COMM 333-Organizational Communication

Dr. Lee McGaan  

  Office:  WH 308  (ph. 309-457-2155);  email:  lee@monmouthcollege.edu
  Home:  418 North Sunny Lane (ph. 309-734-5431, cell 309-333-5447)

Fall 2016 Office Hours:   MWF:  9:30 - 10am, 11am - Noon & 1 -2pm;  TTh:  2-3pm & by apt.  |  copyright (c) by Lee McGaan, 2006-2016

last updated 2/25/2006
UNIT I -- ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY
Wed. 1/18 The Idea of Organizational Communication. OC. Preface  Foundational Concepts

Fri.

1/20

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

Mon.

1/23

Communication in Mechanistic Organizations. 
Communication in Classical Organizations 

McGaan's Conclusions on Problems with Classical Organizations

Wed.

1/25

 Structural Problems - The Machine "Slows"

Barriers for Vertical Communication - Distortions
Fri.

1/27

 The Human Relations Model as Reform.  OC. ch. 2
 Hawthorne Studies / Chester Bernard/ Maslow
Mon. 1/30 Acheivements of the HR Movement 
Herzberg, McGregor and Ouichi

Wed.

2/1

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

Fri.

2/3

Human Resources - HR Revisited.

Limitations of the HR Models   |  From Human Relations to Human Resources

Mon.

2/6

Organizations as Systems: Some Applications - Cybernetics, Feedback, Oscillation, and "Close" Coupling (slack)  OC. ch. 4
Wed. 2/8  Organizations as Cultures.  OC. ch. 5  Defining Organizational Culture |

Fri.

2/10

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

Mon.

2/13

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

Wed.

2/15

Models and Bases of Organizational Culture. Bases of Organizational Culture

Fri.

2/17

Outcomes of Culture.  Organizational Culture: Variations and Outcomes

Mon.

2/20

Critical Approaches to Organizational Communication.  OC. ch. 6

Wed.

2/22

Organization as Communication.

Fri.

2/24

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

UNIT II -- ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESSES

Mon.

 2/27 Image and Organizational Success.  Exam Review.

An Effective Personal Image on the Job  |  The Myth of Meritocracy

Wed.

3/1

Exam 1.

Fri.

3/3

 Image Continued;
  3/4 - 3/12                                       SPRING BREAK
Mon.

3/13

 Personal Communication and Career Strategy

Wed.

 3/15 Decision-Making and the Rational Model. OC. ch. 8

Fri.

3/17

Methods of Decision-Making

 

Mon.

3/20

Change:  Individual and Organizational.  OC  ch. 10
Wed.

3/22

 Feedback and Performance
Fri. 3/24 Motivation and Control. OC, ch. 11
Mon. 3/27 Power

Wed.

3/29

Bases of Power - How Power Is Created.

Fri.

3/31

Elements of Power Systems.

Mon.

4/3

Conflict.  OC. ch. 9

Wed.

4/5

Identifying Conflict.  Types & Styles  |  Definitions

Fri.

4/7

Managing Conflict. 

Mon.

4/10

Analyzing a Case |  Exam Review.

Wed.

4/12

2nd Exam
  4/14 - 4/17                                          EASTER BREAK

UNIT III -- CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

Wed. 

4/19

Women and Men at Work.  OC. ch. 12
Fri. 4/21

Dealing with Diversity.

Mon.

4/24

Peers and Co-workers;  Groups and Teams.  OC. ch. 11

Wed.

4/26

The Technology Challenge.  OC. Ch. 13

Fri.

4/28

The Changes in Work - Changes in Organizations.  OC. ch. 14

Mon.

5/1

 External and Crisis Communication.

Wed.

5/3

Personal Strategies - Effective Messages

Fri.

5/5

Review and Evaluation

FINAL EXAM - 1pm, Tuesday, May 9 (Trotter Lab)