Professor M. J. Capek
Summer 2007
Course Outline: HA-SU25
Management Communication
CopenhagenBusinessSchool
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide both theoretical and practical fundamentals that underlie managerial communication. The focus is on the process of communication and will emphasize practices essential to all successful business communication--and on which stakeholder-specific communication needs rest.
Skills will be developed in three of the four language areas--speaking, writing, and listening; it is expected that the skills thus developed will enhance participants' ability to read with increased accuracy and precision as well. Practices are based on experientially verifiable concepts involving communication events--which is to say, situations where communication is either necessary or desirable: to make assertions, to share experience, to move an action forward, to resolve a conflict,and so on. The emphasis is on strategies involving the purpose of the communication event, the audience and its needs, and the structure of the message itself, whether spoken or written. By the end of the course, participants will be able to--
- Analyze a communication situation or event
- Develop an appropriate communication strategy, and
- Implement that strategy clearly and concisely, in speaking and in writing.
Grading:
30% Written Assignments
30% Speaking Assignments
40% Final: Presentation and Written Component
In addition to graded presentation and writing assignments, opportunity will be provided for in-class extemporaneous speaking and writing--to consolidate and strengthen communication practices.
Reading Materials and Useful Links: There is no textbook for this course. The following items are provided for reference, and I will comment on each on the first day of class.
1)Reading assignments for this course can be accessed via the Managerial Communication Home Page--the URL for which is
That home page contains three links--one to a document called Language as Business
Tool, a second to the Management Communication Reading Packet, and the third to
Current Management Communication Course Materials. Other materials will be handed
out in class.
2) A Plain English Handbook--the URL for which is
This handbook, which is in draft form, shows how to use various techniques for
writing in plain English. You may find it useful as a resource.
3) Paul A. Argenti, Corporate Communication, 3rd ed. (McGraw-Hill, 2003).
4) Edward P. Bailey, Writing & Speaking at Work: A Practical Guide for Business
Communication (Prentice Hall, 1999).
5) John Bennett (et al.), Doing Effective Presentations in an Intercultural Setting
(Wirtschaftsverlag Carl Ueberreuter, 1998).
This book, and its accompanying videotape, was created principally for CEMS
(Community of European Management Schools) students. It examines the nature of
presentations in a clear, easy-to-follow manner, gives extensive tips for
improving technical skills, and offers profiles of the presentation process in 12
different European cultural contexts.
6) Lillian H. Chaney and Jeanette S. Martin, Intercultural Business Communication
(Prentice Hall, 1995).
7) Peter Elbow, Writing Without Teachers (Oxford University Press, 1998).
8) Roger Fisher and William Ury, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving
In (Penguin Books, 1991).
9) David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates, Please Understand Me (Prometheus Books,
1985).
10) Mary Munter, Guide to Managerial Communication, 5th ed. (Prentice Hall, 1999).
A brief, easy-to-read summary of practical skills and strategies for communication.
11) Mary Munter and Lynn Russell, Guide to Presentations (Prentice Hall, 2001).
12) Edith Poor, The Executive Writer: A Guide to Managing Words, Ideas, and People
(Grove Press, 1992).
13) Irv Schenkler and Tony Herrling, Guide to Media Relations (Prentice Hall, 2003).
You may also find the following sites useful:
Guide to Grammar and Writing (explanations, examples, quizzes, FAQs--a very
good site)
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Online WritingCenter
Other useful sites:
This website provides
a complete PowerPoint tutorial developed by the Department of Computer Science at
the University of Rhode Island. It's simple, clearly written, and a great resource for
putting together a PowerPoint presentation for the first time.
This site explains a number of the basic concepts of
statistical terms used in business.
This site enables you to search the content of more than 300 magazines and journals by keyword. Offered at no cost to users, the site provides full text of articles dating back to 1998. Topics include communication, business, reference, finance, computers, technology, news, and so on.
Day/Date
/Topics/Activities: changes and additions will be announced in class.
MonJune 25 / I will talk about course procedures, the process of communication, communication models, communication as managerial action, and interpersonal communication.
I will also talk about the writing process, with emphasis on purpose, audience awareness, and structure, and together we will talk about these concepts with regard to the Terminal Trouble case.
As preparation for this session, please read Language as Business Tool and Background Concepts, linked at the bottom of the first reading.
Wed
June 27 / I will talk about giving a presentation and some of the differences between speaking and writing as communication strategies.
As preparation for this session, please read (in the Writing section of the online Reading Packet) About Writing Assignments, Purpose, Audience Awareness, Organization, and A Writing Process. In the Cases section, please read--and be prepared to discuss--Wilco.
A written response to Terminal Trouble is to be submitted on Monday, July 2. Please use standard memo format.
Mon
July 2 / Narrative Presentations (taped): The assignment for this presentation will be handed out in class on Wednesday, June 27.
Required Preparation: Persuasive Oral Presentations: About Presentation Assignments, Presentation Checklist, Planning the Presentation, Strategies for Controlling Nervousness, Guidelines for Handling Question and Answer Sessions.
A written response to Wilco is to be submitted on Monday, July 9.
Wed
July 4 / Narrative Presentations (taped), continued.
Further discussion of Wilco and the writing process.
Mon
July 9 / Teams at Work and Working in Teams. In-class problem solving exercise.
Introduction of New Business Idea assignment.
Required Preparation: Self Perception Inventory. This instrument will be handed out in class on Wednesday, July 4; please bring the completed inventory to class on Monday the 9th.
Cases: Read the Ken Brown memo. This memo will form the basis of an in-class revising and editing exercise on Wednesday, July 11.
Wed
July 11 / Listening: The Forgotten Skill. Screening of “From ‘No’ to ‘Yes.’” In-class listening exercises. The Speaking and Listening Game.
Discussion of structure, draft revising, giving feedback, and managing the writing of others. In-class work on revising, using the Ken Brown memo as our starting point.
Required Preparation: Cases: Read Placid Insurance (A). A written response to Placid Insurance is to be submitted on Monday, July 16.
Mon
July 16 / Informative Presentations (taped): Explaining a product, process, or system, abstracting at audience-appropriate levels, and constructing a followable story. The assignment for this presentation will be handed out in class on Wednesday, July 11.
Required Preparation: Persuasive Oral Presentations: Visual Aid checklist. Effective Team Presentations. A Few Words About Stakeholders. (Handout).
Wed
July 18 / Persuasive Presentations: Presenting to move an audience. The assignment for this presentation will be handed out in class on Monday, July 16.
Constructing and working with visual aids.
Mon
July 23 / Negotiation and conflict resolution. In-class negotiation exercise. Constructing an argument, and arguing effectively for your interests. Meetings, coaching, and group decision making. Work on New Business Idea assignment.
Impromptu speaking, dealing with difficult questions, and framing for results.
Problem solving, skillful discussion, and protocols for moving the action forward.
Wed
July 25 / The preparation and rehearsal process.
New Business Idea Presentations.
Five items for the future.