COMM 333-Organizational Communication

Dr. Lee McGaan  

  Office:  WH 308  (ph. 309-457-2155);  email lee@monm.edu
  Home:  418 North Sunny Lane (ph. 309-734-5431)

Spring 2012 Office Hours:   MW: 9-10am, 11am-1pm & 3:15-4pm;   Fri: 11am-1pm; & by apt.  |   copyright (c) by Lee McGaan, 2006-12


last updated 12/6/2011
UNIT I -- ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY

Wed. 8/24 The Idea of Organizational Communication. OC. Preface  Foundational Concepts

Fri.

8/26

The "Traditional" / Mechanistic Model -- Background.   OC. ch. 1  Characteristics   Max Weber and Frederick Taylor

Mon.

8/29

Communication in Mechanistic Organizations.   OC. ch. 2
Communication in Classical Organizations  McGaan's Conclusions on Problems with Classical Organizations

Wed.

8/31

Structural Problems - The Machine "Slows"  Barriers for Vertical Communication - Distortions

Fri.

9/2

The Human Relations Model as Reform.  
 Hawthorne Studies / Chester Bernard/ Maslow
Mon. 9/5 Outcomes of the Human Relations Movement.  OC. ch. 3
Characteristics of the Human Relations Model and Keys to Good HR

Wed.

9/7

Acheivements of the HR Movement 
Herzberg, McGregor and Ouichi

Fri.

9/9

Human Resources - HR Revisited.  OC. p. 47
Limitations of the HR Models  From Human Relations to Human Resources

Mon.

9/12

Organizations as Cultures.  OC. ch. 5  Defining Organizational Culture |

Wed. 9/14  Variation in Culture:  "In Search of Excellence"  - Video.
CHARACTERISTICS OF "EXCELLENCE" IN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Fri.

9/16

 "In Search of Excellence"  - Video continued

Mon.

9/19

Characteristics of "Excellent" Cultures.  Why Use the Cultural View?

Wed.

9/21

Models and Bases of Organizational Culture.   Bases of Organizational Culture 

Fri.

9/23

Outcomes of Culture.   Another view

Mon.

9/26

Summing up Organizational Culture.  Organizational Culture: Variations and Outcomes

Wed.

9/28

Analyzing a Case Exam Review.  |  The Culture of MC Consulting??

Fri.

9/30

1st Exam --  Open book / open notes-- meet in COMM Lab - WH320 (or bring your laptop to use on the wireless network

Mon.

10/3 Product Pitch Prep Day  |  Peer evaluation form - pdfWord version

UNIT II -- ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESSES  

Wed.

10/5

Entering an Organization.  OC. ch. 7  Socialization - Entering a New Organization / Culture

Fri.

10/7

Image and Organizational Success.  An Effective Personal Image on the Job
10/8 - 10/11                             FALL BREAK
Wed.

10/12

Image Continued; The Myth of Meritocracy

Fri.

10/14 Personal Communication and Career Strategy
Mon. 10/17 Decision-Making and the Rational Model. OC. ch. 8

Wed.

10/19

Key Processes and Problems in Decision-making  (Mentoring Day)

Fri.

10/21

Change:  Individual and Organizational.  OC  ch. 10
Mon. 10/24 Motivation in Traditional Organizations - Norms, Rules, Rewards & Punishment
Wed. 10/26 Interaction as Performance Control - Feedback, Goal Setting and Culture.  OC, ch. 11

Fri.

10/28

Power  and  Bases of Power - How Power Is Created.

Mon.

10/31

Elements of Power Systems.

Wed.

11/2

Conflict.  OC. ch. 9     

Fri.

11/4

Identifying Conflict.  Types & Styles  |  Definitions

Mon.

11/7

Managing Conflict   |  Review

Wed.

11/9

2nd Exam -- meet in COMM Lab - WH320 (or bring your laptop to use on the wireless network)

Fri.

11/11

Critical Approaches to Org. Comm.  OC. ch. 6  |  Change

Mon. 11/14 [ open date TBD ]

UNIT III -- CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

Wed. 

11/16

Review Plans for Training Demonstrations.  Diversity in the Workplace.  OC. ch. 12

Fri. 11/18

Women and Men at Work.  OC. ch. 12

Mon.

11/21

Peers and Co-workers;    OC. ch. 11

  11/23 - 11/27                               THANKSGIVING BREAK

Mon.

11/28

Groups and Teams.

Wed.

11/30

Training Project Final Paper Lab Work Day    |    Peer evaluation form - pdfWord version

Fri.

12/2

The Technology Challenge.  OC. Ch. 13

Mon.

12/5

External and Crisis Communication.

Wed.

12/7

Effective Messages   |   Review and Evaluation

FINAL EXAM - 6pm, Tuesday, December 13 - Lab Exam Hour