Mumby, Organizational Communication – Instructor’s Resources
SAMPLE SYLLABUS
Organizational Communication
Syllabus
Instructor Name
Office Number
Phone Number
E-mail Address
Office Hours:
Class Meeting Time:
Text: Mumby, D. Organizational Communication. Sage Publications. (2012).
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course introduces students to the communication dynamics of an organization. Additionally,
students will gain an understanding of organizational communication theories, models, and
processes. Discussions focus on such topics as upward and downward communications, human
relations, bargaining, and organizational culture. Overall goals include developing proficiency in
public relations writing, developing critical thinking skills that make you better communicators,
honing language and style skills that will allow you to produce written materials that are clear,
accurate, creative and stylistically acceptable to the public relations profession and to utilize
semester-long learning to produce a professional press kit that will be of interest to prospective
employers.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
1. accurately describe key elements of the following theories: classical management, human
relations, human resources, and critical
2. accurately describe key elements of the following processes: assimilation, organizational
decision-making, conflict management, change and leadership, emotion, organizational
diversity, and technological
3. identify communication problems in a specific organizational setting
4. create a solution to an organizational communication problem
FORMAT:
This course will be conducted using a variety of methods including lecture, discussion, and
application activities with a heavy emphasis on discussion and application activities. Students are
expected to attend each class session, complete reading assignments prior to attending class, and
participate in all class activities and discussions.
Organizational Communication Syllabus (Semester) 1
Mumby, Organizational Communication – Instructor’s Resources
GRADING:
The course grade will be based on the following components:
Exam #1
100 points
Exam #2
100 points
Exam #3
100 points
Exam #4
100 points
Application Paper #1 (2 pages)
50 points
Application Paper #2 (2 pages)
50 points
Application Paper #3 (2 pages)
50 points
Application Paper #4 (2 pages)
50 points
Group Case Study Presentation
100 points
Attendance
100 points
________________________________________
TOTAL
800 points
Separate handouts describing the requirements of each component will be posted on Blackboard
and reviewed in class throughout the semester.
GRADING SCALE:
800 – 799
A
798 – 700
B
699 – 600
C
599 – 500
D
499 – below F
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
To be determined by instructor.
MAKE UP POLICY:
To be determined by instructor.
UNIVERSITY POLICY ON PLAGIARISM
To be taken from university handbook.
SPECIAL STUDENT SERVICES
To be taken from university handbook.
Organizational Communication Syllabus (Semester) 2
Mumby, Organizational Communication – Instructor’s Resources
SAMPLE COURSE SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
Overview of Course
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 1-Introducing Organizational Communication
Review Application Paper #1 assignment
WEEK 2
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 2-The Critical Perspective
WEEK 3
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 3- Scientific Management, Bureaucracy, And The Emergence Of
The Modern Organization
Application Paper #1 due
WEEK 4
Exam #1 (Covers Chapters 1-3)
Reading Assignment: Chapter 4-The Human Relations School
Reading Assignment: Chapter 5-Organizations as Communication Systems
WEEK 5
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 6-Commuication, Culture and Organizing
WEEK 6
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 7-Power and Resistance at Work
Review Sheet for Exam #2 Available
WEEK 7
Exam #2 (Covers Chapters 4-7)
Reading Assignment: Chapter 8-Postmodermism, Post-Fordism, and the New Workplace
Review Application Paper #2 Assignment
WEEK 8
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 9-Commuicating Gender at Work
WEEK 9
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 10-Communicating Differences at Work
Review Sheet for Exam 3 available
Application Paper #2 due
WEEK 10
Exam #3 (Covers Chapters 8-10)
Reading Assignment: Chapter 11-Leadership Communication in the New Workplace
Review Case Study Presentation Assignment
WEEK 11
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 12-Branding and Consumption
Organizational Communication Syllabus (Semester) 3
Mumby, Organizational Communication – Instructor’s Resources
WEEK 12
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 13-Organizational Communication, Globalization and Democracy
WEEK 13
Lecture
Reading Assignment: Chapter 14-Communication, Meaningful Work, and Personal Identity
WEEK 14
GROUP PRESENTATIONS (#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6)
Review Sheet for Exam #4 available
WEEK 15
Exam #4 (Cumulative Final Exam)
Organizational Communication Syllabus (Semester) 4