Departmental Culture Research Articles

On the Road to Tenure

PSC Program Schedule •Welcome Peter Parides, Chair, Col lege Council •Lunch and Opening Remarks Bar bara Bowen, PSC •Value of Service Terry Martel, Ba ruch College •Union Activism Penny Lewis, Sch ool of Professional Studies •Contract Issues Lise Hunter, City Tech •Break refreshments •Teaching Portfolio Paul King, City Tech •Departmental Culture Brian Keen er, City Tech •Departmental Culture Joel Mason , City Tech •Faculty Party at "reBar”, 147 Fron t Street in Dumbo

The Department of State: Formal Organization and Informal Culture

The Department of State has had many critics, including Presidents. John F. Kennedy once asked Charles Bohlen, What's wrong with that goddamned Department of yours, Chip?' The Department remained an enigma to him and he developed the Bundy in the White House largely because he could not find a way to use the Department of State effectively. This article will suggest that the explanation for many of the inadequacies of the Department and many of the things that are puzzling about it lies in the nature and functioning of the dominant subculture that exists in the Department. The beliefs and actions of members of the Department are influenced by the Departmental culture in much the same way that they are influenced by the national culture. The day-to-day working world of a Departmental officer will normally be made up of people who are carriers of the ideas and norms of the subculture. To discuss the operation of the Department of State without considering the role of the subculture is like trying to explain tidal change without reference to the role of the moon.