Dr. Nancy Van Leuven
Telephone: 508-531-1750
Email: nancy.vanleuven@bridgew.edu
Office: Maxwell Library 215D
ONLINE CLASS, SPRING 2010
COMM 303 – Introduction to Organizational Communication
Analysis of communication problems in modern complex organizations,
theory and practice.
Objectives:
▪ Describe the influence of four foundations: Cultural; Socialization/Assimilation;
Information Systems; and Critical.
▪ Describe communications needs theories, such as Herzberg’s hygiene theory,
Skinner’s reinforcement theory, and Maslow’s hierarchy.
▪ Describe various approaches of organizational communication within internal
corporate structures, such as the classical, human relations, and human
resources approaches.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course you should be able to:
1. Define organizational communication and link it to the communication
process
2. Understand the foundations of organizational communication theory
3. Discuss systems and cultures in organizations
4. Analyze the management structure and leadership hierarchy of an
organization
5. Discuss current ethical and global issues related to organizational
communication
6. Examine communication trends in contemporary organizations
7. Predict probable strengths and challenges of communication practice
impacting organizations within the next few years
8. Identify current and emerging career opportunities in the field of organizational
communication.
Guidelines and Policies
Philosophy: This is a 100% online class. The great benefit is that it allows you the
flexibility to do course work at times that fit your schedule. I have taught successful
online courses and am prepared to help you succeed. However, this course is not
recommended for students on academic probation, students with limited command of
English, or students who have difficulty working independently and/or online. To make
sure this style of learning is right for you, please take this survey:
http://www.bridgew.edu/Distance/autosurvey.cfm
Or, if you’d prefer reading about online learning, here’s the text from
http://distancelearn.about.com/od/isitforyou/a/considering.htm
Successful and happy distance learners have a few characteristics in common.
Compare yourself to the following list to determine whether or not online classes
are a good fit for your personality and habits.
Successful distance learners do just as well, if not better, without people looking
over their shoulders. While some need teachers to keep them motivated and on-task,
distance learners are able to motivate themselves. They realize that they will never be
face-to-face with the people who give them assignments and grade their work, but they
don’t need others to encourage them. The most successful students are self-motivated
and set their own goals.
Successful distance learners never (or at least rarely) procrastinate. You’ll rarely
find them putting off assignments or waiting until the last moment to write their papers.
These students enjoy the freedom of working at their own pace and appreciate the
ability to complete their work in as much time as it takes them, instead of often waiting
for an entire class. However, they understand that putting off their work too often can
end up adding months, if not years, to their studies.
Successful distance learners have good reading comprehension skills. While most
people learn by listening to lectures and taking notes, distance learners are expected to
master material through reading alone. Although courses offer video recordings and
audio clips, most programs require that students understand a large amount of
information that is only available through written text. These students are able to
comprehend texts at the college level without the direct guidance of a teacher.
Successful distance learners can resist constant distractions. Whether it’s the
phone ringing, the kids screaming in the kitchen, or the allure of the TV, everyone faces
distractions. Successful students know how to filter out the constant disturbances that
threaten their progress. They feel comfortable turning down an invitation or letting the
machine pick up the phone when they know there is work to be done.
Successful distance learners feel alright about missing the social elements of
traditional schools. Sure, they realize that they’ll miss out on the homecoming game,
the dances, and the student elections, but they’re convinced that the independence is
absolutely worth it. Whether they’re mature adult learners who aren’t interested in the
fraternity hype, or younger students who get their socialization from extracurricular
activities elsewhere, they are comfortable with their current social situation. In place of
classroom discussion, they explore the issues with their peers through email and
message boards or discuss what they’re learning with spouses or coworkers.
If you have few of the qualities of these successful students, you may want to
reconsider taking this online course. Remember that online learning is not for
everyone and, while it is an excellent choice for some, others will always struggle
with learning independently. But, if, after comparing your personality and habits
to those of successful distance education students, you’ve discovered that you
have a lot in common, online classes may be the perfect option for you.
Attendance: This is measured by your online participation. Because this is a virtual
class, it has its own specific guidelines:
If you have not completed the first assignment posted on Blackboard by the
deadline, I will drop you from the course. This is absolute.
When communicating with me via e-mail, always put your course number (such
as COMM 353) in the subject line as well as your first and last name. This helps
me to immediately respond to your question or comment.
If an assignment is due over Blackboard, the only way to get full credit for it is to
turn it in by the deadline and put your last name and the assignment number as
part of the file name and include your name in the document itself.
When specified, your work will be submitted as memo form, as if you are writing
to your boss or client with this formal format:
(Date)
To:
From:
RE:
And then the body of your memo.
Use size 12 Times New Roman font. Use APA for all citations and references,
outlined at: http://www.bridgew.edu/Library/htm/pdf/apa_style.pdf
You are responsible for making sure your assignments are complete and on time
In this field, there is a demand for written material on deadlines; therefore, late
assignments are accepted but will receive a zero. (This is especially true for
an online course, since all your assignments are time-stamped.)
If you become ill for an extended period, a “Withdrawal with a Medical Excuse” is
available at any time during the semester. An absence is considered excused
only if you: 1) have a Doctor’s note if you were ill; OR, 2) have a note from the
Dean of Students Office. If a student misses more than TWO class periods,
his/her grade will be lowered by one level for the third absence and another for
each additional absence.
