Organizational Communication

Dr. Lee McGaan  

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

Fall 2008 Office Hours:  MWF: 9-10am & 11am-1pm; TTh: 10:30am-noon; & by apt.  |       copyright (c) by Lee McGaan, 2008

last updated 8/11/2008
UNIT I -- ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY
Wed. 8/27 The Idea of Organizational Communication. OC. Preface  Foundational Concepts

Fri.

8/29

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

Mon.

9/1

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

Wed.

9/3

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

9/5

 The Human Relations Model as Reform.  OC. ch. 2
 Hawthorne Studies / Chester Bernard/ Maslow
Mon. 9/8 Acheivements of the HR Movement 
Herzberg, McGregor and Ouichi

Wed.

9/10

 Outcomes of the Human Relations Movement.  OC. ch. 3
Characteristics of the Human Relations Model and Keys to Good HR

Fri.

9/12

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

Mon.

9/15

Organizations as Cultures.  OC. ch. 5  Defining Organizational Culture |
Wed. 9/17  Variation in Culture:  "In Search of Excellence"  - Video.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF "EXCELLENCE" IN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

Fri.

9/19

  "In Search of Excellence"  - Video continued

Mon.

9/22

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

Wed.

9/24

Models and Bases of Organizational Culture. Bases of Organizational Culture

Fri.

9/26

Outcomes of Culture.  Organizational Culture: Variations and Outcomes

Mon.

9/29

Analyzing a Case |  Exam Review.

Wed.

10/1

1st Exam

Fri.

10/3

 The Culture of MC Consulting??

Mon.

 10/6 Organizations as Systems OC. ch. 4

UNIT II -- ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESSES  

Wed.

10/8

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

Fri.

10/10

 Image and Organizational Success.  An Effective Personal Image on the Job
  10/11 - 10/14                             FALL BREAK
Wed.

10/15

 Image Continued; The Myth of Meritocracy

Fri.

 10/17 Personal Communication and Career Strategy

 

Mon. 10/20 Decision-Making and the Rational Model. OC. ch. 8

Wed.

10/22

Key Processes and Problems in Decision-making
Fri.

10/24

 Change:  Individual and Organizational.  OC  ch. 10
Mon. 10/27 Motivation in Traditional Organizations - Norms, Rules, Rewards & Punishment
Wed. 10/29 Interaction as Performance Control - Feedback, Goal Setting and Culture.  OC, ch. 11

Fri.

10/31

Power  and  Bases of Power - How Power Is Created.

Mon.

11/3

Elements of Power Systems.

Wed.

11/5

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

Fri.

11/7

Conflict.  OC. ch. 9

Mon.

11/10

2nd Exam

Wed.

11/12

Identifying Conflict.  Types & Styles  |  Definitions

Fri.

11/14

[ Open Date ]
Mon. 11/17 Managing Conflict.

UNIT III -- CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

Wed. 

11/19

Women and Men at Work.  OC. ch. 12
Fri. 11/21

Dealing with Diversity.

Mon.

11/24

Peers and Co-workers;  Groups and Teams.  OC. ch. 11
  11/26 - 11/30                                      THANKSGIVING BREAK

Mon.

12/1

The Technology Challenge.  OC. Ch. 13

Wed.

12/3

Training Project Final Paper Lab Work Day

Fri.

12/5

 External and Crisis Communication.

Mon.

 12/8

Personal Strategies - Effective Messages

Wed.

12/10

Review and Evaluation

FINAL EXAM - 8am, Tuesday, December 16 (or as arranged)