ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION (COMM 325)

Instructor: ROBIN TAKACS Virginia Wesleyan College

Office: Clarke 109 Office Hours: Posted on office door and by appointment

Office Phone: 455-2112 or campus extension 2112

E-Mail: rtakacs@vwc.edu

Course Objectives: You spend 80 percent of your day listening, talking, writing and establishing rapport with people. If you improve your speaking, listening, and presentation skills you will also increase your abilities as a student, an employee, and as a part of any organization of which you are a member. Organizational Communication is the study of various forms of communication (verbal and non-verbal) that are essential for the organization to be successful. Communication in many different forms is central to the organization, pervasive, complex and multifaceted. This course is designed to improve your communications skills that will directly apply to the modern business or non-profit organization. Verbal skills and oral presentation skills are emphasized in this course although written communication skills will also be addressed. Communication systems theory and hands-on practice are combined to help the student develop skills in using techniques of persuasion, resolving conflicts, organizing and presenting information, interviewing, leading meetings, and developing a powerful oral presentation.

Perspective: In this course we will focus on the internal and external communication that takes place in every organization on a number of levels: intrapersonal, interpersonal, small group, public and mass. Students will have the opportunity to work in both large and small group settings. Theoretical perspective is combined with practical application to encourage students to view and to understand or interpret organizations as a member as well as an observer. We will utilize business case studies to analyze the flow of communication and understand communication principles explained in our textbook. Next we will apply that knowledge and analyze the impact of intercultural communication and crisis communication in recent world events. In an end of semester project, students will prepare an oral presentation using PowerPoint to demonstrate their knowledge of this material by applying communication theory to an organization of which they have been a member. Students will be asked to analyze verbal and non-verbal components of the communication process, the culture and climate of an organization, and the channels that are used to relay information (print, face to face, the Internet or other forms of electronic communication) and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the message being sent and the channel being selected for that message.

Communications Goals/Objectives: During this course, I plan to meet the following Communications criteria set forth as part of your VWC General Studies Communications requirements.

To develop an awareness of the process and system of interpersonal, group and mass communication.
To understand several of the formal expressive patterns through which humans have attempted to convey meanings.
To evaluate the quality of evidence, negotiate conflicting positions, and analyze the effectiveness of a text's approach.
To understand the rhetorical concerns of communication, including audience expectations and appropriate strategies.

Text: Organizational Communication: Foundations for Business and Management, 2^nd Edition Author: Alan Jay Zaremba, South-Western-Thomson Publishing, 2006.

Selected readings and case studies will be published on Blackboard.

POLICIES

Attendance: Regular class attendance and your active class participation will enhance your learning of this subject matter. Preparation for class and active participation in class discussions, case studies and group projects will enhance your participation grade. Obviously, if you are absent from class, your opinions will not be heard. For this reason, any un-excused absences in excess of TWO class meetings without informing your instructor will result in a lowering of your participation grade.

General Rules: All assignments are expected to be turned in during the class meeting on the day they are due. Do not presume late work will be accepted. If late work is accepted, it will be downgraded. No work will be accepted after the last day of class. All students will be asked to select a date to give a 10-15 minute oral presentation. Failure to present on your selected date will result in an automatic 20-point deduction from your presentation grade.

Testing: Test and final exam attendance is mandatory. All tests must be taken on the date scheduled during class time unless PRIOR arrangements are made with the instructor. NO MAKEUP TEST WILL BE GIVEN without prior permission. Thus, if you are ill on the day of a test, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to call me prior to the test. If you are unable to reach me, leave a message on my voice mail. The instructor reserves the right to request a written confirmation of illness or other situation. Any makeup test granted will be given at the discretion of the instructor and may vary in content from the original test.

Assignments:

My Favorite Web site: Following the lecture on technology and mass communication, students will be asked to identify and evaluate their favorite web site. Criteria for what makes a web site effective will be discussed in class, but this project is also open to individual interpretation. Students will make a short presentation and navigate through the web site with the class. This first mini-presentation will be graded based upon your preparation for this assignment rather than your presentation delivery skills. The use of note cards to organize your thoughts is strongly suggested.

My Networks: To demonstrate your understanding of formal and informal networks, students will be asked to diagram the networks of which they are a member. Each diagram will differ in content based on the number of networks you belong to. In addition, students are asked to list the channels of communication that are used with each network and label the diagram accordingly. Students may draw this diagram by hand or use a graphic program or word processing program to prepare an 8 ½ X 11 inch diagram. Students will use the presenter to show this visual aid to classmates and walk us through a description of their networks. This second mini-presentation will be graded based upon your preparation for this assignment rather than your presentation delivery skills.

