Module Title / Organisational Communication
Module Code / EB 4902 / CREDIT
VALUE / 20 credits
Module Delivery / Semester 2
Module TUTOR / Brian Shields.
date
Approved / June 2007 / VERSION NUMBER / 2
SCHOOL / Languages and International Studies / PARTNER INSTITUTION / n.a.

Relationship with other Modules

Co-requisites / Nil / Pre-requisites / nil / Excluded Combinations / nil

Module Aims

·  to develop students’ critical understanding of the importance and nature of communication and communication processes and systems in organisational settings;
·  to develop students’ critical understanding of the relationship between communication and other aspects behaviour and performance in organisations;
·  to develop student’s ability to communicate effectively and appropriately on a practical level in a range of organisational settings and circumstances.

MODULE Content

·  the stakeholder model
·  staff as a key organisational resource
·  managerial communication
·  employee involvement
·  formal communication systems / ·  informal communication
·  communication in groups and teams
·  communication and organisational change
·  customer care
·  perspectives on public relations

Learning Outcomes

Typically Learning Outcomes will contribute to one or more of the Programme Learning Outcomes under the headings of knowledge and understanding, subject specific skills, thinking skills and skills relevant to employability and personal development. Please number Learning Outcomes and delete any rows not applicable.
On successful completion of this module a student will be able to:
1. / Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature and importance of communication in a variety of organisational settings
2. / Demonstrate an ability to analyse and evaluate formal communication systems and processes from a variety of perspectives
3. / Demonstrate an ability to analyse critically specific cases or instances of communication procedures or problems and their impact on the organisation
4. / Produce, present or interpret effectively a range of managerial communication documents and events in a manner appropriate to their purpose


Teaching and Learning Strategy

The module seeks to integrate theoretical perspectives with the exploration of issues in practice and practical skills, and draws on Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour and appropriate aspects of linguistic analysis.
Teaching will primarily follow a workshop format, using group and plenary discussion, case study analyses and problem solving activities.
Students are expected to read extensively and will be required to source some reading material themselves. They will also be required to lead parts of sessions on topics agreed with the tutor.

INDICATIVE Assessment

Number of Assessments / Assessment / Weighting % / Type/Duration/
Wordcount (indicative only) / Learning Outcomes being assessed
1 / Essay / 50% / 2,000 words / 1 and 2
1 / Report / 50% / 2,000 words / 1, 2, 3 and 4

Module Pass Requirements

Students have to attempt all pieces of assessment and achieve an overall mark of 40%. They must also attend a minimum of 75% of classes and lectures.

Bibliography and Learning Support Material

Armstrong, M., 2006, A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (10th ed.), London: Kogan Page
Adler, N. J., Brahm, R., & Graham, J. L., 1992, Strategy implementation: A comparison of face-to-face negotiations in the People's Republic of China and the United States. In Strategic Management Journal, vol. 13, pp. 449-466
Beamer, L. & Varner, I., 2008, Intercultural Communication in the Global Workplace (4th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill
Bilbow, G. T., 1997, Spoken discourse in the multicultural workplace in Hong Kong: Applying a model of discourse as "impression management". In S. Harris, & F. Bargiela (eds.) The Language of Business: An International Perspective. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, pp 21-48
Boden, D., 1994, The Business of Talk: Organisations in action, Cambridge: Polity Press
Boddy, D., 2005, Management – An Introduction (3rd ed.). Harlow: Pearson
Bovée, C. & Thill, J., 2008, Business Communication Today (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River NJ.: Prentice Hall
Buchanan, D. and Huczynski, A., 2007, Organisational Behaviour: An Introductory Text (6th ed.), London: Prentice Hall
Christ W. G., 1999, Leadership in Times of Change: A Handbook for Communication and Media Administrators. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
Czerniawska F., 1997, Corporate-Speak: The Use of Language in Busines., London: Macmillan
Dwyer J., 2003, The Business Communication Handbook (6th ed.). French Forest AUS: Prentice Hall
Ellis D.G., 1999, From Language to Communication (2nd ed.). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
Foot, M. and Hook, C., 2005, Introducing Human Resource Management (4th ed.), Harlow: Pearson Education
Hartley, P. and Bruckmann, C., 2002, Business Communication, London: Routledge
Heath R. L., 1994, Management of Corporate Communication: From Interpersonal Contacts to External Affairs. Mahwah, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates
Hewings, M. and Nickerson, C. (eds.), 1999, Business English: Research into Practice, Harlow: Pearson Education
Horton J.L., 1995, Integrating Corporate Communications: The Cost-Effective Use of Message and Medium. London : Quorum Books
Hildebrandt, H. W., 1988, A Chinese managerial view of business communication. In Management Communication Quarterly, vol. 2, pp. 217-234
Koestler, A., 2004, The Language of Work, London: Routledge
Legge, K., 2005, Human Resource Management: rhetorics and realities (anniversary edition), Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
Maund, L., 2001, An Introduction to Human Resource Management: Theory and practice, Houndsmills: Palgrave Macmillan
McKenna, E. and Beech, N., 2002, Human Resource Management: A concise analysis, Harlow: Pearson Eduction
Morgan, G., 2006, Images of Organisation (updated edition), Thousand Oaks: Sage
Mullins, L., 2007, Management and Organisational Behaviour (8th ed.), London: Financial Times/Pitman
Oliver, S, 2004, Handbook of Corporate Communication and Public Relations: pure and applied, London: Routledge
Pan, Y. et al, 2002, Professional Communication in International Settings, Oxford: Blackwell
Storey, J. (ed.), 2001, Human Resource Management: A critical text (2nd ed.), London: Thomson
Stredwick, J., 2000, An Introduction to Human Resource Management, Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann
Thompson, P. and McHugh, D., 2006, Work Organisations: theories, concepts and issues (4th ed.) Basingstoke: Palgrave

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Academic Quality and Standards Unit Updated: 19/07/2005