Professor: Kathleen A. DeHaan, Ph.D.

Office: 22B Glebe #204 Office Hours: MW 4:30-5:30 a.m.

Office Phone: 953-4839 TTH 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Email: dehaank@cofc.edu and by appointment nearly every day

NB: My office is accessed by going around the outside of 22 Glebe to the back of the building, up the back stairs and to the end of the outside balcony/hall. Do not try to find me by going into 22A or 22B - go around back! Note ó the Communication Department is now in 5 College, as is my mailbox.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Communication in organizational settings is fast becoming an important area of study for professionals in all environments - public to private, academic to corporate. We will examine what constitutes organizational communication, fundamental theories, individual and group dynamics within organizational communication, concepts of organizational culture and identity, corporate advocacy, leadership communication and other organizational communication issues.

This course will examine organizational communication from both theoretical and "practical" perspectives with one complementing the other. Our model will include most organizational structures - large corporations, small not-for-profits, churches, teams, academic institutions, etc.

Our goals are to be able to analyze an organization's communication methods via theoretical frameworks, diagnose strengths and weaknesses, and suggest alternative communication strategies. Ultimately students will:

1. Achieve a strong understanding of communication issues in organizational situations.

2. Be able to better contribute to productive organizational performance.

3. Apply subject matter to actual organizational settings.

TEACHING METHODOLOGY:

Lecture/Discussion of assigned readings. In class activities.

Since much of your learning will emerge from your participation in class, your interaction with fellow students and your insights from the readings, participation will count for a large percentage of your grade. Regular attendance is also expected. I reserve the right to lower a grade for excessive absences (more than three). Unexcused absences should be documented through the Undergraduate Deanís Office.

Professor reserves the right to alter syllabus at any point.

METHODS OF EVALUATION:

Group Presentation 10%
Research Paper 20%
Attendance and Participation: 10%
Exams (3): 60%

No extra credit. No late assignments or make up exams.

REQUIRED READING:

Eisenberg, Eric M. and H.L. Goodall, Jr. Organizational Communication: Balancing Creativity and Constraint. New York: St. Martin's Press. 1997. (second edition)

Reading Packet available at SAS-E-INK, Wentworth Street.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS:

Students in groups of five will select a topic from which they will prepare a presentation or activity for class. Topics will incorporate and demonstrate an associated theory. Each group will lead the class in exploration and discussion of the materials. The exercise should outline 2-4 achievable objectives and involve class participation, observation, demonstration, or reading as a way to incorporate that week's assigned material. You should plan to "debrief" the class as part of the exercise. The key is to teach us by way of active learning about one very specific aspect of organizational communication or to highlight organizational communication theories in action in one particular organization.

This assignment will be an informed and creative analysis -- not just a description -- of an organization or theme of interest to the student group. The analysis and presentation should focus on no more than three major themes with respect to the analysis of the organization. For example, a case analysis might emphasize 1. styles of leadership exercised by top management, 2. communication networks that cut across traditional departments, or 3. programs for fostering ethical practices in the organizationís relations with clients and other "stakeholders." These are just a few examples of potential themes that could be explored in such a case analysis. In any case, the analysis should focus on communication-centered matters. Sources of support for the analysis may be from class reading or outside reading. A brief (2-3 page) handout will be distributed to the class at the time of the presentation, indicating key points of the analysis of the organization. Be creative.

Time limit will be determined based upon class size and dynamic. Creativity is highly encouraged. Keep in mind that our class is an "organization," and this is also an exercise in organizational communication!

In addition to the in-class exercise, the presentation should be accompanied by a paper (about 5 pages) outlining and explaining the chosen theory, objectives, rationale, and application. Papers are due the class period after your presentation. Realize that your paper is expected to be more detailed than your presentation.

This is a group project. Since your group is an organization, you will assist me in evaluating each memberís contributions. You will give each group member a score of 1,2, or 3 for their participation in the project. (1 = outstanding, 2 = average, 3 = poor.) Scores will be assigned for Time Commitment, Contribution Effort, and an Overall score. I will use these scores in assigning individual grades for the group project.
 
 

RESEARCH PAPER

Students will write a 10-15-page (double spaced, typed) research paper either as 1. a critical analysis of a body of scholarly literature on a topic of interest to the student or 2. as an argumentative essay that advances/applies one or more of our theories to an organization. The paper should draw upon and reference at least five relevant academic sources to ground its analysis. Students are required to check topics in advance with the professor. More on the paper to follow. See attached outline.

Grading of all written assignments is based on format, content and research. In other words -- spelling errors, grammar, punctuation and source citations count! Proofread and go to the Writing Lab. You will not receive a good grade (i.e. A, B or C) if your work has errors.

EXAMS: There will be three exams worth 60% of your final grade. Exam style will vary from essay to short answer and multiple choice. Exams will be non-cumulative and will cover material from the book, lecture, case studies and class discussions.

Should I suspect cheating or plagiarism, I will immediately turn the material over to the College Honors Board.

August

23     Introduction

28     What is Organizational Communication? EG 1,2

30     Scientific/Bureaucratic EG 3: 52-72/ RP: 4-21

September

4     Scientific/Bureaucratic Reading Packet

6     Human Relations/Human Resources EG 3: 72-93/ RP: 22-23

11    Systems EG 4: 94-121

13     Group 1

18     EXAM #1

20     Cultural Theory EG 5/RP: 24-42

25     Critical Theory EG 6/RP: 43-47

27     Critical Theory Groups RP: 43-47

October

2     Post Modern Theory EG 7/RP: 48-70

4     More PM! RP: 61-69

9     Group 2

11     EXAM #2

16     Identity RP: 71-78

18     Public ó Internal/External EG 11/RP: 70, 79-82

23     Advocacy RP: 175-END

25     Mission/Vision Statements RP: 83-90

30     Group 3

November

1     Group Comm EG 10, P: 91-124

6     FALL BREAK

8     "Roger and Me"

13     Sexual Harassment RP: 125-127

EXAM #3 - TAKE HOME

15     Crisis Communication RP: TBA

20     Group 4

22     TBA

27     TBA

29     Group 5

As noted above, in addition to your text (EG), there is also a reading packet (RP).

Final Paper Due: December 5, 5:00 p.m. No late papers accepted.