COMM : APPLIED ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION SYLLABUS WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY SPRING 2005

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1 COMM : APPLIED ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION SYLLABUS WESTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY SPRING 2005 HOLLY PAYNE, Ph.D. Department of Communication 154 Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center (270) OFFICE HOURS Tuesday: 9:00-11:00; 1:45-2:45; Thursday: 4:00-5:00 And By Appointment REQUIRED MATERIALS Course Pack of Readings 3 Ring Binder for Articles COURSE DESCRIPTION Welcome to COMM 586 Applied Organizational Communication! This is a survey course designed to expose graduate students to organizational communication theory in practice. This course emphasizes the applied nature of organizational communication using foundational and current research in the field. Throughout the semester, we ll also direct our attention to understanding relevant research designs and methodologies for studying communication in organizations. COURSE STRUCTURE Like all of my graduate courses, this course will run in a seminar fashion. Graduate seminars allow the professor and students to play with ideas and concepts in a small group. Learning to jump into these discussions and to communicate and develop your ideas is one of the most important outcomes of this class. Don t be shy! Come to class prepared to question, to defend, to debate, to disagree, to apply, to integrate, to develop etc. In addition, I encourage you to bring to the class s attention research that informs and explores the days issues that you have noted in your own readings. COURSE GOALS 1. To provide in-depth exposure to organizational communication theory and research. 2. To understand the application of theory to organizations and employees. 3. To apply communication concepts, models, and theories using multiple perspectives. 4. To learn how to analyze research for its strengths and weaknesses. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Weekly Presentations For each class session, two students are assigned a presentation on the topic and readings assigned for that week. The requirements for each presentation are outlined below: Outside Article: You will select an applied organizational communication research article applying the theory or theoretical approach assigned for the week to an actual, real-life organization (not undergraduate students) and present an abstract and review of the article. Discussion Leader: You will give a brief overview of the readings (you can prepare a handout as a guide) and facilitate discussion. You ll need to post 2-3 critical questions per reading on Blackboard. These questions should be posted at least two days before the class meeting (i.e., by TUESDAY). Each student is expected to have thought about the questions, and have points prepared for class discussion. Discussion leaders will lead the discussion, ask additional questions, and incorporate any additional activities, cases, or research they may have on the topic. COMM 586 Applied Organizational Communication Graduate Syllabus Page 1

2 Analysis or Thought Papers When you are not assigned as a presenter or discussion leader, you will be asked to turn in a one to two page analysis (or thought) paper. The thought papers are intended to help you start integrating and applying the material you have read for the week. For feedback purposes, I will evaluate these on a simple check, plus, and minus basis with check being acceptable, plus being very good, and minus being not so good. Thought papers should be 1-2 pages double-spaced and should address the guidelines below unless another topic is assigned. For the readings on the theoretical approaches address the following: 1. Give a synopsis of the theoretical approach. What are the basis premises and who are the major theorists? 2. How have researchers applied this approach to the workplace? 3. What are your feelings on this approach? Can you identify with it? For the readings on specific communication processes in organizations address the following: 1. Give a synopsis of the concepts discussed and answer the So what? question. What is significant about this research? Why is it important? 2. Do the readings represent a specific theoretical approach or lens discussed earlier in the semester? 3. How can the ideas from the articles be applied to specific workplace problems? 4. How would you study this further? Write a research question. Final Project/Case Study The final research project requires you to choose a specific topic relevant to organizational communication processes, research that topic incorporating sources (literature review), analyze the issue in a real world organization, and present your findings in an oral presentation. The final paper should be pages, double spaced, using APA documentation style. Identify an organizational communication concept that is particularly interesting to you and that you would like to learn more about. Potential topics include: change management, diversity, globalization, ethics, communication competence, organizational identification, job satisfaction, communication satisfaction, organizational culture, power, hegemony, recruitment, socialization, conflict, supervisor-subordinate communication, leadership, trust, feedback, peer and coworker communication, organizational teams, decision-making, communication technology in organizations. Select a profit/service organization for study. You are to make contact with the organization with the goal of gaining adequate information to discuss your topic. Your case study should provide a rich description of the organization, its mission as well as its structure. Other topics you might discuss include: communication flow in the organization, power structure, how decisions are made, and the physical environment of the workplace. Make an analysis, in terms of the theoretical approaches discussed in class regarding how the organization functions. Apply your research on the communication concept you selected to the organization. What do we learn about the concept by applying it to your sample organization? What do we learn about the organization by applying the organizational communication concept? What are the basic results of your study? Finally, offer a critique and propose a specific program or course of action that you believe could potentially improve communication in the organization. Finally, you ll present minute oral presentation on the last day of class. DETERMINATION OF FINAL GRADE Assignments are weighted as follows: Contributions to Class Discussion 10% Discussion Leader Role and Abstracts 20% Outside Article Presentation 20% Analysis/Thought Papers 20% Final Project/Case Study 30% COMM 586 Applied Organizational Communication Graduate Syllabus Page 2

