Course Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Stephanie Coopman
Department of Communication Studies
San José State University
Office: HGH 108
Hours: by appointment
Voicemail: 408-924-5367
Email: comm144f@gmail.com
Alternate email: stephanie.coopman@sjsu.edu (for topics not associated with the class)
Skype: prof.stephanie

Catalog Description
Communication processes and functions in organizational life. Networks, culture, power, leadership, and ethics. Practical application of organizational communication theories and concepts.

Succeeding in a 4-unit Class
At SJSU, students are expected to spend two hours outside of class for every one hour of class time. Because this is a four-unit course, you can expect to spend on average 12 hours per week during a regular semester in class and on scheduled tutorials or activities (so each week in the Winter session equals about 5 weeks in the regular session--do the math on the amount of time you'll need to dedicate to the class!). Careful time management will help you keep up with readings and assignments and enable you to be successful in all of your courses.

Engagement Unit (or 4th Unit)
All 4-unit courses in the Communication Studies Department include a unit of engagement (the 4th unit). This unit of engagement is designed to enrich students' learning experiences and to facilitate student achievement of course learning objectives. Students enrolled in 4-unit courses are expected to spend 45 hours (average of 3 hours/week in a regular semester) outside of the classroom to complete engagement activities. This unit is worth 25% of the overall grade. In this class, the Case Study Assignment is the engagement unit.

FOUNDATIONS, Inquiry, Practice
Each course in the Department of Communication Studies primarily focuses on one of three areas: Foundations (theoretical underpinnings of the discipline), Inquiry (research in the discipline), or Practice (application of communication theories and concepts to real world contexts). COMM 144F is a Foundations course. Although the course addresses research (inquiry), and practice (application), the primary purpose of COMM 144F is to study theories and concepts associated with communication and organizations.

Foundations Area Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
This course satisfies the FOUNDATIONS area of Communication Studies program learning outcomes. All FOUNDATIONS courses, including COMM 144F, share these learning outcomes:

• Understanding Communication Theories: Demonstrate an understanding of the major theories that have shaped the field of communication, including historical developments, ethical issues, current trends..
• Critiquing Communication Theories: Demonstrate the ability to discuss the strengths and limitations of theoretical perspectives on communication.

Course Goals
Within the FOUNDATIONS area, COMM 144F is unique in that it introduces you to organizational communication theories and concepts associated with the communication discipline. Although rhetoric typically is thought of as the root of the communication discipline, the human propensity to organize is probably as old as our inclination to present our ideas in public speech. Organizations are an integral part of daily life. Most of your communication efforts are expended communicating in, with, and between organizations. In this class you will study concepts and theories relevant to organizational communication and apply these to communication issues and problems facing organizations. Class discussions, readings, activities, and assignments are designed to facilitate application of theories to organizational communication situations.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)
After successfully completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Discuss the scope and nature of organizational communication.
2. Identify, define, critique, and apply the concepts and theories associated with organizational communication.
3. Assess the ethics of organizational practices.
4. Better evaluate, manage and prevent problems associated with organizational communication processes.
5. Appreciate the diversity of perspectives communicators bring to organizational communication contexts.

Required Text
Eisenberg, E. M., Goodall, H. L., Jr., & Trethewey, A. (2010). Organizational communication: Balancing creativity and constraint, 6th ed. New York: Bedford St. Martin's. ISBN: 0-312-57486-X. Make sure you buy the 6th edition as there are substantial changes from previous editions. (This is the primary textbook for the class.) Also available as an ebook that you rent from CourseSmart.

Recommended
Kirszner, L. G., & Mandell, S. R. (2012). The pocket Wadsworth handbook, 5th ed. New York: Wadsworth. ISBN-10: 0495912956. (Note: This is a reference book for written assignments.)

Available from Robert's Bookstore and online booksellers.

Library Liaison
The Communication Studies Department encourages vigorous and ethical research as part of information literacy for all of its students. For assistance in the library go to the King Library Reference Desk (2nd floor; 408-808-2100) and/or utilize the Communication Research Guide. For major research consultations contact Crystal.Goldman@sjsu.edu with questions you may have about using the library.

Dropping and Adding

Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop and grade forgiveness.  Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html.  Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars.  The Late Drop Policy is available at sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy. Students should be aware of the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.

Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at sjsu.edu/advising.

Assignments and Grading Policy
For more information on class assignments, go to the Modules section of this class website. You must complete assignments on time. I will not accept late assignments.

