Note: This "standard" course syllabus is only a guide. Actual requirements for a particular course and section of this course are described in the course section syllabus, which should be obtained from the course instructor at the beginning of the respective semester. Requirements listed herein are subject to change without notice.

BCM 447—Organizational Communication

Standard Course Syllabus 

Catalog Description: The study of the total organizational communication process within business organizations.  Issues include organizational culture, diversity, power, leadership, conflict resolution, ethical issues, and international communication.

Prerequisites:  None

Learning Objectives:
1.       Understand and explain the major theories and perspectives used to examine organizational communication.
2.       Recognize communication issues in organizations and apply organizational communication concepts, models, and theories to resolve such issues.
3.       Demonstrate competent oral, written, and analytical communication skills necessary for effective performance in different organizational contexts.

Topics/Components:

I.     What is Organizational Communication?
a.         Communication and organizational success
b.         Fundamental characteristics of organizational communication
c.          Misconceptions regarding organizational communication
d.         Defining factors: skill, networks, culture, and power

II.    Management Theories in Organizations
a.         Evolution of management theories
b.         Classical theories of management
c.          Human relations theories
d.         Human resources theories
e.         Systems theories
f.          Cultural theories
g.         Critical theories

III.   Ethics and Organizational Communication
a.         Examining ethics
b.         Strategic ambiguity
c.          Making ethical decisions

IV.   Managing Information
a.         Message needs
b.         Media options
c.          Knowledge management
d.         Human needs

V.    Communication Networks
a.         External and internal networks
b.         Formal and informal networks
c.          Vertical and horizontal networks

VI.   Climate and Culture
a.         Organizational climate
b.         Organizational culture
c.          Culture, climate, and communication

VII.  Meetings: Conflict & Intervention
a.         Primary and secondary tension
b.         Counterproductive group tendencies
c.          Interventions
d.         Electronic meetings

VIII. Professional Presentations
a.         Presentation styles
b.         Structuring content
c.          Question and answer sessions
d.         Presentation anxiety

IX.   Interpersonal Conflict and Communication
a.         Pervasive interpersonal conflict
b.         Rules approach
c.          Transactional analysis

X.    Composing the Written Message
a.         Importance of written communication
b.         Writer anxiety
c.          Steps in the writing process
d.         Common problems

XI.   Intercultural Communication
a.         Intercultural communication in organizational contexts
b.         Barriers to effective intercultural communication
c.          The Hofstede studies

XII.  Crisis Communication
a.         Crisis communication planning
b.         Crisis communication implementation

XIII. Relational Issues
a.         Emotion Intelligence
b.         Diversity and stereotyping
c.          Relational barriers in organizations

XIV. Assessing Organizational Communication
a.         Communication audits
b.         Audit qualities and components
c.          Methods for conducting audits

XV.   Careers in Organizational Communication
a.         Career opportunities
b.         Career preparation

Textbook:  Zaremba, A.J. (2006). Organizational Communication Foundations for Business and Collaboration. 2nd edition. Thomson--South-Western Publishing Co.