La filosofía de sistema modular, su papel dentro de la cultura organizacional de la UAM-Xochimilco

Abstract

Organizations were traditionally considered to consist of hierarchical levels, functional areas, authority relations, rules and procedures. However, this conception has changed. Like individuals, institutions possess a "personality", a culture underlaid by a system of meaning shared by its members and affecting their attitudes and behaviour. It distinguishes one organization from another. For the organizational culture to trascend to its members, it should be institutionalized: thus they adopt a particular identity which produces a common understanding of what is right, fundamental and meaningful. It also defines the approach to be taken. Uam-X was born offering an alternative academic model, with an educational methodology which made it, and still does, different from the other units. This methodology is called Modular System, and its philosophy goes well beyond the mere revision of curricula. It is a whole new conception of education proposing the insertion of the University in society as a means of critical reflection and creative action with a transforming intention. The Modular System Philosophy is not only concerned with the teaching-learning method; it is in fact what gives identity to the university community, the core of the Uam-X organizational culture. Most professors know and share it; however, they consider that what is known nowadays as the Modular System is far from the original idea with which it was conceived, besides the fact of a lack of support which does not allow the institution to wholly cover its objectives. On the other hand, the Departamental Model is not well known. Very few students have information regarding the Modular System before they enter the university; some of them say they do not know the Uam-X philosophy, but they do understand the Modular System, when essentially the Modular System principles are those of the university philosophy. It is necessary to clarify and spread the Uam-X philosophy inside and out, among the university members as well as its future participants (students and new staff), to guarantee its preservation.