This course is designed facilitate understanding of the basic concepts and vocabulary, theories, empirical knowledge and processes relevant to the study of communication in business and organizational contexts. An equally important function of this class is to foster students' insight into their own communication behavior and to develop students' repertoire of behavioral choices so that students are able to apply course-related concepts to their own experience in professional relationships.
Lectures, discussion, classroom exercises, written assignments, oral presentations, and in-class and out-of-class observations will be used to aid the development of knowledge and skills relating to the study of communication.
The aim is to merge theory and practice throughout the classroom experience. To this end, we will maintain a stimulating, interactive, open, and friendly classroom environment that fosters self and other insight, critical thinking, intellectual growth and communicative competence.
O’Hair, D. O., Friedrich, G. W., & Shaver, L. D. (1998). Strategic communication in business and the professions (3rd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
All course requirements must be fulfilled in order to successfully pass the course.
Students must sign the daily attendance roster. Incompletes will be given only in very limited cases and only when requested by the Dean of a student's college and cleared by the Course Director. Please see the attendance policy below.
Neither cheating nor plagiarism will be tolerated. Plagiarism is the use of some one else's work, ideas, quotes, etc. without due credit. The penalty for plagiarism or cheating may include failing the assignment, failing the course, or expulsion from the University depending on the severity of the infraction. Please see the Univerisity's Code of Student Conduct for information regarding this policy.
All other University policies will be followed.
Please see the Course Materials Handbook (3rd ed.) for further information on class policies, assignments, and schedule.
In order for this course to be a successful learning experience for you, active and committed participation on your part is crucial; therefore, attendance is mandatory. Students may miss one (1) class period before points are deducted from the final grade. Two (2) percentage points will be deducted from the final grade for each unexcused absence. For example, if your final score is 81, but you have one unexcused absence, your final grade will be 79. If you are absent, for whatever reasons, you are responsible for obtaining and completing assignments by the due date in order to receive full credit. Copies of all assignments will be made available. In general, no make-up assignments, presentations, or exams will be allowed. Make-up assignments will be allowed only in extreme circumstances and according to the following requirements for an excused absence: (a) documentation - I must have written proof of reason presented within two days of return to class, (b) legitimacy - the reason for absence must be acceptable, such as an authorized University activity as specified in PS-22, (c) advance notice - unless absolutely impossible, students should contact me or leave a message in the main office in advance, and (d) prior conscientiousness of student - you must allow me the benefit of the doubt. All assignments are due according to the Schedule of Assignments. Each late assignment will result in a letter grade drop for each class day past the due date. Assignments more than four class days late will receive no credit. No assignments, extra credit or absence documents will be accepted after the last day of class for any reason. Attendance is mandatory at the final exam. Please see the General Catalog for policies regarding attendance.
Examinations: Examinations will consist of a variety of types of questions: multiple choice, true-false, and fill in the blank. Students are expected to take examinations at the scheduled times. Make-up exams will be allowed only in very limited cases, as noted above, which must be approved in advance, and will be essay in format. Students who miss an examination due to an authorized University activity should make arrangements to take the examination in advance, which includes approval from the student's Dean.
Organization Research Report: Students will investigate an organization of interest and report on the communication characteristics of the organization. Specifically, students are required to report on the advertising and recruitment strategies, internal organizational structure and public presentation of the organization. The assignment will require a formal written report of four to five typed double-spaced pages.
Interview Assignments: Students will participate in interview assignments: one as interviewer, and one as interviewee. Interviewers will be required to produce a job descriptions for a position in an organization. Interviewees will be required to produce self-assessment and SAR documents, a resume and cover letter describing their qualifications, as well as interview responses.
Small Group Task Simulation: Students will participate in a small group task simulation which examines some aspect of communication within an organizational context. Each student will be required to write a short report (two typed double-spaced pages) on their delegated group task.
Business Presentation: Students will be required to create and present an informative speech using technological tools such as computer software, video or photographic slides. The presentation topic may include an organizational strategy, product or process.
A full description of each of these assignments can be found in the Course Materials Handbook, which is located in Semester Book, or through the Student Section at http://www.hpleblanc.com/.
| EXAMINATIONS (100 pts each): | GRADING SCALE: |
Test 1 (Chapters 1 - 3, 7) |
91.0 - 100: A
81.0 - 90.9: B 71.0 - 80.9: C 61.0 - 70.9: D BELOW 61.0: F |
| ORGANIZATION RESEARCH REPORT (50 pts) | |
| INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENTS (200 pts) | |
| SMALL GROUP TASK SIMULATION (50 pts) | |
| BUSINESS PRESENTATION (100 pts) | |
Grades are earned and will be calculated on a cumulative scale. Grades can be calculated by dividing the raw score of the assignment by the total points possible for the assignment. Grades are calculated using an 800 point scale. For example, if the total number of points that can be achieved on the Business Presentation is 100, then the assignment is worth 12.5% of the final grade. Each test is worth 100 points. Therefore, a raw score of 76 on a test is 9.5% of the final grade. A score of 44 on the Organization Research Report is 5.5% of the final grade. You may obtain your current grade for assignments through the University PAWS system. Please see the Grade Monitoring Form located in the Course Materials Handbook for more information.
A Exceptionally well-prepared completion of assignment indicating effort, individualized style, and impact expected of effective communication.
B Unusually well-prepared completion of assignment indicating original application of course materials and individual imagination distinctly superior to average effort.
C Satisfactory completion of assignment indicating effort normally expected of the majority of students (basic preparation, correct procedure, and disciplined technique.)
D Unsatisfactory completion of assignment indicating technical irregularity, misperceived objectives, and methods, and unorganized effort.
F Failure to complete assignment during the scheduled time through lack of evident effort.
The Americans With Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: If you have a disability that may have some impact on your work in this class and for which you may require special accommodations, please see a coordinator in the Office for Disability Affairs (112 Johnston Hall) so that such accommodations may be arranged. After you receive your accommodation letters, please meet with me to discuss the provisions of those accommodations as soon as possible.
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