Listen • Speak • Engage
San José State University
Communication Studies
COMM 144F, Section 1, Organizational Communication, Spring 2015
Area: Foundations
Instructor:
Office location:
Email:
Course webpage:
Office hours:
Class days/time:
Classroom:
Prerequisites:
Dr. Richard J. Webb
HGH 208
richard. webb@sjsu.edu
http://www.sjsu.edu/people/richard.webb/courses/c6
TTh 12:00—1:00pm and 3:00—4:00pm and by appointment.
TTh 9:00—10:15am
HGH 225
upper division standing
Catalog Description
This course provides an advanced introduction to communication processes and functions in
organizational life. Topics include networks, culture, power, leadership, and ethics. Practical application
of organizational communication theory and concepts is emphasized.
Succeeding in a Four-Unit Course
Success in this course is based on the expectation that students will spend, for each unit of credit, a
minimum of forty-five hours over the length of the course (normally 3 hours per unit per week with 1 of
the hours used for lecture) for instruction or preparation/studying or course related activities. Because this
is a four-unit class, you can expect to spend normally 12 hours per week for instruction or preparation/
studying or course related activities. Careful time management will help you keep up with readings and
assignments and enable you to be successful in all of your courses.
Engagement Unit
All 4-unit courses in Communication Studies include a unit of engagement designed to enrich students’
learning experiences and to facilitate student achievement of course learning outcomes. Students enrolled
in 4-unit courses are expected to spend 45 hours (average of 3 hours per week over the course of a regular
semester) outside of the classroom to complete engagement activities. This unit is worth 25% of the
overall grade. For this class, the Organizational Communication Analysis Paper is the engagement unit.
Course website
Copies of the complete course syllabus, calendar, and major assignments may be found on the course
webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/people/richard.webb/courses/c6/
FOUNDATIONS, Inquiry, Practice
Each course in the Department of Communication Studies primarily focuses on one of three areas:
Foundations (theoretical underpinnings of the discipline), Inquiry (research in the discipline), or Practice
(application of communication theories and concepts to real world contexts). COMM 144F is a
Foundations course. Although the course addresses research (inquiry), and practice (application), the
primary purpose of COMM 144F is to provide students with a broad understanding of the focus and scope
of contemporary organizational communication theory.
Foundations Area Outcomes
This course satisfies the FOUNDATIONS area of Communication Studies learning outcomes. All
FOUNDATIONS courses, including COMM 144F, share these learning outcomes:
COMM 144F
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
Understanding Communication Theories: Demonstrate understanding of the major theories that
have shaped the field of communication, including historical developments, ethical issues, and
current trends.

Critiquing Communication Theories: Demonstrate the ability to discuss the strengths and
limitations of theoretical perspectives on communication.
Course Goals
This course presents a variety of perspectives on organizations and the process of organizing. During the
semester, we will attempt to understand organizations by thinking about them metaphorically:
organizations as machines, as biological organisms, as cultures, as political systems, and as instruments of
domination. Each metaphor we employ reveals different things about the role of communication in the
process of creating and sustaining organizations.
Course Learning Outcomes
CLO1. Students will demonstrate understanding of ethical responsibilities in communicating with others
in organizational contexts.
CLO2. Students will demonstrate understanding of the major theories that have shaped the field of
organizational communication, including historical developments and current trends.
CLO3. Students will be able to provide theoretically informed evaluations of organizational
communication practices
Required Text
A course reader is available at Maple Press.
Library Liaison
The Communication Studies Department encourages vigorous and ethical research as part of information
literacy for all of its students. For assistance in the library go to the King Library Reference Desk (2nd
floor; 808-2100) and utilize the Communication Research Guide available at
libguides.sjsu.edu/communication. The library liaison for Communication Studies is Nyle Monday. You
can contact him at Nyle.Monday@sjsu.edu if you have questions about using the library.
Classroom Protocol
Classroom Civility
In this class you have the right to expect to be treated with fairness and respect, and you have an
obligation to provide such consideration to everyone else here. I expect that you will avoid behaviors
which make it difficult to accomplish our mutual objectives (skipping class, arriving late, creating
distractions, etc.). I reserve the right to impose penalties appropriate to any violation of these
expectations.
Personal Electronics: The use of cell phones, tablets, ipods, games, digital cameras, laptop computers, or
other electronic devices while in class is prohibited. No audio or video recordings of lectures, discussions,
or other in-class activities is permitted. All personal electronics are to be turned off and put away before
the beginning of class. Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the
instructor. You may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this course. I reserve
the right to impose penalties appropriate to any violation of these requirements.
Dropping and Adding
You are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drops, academic renewal,
and similar topics found at sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct.
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Assignments and Grading Policy
Film Analysis Paper: A written analysis of the use of communication in the film, Norma Rae. 8—10
pages, due March 19th. Late papers and email submissions will not be accepted. 75 points. (CLO1, 2, 3)
Organizational Communication Analysis Paper: As a fourth-unit ‘engagement’ assignment, you will
conduct a study of some problem involving communication in an actual organization. 8—10 pages, due
May 12th. Late papers and email submissions will not be accepted. 75 points. (CLO1, 2, 3)
Exams: There will be three exams, one on March 12th, one on April 23rd, and a final exam on May 21st.
