COM 454 Class Meets: 10:20 a.m. - 11:20 a.m. Monday - Friday Grehan Computer Lab 047 June 12 - August 7, 1997
Instructor: Derek R. Lane, Ph.D. Office: 238 Grehan Building Office Phone: 257-4651 Email: drlane@pop.uky.edu
Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:20-10:20
Course Materials
Andrews, P. H., & Herschel, R. T. (1996). Organizational communication: Empowerment in a technological society. Princeton, NJ: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Bradley, J. C. (1995). A Quick Guide to the Internet. Boston, MA: International Thomson Publishing.
Other supplemental readings will be assigned throughout the course and will be made available in the Communication Reading Room. Students will also be expected to purchase two packages (.93 per package) of Scantron Forms #882-ES from the UK Bookstore and four high density (1.44 mb) floppy diskettes.
Purpose
Communication and Technology is designed as a senior
level honors course to stress the themes of human communication, empowerment,
and technology. The course emphasizes a theoretical and pragmatic understanding
of the impact of technology on communication in organizational contexts.
The course introduces students to a variety of forms of computer-mediated
communication (CMC), as well as issues pertaining to the effects of these
technologies. This course will involve both the study and use of such systems;
there will be a significant "hands-on" component as students learn various
network-based communication systems. Uses and impacts on organizational
communication, structure, and interpersonal effects will be considered
in light of several technological variations. Students will augment their
readings and class discussions through participation in the following activities:
1) an ongoing computer conference over course readings and tools; 2) use
of electronic mail for correspondence and course management; 3) training
on the use of Internet information sources; 4) subscription to electronic
news and discussion groups.
Through completion of this course, students should become more aware of: 1) what is known about organizational communication from systematic, theoretical, and pragmatic perspectives, 2) how to recognize and utilize different technological tools, 3) what competencies are required to evaluate electronic messages with reference to their appropriateness, effectiveness, and applicability in organizational communication contexts, 4) how the management of communication strategies using technologies enhances or detracts from communication competence, and 5) how the use of technology is likely to affect communication in organizations.
This course provides students with various means to develop their communication skills and their understanding of the communication process using technology. Through on-line reviews, oral presentations and written assignments, students will be given the opportunity to increase their interpersonal communication skills using technology and demonstrate their understanding of the impact technology has on communication in organizations.
Any student in this course
who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating
his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so
we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and
facilitate your educational opportunities
Policies and Procedures:
Learning in this course takes two major forms--cognitive and experiential. The latter requires participation and observation in common experiences. Therefore, attendance is required. Attendance is MANDATORY in this summer session. Many of the in-class assignments require hands-on explanation. Students will be expected to participate in class activities and contribute to class discussions of topics. You will not be allowed any absences during the eight weeks. If you can not attend ALL class sessions, please drop the course. Your final grade will be lowered by 5% for each absence after two. The University code for classroom behavior and academic misconduct will be enforced in this course.
Class Organization
This class will be organized into small learning teams.
A great deal of class time and several of the graded assignments will involve
work in these teams. Class activities will include team exams, structured
exercises, and workshops designed and managed by the teams. All team members
will receive the same score on team exams and projects. Students are expected
to work in teams through electronic partnership. Teams will explore various
on-line tools and resources and report back to the class via one of several
computer conferencing systems.
Grading Criteria
The grades will be determined by scores in three major
performance areas: Individual Performance, Team Performance, and
"Helping" Behavior. This course consists of several assignments,
each of which must be completed. There are no optional assignments. Course
completion is accomplished when all necessary assignments have been
finished.
Exams and Projects
There will be ten, short, objective Readiness Assessment
Tests given during the course--one at the beginning of each major topic
area. (The same test will be given to individuals and teams). In addition,
students will be expected to take one comprehensive exam, write a reaction
paper, present the contents of the paper orally, and design a team web
page and workshop.
Individual Projects
In addition to the final research/reaction paper, the
presentation, and exam, students will be expected to participate in class
discussions both in class and on-line (see "Student Responsibilities" supplement
in Appendix). Students will be expected to submit and read daily posts
to the class web listserv summarizing various Internet and information
tools. Students will also submit daily/weekly posts to the professor via
e-mail summarizing and questioning key points from assigned readings, case
studies, and class discussions.
Appeal Procedure
If a student has difficulty with
a grade they receive, it is encouraged that they visit with the professor
within a week of receiving the grade. The professor is more than willing
to explain, discuss and justify grades. Papers are due on ______________,
1997. Late papers will not be accepted unless prior arrangements
have been made, at the sole discretion of the professor.
