General Description
As described in the course catalog:
Exploration of the communicative constitution of organizations, including the role that artifacts and stakeholder attitudes play in the production of meaning and interpretation of organizational events and practices. Students analyze organizational communication principles through case studies and individual research.
Additional details:
This course focuses specifically on the application of communication theories as applied to organizational structures, design, interpersonal relationships in the workplace, leadership, and human resources management. Topics vary by semester but may include open-systems theory, productivity, power, culture, socialization, identity, technology, and ethics within a wide range of organizations and contexts.
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the scholarly field of organizational communication, to provide you with a basic knowledge of the processes of organizing as a communicative phenomenon, to explore the effect of organizational processes on communication, and to discuss the rational and non-rational design and structure of formal organizations.
Rather than view communication as one factor of modern organizational life, we will approach our study from the perspective that organizations are largely constituted by communication. In business and non-profit institutions, in governmental agencies, and in organized religious groups, the construction of meaning through communication (especially narrative and rhetorical communication) shapes collective attitude and action. Our attention to practical concerns (e.g., office design, human resource management, interpersonal relationships, employee participation programs, diversity, and affirmative action issues) affecting today's organizational work spaces will bring theoretical discussions to life.
Course Goals
By the end of this course, students will be able to
As described in the course catalog:
Exploration of the communicative constitution of organizations, including the role that artifacts and stakeholder attitudes play in the production of meaning and interpretation of organizational events and practices. Students analyze organizational communication principles through case studies and individual research.
Additional details:
This course focuses specifically on the application of communication theories as applied to organizational structures, design, interpersonal relationships in the workplace, leadership, and human resources management. Topics vary by semester but may include open-systems theory, productivity, power, culture, socialization, identity, technology, and ethics within a wide range of organizations and contexts.
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the scholarly field of organizational communication, to provide you with a basic knowledge of the processes of organizing as a communicative phenomenon, to explore the effect of organizational processes on communication, and to discuss the rational and non-rational design and structure of formal organizations.
Rather than view communication as one factor of modern organizational life, we will approach our study from the perspective that organizations are largely constituted by communication. In business and non-profit institutions, in governmental agencies, and in organized religious groups, the construction of meaning through communication (especially narrative and rhetorical communication) shapes collective attitude and action. Our attention to practical concerns (e.g., office design, human resource management, interpersonal relationships, employee participation programs, diversity, and affirmative action issues) affecting today's organizational work spaces will bring theoretical discussions to life.
Course Goals
- Facilitate students' ability to understand communication problems and provide theory-based solutions using case studies
- Build on students' prior experiences and help them develop skills in learning how to use case studies in their own work (and teaching, if a graduate student)
- Demonstrate an understanding of the study of organizations within a wider societal context
- Analyze the business, social and environmental implications of leading and managing effective organizations
- Describe the nature, theory and complexities of organizations and discuss the different elements of organizational structure, processes and design
- Apply organization communication theory to problems identified in organizations and recognize issues of leading and managing in the internal and external environment
- Develop perspective on organizational practices in diverse contexts and strategic decision-making techniques for organizational success
- Research, analyze and develop recommendations for organizational development
By the end of this course, students will be able to
- explain the case study approach to organizational learning
- identify causes of common organizational problems in organizational settings and provide theory-based solutions to these problems
- use a problem-cause-solution approach to decision making in case study analysis
- list communication theories used in organizational decision-making
- present oral briefings in group format using persuasive organizational patterns of arrangement
- list studies and articles that explain case study approaches in andragogy (graduate students)
Books & Reading Materials
There are no required books from this course. You will be supplied the required reading materials via D2L or other free service provider. Expect to read approximately 5 peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters in addition to cases.
Videos and short articles from magazines like Inc. and Entrepreneur will also be required.
Videos and short articles from magazines like Inc. and Entrepreneur will also be required.
Required Grads
Communication Studies graduate students enrolled in this course are required to read a minimum of 10 peer-reviewed journal articles and write a publishable case study or Communication Teacher article. More details will be provided in class.
Additional required readings will be made available on Desire2Learn.
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