Syllabus
COM530A: Seminar in Organizational Communication
Chaos and Change
Professor Judith Swift
Office Hours M 2-3:00 p.m., R 1-3:00 p.m. and by appointment
Office: 874-4809 E-mail: jswift@uri.edu
Office Location: 308A Independence Hall
Tuesday, 6-8:45 p.m.; ASFCCE/Providence Campus
Course Description: Examine organizational communication before, during, and post-change, such as growth/expansions, mergers, collapse, war or a post-apocalyptic event. Survey internal and external aspects of how people communicate change—planned and unplanned—in organizations. Contexts may include: corporations (for profit and not-for-profit); schools and/or educational systems; law enforcement and justice systems, churches and/or religious systems; military; government(s). Students will engage in the study of organizational communication in periods of chaos and change through readings, lecture, discussions, film/interviews, experiential activities, and producing a major research paper.
Content: This course will consider ways in which human beings organize themselves and how those organizational systems respond to periods of change and chaos. Within any organization there exists both group and interpersonal communication so both will be considered in our study of this particular slant on organizational communication. One could argue that periods of change are by definition dynamic and require continual communication to alleviate the stress change can create. Human beings are most interesting in their attempts—maybe even their desire—to achieve stasis in social systems. The Cold War and the pursuit of detente serve as examples of a period in which social change and chaos may have been brewing but human society in the affected nations was most comfortable in the assumption that a balance of power was in effect. The tearing down of the Berlin Wall was a time of great change and chaos which was inevitably viewed with jubilation by some and defeat by others. In this course, we will explore times of change and chaos. Obvious examples are the events of 9-11, the Cuban missle crisis, the Columbine school shootings, and the Washington, D.C. sniper. Perhaps less quick to come to mind are events such as the Enlightenment, the Influenza Pandemic of 1918-19, the Crusades, and numerous other periods of change. While some are shortlived and rife with conflict and chaos, others are extensive in length, and/or positive in outcome and not defined as chaotic. Chaos is a term which is most often thought of as pejorative when in fact the proponents of chaos theory use the word in quite a nonjudgmental way. Chaos simply is. How we define it and attempt to control it or respond to it or deal with it are all part of our study of chaos in the context of organizational communication. This class will lead us into some heady theory and back out again into the real world of crisis, conflict, uncertainty, celebration and everchanging paradigms.
Written assignments: Postings to the listserv on topics as assigned or as a means to continue an in-class discussion are expected. A substantial research paper on a topic formulated by you and submitted for approval will be submitted as your final project for this class. The earlier you make the topic selection, the more thorough and "leisurely" the process will be and the more effective the final product. The major paper will, of course, be word-processed with emphasis on excellence in content, style, grammar, syntax, etc., and with references and resources properly credited. The length should be between 15 and 20 pages of text with a table of contents, a literature review, a bibliography and appendices as needed. Ideally the paper will be developed over the course of the semester with exchanges of rough drafts for comments and further development. The paper will be addressed in greater detail and an entire class is devoted to discussion of progress on the paper. As part of your degree requirements, many of you will choose to write a thesis. Consider this paper to be a warmup. For those of you who intend to follow the non-thesis option, this should be considered a paper that could stand as the required paper of substance. Whatever your program of study, it would serve you well to consider this a mini-thesis and follow the guidleines for a thesis located at the Graduate School site.
Participation assignments include the following:
Weekly Activity:
|
Day/Date |
Topic |
Assignment |
|
|
Introduction to course; expectations and discussion of change and chaos. | |
|
Jan. 28 |
Theories of Organizational Communication |
Read pp. 36-127, Chapts. 3 &4, Fundamentals of Organizational Communication Read pp. 1-85 in Crisis Communications Submit one-page synopsis of a major event that would be described as a major change and/or chaotic event. |
| Feb. 4 |
Conflict and Organizational Communication | Read pp. 235-266, Chapt. 8, Organizational Communication |
|
Feb. 11 |
The Nature of Chaos | Report out on Leadership and the New Science; sections will be assigned. |
|
Feb. 18 |
NO CLASS: Monday Classes Meet | |
Feb. 25 |
Team reports |
Topic to be approved. Class will be divided into teams to research and present reports on approved topics. Team 1: Report 1-Rosie the Riveter, Women Rule the Workforce Roost in WWII |
| March 4 |
Team reports |
Completed individual reports; Wheatley reports, etc. |
March 11 |
SPRING BREAK | Postcards
From The Edge |
| March 18 | Team reports | Team
2: Report 1-McFrankenstein or Fat as New Tobacco |
| March 25 | Team reports | Team 3: Report 1 -Olympian Scandal or Loss of Innocence on Ice |
| April 1 | Team reports |
Team 4: Report 1-War Stories or Terror in Taupe Determine war topic/s |
| April 8 | Final papers |
Presentation of final paper thesis to entire class for critique and suggestions. Matt, Liz, Julie, Melissa, Kathleen, Jean, Karen, Helen War Topic/s continue to build |
| April 15 | Final papers |
Presentation of final paper thesis to entire class for critique and suggestions. Jen Martin, Jennifer Mathieu, Aya, Malini, Bridget, Anne, Nancy, Tracy War Topic/s continue to build |
| April 22 | Team reports | War Topic/s present |
| April 29 | Team reports |
Team 5: Report 1- Martha in A Stew or Insider Upside-Down Cake |
| May 6 |
Team reports
|
War Topic/s present |
| May 13 |
Final Exam Period Synthesis of course |
May 13, we will meet to continue discussion of the "new beach," wrap up any analysis and generally synthesize any final pieces. We may also list remaining questions. Depending on where final papers are based on progress and earlier discussions, we may want a final presentation from each to synthesize findings. This class will be full and evolve in its content. Let's plan on dinner as part of it. CHANGE: Final Paper Due by 9:00 p.m., May 15. |
General Notes: This syllabus is an outline of proposed events. It is subject to change. I will never change it to make anything due earlier for you. I may change the order of things to allow for a special opportunity or to allow additional exploration on a particular topic. I will supply supplementary readings along the way.