3 On the following pages, you ll find a schedule that outlines the topics we ll be discussing each week and the articles that you should read prior to each class. This is a challenging list of readings, so please plan your time accordingly. If you are worried about how the class is going or your learning process, please come and talk to me about it. We both have the same goal to help you develop your knowledge and skills! COURSE ASSUMPTIONS Attendance. You cannot do well in this class if you do not attend regularly. It is assumed that you will attend class and be on time for each session. If you have a problem, you should contact me before class begins. If you miss two or more classes, you will be encouraged to withdraw from the course. Writing Skills. It is assumed that you have already developed good writing skills. You should be able to compose grammatically correct sentences, write well-developed paragraphs, and express your ideas in a well-organized, coherent manner. In addition, you should be able to use the APA (5th Edition) writing style using correct citation and notation. Oral Skills. It is also assumed that you have already developed good oral skills. You will be expected to make several brief presentations to your colleagues and to facilitate discussion of required course materials. You should be able to extemporaneously present your research findings in a clear and concise manner. Your objective will be to not only create understanding with your audience, but to also show the relevance of your research findings. It is expected that your presentations will be rehearsed and will include appropriate handouts. Analytical Skills. It is assumed that you have some background in empirical research methods that will allow you to analyze the research literature you will be reading on a weekly basis. If your background remains minimal, please see me for some suggested readings. Completion of Assignments. It is assumed that you will turn your assignments in on time. All written assignments are due at the beginning of class on the due date. All assignments should be proofread carefully before turning them in, and late work will result in a reduction of assignment grade. As a rule, late work will be reduced at least a letter grade. Excessively late work will not be accepted. Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part OR a good reason for turning work in late. Also, please note that you are expected to complete reading assignments before due dates! Academic Integrity. Examination answers and written work for this course must be the original work of the student. Any student guilty of knowingly using, or attempting to use another person s work will receive a grade of F for the course. Such conduct may also constitute grounds for dismissal from the University. Special Problems. If you are disabled in anyway or have any type of health issue that may have an impact on either you or your classmates, please let me know after the first class period so accommodations can be made. Fairness Policy. Western Kentucky University is committed to social justice. I concur with that commitment and expect to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication, mutual respect, and non-discrimination. COMM 586 Applied Organizational Communication Graduate Syllabus Page 3

