Introduction to Organizational Communication
2650-001 (3CU)
Fall 2016
Instructor:
Class Time:
Office:
Office Hours:
E-mail:
Chigozirim Ifedapo Utah, PhD.
TTH 9.30-10.45 am
2037 Coleman Hall
M 1-4; W 1-3; by Appointment
[email protected]
Course Description
This course includes basic theories, structures, and functions of communication in business
and professional settings. It also includes effective leadership, decision-making, and
management of communication techniques.
Course Learning Objectives
 Students will reflect on their role as organizational members in a globalized world
 Students will describe traditional theories of organization
 Students will analyze the basics of internal/external organizational environments
 Students will demonstrate principles of effective business and professional writing
Course Materials
Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes (7th Ed.) by Katherine Miller
Course Outline
Week 1 (Aug 22-26): Introduction to the course
Week 2 (Aug 29-Sep 2): CH 1-The challenge of organizational communication
Week 3 (Sep 5-9): CH 1- The challenge of organizational communication; discussion lead
schedule posted on Friday; take home project for Thursday
Week 4 (Sep 12-16): CH2-Classical approaches; reading quiz 1 and reading outline due
Week 5 (Sep 19-23): CH2-Classical approaches discussion sessions
Week 6 (Sep 26-30): CH 3-Human relations/resources approaches; reading quiz 2 and
reading outline due
Week 7 (Oct 3-7): CH 3-Human relations/resources approaches discussion sessions
Week 8 (Oct 10-14): CH 4-Systems and cultural approaches; reading quiz 3 and reading
outline due
Week 9 (Oct 17-21): CH 4-Systems and cultural approaches discussion sessions
Week 10 (Oct 24-28): CH 5-Constitutive approaches; reading quiz 4 and reading outline
due
Week 11 (Oct 31-Nov 4): CH 5-Constitutive approaches discussion sessions
Week 12 (Nov 7-11): CH 6-Critical and feminist approaches; reading quiz 5 and reading
outline due
Week 13 (Nov 14-18): CH 6-Critical and feminist approaches discussion sessions
Week 14 (Nov 21-25): THANKSGIVING
Week 15 (Nov 28-Dec 2): Review; student meetings
Week 16 (Dec 5-9): Review; student meetings; organizational article due in hardcopy
beginning of first class for peer review
Week 17 (Dec 12-16): FINALS WEEK
Assignments
Self-Introduction (Week 3): 10 points
Reading Quiz (Every other week beginning of first class): 5 @ 10 points = 50
Reading Outline (Every other week beginning of first class): 5 @ 5 points = 25
In-class graded activity (Every other week): 5 @ 5 = 25
Discussion Lead (TBA): 40
Organizational Article (Week 15): 50
Organizational Article Peer Review (Week 15): 20
Final (Open Note): 60
TOTAL: 280
SCALE
280-252
251-224
223-196
195-168
167-0
A (100-90%)
B (89-80%)
C (79-70%)
D (69-60%)
F (59-0%)
Rubrics will be available for detailed assignment descriptions on D2L
2-week Course Format
 Reading quiz (at the beginning of class)
 Discussion and Lecture
 Q and A
 In-class activity
 Student-led discussion
Course Policies
General standards of professional etiquette will be observed during this course. Please
reflect on your own career goals and conduct yourself in a way that positively contributes to
your professional reputation.
Prep Time
You are expected to read every week and come prepared to contribute. I have
posted a sample reading outline on D2L that I think will be an immense help to you
in your personal preparation time. It will also help you prepare for your bi-weekly
reading quiz and keep a record of what you have been learning every week.
Attendance. Attendance is mandatory. You are allowed 2 absences at your own risk. 3 points
will be deducted from your final grade for every absence after your two absences.
Please give me notice and documentation if you are representing the university in
an official capacity, or other issues such as illness, death, etc. occur. 3 tardies will be
counted as an absence.
Cell Phones, Technology. Computers are only permissible for note-taking during lecture
sessions. For phone calls and texts, politely excuse yourself and take your call in the
hallway.
Contribution. You will be called on during discussion. Come to class ready to add something
intellectually. Show respect for people with differing viewpoints.
Deadlines. All assignments should be submitted on-time. If it is late, it is half credit.
However, I will not collect late assignments after they have been graded and handed
back to the class. After graded assignments have been returned, you have a week to
ask questions about your grade. Documentation is required to makeup assignments.
Written Work. The work you turn in should reflect your professionalism. All written
assignments must be typed and proofread for errors. Handwritten work will not be
accepted unless otherwise noted.
Trust and Respect. Please trust that I will never intentionally seek to harm anyone in the
class. Let us be mindful of how our actions contribute to the classroom climate. A
kind word, a simple hello, an attempt to understand another's point of view goes a
long way. On the other hand, disdainful comments and expressions, side chatter and
texting openly during discussion and presentations or outright disrespect have a
negative effect. Choose to contribute positively.
Academic Integrity. Students are expected to maintain principles of academic integrity and
conduct as defined in EIU’s Code of Conduct:
(http://www.eiu.edu/judicial/studentconductcode.php). Violations will be
reported to the Office of Student Standards.
Students with Disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability in need of
accommodations to fully participate in this class, please contact the Office of Student
Disability Services (OSDS). All accommodations must be approved through OSDS.
Please stop by Ninth Street Hall, Room 2006, or call 217-581-6583 to make an
appointment.
Student Success Center. Students who are having difficulty achieving their academic goals
are encouraged to contact the Student Success Center (www.eiu.edu/~success) for
assistance with time management, test taking, note taking, avoiding procrastination,
setting goals, and other skills to support academic achievement. The Student
Success Center provides individualized consultations. To make an appointment, call
217-581-6696, or go to 9th Street Hall, Room 1302.
Booth Library. Located in the center of campus, Booth Library is the best place to do
research, find expert help, or study in a calm, distraction-free environment. In
addition to the many print resources, Booth provides access to high quality e-books,
journals and scholarship not freely available on the Web. Stop by the Reference
Desk or go to http://library.eiu.edu to explore library resources. Get expert help
with your research by contacting the Booth Library reference librarians. Visit, call
581-6072, or go to http://booth.eiu.edu/ask to connect with a librarian.