Quizzes. Open-book, open-note, multiple choice, covering assigned readings and web lectures. All quizzes open the first day of the session. The class calendar below lists the due dates. Each quiz is worth 80 points. You may take each quiz twice during the time it is available. (CLO 1, 2)
Total possible: 400 pts.
More Info: Modules > Quizzes
Textbook Website: Organizational Communication (you have to register for the site, but free to use).
Take a Quiz: Quizzes

Discussion. You will earn points based on your participation in weekly class discussions. (CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Total possible: 300 pts.
More Info: Modules > Discussion
Access Class Discussion: Discussions

Engagement Unit/Case Studies. The Case Studies give you an opportunity to apply what you've learned in the class to organizational communication situations. You'll write up two case studies and post them on the class website so your classmates can review and comment on them. Then you'll upload a PDF version of your case studies to the Assignments area for grading. Canvas gives you many options to include video, audio, images, and gadgets. You'll write all your Case Studies as webpages rather than traditional documents developed in a word processing program so you'll be able to share what you produce with your classmates. COMM majors: Save this assignment for your ePortfolio. (CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Total possible: 250 points
More Info: Modules > Engagement Unit/Case Studies

Case Study Comments. You'll comment on what others wrote in their case study analyses. (CLO 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Total possible: 50 points

Grading
Your final grade will be based on the following point system:

Grading Scale

Grading Criteria
"A" work in this course requires student performance "above and beyond" the call of duty. "A" work is truly exemplary, demonstrating a thorough understanding of course material, appropriate application of relevant concepts to the student's own and others' communicative experiences, and useful insight into organizational communication.

"B" work is above-average, with the student completing all assignments in a competent fashion. "B" work is characterized by a good understanding of course material and a demonstrated ability to apply those concepts to the student's own and others' organizational experiences.

"C" work is average and simply meets the minimum requirements of the course. "C" work demonstrates a basic understanding of course material and a fair ability to apply course concepts to the student's own and others' organizational experiences.

"D" work is below average and does not fully meet the minimum requirements of the course. "D" work is characterized by an incomplete understanding of course material and limited ability to apply course concepts to organizational life.

"F" work does not meet the minimum requirements of the course in any way. "F" work is characterized by a lack of understanding of course material and inability to apply course concepts to organizational life.

"I" (Incompletes) will only be considered if the student has completed 75% of the course with a passing grade (C) and encounters some unforeseen circumstances that prevent her/him from completing the class (e.g., medical emergency, called to active military duty). The student must provide sufficient documentation concerning the circumstances. Feeling too overwhelmed with this or other classes, moving to a new house/apartment, and job pressures are not unforeseen circumstances.

Students earning higher grades in COMM 144F tend to actively and thoughtfully participate in discussions, start assignments early so they can ask any questions for clarification, and have a "desire to perfect knowledge;" that is, they want to know more about organizational communication.

University Policies

• Academic Integrity
  

  Your commitment as a student to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State University.  The University’s Academic Integrity policy S07-2, located at sjsu.edu/senate/S07-2.htm, requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct and Ethical Development website is available at sjsu.edu/studentconduct.

  Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism (presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise specified. If you would like to include your assignment or any material you have submitted, or plan to submit for another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Integrity Policy S07-2 requires approval of instructors.

• Campus Policy in Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
  If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the Disability Resource Center (DRC) at drc.sjsu.edu to establish a record of their disability

Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the new Academic Success Center located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall and on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. In addition, computers are available in the Martin Luther King Library. A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media Services located in IRC 112. These items include digital and VHS camcorders, VHS and Beta video players, 16 mm, slide, overhead, DVD, CD, and audiotape players, sound systems, wireless microphones, screens and monitors.

Learning Assistance Resource Center
The Learning Assistance Resource Center is designed to assist students in the development of their full academic potential and to motivate them to become self-directed learners. The center provides support services, such as skills assessment, individual or group tutorials, subject advising, learning assistance, summer academic preparation and basic skills development. The Learning Assistance Resource Center is located in Room 600 in the Student Services Center.

SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center in Clark Hall 126 is staffed by professional instructors and upper-division or graduate-level writing specialists from each of the seven SJSU colleges. The writing specialists have met a rigorous GPA requirement, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels within all disciplines to become better writers. More information available at sjsu.edu/writingcenter.