CMST 342 (001): Survey of Organizational Communication

CMST 342 (001): Survey of Organizational Communication

Fall 2016, 3 Credits

Tuesday/Thursday 11:10 to 12:25

Haslam Business Building 113

Contact Information: Whitney L. Tipton, M.A.

Office: 100 Communication and University Extension (back corner, inside room 098)

E-mail:

Office Hours: T/R 10:00-11:00, 12:30-1:00

Course Description: Overview of how people in for-profit and non-profit contexts interact both internally and externally. Prerequisites: 201 or 207. Registration restriction: communication studies majors/minors or consent of instructor.

Texts/Resources/Materials:

Miller, K. (2015). Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes (7th ed.).

Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson.

Additional readings on Blackboard

Student Learning Outcomes:The central goal of this course is to extend your knowledge about the structure and communication processes within and constituting organizations. We will work to understand organizations from a theoretical and a practical perspective, then discuss ways of applying this information to your organizational experiences.

To accomplish this, we will focus on the following objectives:

1. Theoretical understanding:
2. We will explore different ways organizations are conceptualized, studied, and structured.
3. We will investigate the nature of organizational communication, including its forms, processes, and functions.
4. We will analyze current issues facing today’s for-profit and non-profit organizations.
5. We will design board games to demonstrate theoretical and practical understanding of organizational communication concepts.
6. Practical understanding:
7. We will examine and explain (using written exercises) some communication issues facing organizations through case studies and readings.
8. We will assess different situations to determine what communication principles and practices may be best suited. Recommendations for solving these issues will be made through in-class exercises and written work.

Course Communication:This class requires you to regularly check your email and Blackboard for updates. Please be sure to keep an eye on both of these for information about class. If you have issues with your email or with Blackboard contact OIT:

Course and University Policies:

1. Instruction Style: I prefer to interact informally and for students to participate in class as much as possible. We all have experience working in or visiting organizations, meaning each person has insights to provide. This course will be conducted as a seminar/discussion. Some material will be presented in lecture format, but much of our time will be spent in discussion. For this course to be successful, and for you to get the most out of the material, the assigned readings should be completed before class.

1. Responsibility:Part of getting a college degree is preparing to the “real world”, a world in which you must take responsibility for yourself and accept the consequences of your actions (positive or negative). This means we should all be prepared to: (1) obtain information from classmates due to absences; (2) checking the syllabus and Blackboard closely for readings, assignments, and questions; (3) keeping track of exam dates and deadlines for the course; and (4) keeping track of grades throughout the semester.

1. Technology: Class time will be spent talking with each other and I expect everyone to be fully engaged in our discussions. If you would like to use a laptop or other electronic device during class to take notes, you may do so for class-related activities. If you are using any electronic device during class in a way that is distracting, I may ask you to put it away, so be prepared to take notes by hand if you appear to be distracted. There are other times I may ask you to put laptops away when we are having class discussion. We will use cell phones (or laptops or tablets) for a variety of class activities; however, if we are not engaged in a class activity that requires a phone (Kahoot, Poll Everywhere, etc.), please keep your phone in your bag and on silent.

1. Punctuality: Make a habit of being on time for class (which really means early). This is a great way to prepare for class and gives us time to interact and talk about issues or concerns before class time. Please arrive on time and plan to stay the entire time.

1. Attendance:Based on UT Academic Policy, academic success is built upon regular class attendance. At the University of Tennessee, students are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes. If you must miss class due to an extenuating circumstance, please contact me before, rather than after, the absence.

1. Learning Environment:I value your participation in class discussions and hope you will help promote an environment that encourages the participation of your peers. You will be exposed to many divergent views during this class. Please respect everyone’s point of view, even if it is contrary to your own. You do not have to agree with everyone, but you do have to be willing to listen. Students who text, read, write, eat, talk, or otherwise pose a distraction during presentations will be asked to leave and will receive an automatic grade deduction for that assignment.

7. Professionalism:This course should be viewed as both an intellectual endeavor and

professional development experience. Working within organizations, large and small, is a

future goal for almost all students in this course. Students are expected to be professional

in terms of the quality of submitted assignments, the quality of the communicative

interaction with classmates and the instructor, and general conduct. Please observe the

following requirements for professional classroom behavior. For academic discourse,

spoken and written, I expect you to use gender inclusive language for human beings. Slurs,

name calling, or unprofessional language will not be tolerated.

8. Late Assignments:Late assignments will not be accepted and make-up exams will not be

given except under extenuating circumstances. If such a situation arises, please contact me

as soon as possible. You must provide documentation (i.e. doctors note with dates/times,

description of university-sanctioned activity, etc.) in order to make up an exam or

assignment.

9. Written Assignments:Follow APA format.

( The preceding

website contains an article (with links) that breaks down the style manual to the essential

components for this course (i.e. 12 point Times or TNR font, 1.00” margins, title page,

abstract, reference page, etc.). If you are interested, APA has a complete style manual

(available in the library, online and at local bookstores) and several websites are available

to assist you in navigating the style format.

The evaluation and assessment of written work will include spelling, grammar, sentence

and paragraph structure and style. All written work will be held to college level

expectations. PROOFREAD THOROUGHLY BEFORE SUBMITTING WORK! If the

written component of any assignment does not meet the minimum expectation for college

level writing you may be encouraged to visit the writing lab in addition to re-doing the

written portion of the assignment for a reduced grade.

