UCLA Online Summer Course: Organizational Communication

UCLA Online Summer Course: Organizational Communication

Contact: [email protected] Tel: (424) 222-1711 or (914) 741-6382

Course Syllabus

 ‘Hi, I’m Dr. Steven Horowitz and it’s a pleasure for me to welcome you to our online course in Organizational Communication. Before we begin, I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself. I’m a native New Yorker who received a PhD from Loyola University of Chicago, in Leadership and Policy Studies. I’ve been a teacher, School Administrator, College Professor and Consultant to business, education and government. I also have a public relations

company called New Freedom Communications.

Our course will be unique in that we will not only learn about major ideas in how

organizations have developed, but most importantly, you’ll learn very practical skills and strategies to communicate effectively, motivate others, cultivate your own leadership qualities within an organization

The course is set up to replicate as much as is technically possible an environment to

maximize our interaction with one another. You’ll l have many opportunities to observe and experience many activities and share your reflections, ideas, feelings with each other and myself. You’ll find more information about the course by clicking on the syllabus button in the blackboard menu

So, again, let me welcome you and tell you how happy I am to be working with you and for now I’ll just say, ‘See you around Campus’-the Internet Campus that is!”

About Your Instructor…Dr. Steve Horowitz

Dr. Horowitz is adjunct professor at -Fordham University, University of California, Los Angeles, and National University, San Diego, California. He holds a doctorate degree in Leadership and Policy Studies from Loyola University, Chicago. Dr. Horowitz works extensively with leaders in education, business, government, and social service

organizations, where he provides extensive workshop training in the fields of leadership, communication, and cultural diversity

Dr. Horowitz also worked as a school administrator and desegregation specialist in the Chicago Public Schools, where he also established independent public relations

company-New Freedom Communications. , He has an extensive career in County government as well, specializing in public relations and workforce organizational development. Dr. Horowitz has won major State and National Awards in the areas of leadership and communication. He is also the author of the book The Message Maker, a public relations textbook. Dr. Horowitz may be contacted at [email protected]

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide knowledge and understanding of key principles of organizational communication and its connection to leading in a diverse workplace. The course will review fundamental philosophies regarding communication and employee motivation with an emphasis on acquiring practical strategies and techniques for building understanding, teamwork and culturally proficient customer service.

Participants will also improve their interpersonal behaviors and communication with the goal of improving relationships, productivity, and the quality of work. Topics include a review of basic communication skills: listening, self-disclosure, and methods of

expression; more advanced skills: nonverbal communication, influencing behaviors, and male/female communication in the workplace; cultural conflict and conflict management skills; assertiveness; and responding to criticism. Experiential exercises, role-playing, and small-group activities provide opportunities to practice communication strategies and strategies

Course Perquisites: None Instructor Expectations Attendance

Because the course strives to have the on line experience simulate as closely as possible the interaction between participants you might have on-site, it is vital to respond to questions and provide feedback to fellow students in a timely fashion. Towards this end, students will be required to submit all assignments within the specified timeframes

established for each module.

Therefore, Participation, punctuality in response, and active engagement activities will be a significant consideration in one’s final grade. Discussion Board participation and completion of the required reading and assignments are mandatory to achieve your maximum grade.

Assignment Completion

I recognize that each of you, as I, have competing responsibilities and I will do my best to provide flexibility both as to timelines and formats for submitting assignments.

Therefore, during the course, all modules will be left available for you to complete any assignments, provided instructor has agreed to a new timeframe for submission. However, to satisfactorily complete the course, all assignments must be accounted for. Discussion Board Questions

Because interaction and exchange of ideas are vital to the learning process, it is imperative that you take part in all discussion sessions and post your responses to the question and respond to at least two of your colleague’s comments for each module.

Goals & Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate, through quizzes,

written responses, online’ classroom’ discussion, and mid and final review activities,

the following knowledge and skills in the area of Organizational Communication: Knowledge

Students’ knowledge of the key concepts surrounding interpersonal, motivational, and conflict resolution principles within a practical framework of systems theory philosophy, cultural proficiency, and the interest-based approach to problem solving and decision making.

Objectives:

Students will demonstrate through testing, role-playing, and problem-solving analysis their knowledge and understanding of the following concepts:

-Major Theories and Models of Organizational Leadership -Traditional Models of Employee Motivation

-The Communication Process

-Communication Persuasion Strategies

-Culturally Proficiency Organizational Communication

Skills

Students will demonstrate through planning activities, role-playing, guided practice,

and assignment activities, skills in applying and practicing techniques related to

knowledge of interpersonal, motivation, and conflict resolution principles including:

-Specific ‘Active-listening’ techniques

-Constructing messages for diverse audiences

-Communicating persuasive messages to diverse audiences -Facilitating team meetings

-Practicing ‘culturally proficient’ customer service techniques -Resolving conflict through innovative communication processes

Required Texts

: Organizational Communication: Approaches and Processes. Katherine Miller. 5th Edition. Wadsworth Engage Learning. Boston, MA. ISBN # -13: 978-0-495-56551-2

ISBN # -10: 0-495-56551-2 The Message Maker: The Practical Guide to School Public Relations.

