CMM 319

CMM 319-102 Superior-Subordinate Communication

Fall 2009 TTh

Instructor: Dr. Edward Woods Office: 250 Smith Hall

Office Hours: MTW 12-2; Other hours by appointment.

Office Phone: 696-3104

E-mail: woods@marshall.edu

Fax: 696-2814

Required Text/Materials

Woods, E. (2005). Employee development at the workplace: Achieving empowerment in a

continuous learning environment. Second Edition. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.

There are also articles placed on reserve. Due dates for reading are provided in the tentative daily schedule. The articles are:

Kizilos, P. (December 1990). Crazy about empowerment? Training, 27, 47-51, 55-56.

Byham, W.C., & Cox, J. (April 1989). Zapp! Training, 26,

39-46.

Pacanowsky, M. (1988). Communication in the empowering

Organization. In J.A. Anderson (Ed.), Communication yearbook 11, (pp. 356-379). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Rothstein, L.R. (1995). The empowerment effort that came undone. Harvard Business Review, 73(1), 20-22, 26.

You will also need to establish a computer account to conduct research on the Internet. If you do not yet have an account you may establish one in 211, down the hall and left at the water fountain.

Desired Learner Objectives/Outcomes

When finished with this course, you should:

1. Understand and experience personal empowerment as a process;

2. Demonstrate knowledge and ability supporting your development of personal empowerment in each of its phases: (a) functional maturity, (b) interactive maturity, and c) consultative maturity.

3. Improve in communication competencies related to the development and demonstration of personal empowerment.

Evaluation/Measurement of Learner Outcomes:

1. Two writing assignments exploring various facets of the superior-subordinate relationship and the attainment of functional, interactional, and consultative maturity.

2. Two oral briefings and reports.

3. Three examinations

Assessment Evaluation Methods

1. The writing assignments will vary in theme, but these elements will come into play in assessing each assignment: focus, development and support, organization,

mechanics, and professional appearance.

2. A. The oral reports will summarize content of articles you have read or World-Wide Web sites you have visited, and assess the value of the articles or sites to members of this class. The underlying criteria for assessment include an attention-getting introduction, clear purpose, depth in development and variety in support, clear organization, impactful conclusion, and extemporaneous delivery with quality eye contact and a conversational presence.

3. The three examinations will cover materials from both the text and class discussions and lectures, and the supplemental readings. First two tests will be noncomprehensive. The final exam will be comprehensive.

Assignment Descriptions--Will be distributed as handouts prior to their due dates

Assignments/Grades

In Class Writing Assignments #1 75 points

#2 100 points

Oral Briefing and Report #1 75 points

#2 100 points

Exams #1 40 points

#2 40 points

Final 100 points

Exercise/Quiz Approximately 25 points

__________

555 points

A = 90% B = 80% C = 70% D = 60% F = Below 60%

Attendance

You are expected to attend class regularly, be on time, and remain until dismissed. ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY ON DAYS WHEN STUDENTS MAKE ORAL PRESENTATIONS OR WHEN IN-CLASS WRITING DAYS OCCUR. UNEXCUSED ABSENCES ON MANDATORY ATTENDANCE DAYS WILL RESULT IN A TEN POINT DEDUCTION FROM YOUR FINAL GRADE.

Since your presence in class is prized so highly, excessive lateness or absence is unacceptable. Lateness is treated the same as an absence in terms of making up missed work. Four unexcused absences will result in your final grade being lowered by one letter grade. Missing 1/4 of the class sessions for WHATEVER REASON will result in your final grade being lowered by one letter grade. Missing 1/3 of the class sessions can result in your automatically failing the class.

You are responsible for discovering what you missed during an absence or lateness and for being prepared for the next class period. (I suggest obtaining the phone number of another student for checking on what you missed.)

Note: Excused absences MUST be accompanied by documentation confirming the reason for your absence.

No makeup of missed work will be allowed for unexcused absences or lateness.

If an assignment, quiz, test, exercise, etc. is missed for an excused reason (documented illness, participation in a university approved activity, etc.), if the course time constraints permit, makeup generally occur by the next class period.

Academic Dishonesty--The University implemented a policy a few years ago that is quite severe. The instructor must report all instances of academic dishonesty to the Academic Affairs Office. The second offense results in suspension, the third instance results in expulsion. What is academic dishonesty? Plagiarism, cheating, and fabrication. Plagiarism is passing off someone else's work as your own. Fabrication is any kind of forgery or lying to advance your standing in the class. Cheating is dishonest work on a test. My policy toward academic dishonesty is simple--if you commit it, you fail the course. So don't do it! You don't have to, and you deny yourself the learning experiences by which you grow.

Print out copy of syllabus from e-mail or departmental website and bring to class on Thursday

3 Sept. 8-10 Discussion of Ch. 2 (continued) For Th, read “Crazy About Empowerment”.

4 Sept. 15-17 Read text Ch. 3 and 4--Developing Functional Maturity and Achieving Interactive Maturity.

11 Nov. 3-5 Read the articles, “The Empowerment Effort that Came Undone”,

Drop Dates—We are asked by the College of Liberal Arts to provide the following information about drop dates: