A study of intra and inter-organizational communication functions, message systems and subsystems; information flow and the factors that expedite or impede communication in organizations. Learning the importance of understanding organizations.

Text: Miller, Katherine. Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes. 7th Edition.

Other Articles and Chapters will be provided for students as we work through Organizational Communication concepts.

• Communication: Students will develop and express ideas and will be able to do so in a variety of ways, through writing reviews, writing case studies and answering assigned questions about content.
• Critical Thinking: Students will demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to learning through participation.
• Teamwork: Students will demonstrate productive interaction with others in completing discussion assignments.

1. Exercises and Questions from the Miller Text.
   Each student will answer questions from the end of chapters as assigned. These assignments will be added as assignments on canvas as the semester progresses. (20 percent of grade)

2. CASE STUDIES
   You will write case studies assigned from the Miller text. You will review the case and explain the problem and where the organization in question is currently working. Use organizational theories we have discussed that the organization could use to function more effectively. Then answer the question contained at the end of the study After that write a conclusion to the case that you think best solves the problem. These case studies should be at least 2- pages double-spaced and will be graded based on your knowledge of the issues, and clear, concise organization of the case. Your case study could include examples from your own work experience that may be similar to the problems being discussed in the case review in the text. You can also use examples from pop culture to help with solving problems or suggesting needed solutions.(20 precent of grade)

3. DISCUSSIONS:
   Discussions will be written and submitted on canvas. You must write a 4 –5 sentence response to the issue under discussion and respond to five other student posts to receive full credit. Discussions are due by midnight on the date listed on canvas. Be sure to expand on your ideas, include links, and provide valuable feedback to your classmates. (10 percent of grade)

4. Exams (100 pts each):
   Two tests will be given in this class to measure reading and concept comprehension. Questions will be multiple choice, true and false and essay answer. Questions will be based on both the readings, discussions, and Organizational Communication Issues (OC issues). The final exam will be given during finals week. The final is one of the two and is not comprehensive. (30 percent of grade)

5. O.C. ISSUES PAPERS:
   Covering topics from diversity to generational gaps, Organization Concept Issue papers will provide you the opportunity to write about a specific problem you have encountered at work or in the professional world. These papers will be 2 – 3 pages. The paper will discuss the issue, the participants involved in the issue, the company or organization where they occurred, and the solution (if no solution was present, you will write your suggested solution). You do not need to use the name of the company or persons involved in your examples. If you have not experienced the particular issue in your own life, you may rely on a specific pop culture reference (movie, television show, etc.) that shows the issue we are addressing. (20 percent of grade)

Grading Scale

WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE: Readings and Assignments.

WEEK 1—Aug 27-Aug 30

Review the power point: What is Organizational Communication? This is found in files in canvas.
Read Chapter One of Miller and answer two of the four questions on page 16 at the end of the Chapter. You can pick which two to answer. These answers should each be one page, double spaced.
Remember the assignments for this schedule will be on canvas under Assignments and Discussions and the materials will be included under Files on canvas.
I will place Chapters on canvas until everyone has the text so you can complete your work.

WEEK 2—September 2-6

O.C. I. (1) Paper will be assigned and will be turned in on canvas. The O.C.I #1 is on canvas under files. See the assignments list in this syllabus for instructions. This paper is due on Sept. 11.
Read Miller-Chapter Two.

WEEK 3—September 8-13

Discussion # One will be placed on canvas this week. Write an answer to Question 2 on page 34 and then interact with five other students on canvas.
Read Classical Approaches and Scientific Management Approaches-Miller Chapter 2.
Read the O.C. I #2 Generational Issues and then write the assigned paper. The reading O.C.I #2 is under files on canvas.

WEEK 4- September 15-20.

Read Chapter 3 Human Relations and Human Resources in Miller.
Case Study Assignment. Teamwork at Marshall’s Processing Plant. See pages 58-59 and follow the instructions in number 2 above in this document.
Read Chapter 4 of Miller, Systems and Cultural Approaches.
O.C. # (2): Generational Issues paper is due this week. See the Assignments in Canvas.

WEEK 5—September 22-27

We will continue to read and review Cultural Issues in Org. Comm. In chapter four of Miller based on Cultural Issues and Org Comm.
Case study #1 is due on October 9 on canvas. This is Marshall’s Processing Plant Case Study on pages 58-59 of the Miller text

WEEK 6— September 29-October 4

Read Chapter 6 of Miller, “Critical and Feminist Approaches” There will be several power points presented from this Chapter to be found under files in canvas.
Power will be reviewed this week. Review the O.C.I. on Power that we read earlier this semester.

WEEK 7—Oct. 6-October 11

The First Exam will be given this week. The exam will be placed on canvas and will include Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 6. of the Miller text. You have a week to complete the exam.

WEEK 8—October 13- October 18

Fall Break is this week.
Review and write about the O.C.I #5 on Gender. See Assignments for the due date.
Remember to check the Assignments Section for Discussion Questions after some of the chapters.

WEEK 9— October 20-October 27

Read Chapter 7, “Socialization Processes.”
Read the Case Study on pages 136-138 and then follow the procedure and answer the questions on 138 at the end of the case study.

WEEK 10—November 3-November 8.

This is catch up week. Assignments maybe due this week check the assignments tab.

WEEK 11—November 10-November 15.

Read Chapter 8, “Decision Making Processes.”
Discussion assignment will be made on the answers to the questions assigned at the end of chapter 8. See the assignment on canvas. Students will answer questions 1, 3 and 5 on page 155.
Read Chapter 9, Conflict Management Processes. The OCI #6 is on Conflict.

WEEK 12---November 17-22.

Review O.C.I #6 on Conflict and other issues. Write a paper on Conflict and the issues discussed in the O.C. #6. This will be due in December.
Read Miller Chapter 10, Organizational Change and Leadership Processes.

WEEK 13- November 24-29 This is Thanksgiving Week no on campus classes.

Review Chapter 11 and create a Power-Point of Five Points or Concepts you select to discuss or review from the Chapter. This is due on December 9th.
Be reading Chapter 13 this week and next week in preparation for the final exam. Reading assignment only.

WEEK 14- December 1-December 6

Read Miller Chapter 12 on Organizational Diversity Processes. Please answer all of the questions at the end of the Chapter on page 232.
The final test will be given to students to take at home a week before the final day of class. The Chapters are 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13.
Read Chapter 13 this week as it will be included in the final.

WEEK 15- December 8-13.

The final week of Finals.