Based on readings, lectures, and discussions. Each exam is worth 50 points. (CLO2)
Extra Credit: In addition to your active engagement during activities and discussions, extra credit points
can be earned for meeting the following criteria:
12 points = 0 absences and 100% on reading quizzes
10 points = 0 absences and 90% on reading quizzes
8 points = 1 absence and 90% on reading quizzes
7 points = 1 absence and 80% on reading quizzes
5 points = 2 absences and 80% on reading quizzes
0 points = more than 2 absences or less than 80% on reading quizzes
Grading Scale
Point Range
276—300 points
270—275 points
264—269 points
246—263 points
240—245 points
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
B-
Point Range
234—239 points
216—233 points
210—215 points
204—209 points
186—203 points
180—185 points
179 or below
Letter Grade
C+
C
CD+
D
DF
University Policies
Academic integrity
You must be familiar with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy available at
sa.sjsu.edu/student_conduct. “Your own commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at San
Jose State University and the University’s integrity policy, require you to be honest in all your academic
course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and
Ethical development.”
I will not tolerate instances of academic dishonesty. Cheating on quizzes or plagiarism (presenting the
work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving proper credit) will result
in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by
the individual student unless otherwise specified. “If you would like to include in your assignment any
material you have submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic
Policy F06-1 requires approval of instructors.”
Campus Policy in Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special
arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as
possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 requires that students with
disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the DRC (Disability Resource Center) to
establish a record of their disability.
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Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the new Academic Success Center located on the 1st floor
of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. In addition, computers are available in the Martin
Luther King Library. A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from
Media Services located in IRC 112. These items include digital and VHS camcorders, VHS and DVD
video players, 16 mm, slide, and overhead projectors, CD, and audiotape players, sound systems, wireless
microphones, projection screens and monitors.
Communication Center
The Communication Center is located in Hugh Gillis Hall 229, and is open Monday – Thursday 10:30am
to 4:30pm. The Center provides support for all students interested in developing their personal and
professional communication skills, and offers specialized support for those enrolled in Communication
Studies courses. Services include in-person workshops and self-paced online modules via
Canvas. Upper-division Communication Studies students staff the Center and are trained in coaching
students on a variety of topics related to our department courses. Enrollment in COMM 80 provides
support for the Center. More information can be found through the department website
http://www.sjsu.edu/comm/
Academic Counseling Center for Excellence in the Social Sciences (ACCESS)
Clark Hall Room 240, 924-5363, socsci-access@sjsu.edu
Dr. Hien Do, Faculty Director, Hien.Do@sjsu.edu, 924-5461
Valerie Chapman, Academic Advisor, Valerie.Chapman@sjsu.edu, 924-5364
All COSS students and interested students are invited to stop by the Center for general education
advising, help with changing majors, academic policy related questions, meeting with peer advisors,
and/or attending various regularly scheduled presentations and workshops. Call or email for an
appointment, or just stop by.
Learning Assistance Resource Center
The Learning Assistance Resource Center is designed to assist students in the development of their full
academic potential and to motivate them to become self-directed learners. The center provides support
services, such as skills assessment, individual or group tutorials, subject advising, learning assistance,
summer academic preparation and basic skills development. The Learning Assistance Resource Center is
located in Room 600 in the Student Services Center.
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center in Clark Hall 126 is staffed by professional instructors and upper-division or
graduate-level writing specialists from each of the seven SJSU colleges. The writing specialists have met
a rigorous GPA requirement, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all
disciplines to become better writers. More information available at sjsu.edu/writingcenter.
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COMM 144F, Organizational Communication, Spring 2015
Class Schedule: Subject to change with fair notice
Jan 22
Introductions, review of syllabus, and course overview
Jan 27—29
Morgan, Chapter 2: Organizations as machines
Feb 3—5
Morgan, Chapter 3: Organizations as organisms
Feb 10—12
Morgan, Chapter 5: Organizations as cultures
Feb 17—19
Film: Norma Rae
Feb 24—26
Morgan, Chapter 6: Organizations as political systems
Mar 3—5
Morgan, Chapter 9: Organizations as instruments of domination
Mar 10
Review for Exam 1
Mar 12
Exam 1
Mar 17
Return/discuss exams, course overview II, last minute paper questions
Mar 19
Film Analysis Paper due
Mar 24—26
Spring Break
Mar 31
Cesar Chavez Day—no class
Apr 2
VanMaanen, The Smile Factory
Apr 7
Miller & Horsley, Digging Deeper
Apr 9
Cheney & Tompkins, Organizational Identification and Commitment
Apr 14
Barker, Concertive Control
Apr 16
Lynch, Kitchen Antics
Apr 21
Review for Exam 2
Apr 23
Exam 2
Apr 28
Turman, Coaches’ Immediacy Behaviors
Apr 30
Sias & Jablin, Coworker Communication
May 5
Eisenberg, Strategic Ambiguity
May 7
Greenberg, Looking Fair vs. Being Fair
May 12
Course conclusion: Review for final exam
Organizational Communication Analysis Paper due
May 21
Final Exam, 7:15—9:30am
COMM 144F
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