ECIC AoK: SPA
General Description
As described in the course catalog:
This course focuses on the application of communication theories as applied to organizational structures and design. Topics include open-systems theory, productivity, power, culture, socialization, identity, technology, ethics, and globalization within a wide range of organizations and contexts.
The purpose of this course is 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, to investigate the everyday practices of communicative subjects and objects within organizations, and to discuss the rational and non-rational design and structure of formal organizations. You will be introduced to the scholarly field of organizational communication and will learn how to critically assess your organizational experiences in order to improve organizational practices and organizational structures.
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., globalization, gender, employee participation programs, diversity, and affirmative action issues) affecting today's organizational workspaces will bring theoretical discussions to life.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will
As described in the course catalog:
This course focuses on the application of communication theories as applied to organizational structures and design. Topics include open-systems theory, productivity, power, culture, socialization, identity, technology, ethics, and globalization within a wide range of organizations and contexts.
The purpose of this course is 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, to investigate the everyday practices of communicative subjects and objects within organizations, and to discuss the rational and non-rational design and structure of formal organizations. You will be introduced to the scholarly field of organizational communication and will learn how to critically assess your organizational experiences in order to improve organizational practices and organizational structures.
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., globalization, gender, employee participation programs, diversity, and affirmative action issues) affecting today's organizational workspaces will bring theoretical discussions to life.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will
- have a broad understanding of the history of organizational theory;
- have a deeper understanding of the theories of organizational communication;
- have a strong understanding of open systems and institutional theories;
- have a capacity to recognize communicative processes used in the foundation, maintenance, and disruption of organizations;
- have stronger academic and professional vocabularies;
- be able to identify and evaluate external environmental factors that influence organizational structure;
- able to analyze the nature and consequences of organizational messages – including their in(formal), (non)strategic, relational, instrumental, symbolic, and ideological dimensions; and,
- be able to apply communication theories and business communication strategies toward the strategic development of organizing processes.
Textbooks
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Required
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Required
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Optional
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Additional required readings will be made available on Blackboard.
Resources
Pedagogy
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Methods of Instruction
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Assignments
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ECIC Objectives
AoK = SPA (Social Political Analysis)
- Describe social, political, economic and cultural institutions and processes, the relationships between them, and their impact on individuals and groups.
- Describe how differences of class, race, ethnicity and gender are related to these institutions and their outcomes.
- Identify, use, and evaluate the paradigms, theories and methodologies which describe and explain social, political, economic, and cultural institutions and their outcomes.
- Identify means through which individuals can affect change in social, political, economic or cultural institutions.