50268 Comn 348 01 Advanced Organizational Communication

Spring 2004 M & W 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Welles 123

Instructor:

Dr. Mary L. Mohan -- Department of Communication Blake B 115

Office Hours:

Office Hours:

Tuesday - 10:30 - Noon

Wednesday - 2 - 3 p.m.

Friday - 9:30 - 10 a.m.

*and other times by scheduled appointment

If you need to reach me, please leave a message at:

Voice Mail - 245-5233 or E-Mail -

Text:

Weekly Readings will be placed on Milne Library’s E-Res – Comn 348 course page – Password to access readings is: orgcom (see course outline for due dates).

Learning Outcomes:

You will develop a deeper understanding of both classical and contemporary theories of organizational communication and critique their relevance in 21st century organizations.

You will apply theoretical knowledge to create an organization of the future.

You will develop a clearer understanding of your own personal career path in a variety of organizational contexts.

Course Theme: The Future

How are organizations changing their structure and function to deal

with future trends?

What will be your role in the organizations of the future?

Assignment Overview Each of the assignments will be weighted equally to determine your final average.

Weekly Electronic Text Readings and Class Handouts/Cases & Exercises:

Drawing from a wide range of the most contemporary business and organizational communication research, you will be expected to read the assigned 1-2 articles or chapters weekly. The readings selected for the class all advance your knowledge of the basic organizational communication theories you studied in Comn 248, and will focus on the theme of organizations in the future (ie. trend analysis, team-based networks, advances in management style etc…) Class discussion will be in a seminar format, where you will have the opportunity to critically examine the concepts in the weekly readings. In addition, there may be a written response or creative class exercise that will be counted in your participation grade for that day. There will be no make-ups on any of the in-class assignments, you need to be present and prepared to earn the points.

Design Your Own Organization – Group Project

Working with a group, research possibilities for a successful business enterprise to be launched in the first portion of the 21st century (approximately a decade after your graduation). Use a broad range of sources to determine upcoming trends and areas of future development. Creative thought is encouraged; this should be a completely unique enterprise. Each group should submit a final report/outline containing a rationale for their business venture, references, organizational structure, description of the founding culture, and plan for communication strategies (internal & external). Final Team Organizational Designs will be presented to the class and judged by expert consultants or practitioners from the business world. Award Certificates will be presented to the top group/s as rated by communication and business professionals. Both a group and individual grade will be assigned.

Personal Career Path Planner

As you plan to enter the professional world in the 21st century, organizational analysts predict that individuals tend to have an average of three-five careers/positions in their lifetime. Increased downsizing initiatives in corporations frequently enhance this trend of multiple positions. Although you may not even be sure of what you are doing next week, I challenge you to prepare a hypothetical scenario of what your career path may look like in the decades ahead. This project entails researching a minimum of three career and/or advanced educational opportunities, and then explaining your interest and skill development to prepare for each area. Creativity is highly encouraged; you could present each position in hypothetical resume format, write a story/journal of your future life etc... You may provide detailed plans for what you anticipate your personal and professional life may entail, and how you can achieve a balance in these areas. In order to design your planner, a variety of references such as websites on particular organizations or graduate programs, interviews with professionals, or materials from the Career Services Library in Blake A is strongly advised.

Final Exam: Friday, April 30 – 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.

The final exam will be a choice of several broadly-based essay questions that assess your understanding of the overriding concepts presented in readings, class lecture/discussion, or by the guest speakers throughout the class. Taking detailed notes on the assigned readings and thoroughly critiquing the concepts presented weekly will assist you in your performance on the final exam.

Course Outline:

Note: Schedule may be revised to meet student needs and/or guest speaker availability

January

M12Orientation to Course

W14Review sheet & display of sample group/individual projects

M19FREE- Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

W21Reading Due: CH. 1 Eisenberg: Communication and the Changing World of Work

M26Reading Due: CH. 10 Eisenberg: Communicating in Teams and Networks

W28“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

February

M2Reading Due: Ouichi (in Morgan) Theory Z (CH. 40)

Japanese Management: The Art of Self Regulation”

W4Reading Due: Jackerman (in Morgan) - Life in the Fast Lane at Datsun

M9Reading Due: Bolman & Deal (CH. 7)- Improving Human Resource Management

W11HRD Training Exercise on “Change” and/or Guest Speaker

M16“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

W18Library Session on Researching Future Organizations

M23Reading Due: Bolman & Deal (CH. 12) Organizational Culture and Symbols

W25Reading Due: Mohan: Evolution of Vision/Mission in Museum Corporate Culture

March

M1Guest Speaker and Exercises

W3Reading Due: Wilkins (in Morgan) Corporate Culture: Role of Stories

Spring Break Week

M15Reading Due: Rowley (Chs. 8,9) from On Target

Management Excellence & Guides for Growth

W17Discussion on Target & other culture case studies

M22Reading Due: Bolman & Deal – Reframing Leadership

W24Group Prep/Conference Period for Future Organization Projects

M29Presentation of Group Projects – Future Organizations

W31“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

April

M5Research Period – Career Path Planner

W7Readings Due: Tichy & Ulrich (in Morgan) Transformational Leadership

Goffee & Jones – Why Should Anyone be Led By You? Harvard Business Review

M12Reading Due: Goleman – What Makes a Leader? – Harvard Business Review

W14Reading Due: Kellerman – Leadership Warts & All - Harvard Business Review

M19Presentation of Career Path Planners

W21“ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “ “

M26Review for Final Essay Exam

Final Exam: Friday, April 30 – 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Sources for Weekly Reading Assignments

Note: see course outline and E-Res (Comn 348, Password: orgcom) for specific article titles and Journal citations from HBR.

Harvard Business Review (2003 – 04)

Eisenberg, E. M. & Goodall, H. L. (2004). Organizational communication: Balancing creativity

and constraint. Bedford St. Martin’s.

Morgan, G. (1989). Creative organization theory: A resourcebook. Sage.

Bolman, L. G. & Deal, T. E. (2003). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice and leadership.

Jossey Bass.

Rowley, L. (2003). On Target: How the world’s hottest retailer hit a bull’s-eye. Wiley.

Pinchot, G. (1993). The end of bureaucracy and the rise of the intelligent organization.

Berrett-Koehler.