Required Reading:
Shockley, Pamela.; Fundameantals of Organizational Communication; Allyn & Bacon, Inc.; 5th edition, 2002. ISBN 0205340768
Andrews, Patricia Hayes & Herschel, Richard T.; Organizational Communication: Empowerment in a Technological Society; Houghton Mifflin; 1996. ISBN 0395728002
Fearn-Banks, Kathleen; Crisis Communications; Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 2nd edition, 2002. ISBN 0805836047
Wheatley, Margaret J.; Leadership and the New Science; Berrett-Koehler Publishers; 2nd edition, 1999. ISBN 1576751198
Other readings as applicable and assigned including excerpts from articles, magazines, journals and newspapers. The texts will serve as both direct readings and sourcebooks.
Ground rules for this class:
It is expected that you will resolve the distribution of team assignments
and always submit a statement of team effort which describes the work each
contributed and affirms the equity of the creation of any work product. Moreover,
team assignments should be discussed early on so project leaders are assigned
and a timeline agreed upon. Everyone is expected to carry his/her share of
class discussion and to respect the right and time for others to speak. Needless
to say, as much as we all love communication, electronic telecommnications
devices should remain shut off during class unless you are a member of a SWAT
team or essential to national security.
The breakdown is as follows:
| In-class participation/listserv postings | 20% |
| Team Reports | 40% |
| Final Paper: | 40% |
Communication: I expect everyone to use e-mail in order that we can communicate efficiently with each other. We will use the listserv at com530a@pete.uri.edu to increase class discussion by posting additional ideas, observations, questions and insights. Remember, this is a public posting to the class. Everyone can read the contents. Please do not use it for extraneous postings. Also, avoid cluttering up each other's mailboxes with quick lines such as "got it" or "thanks." Send personal notes to individuals instead. For any individual or personal issues, contact me at jswift@uri.edu. If you need to see me, stop by or call during office hours and I'll arrange to meet with you as quickly as possible. I will always be available by e-mail at jswift@uri.edu or phone 401-874-4809 (office). I know you have busy schedules in your work life, so feel free to call me early or late.
Attendance: Timely attendance is expected. You are graduate students and I know you want the stimulation of class discussion with a professor and your peers. In the case of a graduate program, there is a tremendous opportunity to learn from fellow classmates. If the class is working as it should, I serve as an informed moderator as much as a professor. We all need to be learning as the class progresses. If you will not attend on a given day, please call or e-mail. Class participation is an important aspect of my evaluation of your work. If you are part of a presenting team, your absence would be justifiable only if you cannot fog a mirror. Think about it.
Honor Code: I expect each of you to contribute his/her own work; however, I also expect you to work together as part of the team process to solve problems, achieve solid analysis, discuss cases, and even to prepare and explore the theses of your final papers. I also expect that you will all be direct about crediting yourself and/or others about completed work. Assisting each other is a major part of this learning experience. The only caveat is to acknowledge that assistance. With regard to group work, you are responsible for disclosing the extent of your work and to be forthright about how much you did or did not contribute. This saves each of you from ever having to be in the awkward position of reporting or covering for another student. You all signed an agreement to this effect. Fairness is the watchword. I also know each of you want to be honorable in your individual or group projects. As you know, you must always include citations of any research. Faculty are asked to inform all students that the University of Rhode Island has very clear rules pertaining to plagiarism. See The University Manual, 8.27.10-8.27.19 and The Graduate Student Manual, 4.95.
Philosophy of Teaching: I am open to lively commentary, difference of opinion and engaged learning. This topic of chaos and change is one that has touched us all in recent months due to the henious actions of terrorists. The proposed war with Iraq and ongoing tension with North Korea are just two of numerous events that promise to keep a sense of impending crisis in the air. And there is always another Waco, Jim Jones or Monica Lewinsky right around the corner—not comparable in the seriousness of actions and events but certainly in the outcomes. The timeliness of the topic makes this an exciting moment in history for good or for ill.
Updates and readings:
New URL's will be listed on my homepage under this syllabus.