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 530 - Seminar in Business Communication Theory

Course Description:
Interdisciplinary approach to communication as related to the business organization.

Learning Objectives:
Successful completion of this course should enable students to:
1. Understand the significance of the communication process in business organizations.
2. Examine patterns of miscommunication, identifying causes and strategies for preventing or correcting these miscommunications.
3. Investigate the significance of communication theory in managerial communication applications.

Text and supplementary materials:
Dainton, M. & Zelley, E. D. (2005). Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
O'Rourke, J. S. (2007). The Business Communication Casebook: A Notre Dame Collection, 2/e, Thomson South-Western.
Assigned readings and materials to supplement textbook material.

Assessment:
Students will be evaluated based on responses to written examinations, written and oral case analysis assignments, group projects, and class participation.

Teaching Methodology:
Class sessions will be a combination of lecture, discussion, case and readings analysis, and group participation. Class requirements will include outside individual and group research and writing.

Topics/Components:

• Introduction to Communication Theory
  • What Is Communication?
  • What Is Theory?
  • The Theory-Research Link
  • What Is Research?
  • Research Methods in Communication Social Science and the Humanities
• Evaluating Theory Explaining Theories of Intrapersonal Communication
• Intrapersonal Communication Defined
• Message Design Logics
• Attribution Theory
• Uncertainty Reduction Theory
• Expectancy Violations Theory
• Explaining Theories of Interpersonal Communication
• Interpersonal Communication Defined
• Systems Perspective
• Politeness Theory
• Social Exchange Theory
• Dialectical Perspective
• Explaining Theories of Culture
• Culture Defined
• Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions
• Communication Accommodation Theory
• Face-Negotiation Theory
• Gender and Communication: A Two-Culture Perspective
• Explaining Theories of Persuasion
• Persuasion Defined
• Social Judgment Theory
• Elaboration Likelihood Model
• Cognitive Dissonance Theory
• Narrative Paradigm
• Explaining Theories of Leadership
• Leadership Defined
• Likert's Four Systems
• Transformational Leadership
• Contingency Model
• Leader-Member Exchange
• Explaining Theories of Group Communication
• Group Communication Defined
• Interaction Process Analysis/SYMLOG
• Symbolic Convergence Theory
• Functional Group Decision Making
• Groupthink
• Explaining Theories of Organizational Communication
• Organizational Communication Defined
• Organizational Identification and Control
• Organizational Culture
• Structuration Theory
• Organizing Theory
• Explaining Theories of Mediated Communication
  • Mass Communication Defined
  • Agenda-Setting Theory
  • Cultivation Theory
  • Social Learning Theory
  • Uses and Gratifications Theory
• So What Should a Communicator Do?
  • Communication Competence
  • Conclusions About Communication
  • Conclusions About Influence and Effects
  • Returning to Communication Competence