4 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE WEEK WEEK 1 January 13 TOPICS/READINGS Introduction to the Course WEEK 2 January 20 Theory in Organizational Communication and The History of Organizational Communication Corman, S. R. (1995). That works fine in theory, but. In S.R. Corman, S.P. Banks, C.R. Bantz, & M.E. Mayer (Eds.), Foundations of organizational communication: A reader. White Plains, NY: Longman Publishers. Putnam, L.L. & Cheney, G. (1995). Organizational communication: Historical development and future directions. In S.R. Corman, S.P. Banks, C.R. Bantz, & M.E. Mayer (Eds.), Foundations of organizational communication: A reader. White Plains, NY: Longman Publishers. WEEK 3 January 27 Relational Strategies for Organizing Conrad, C. & Poole, M.S. (2002). Strategic organizational communication. Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt. Ford, R.C. & Fottler, M.D. (1995). Empowerment: A matter of degree. Academy of Management Executive, 9, WEEK 4 February 3 Organizations as Cultures Keyton, J. (2005). Communication and organizational culture: A key to understanding work experiences. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Clampitt, P.G. (2005). Communicating for managerial effectiveness (3 rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. WEEK 5 February 10 The Postmodern Organization Taylor, B.C. (2005). Postmodern theory. In S. May & D. K. Mumby (Eds.), Engaging organizational communication theory and research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Deetz, S. (2005). Critical theory. In S. May & D. K. Mumby (Eds.), Engaging organizational communication theory and research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. WEEK 6 February 17 Feminist Approaches to Organizational Communication Wanca-Thibault, M. & Tompkins, P.K. (1993). Speaking like a man (and a woman) about organizational communication: Feminization and feminism as a recognizable voice. Management Communication Quarterly, 11, Ashcraft, K.L. (2005). Feminist organizational communication studies. In S. May & D. K. Mumby (Eds.), Engaging organizational communication theory and research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. COMM 586 Applied Organizational Communication Graduate Syllabus Page 4

5 WEEK 7 February 24 Communication is Organization Structuration Approach Poole, M.S. & McPhee, R.D. (2005). In S. May & D. K. Mumby (Eds.), Engaging organizational communication theory and research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Modaff, D.P. & DeWine, S. (2002). Organizational communication: Foundations, challenges, and misunderstandings. Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury. WEEK 8 March 3 Organizational Learning Crossan, M.M., Lane, H.W., & White, R.E. (1999). An organizational learning framework: From intuition to institution. Academy of Management Review, 24, Barker, R.T. & Camarata, M.R. (1998). The role of communication in creating and maintaining a learning organization: Preconditions, indicators, and disciplines. The Journal of Business Communication, 35, WEEK 9 March 10 Socialization Jablin, F. M. (2001). Organizational entry, assimilation, and disengagement/exit. In F.M. Jablin & L.L. Putnam (Eds.), The new handbook of organizational communication: Advances in theory, research, and methods (pp ). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. WEEK 10 March 17 Socialization Jablin, F. M. (2001). Organizational entry, assimilation, and disengagement/exit. In F.M. Jablin & L.L. Putnam (Eds.), The new handbook of organizational communication: Advances in theory, research, and methods (pp ). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. WEEK 11 March 24 SPRING BREAK NO CLASS WEEK 12 March 31 Leadership Development Robertson, E. (2003). Using leadership to improve communication climate. Strategic Communication Management, 7, McCall, M.W. (2004). Leadership development through experience. Academy of Management Executive, 18, Raelin, J.A. (2004). Don t bother putting leadership into people. Academy of Management Executive, 18, Conger, J.A. (2004). Developing leadership capability: What s inside the black box? Academy of Management Executive, 18, Mintzberg, H. (2004). Leadership and management development: An afterword. Academy of Management Executive, 18, COMM 586 Applied Organizational Communication Graduate Syllabus Page 5

6 WEEK 13 April 7 Technology Barnes, S. & Greller, L.M. (1994). Computer-mediated communication in the organization. Communication Education, 43, Sheer, V.C. & Chen, L. (2004). Improving media richness theory: A study of interaction goals, message valence, and task complexity in manager-subordinate communication. Management Communication Quarterly, 18, WEEK 14 April 14 Globalization Varner, I.I. (2000). The theoretical foundation for intercultural business communication: A conceptual model. The Journal of Business Communication, 37, Wilson, R., Thomas-Derrick, A., & Wright, P. (2001). What globalization means for communication. Strategic Communication Management, 5, WEEK 15 April 21 Roundtable on Communication Issues in the Workplace WEEK 16 April 28 Final Papers Due Final Paper Presentation WEEK 17 May 5 FINAL EXAM WEEK COMM 586 Applied Organizational Communication Graduate Syllabus Page 6