COMM 333-Organizational Communication

Dr. Lee McGaan  

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

Fall 2009 Office Hours:  MWF: 9-10am & 11am-1pm; TTh: 10:30am-noon; & by apt.  |       copyright (c) by Lee McGaan, 2006-9

last updated 11/20/2009
UNIT I -- ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY
Wed. 8/26 The Idea of Organizational Communication. OC. Preface  Foundational Concepts

Fri.

8/28

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

Mon.

8/31

Communication in Mechanistic Organizations. 
Communication in Classical Organizations  |  McGaan's Conclusions on Problems with Classical Organizations

Wed.

9/2

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

9/4

 The Human Relations Model as Reform.  OC. ch. 2
 Hawthorne Studies / Chester Bernard/ Maslow
Mon. 9/7 Outcomes of the Human Relations Movement.  OC. ch. 3
Characteristics of the Human Relations Model and Keys to Good HR

Wed.

9/9

 Acheivements of the HR Movement 
Herzberg, McGregor and Ouichi

Fri.

9/11

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

Mon.

9/14

Organizations as Cultures.  OC. ch. 5  Defining Organizational Culture |
Wed. 9/16  Variation in Culture:  "In Search of Excellence"  - Video.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF "EXCELLENCE" IN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Fri.

9/18

  "In Search of Excellence"  - Video continued

Mon.

9/21

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

Wed.

9/23

Models and Bases of Organizational Culture. Bases of Organizational Culture  |  Another view

Fri.

9/25

Outcomes of Culture.  Organizational Culture: Variations and Outcomes

Mon.

9/28

Analyzing a Case |  Exam Review.

Wed.

9/30

1st Exam -- meet in Trotter Lab

Fri.

10/2

 The Culture of MC Consulting??

Mon.

 10/5 Organizations as Systems OC. ch. 4

UNIT II -- ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESSES  

Wed.

10/7

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

Fri.

10/9

 Image and Organizational Success.  An Effective Personal Image on the Job
Mon.

10/12

 Image Continued; The Myth of Meritocracy

Wed.

 10/14 Personal Communication and Career Strategy
Fri. 10/16 Decision-Making and the Rational Model. OC. ch. 8
     10/17 - 10/20                             FALL BREAK

Wed.

10/21

Key Processes and Problems in Decision-making
Fri.

10/23

 Change:  Individual and Organizational.  OC  ch. 10
Mon. 10/26 Motivation in Traditional Organizations - Norms, Rules, Rewards & Punishment
Wed. 10/28 Interaction as Performance Control - Feedback, Goal Setting and Culture.  OC, ch. 11

Fri.

10/30

Power  and  Bases of Power - How Power Is Created.

Mon.

11/2

Elements of Power Systems.

Wed.

11/4

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

Fri.

11/6

Conflict.  OC. ch. 9

Mon.

11/9

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

Wed.

11/11

Identifying Conflict.  Types & Styles  |  Definitions

Fri.

11/13

[ no class ]
Mon. 11/16 Managing Conflict.

UNIT III -- CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

Wed. 

11/18

[ no class ]
Fri. 11/20

Women and Men at Work.  OC. ch. 12

Mon.

11/23

Peers and Co-workers;    OC. ch. 11
  11/25 - 11/29                                      THANKSGIVING BREAK

Mon.

11/30

Groups and Teams.

Wed.

12/2

Training Project Final Paper Lab Work Day

Fri.

12/4

 The Technology Challenge.  OC. Ch. 13

Mon.

 12/7

External and Crisis Communication.

Wed.

12/9

Effective Messages   |   Review and Evaluation

FINAL EXAM - 8am, Tuesday, December 15 - Lab Exam Hour (or as arranged)