothken |
Sophie Dorn
I am currently a sophomore at Pitzer college from Portland, Oregon. My family, specifically my sisters have greatly influenced who I am and what I value. I have a super cute Bernese mountain dog named Juno and I like the cat faces emojis. |
| Michael Ross
Sophmore at Pitzer College |
Quin Mumford |
Zoe Wong-VanHaren |
Jordan McAuliff I use she/her/hers pronouns and I am a first-year at Pitzer college. I am the daughter of my parents, who are the children of their parents, who many generations back were probably created by the Big Bang. I think organizational theory is important because organizations are present in every part of our lives, from the familiar level to the global. This class has shown me new ways of understanding them and new possibilities about what they can be. |
| Emma Williamson |
Emily Anderson |
Paris Primm-Terry |
 Amaya Gustave
Learning about organizations as metaphors this semester in organizational theory has taught me to take time to reflect on and analyze the organizations I’veparticipated/participated in and how they shape us! |
Chapter created by Flannery Daley-Watson, Larkin Barnard-Bahn, Aaron Wazana, Laura Wiederspahn, and Quincy Johnston.