Horowitz, Steven PhD. New Freedom Publications. Thornwood, New York . (Ordering Information): Contact Rita Gray (914) 0091

Attendance

Because the course strives to have the on line experience simulate as closely as possible the interaction between participants you might have on-site, it is vital to respond to questions and provide feedback to fellow students in a timely fashion. Towards this end, students will be required to submit all assignments within the specified timeframes established for each module. Therefore, Participation, punctuality in response, and active engagement activities will be a significant consideration in one’s final grade. Discussion Board participation and completion of the required reading and assignments are

mandatory to achieve your maximum grade. PLAGIARISM POLICY

Plagiarism of any form is a violation of UCLA Student Conduct Code Section 102.01--Academic Dishonesty. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of another's words or ideas as if they were one's own, including but not limited to representing, either with the intent to deceive or by the omission of the true source, part of or an entire work produced by someone other than the student, obtained by purchase or otherwise, as the

student's original work or representing the identifiable but altered ideas, data, or writing of another person as if those ideas, data, or writing were the student's original work. Course Grading

Grades will be based on the following guidelines: On-Line Assignments and Quizzes 15 points

Out of Class Assignments 15 points Mid-Term Evaluation 25 points

On-Line Discussion Board Participation 20 points Final Project 25 points

The final course grade will be based on the cumulative number of points earned on all assignments & class participation. There are some variances allowing for a plus or minus. The grade of “D” is not used in graduate school at UCLA and “F” indicates a failure to meet the minimum standard for passing a course:

A. Outstanding work in every respect: A level of achievement so outstanding that it is normally attained by relatively few students

B. Better than average to average but expected level of work at a graduate level: A level of achievement indicating adequate competence in the subject matter/skill. This level will usually be met by a majority of students in the class.

C. Passing work but considered below average: A level of achievement which meets the minimum requirements of the course

F – Unacceptable work: A level of achievement, which fails to meet the minimum requirements of the course.

Grading Scale

A+ = 100 B+ = 87 – 89 C+ = 77 – 79 A = 94 – 99 B = 84 - 86 C = 74 – 76 A- = 90 – 93 B- = 80 - 83 C- = 70 – 73

Course Modules

Below, you’ll find the descriptions for each module, which should guide your readings, assignments, and postings of responses with that time frame.

Module One The Challenge and traditional approaches to organizational Leadership and Communication

Activities: Reviewing key philosophical concepts and models related to leadership, communication, and organizational development

Readings: Text- Chapters 1 and 2. Instructor assigned materials

Module Two: Human Relations and Human Resources Approaches

Activities: Review of key concepts and transition to humanistic approaches to leadership Readings: Text- Chapter 3.

Instructor assigned materials

Module Three: Understanding Organizations as a systems theory approach to survival Activities: Developing an ‘Open’, Self-regulating, balanced system through effective communication techniques.

Readings: Text- Chapter 4. Instructor Assigned materials

Module Four: Understanding the ‘Culture’ of Organizations Reading: Text-Chapter 5

Module Five: Power, Control and the Politics of Organizations

Activities: Power and Bureaucratic practices as obstacles to communication and innovation

Reading: Text- Chapter 6 Instructor Assigned Materials

Module Six: Leadership, Communication and Decision-Making Approaches

Activities: ‘Are Leaders Born or Made?’ Identifying Leadership qualities and skills Facilitating team-decision making session through the ‘Dialogue’ approach Readings: Text-Chapter 8

Instruction Assigned Materials

Module Seven: Understanding Organizations as Diverse and Competing Cultures Activities: ‘Identifying Diverse Communication Styles

‘Becoming a Communication ‘Chameleon’ Readings: Text- Chapter 12

Instructor Assigned Materials

Module Eight: Understanding Cultural Diversity as the Key to Effective Leadership and Management

Activities: 1. Re-defining culture in the diverse 21st Century Workplace 2. Role playing situations involving effective cultural communication Reading: Instructor Assigned Materials

Module Nine: Becoming a Culturally Proficient Leader Activities: Learning the Cultural Proficiency continuum:

Identifying our cultural behaviors that add or detract from Relationship and team building

Readings: Instructor Assigned

Module Ten: Becoming a Culturally Proficient Leader Activities: Role Playing Cultural Proficient Behaviors Readings: Instructor Assigned

Module Eleven: Building a customer service oriented Organization

Activities: Understanding Conflict as a Clash of Competing Needs and Expectations over roles, resources, and organizational practices

‘My Colleague…My Customer’: The keys to developing a service oriented team Readings: Instructor Assigned

Module Twelve: Building a customer service oriented Organization Activity: Conducting Cultural Proficient Conversations with Colleagues Readings: Instructor Assigned

Module Thirteen: Practice Effective Communication in Emotionally Charged Situations

Activity: Understanding the concepts and practice behind ‘Active Listening

Role Playing ‘Active Listening’ situations to understand and improve relationships and organization success.

Readings: Instructor Assigned

Module Fourteen: The Cure for Conflict: Innovative Approaches

Activities: Understanding The Interest Based Approach (IBA) to conflict resolution Readings: Instructor Assigned

Module Fifteen: The Cure for Conflict: Facilitating an Interest-Based-Approach to Conflict Resolution

Activities: Facilitate an Interest-Based-Approach Session Facilitating Team Decision-making Sessions