We cover the major historical, theoretical strands in the field, such as scientific management, human relations, human resources, systems theory, organizational culture, critical theory, and postmodern theory. We examine how each of these theories views communication and how each theory can help us understand, critique, and create organizational communication. Finally, we spend some time discussing important organizational topics, such as conflict, leadership, structure, technology, networks, and cultural diversity. The course will balance theoretical perspectives and hands-on approaches. We emphasize the importance of theory for understanding organizational communication, but also the practical experiences of implementing new communication ideas.
Personal experiences are welcome and valuable insights to communication topics.
There will be opportunities for students to emphasize their own objectives. Please contact John Oetzel via email for more information. We use two textbooks, Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations and Emanuel Rosen's The Anatomy of Buzz. This course will be broadcast via Instructional television to the state, and will have in-class meetings in Dane Smith Hall Room 134. Term paper, final exam, one-day simulation exercise on a Saturday.