Non-Verbal Communication Observation: In chapter 2, we discussed the nine categories of non-verbal communication. Option 1: Attend the VWC Job Fair as an observer or participant. Note: professional attire is required for admission to the job fair. Observe a dyadic interaction from a safe distance and document the non-verbal aspects of the communication process. Write up your observations in a short typed paper. This observation can be written from the perspective of an observer or as a participant in the interpersonal communication. Option 2: If unable to attend the VWC Job Fair, observe three dyadic interactions from a safe distance and document any of the nine categories of non-verbal communication that you observe.

Oral Presentation: From our class discussions and textbook readings regarding a Professional Presentation in an organization, you should know that the extemporaneous presentation style is preferred for this assignment. The only way that you will be sure that you remain under the 15 minute time limit and cover your topic is to practice your presentation ahead of time. The use of PowerPoint for this assignment is highly encouraged but not required. In lieu of using PowerPoint, you must have some type of visual aid for your presentation. Students will be required to obtain instructor approval of their topic ahead of time and select a date for your presentation. On the day of the presentation, you will be asked to submit a typed outline of your presentation to assist in grading the content of your presentation. This oral presentation will be graded based on the VWC Oral Competency grading rubric. A copy of the rubric will be discussed in class. Students should also prepare for a question and answer session at the end of the presentation.

This oral presentation should be about an organization where you have been a member – so that you can analyze the organization based on first-hand knowledge of the organization and their communication. This presentation should include an analysis of the communication methods and channels used at this organization. What are the formal and informal networks, what is the culture and climate of the organization, analyze the flow of communication and the type of management theory that the organization follows (including the flow of communication - upward, downward or horizontal). This assignment is about using your new knowledge of organizational communication to examine an organization based on your first hand knowledge of that organization. You can only be in a position to comment on internal communication, culture and climate if you have intimate knowledge of that organization (profit or non-profit).

Accommodation: Please refer to the accommodation section of the Academic Bulletin. If you require an accommodation, contact Fayne Pearson in the Learning Resource Center, 2^nd floor of Clarke Hall.

Cell Phones: Please turn off all cell phones during class time. In the event of an emergency, turn your phone to vibrate so as not to disrupt the learning of other students.

Method of Evaluation: Test #1 Chapters 1-3	15%
Test #2 Chapters 4-6	15%
Individual Student Oral Presentation - related to a topic covered in this course. Additional information will be provided on this assignment prior to topic selection and approval.	20%
Final Exam Chapters 7-14	25%
Class Participation, Homework Assignments and Group Projects (communication case studies)	25%
Total	100%

Grade Scale: Plus and minus grades may be indicative of factors outside of examination.

A 93-100	A- 90-92	B+ 88-89	B 83-87	B- 80-82	C+ 78-79
C 73-77	C- 70-72	D+ 68-69	D 63-67	D- 60-62	F 0-59

WEEK

DAY/DATE

TOPIC DISCUSSED IN CLASS

ASSIGNMENT TO BE PREPARED FOR NEXT CLASS

TH: 1/25

Introduction/Welcome/Syllabus/Blackboard

Read Chapter 1

T: 1/30

Chapter 1 - Organizational Communication

What is it? Why do we study it? Communication models are presented, communication theory is examined and rhetoric explained.

Pillsbury Case Study posted on Blackboard

TH: 2/1

Group work on Case Study in class – Pillsbury and the In-Touch Voicemail System. Students will divide into two groups – representing management or non-management at Pillsbury to discuss this case and present their findings to the class as a whole.

Read Chapter 2

T: 2/6

Chapter 2 - Management Theory and Organizational Communication and the Principles of Communication Theory

How does technology impact communication quality? the message? How do we evaluate the impact of technology on organizational communication? Management Theory will be examined in terms of the impact of that theory on the flow of communication.

Internet Assignment DUE next class

TH: 2/8

Internet Assignment Presentation using the WWW

“My favorite web site”

The Internet as a form of mass communication is examined and analyzed by each student in terms of their favorite website. Message content and visual presentation are evaluated.

Read Chapter 3

Prepare to attend Job Fair – Professional Attire required

T: 2/13

Tuesday, February 13, 2006 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
JOB FAIR in the Jane P. Batten Student Center, Virginia Wesleyan College

Non-verbal communication observation due next class meeting

Option 2: If unable to attend the VWC Job Fair, observe three dyadic interactions from a safe distance and document any of the nine categories of non-verbal communication that you observe.

Chapter 3 - Ethics and Organizational Communication (Video Clip from Wall Street of a stockholders meeting and an example of public communication. Both Verbal and Non-verbal communication cues will be analyzed)

Nike and Liz Claiborne Case Studies posted on Blackboard

Non-verbal communication observation due next class meeting

TH: 2/15

Non-verbal communication observation DUE

Case study in class – Nike and the ethics of using overseas labor to reduce costs and Liz Claiborne and their published code of ethics – on their web page.

Study for Test on Chapters 1-3

T: 2/20

Test: Chapters 1-3

Read Chapter 4

TH: 2/22

Chapter 4 - Managing Information

Types of messages within an organization, characteristics of effectively communicated information, first and second level effects of technology, media richness and evaluating the message.

Read Chapter 5

T: 2/27

Chapter 5 - Communication Networks

Internal vs. External Networks, Formal vs. Informal Networks, selecting the appropriate communication channel for a specific type of network and the barriers to effective communication will be discussed.

Network Assignment DUE next class

TH: 3/1

Diagram your own Communication Networks and present your diagram to the class.

“My Networks” DUE today

Read Chapter 6

T: 3/6

Chapter 6 - Communication Climate and Organizational Culture

Culture is the root value system of an organization. You can evaluate culture based on the rites, rituals, norms, artifacts and symbols of an organization as well as the heroes of that organization. The climate is evaluated in terms of weather metaphors – symbolic language such as warm, cold, etc. is used to describe an organization. The flow of communication within an organization will shape the culture and climate.

Review for Exam

Study for Exam

TH: 3/8

Test Chapters 4-6

Read Chapter 8

T: 3/13

Chapter 8 – Professional Presentations

Reading: “PowerPoint Good or Evil”

Sign up during class for a presentation slot and select your topic during class. Detailed instructions for the Presentation will be presented in class and a copy of the VWC Oral Competency rubric form provided and explained to students.

Sign up during class for a presentation slot & TOPIC

Read the article “PowerPoint Good or Evil” on Blackboard

Amazon and Pepsi Case Studies are posted on Blackboard

TH: 3/15

Case study in class – Amazon and Pepsi

Students will divide into two groups – representing Amazon or Pepsi discuss each case and present their findings to the class.

Turn in Final Presentation Topic for approval

T: 3/20

Spring Break - March 17-25

TH: 3/22

Spring Break

Read Chapter 7

T: 3/27

Chapter 7 – Meetings: Conflict and Interventions

Small group communication is analyzed and discussed. Why are meetings viewed as a time waster in organizations? How can we improve the effectiveness of communication in meetings? Group think and the Asch effect are discussed.

Read Chapter 11

Read Corning and Vitro (Intercultural) Case Study posted on Blackboard

TH: 3/29

Chapter 11 - Intercultural Communication and the Organization

Other than language, what are the cultural barriers and non-verbal barriers to communication?

Discuss the Coring and Vitro Case Study. What actions could have been taken to resolve the conflicts in this case study? Students will divide into two groups – representing Corning and Vitro to discuss this case and present their findings.

Read Chapter 12

T: 4/3

Chapter 12- Crisis Communication

Define a crisis – what is it? (unplanned, natural or man-made) What is CRISIS Communication and why is it different from other forms of organizational communication? What is the role of the Crisis team? Is a Crisis Communication plan important for all organizations?

Examine recent events and discuss the impact of the crisis on the reputation or credibility of that organization? Was there a financial impact?

Case study in class – NASA and the Challenger (1986) and Columbia (2003) Space Shuttle incidents - lessons learned. (Video Clip from Challenger news coverage as an example of crisis communication) What evidence do you see of a Crisis Communication plan?

Read Chapters 9 & 10

TH: 4/5

Chapter 9 - Interpersonal Conflict & Communication (face to face communication)

Chapter 10 – Composing the Written Message

(print communication and permanence)

Evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the message being sent and the channel selected for that message in both interpersonal and written communication. How are they alike, how are they different?

Prepare your Oral Presentation

T: 4/10

Student ORAL PRESENTATIONS

TH: 4/12

Student ORAL PRESENTATIONS

T: 4/17

Student ORAL PRESENTATIONS

TH: 4/19

Student ORAL PRESENTATIONS

T: 4/24

Student ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Read Chapters 13 &14

TH: 4/26

Chapter 13 - Assessing Organizational Communication Quality (measuring and evaluating the impact of your message) &

Chapter 14 – Careers in Organizational Communication.

T: 5/1

Last Class – Review for final exam on Chapters 7-14

Return of Oral Competency Forms and discussion of presentation grades and highlights.

TH: 5/3

Reading DAY – no class meeting

Final Exam

covers

Chapters

7-14

1:30 p.m. TTh	Tuesday, May 8th	3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m. TTh	Monday, May 7th	3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

You may take the exam on either May 7^th or May 8^th

Or see your instructor to make other arrangements