10.Course Assignments:Your grade is based on your performance in the class on exams and a variety of activities. A summary of these is found below (more information will be available on Blackboard):

• Exams (3 @ 100 points each): There will be three exams in this class, which may include multiple choice, true/false, matching, fill-in-the-blank, short answer, and/or essay questions. I will let you know what type and how many questions closer to each exam.
• Case Studies (2 @ 25 points each):The textbook for this course offers numerous case study options for you to examine. Two case studies will be provided to discuss in class using a Fishbowl format. You will be responsible for writing a one page (single spaced) analysis of the case study based on readings from the class, then participating in discussion in class. More information will be provided on Blackboard.
• Board Game (100 points): Your class project is a board game and instruction manual. Your game needs to be for 2-4 players, incorporate the different concepts discussed in class and provide an educational component for the players so that when they finish the game they have learned about organizational communication. The board came should have a MINIMUM of 40 spaces, be creative and engaging, and FUN! You will share your game with the class and we will play the game. For this project you will work in randomly assigned teams. A grading rubric will be provided on Blackboard.
• Participation (50 points): These may be announced (all workshop or debriefing days) or unannounced (in-class quizzes and activities). If you are not present for the assignment, you will receive a 0. Point values will be assigned based on degree of effort required. Example assignments include quizzes, class activities, group work, response papers, or survey responses.

Assignments / Points Possible / Points Earned
Exam One / 100 / ______
Exam Two / 100 / ______
Exam Three / 100 / ______
Case Study One / 25 / ______
Case Study Two / 25 / ______
Participation / 50 / ______
Board Game / 100 / ______
Total Points / 500 / ______

Grading Scale: The following grading scale will be used to determine final grades for the course.

A / 500-465 / B- / 414-400 / D+ / 349-335
A- / 464-450 / C+ / 399-385 / D / 334-315
B+ / 449-435 / C / 384-365 / D- / 314-300
B / 434-415 / C- / 364-350 / F / 300 or lower

* Any student wishing to dispute a grade must do so in writing within 24 hours of receiving the graded assignment. A copy of the graded assignment and an explanation of your concerns must be included, in addition to any requirements laid out in the student handbook. University of Tennessee Grade Appeal

** Your final grade, based on absolute point total, will not be changed because you are close to the cut-off point for a higher grade.

11. CCI Diversity and Inclusion:CCI recognizes and values diversity and inclusion. Exposing students to diverse people, ideas and cultures increases opportunities for intellectual inquiry, encourages critical thinking, and enhances communication and information competence. When all viewpoints are heard, thoughtfully considered, and respectfully responded to, everyone benefits. Diversity, inclusion, and fairness unite us with the wider professional and global community.

12. UTK Office of Disability Services:Any student who feels he or she may need an accommodation based on a disability should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) at 865-974-6087 in 100 Dunford Hall to document their eligibility for services. ODS will work with students and faculty to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. If you are comfortable discussing any concerns related to accommodations in this course, pleas do not hesitate to see me.

Course Schedule

Last Updated July 20, 2016

Subject to revision

Date / Class Topic / Reading / Assignment
Thursday 8/18 / Welcome, Course Overview
Tuesday, 8/23 / Organizational challenges / Chapter 1
Thursday, 8/25 / Classical Approaches / Chapter 2
Tuesday, 8/30 / Human Relations/Human Resources Approaches / Chapter 3
Thursday, 9/1 / Administrative Closing- no class
Tuesday, 9/6 / Systems and Cultural Approaches / Chapter 4
Thursday, 9/8 / Constitutive Approaches / Chapter 5 / Case Study Due
Tuesday, 9/13 / In-class Workshop, Games, Case Study Debrief
Thursday, 9/15 / Exam 1 (online via BB)
Tuesday, 9/20 / Socialization Processes Chapter 7
Thursday, 9/22 / Decision Making: Rational and Alternative Models (p.140-146) / Chapter 8
Tuesday, 9/27 / Decision Making, p. 146-156 / Chapter 8
Thursday, 9/29 / Conflict Management
Class *may* not meet / Chapter 9; readings on BB
Tuesday, 10/4 / Leadership / Chapter 10
Thursday, 10/6 / Fall Break
Tuesday, 10/11 / Organizational Change / Chapter 10 / Case Study Due
Thursday, 10/13 / Organizational Scavenger Hunt / Scavenger Hunt Findings due by end of class period
Tuesday, 10/18 / Case Study and Scavenger Hunt Debrief
Thursday, 10/20 / Exam 2 (online via BB)
Tuesday, 10/25 / Emotion in the Workplace Chapter 11
Thursday, 10/27 / Women & Minorities in Organizations / Chapter 12
Tuesday, 11/1 / Multicultural Organizations: Chapter 12
Diversity and/or Inclusion
Thursday, 11/3 / In-class Activity/Guest
Tuesday, 11/8 / In-class Game Workshop

Thursday, 11/10 No class- National Communication Conference Game Update due

Tuesday, 11/15 Technological Processes Chapter 13

Thursday, 11/17 Changing Organizations Chapter 14

Tuesday, 11/22 Exam 3 (online via BB)

Thursday, 11/24 Thanksgiving Holiday

Tuesday, 11/29 Special Topics Presentation

Thursday, 12/1 In-class Games Workshop

Monday, December 5, 10:15-12:15, Games (Final Exam Period)

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