Technology: To succeed in this course, students need:
Access to an Internet-connected computer with web browser and MS Word; plus,
you will need to pull up youtube videos and other media
Reliable e-mail that is read on a regular basis
Basic computer literacy or willingness to learn, including setting up your own website
and communicating over Twitter
If you are unfamiliar with Blackboard, you should consult the BSC Blackboard Help
page (http://it.bridgew.edu/blackboard/student_help/). You are ultimately responsible for
being able to use Blackboard features. “My computer is broken” or “I don’t have the
Internet at home” and similar excuses are NOT valid reasons for failure to complete this
class. If you’re having technology problems, plan ahead: Internet access is available on
campus and at public libraries.
Assistance: If you require additional or alternate assistance, please inform me as soon
as possible so we can make arrangements to aid your learning.
Academic Integrity: Acts of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to:
plagiarism (using someone else’s work and passing it off as one’s own); presenting
work from another course; purchasing exams or term papers; and submitting work
completed by another person.
It is not wrong to consult other works, but you need to document your sources. This
means using proper citation if you use someone else’s ideas, and proper citation and
quotation marks if you use someone else’s exact words. When in doubt, cite, using APA
format. This course has a zero-tolerance policy for cheating and plagiarism: Cheat and
you get a zero. A documented instance of cheating will result in a zero (0) for the
assignment and notification of the Vice President of Academic Affairs as outlined in the
Academic Integrity section of the College Catalog.
Evaluation: The following weights will determine your grade:
Participation: (5 assignments, 40% of the final grade) –Some of the assignments will
include discussions on Blackboard when you will:
Read the required chapters and comment on my notes
Respond to the posted questions about the readings and any outside readings
In addition, you need to interact with responses from other students and me. “I
agree” and “I disagree” are not adequate responses to complete this assignment.
You need to engage the material. What this means is you need to demonstrate
that you understand the question, you’ve thought it through to understand
multiple implications, and you’ve connected it to other class or course materials.
If you respond with two or three simple sentences and fail to interact with fellow
students, your grade for the assignment will be in the D range. If you fail to answer any
question by the participation deadline, you will receive a zero.
Midterm: (10% of the grade) - Due the week after spring break, a final paper about the
Northwest Social forum and a proposal for prospective individual case studies
Individual presentation (10% of the final grade): After the final student roster is set,
each student will be assigned a topic from the text to post as a presentation.
Term Project :(40% of the final grade) – You will develop a final research project during
the semester. You will:
1. Explore a case study in organizational communication that is timely enough to be
included in a job interview discussion..
2. Become an expert on the topic.
3. Develop a top-notch paper that can be presented in a public forum and on your
individual website.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE, SPRING 2010
Assignments and readings are subject to change.
Week 1: January 26
Introduction and course overview
Background on organizational communication
Chapter 1: Communication and the Changing World of Work
List of individual presentations
Week 2: February 2
Chapter 2: Defining Organizational Communication
Chapter 3: Three Early Perspectives on Organizations and Communication
Read Northwest Social Forum overview, posted on Blackboard
Assignment 1
Week 3: February 9
Chapter 4: The Systems Perspective on Organizations and Communication
Chapter 5: Cultural Studies of Organizations and Communication
First analysis of Northwest Social Forum case study
Week 4: February 16
Chapter 6: Critical Approaches to Organizations and Communication
Chapter 7: Identity and Difference in Organizational Life
Assignment 2
Week 5: February 23
Chapter 8: Teams and Networks, Collaboration in the Workplace
Chapter 9: Communicating Leadership
Draft individual presentations posted
Week 6: March 2: Before spring break memo!
Chapter 10: Organizational Alignment, Managing the Total Enterprise
Chapter 11: Working with Integrity: Org Comm as Disciplined Practice
Appendix: A Field Guide to Studying Organizational Communication
FINAL INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS POSTED
Week 7: March 9 NO CLASS ASSIGNMENTS: SPRING BREAK! 
Week 8: March 16
MIDTERM due: Final analysis of NWSF and proposal for individual project
Week 9: March 23
First look at trending topics in org comm. (case studies)
Week 10: March 30
Assignment 3
Week 11: April 6
Case study work
Week 12: April 13
Assignment 4
Week 13: April 20
Final case study work
Week 14: April 27
Assignment 5
FYI: Terrific student presentations: FRIDAY, APRIL 30, Time TBA:
10th annual BSC Undergraduate Research Symposium
Moakley Center
Grading Scale: A grade of “C” or higher in all communication studies course work
contributing to the major is required for all students admitted to the BA in
Communication Arts and Sciences major with a Communication Studies concentration
Fall 2005 forward. The grade distribution is as follows:
A = 93-100%
B+ = 87 – 89.9%
C+ = 77 – 79.9%
D+ = 67 – 69.9%
.
A- = 90 - 92.9%
B = 83 - 86.9%
C = 73 – 76.9%
D = 63 – 66.9%
F = 0 – 59.9%
B- = 80 – 82.9%
C- = 70 – 72.9%
D- = 60 – 62.9%
Final due via Blackboard
TUESDAY, MAY 11, before 10 a.m.
NOTE ABOUT Course evaluation: During one of our last class meetings you will have
the chance to respond to an online student evaluation form concerning your experience
in this class. Your anonymity is assured. Results – including collection of comments –
are prepared by the Dean's office and are NOT communicated to me until AFTER
grades are submitted. I use the results to guide course design and delivery in future
classes, and student responses are used in the evaluation of the professor, the course,
and the program. Your opinions, suggestions and insights are important to the
Communication Studies department, BSC, and me.