UCLA Online Winter Course: Organizational Communication

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1 UCLA Online Winter Course: Organizational Communication Instructor: Dr. Steven Horowitz Contact: Tel: (424) Course Syllabus Hi, I m Dr. Steven Horowitz and it s a pleasure for me to welcome you to our online course in Organizational Communication. Before we begin, I d like to tell you a little bit about myself. I m a native New Yorker who received a PhD from Loyola University of Chicago, in Leadership and Policy Studies. I ve been a teacher, School Administrator, College Professor and Consultant to business, education and government. I also have a public relations company called New Freedom Communications. Our course will be unique in that we will not only learn about major ideas in how organizations have developed, but most importantly, you ll learn very practical skills and strategies to communicate effectively, motivate others, cultivate your own leadership qualities within an organization The course is set up to replicate as much as is technically possible an environment to maximize our interaction with one another. You ll l have many opportunities to observe and experience many activities and share your reflections, ideas, feelings with each other and myself. You ll find more information about the course by clicking on the syllabus button in the blackboard menu So, again, let me welcome you and tell you how happy I am to be working with you and for now I ll just say, See you around Campus -the Internet Campus that is!

2 About Your Instructor Dr. Steven Horowitz Dr. Horowitz is adjunct professor at -, University of California, Los Angeles, (UCLA), Fordham University in New York and National University, San Diego, California. He holds a doctorate degree in Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University, Chicago. Dr. Horowitz works extensively with leaders in education, business, government, and social service organizations, where he provides extensive workshop training in the fields of leadership, communication, and cultural diversity Dr. Horowitz also worked as a school administrator and desegregation specialist in the Chicago Public Schools, where he also established independent public relations company-new Freedom Communications., He has an extensive career in County government as well, specializing in public relations and workforce organizational development. Dr. Horowitz has won major State and National Awards in the areas of leadership and communication. He is also the author of the book The Message Maker, a public relations textbook. Dr. Horowitz may be contacted at newfreedomcommunications@gmail.com or (424) Course Description: This course is designed to provide knowledge and understanding of key principles of organizational communication and its connection to leading in a diverse workplace. The course will review fundamental philosophies regarding communication and employee motivation with an emphasis on acquiring practical strategies and techniques for building understanding, teamwork and culturally proficient customer service. Participants will also improve their interpersonal behaviors and communication with the goal of improving relationships, productivity, and the quality of work. Topics include a review of basic communication skills: listening, self-disclosure, and methods of expression; more advanced skills: nonverbal communication, influencing behaviors, and male/female communication in the workplace; cultural conflict and conflict management skills; assertiveness; and responding to criticism. Experiential exercises, role-playing, and small-group activities provide opportunities to practice communication strategies and strategies Course Perquisites: None Instructor Expectations Attendance Because the course strives to have the on line experience simulate as closely as possible the interaction between participants you might have on-site, it is vital to respond to questions and provide feedback to fellow students in a timely fashion. Towards this end, students will be required to submit all assignments within the specified timeframes

3 established for each module. Therefore, Participation, punctuality in response, and active engagement activities will be a significant consideration in one s final grade. Discussion Board participation and completion of the required reading and assignments are mandatory to achieve your maximum grade. Assignment Completion I recognize that each of you, as I, have competing responsibilities and I will do my best to provide flexibility both as to timelines and formats for submitting assignments. Therefore, during the course, all modules will be left available for you to complete any assignments, provided instructor has agreed to a new timeframe for submission. However, to satisfactorily complete the course, all assignments must be accounted for. Discussion Board Questions Because interaction and exchange of ideas are vital to the learning process, it is imperative that you take part in all discussion sessions and post your responses to the question and respond to at least two of your colleague s comments for each module. Goals & Objectives Upon completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate, through quizzes, written responses, online classroom discussion, and mid and final review activities, the following knowledge and skills in the area of Organizational Communication: Knowledge Students knowledge of the key concepts surrounding interpersonal, motivational, and conflict resolution principles within a practical framework of systems theory philosophy, cultural proficiency, and the interest-based approach to problem solving and decision making. Objectives: Students will demonstrate through testing, role-playing observations, and problemsolving analysis their knowledge and understanding of the following concepts: -Major Theories and Models of Organizational Leadership -Traditional Models of Employee Motivation -The Communication Process -Communication Persuasion Strategies -Systems Theory and Organizational Leadership -Culturally Proficiency Organizational Communication

4 Skills Students will demonstrate through planning activities, role-playing, guided practice, and assignment activities, skills in applying and practicing techniques related to knowledge of interpersonal, motivation, and conflict resolution principles including: -Specific Active-listening techniques -Constructing messages for diverse audiences -Communicating persuasive messages to diverse audiences -Facilitating team meetings -Practicing culturally proficient customer service techniques -Resolving conflict through innovative communication processes Required Texts Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes. Katherine Miller. 6 th Wadsworth Engage Learning. Boston, MA. Edition. The Message Maker: The Practical Guide to School Public Relations. Horowitz, Steven PhD. New Freedom Publications. Redondo Beach. California (Available at UCLA LuValle Commons Bookstore or calling New Freedom Publications at (914) PLAGIARISM POLICY Plagiarism of any form is a violation of UCLA Student Conduct Code Section Academic Dishonesty. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of another's words or ideas as if they were one's own, including but not limited to representing, either with the intent to deceive or by the omission of the true source, part of or an entire work produced by someone other than the student, obtained by purchase or otherwise, as the student's original work or representing the identifiable but altered ideas, data, or writing of another person as if those ideas, data, or writing were the student's original work. Course Grading Grades will be based on the following guidelines: On-Line Assignments and Quizzes 15 points Out of Class Assignments 15 points Mid-Term Evaluation 25 points On-Line Discussion Board Participation 20 points Final Project 25 point The final course grade will be based on the cumulative number of points earned on all assignments & class participation. There are some variances allowing for a plus or minus. The grade of D is not used in graduate school at UCLA and F indicates a failure to meet the minimum standard for passing a course:

5 Grading Scale A. Outstanding work in every respect: A level of achievement so outstanding that it is normally attained by relatively few students B. Better than average to average but expected level of work at a graduate level: A level of achievement indicating adequate competence in the subject matter/skill. This level will usually be met by a majority of students in the class. C. Passing work but considered below average: A level of achievement which meets the minimum requirements of the course F Unacceptable work: A level of achievement, which fails to meet the minimum requirements of the course. A+ = 100 B+ = C+ = A = B = C = A- = B- = C- = Course Modules Below, you ll find the descriptions for each module, which should guide your readings, assignments, and postings of responses with that time frame. Module One Classical Approaches to Organizational Communication Activities: Reviewing key philosophical concepts and models related to leadership, communication, and organizational development Readings: Text- Chapters 1 and 2. Instructor assigned materials Module Two: Human Relations and Human Resources Approaches Activities: Review of key concepts and transition to humanistic approaches to leadership Readings: Text- Chapter 3. Instructor assigned materials Module Three: The Systems Approach to Leadership in Organizations Activities: Developing an Open, Self-regulating, balanced system through effective communication techniques. Readings: Text- Chapter 4.

6 Instructor Assigned materials Module Four: Effective Communication in the Diverse Workplace Activities: Identifying and Accommodating Diverse Cultures Becoming a Communication Chameleon Readings: Text- Chapter 12, The Message Maker: Chapters 2, 3, 4. Instructor Assigned Materials Module Five: From Conflict to Collaboration: Innovative Approaches to Conflict Resolution Activities: Understanding The Interest Based Approach (IBA) to conflict resolution Readings: Instructor Assigned Articles