Spelling/Vocabulary/Grammar
Students will be expected to use
correct spelling in all written work. Use of appropriate grammatical skills
in oral and written communication is also very important. Throughout the
course students will expand their personal vocabulary through the study
of theoretical terms and jargon related to the course.
Grade Breakdown
1. Individual Performance
Individual Assurance Readiness Tests 30 pts
Participation
In-class (quality NOT quantity) 7 pts
On-line (e-mail, listserv, discussions, reviews of readings/case studies) 13 pts
Written Summaries/Reactions to Supplemental Readings 50 pts.
Impact Research/Reaction Paper 100 pts
Presentation 50 pts
Final Exam (comprehensive) 50 pts
300 sub-total pts.
2. Team Performance
Team Assurance Readiness Tests 30 pts
Peer Evaluation Procedures and Criteria 10 pts
Team Workshop 50 pts
Team Web Page with Links 50 pts
Class Evaluation (review of class process) 10 pts
150 sub-total pts.
3. Helping Behavior (Evaluated by Peers) 50 pts
50 sub-total pts.
500 total pts.
Helping Behavior
Each individual will rate the helpfulness
of all of the other members of their teams prior to the final exam. Individual
helping behavior scores will be the average of the points they receive
from the members of their group. Assuming arbitrarily that: (1) helping
behavior is worth 50 points, and (2) that there are five members in a group,
an example of this procedure would be as follows: Each individual must
assign a total of 50 points to the other five members in their team. Raters
must differentiate some in their ratings (This means that each rater would
have to give at least one score of 11 or higher--with a maximum of 15--and
at least one score of 9 or lower). The scores for each individual (as given
by each team member) will be summed and the mean score will be multiplied
by 5. The helping behavior scores will produce differences in grades only
within teams. As a result, group members can't help everyone in
their group get an A by giving them a high peer evaluation score. The
only way for everyone in a group to earn an A is by doing an outstanding
job on the individual and team exams and projects.
Critique Sessions
Each workshop should be a shared
growing experience based upon the ability of students to evaluate each
other. The strengths and weaknesses of each workshop will be identified
through in-class discussions and written critiques following each team
workshop. At all times these critiques will remain CONSTRUCTIVE and stress
POSITIVE features of the workshop and participants.
Graded Team Assignments
1. Human relationships and interpersonal communication (Chapter 4)
2. Organizational design (Chapter 5)
3. Organizational leadership in the information age (Chapter 6)
4. Conflict and organizational communication (Chapter 8)
Friday, June 13 SAC accounts created/Team
Formation/Peer Evaluation Procedures
Monday, June 16 Organizational Communication in a Technological Age - ART #1 Chapter 1
Tuesday, June 17 Introduction to Internet Tools - "Quick Guide to the Internet" Appendix
(e-mail, gopher, listserv's, talk, irc, telnet, bbs's, ftp, archie, wais, www)
Wednesday, June 18 Internet Tools (continued)
Thursday, June 19 Foundations of Organizational Theory - ART #2 Chapter 2
(continue with tool exploration)
Friday, June 20 Empowering employees through HRM - ART #3 Chapter 3
(continue with tool exploration)
Monday, June 23 Human Relationships & Interpersonal ART #4 - WORKSHOP #1 Chapter 4
Tuesday, June 24 Organizational Design - ART #5 - WORKSHOP #2 Chapter 5
Wednesday, June 25 Organizational Leadership - ART #6 - WORKSHOP #3 Chapter 6
Thursday, June 26 Small Group Communication - ART #7 NO WORKSHOP Chapter 7
Friday, June 27 Conflict &
Organizations - ART #8 - WORKSHOP #4 Chapter 8
Monday, June 30 Designing HTML Web Pages
Tuesday, July 1 Managing Diversity - ART #9 Chapter 9
Wednesday, July 2 Social Change & Technology
Thursday, July 3 Ethics & Organizational Communication - ART #10 Chapter 10
Friday, July 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY
- ACADEMIC HOLIDAY
Monday, July 7 World Wide Web Information Search - Team Web Design
Tuesday, July 8 Technological Innovation & Organizations Chapter 11
Wednesday, July 9 Technological Innovations (continued)
Thursday, July 10 Research Papers Due - Individual Presentations
Friday, July 11 Individual Presentations (continued)
Tuesday, July 15 Comprehensive
Final Examination (covering all readings, lectures, and discussions)