BC 345: Organizational Communication

Overview

This course reviews the development of internal and external forms of organizational communication theory and how that theory is applied within global and multicultural organizations. Analysis of the theory and practice of communication are central to the discussion of the role of communication in designing and operating effective organizations. Primary topics include organizational structure and process; decision-making; cultural approaches to communication; social relationships and networks; power and leadership; group communication and teamwork; conflict and stress; change and change-related communication; and analysis of organizational communication.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Characterize the processes of an organization based on the communications of that organization, and apply various theories to analyze the effectiveness of the communication.
• Differentiate between the various models of organization structures, and understand how processes flow through organizational structure.
• Comprehend the various theories of decision-making and be able to define organizational culture and its components.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of organizational identity and analyze the importance of workplace social relationships.
• Compare past and present theories of organizational leadership and understand the impact of the informal leader in the organizational network.
• Interpret the differences between groups and teams, know where power comes from and how it is negotiated, understand the nature of conflict and, manage conflict through communication.
• Define organizational change, communicate effectively during organizational changes, understand communication technologies, and interpret the effect of various technologies on organizational communication.
• Understand the importance of global communication to organizations, demonstrate understanding of intercultural communications, evaluate ways in which ethics are communicated in organizations, and compare the mutual effects culture and ethics have on each other.
• Interpret the messages contained in the various symbolic languages of organizational communication, understand the reasons for organizational analysis, perform a detailed analysis of an organization, and recommend solutions based on an organizational analysis.

Required Texts
BC 345 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore