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57022 Managing Communication

UTS: Communication: Communication and Learning
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Handbook description

This subject introduces the concept of the management arenas within which communication is practised. It analyses the communication issues raised by different organisational contexts and applies the models and metaphors of dominant and alternative perspectives in communication studies. Meaning-making processes in communication management practice are studied to develop an understanding of communication as negotiated meaning. Students learn to approach workplace situations critically and creatively and develop their communication management expertise in interpersonal and mediated communication to handle change, uncertainty and complexity.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject, students are expected to be able to:

  1. be familiar with the models and metaphors of different perspectives in communication management
  2. develop an understanding of the concept of management arenas in situations of change, uncertainty and complexity
  3. show how differing management arenas affect meaning-making processes
  4. demonstrate how competence in negotiating meanings can assist effective communication management
  5. develop expertise in interpersonal and mediated communication.

Contribution to graduate profile

Students will have:

  • a good understanding of the nature of communication and communication management through a broad range of theories and paradigms
  • a sensitivity to ethical issues related to communication
  • a capacity to critically reflect on the role and responsibilities of communicators
  • an understanding of contexts of communication
  • an understanding of the implications and management of communication technologies for professional communication practice
  • the capacity to be international in perspective
  • a capacity to critically reflect on their learning and professional communication practice
  • the capacity to manage technical, political, moral and aesthetic communication issues
  • the ability to apply communication theories to the analysis of case studies and professional practice
  • an understanding of communication management in local and international contexts
  • the capacity for lifelong learning.

Teaching and learning strategies

The learning experience will entail a series of lectures, supported by seminar/workshops. Lectures will examine central concepts, while workshops will provide opportunity for further investigation of skills in managing communication and theoretical underpinnings of the discipline. Learning experiences will be extended through readings and student presentations of short seminars on selected readings/topics.

Content

  • Introduction to communicative practices in management arenas
  • Theoretical approaches to communicative competence
  • Effective workplace communication
  • Managing for communicative competence

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Essay: 2,500 words

Objective(s): b, d, e
Weighting: 60%
Task: Write an essay on one of the following topics.
  1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of theorising public communication from either a humanistic or a social scientific standpoint? Compare and contrast these approaches giving examples of how each can be applied to improve the practice of public relations or advertising.
  2. Public relations and advertising are often accused of being manipulative, propagandistic and deceitful. How would you defend such allegations based on a theoretical understanding of communication?
  3. Examine how the critical and sociocultural traditions are linked and how these two are distinct from the sociopsychological. Use examples of theories in these traditions applied to public relations or advertising practice to illustrate your discussion.
  4. Is the study of language, including semiotics and rhetoric, fundamentally important to theoretically understanding public communication? Defend your position using examples from public relations or advertising.

** In all the above essays you can use examples from your own practice experience or cases from Australian or international literature. In ALL the above questions you are required to consult wider sources than the textbook in order to pass, and reference your ideas to reliable academic sources.
Assessment criteria:
  • Evidence of thought and research about the issue;
  • Quality of argumentation and selection of appropriate material as supporting evidence;
  • Degree of initiative and originality of thought shown;
  • Appropriate scholarly referencing using the author/date system;
  • Clarity of writing style, logical ordering of ideas leading to conclusions or evaluations;
  • Written expression free of grammatical and typographical errors;
  • Neat professional presentation with a title page, numbered pages, typed with 1.5 spacing

Assessment item 2: Exam: Short answer questions

Objective(s): a, c, e
Weighting: 40%
Task: Students will complete a formal exam assessment consisting of short answer questions on essential concepts covered in the lectures and text in this subject including their application to communication management.
Assessment criteria: Demonstrated ability to:
  • show understanding of theoretical concepts covered in this subject;
  • apply concepts of communication management to practical scenarios.

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.

Recommended text(s)

Littlejohn, S. & Foss, K. 2008, Theories of Human Communication, 9th edn, Thomson-Wadsworth, Belmont, CA.

Indicative references

Anderson, J. 1996, Communication Theory: Epistemological Foundations, Guildford Press, New York.

Adler, R. & Rodman, G. 2003, Understanding Human Communication, Oxford University Press, New York.

Beck, A. Bennett, P. & Wall, P. 2003, Communication Studies: The Essential Resource, Routledge, New York.

Berne, E. 1983, Games People Play: The Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships, Harmondsworth.

Bordow, A. & More, E. 1991, Managing Organisational Communication, Longman Cheshire, Melbourne.

Budd, R. & Brent, D. 2003, Interdisciplinary Approaches To Human Communication, Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick, N.J.

Cobley, P. (ed.) 1997, The Communication Theory Reader, Routledge, London and New York.

Dahnke, G. & Clatterbuck, G. 1990, Human Communication Theory and Research, Wadsworth, Belmont, CA.

Dance, F. (ed) 1982, Human Communication Theory: Comparative Essays, Harper & Row, New York.

Demers, D. (ed.) 2000, Mass Communication and Society – Special issue: Communication Theory in the 21st Century, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahway, NJ.

Deetz, S. 2000, 'Conceptual Foundations', in F. Jablin & L. Putnam (eds), The New Handbook of Organizational Communication : Advances in Theory, Research, and Methods, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 3-46.

Dixon, T. 1992, 'Quality management through communication', Australian Journal of Communication, vol. 19(2), pp 47-57.

Durham, M. Withnall, J. & Harris, R. 1998, 'Professional communication – Is it there? A conversation continued', Australian Journal of Communication, vol 25 (2).

Foss, S. Foss, K. & Trapp, R. 1991, Contemporary Perspectives on Rhetoric, 2nd edn, Waveland Press, Prospect Heights, Ill.

Griffin, E. 2003, A First Look at Communication Theory, 5th edn., McGraw Hill, New York.

Griffen, G. 2003, Reputation Management, Capstone Publications, Oxford, U.K.

Heath, R. 2001, Handbook of Public Relations, Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.

Herrick, J. 1995, Argumentation: Understanding and Shaping Arguments, Gorsuch Scarisbrick, Arizona.

Herrick. J. 2001, The History and Theory of Rhetoric: An Introduction, 2nd edn, Allyn and Bacon,Boston.

Hodge, R. & Kress, G. 1988, Social Semiotics, Polity Press,London.

Miller, K. 2005, Communication Theories: Perspectives, Processes and Contexts, 2nd edn, McGraw-Hill, Boston.

Kaye, M. 1995, Communication Management, Prentice Hall, Sydney.

Kaye, M. 1996, Myth-makers and Story-tellers, Business & Professional, Sydney.

Lewis, G. & Slade, C. 2000, Critical Communication, 2nd edn, Prentice-Hall, Sydney.

Lustig, M. & Koester, J. 1992, Intercultural Competence: Interpersonal Communication Across Cultures, Harper Collins, New York.

Mickey, T. 2003, Deconstructing Public Relations: Public Relations Criticism, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ.

Moss, D. Vercic, D. & Warnaby, G. 2003, Perspectives On Public Relations Research, Routledge, London.

Nair, B. 2003, Issues Management, Eastern Universities Press, Singapore.

Pearce, W. 1989, Communication and the Human Condition, Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale.

Rasberry, R. & Lemoine, L. 1986, Effective Managerial Communication, PWS-Kent, Boston.

Seib, P. & Fitzpatrick, K. 1995, Public Relations Ethics, Harcourt Brace College, Forth Worth, TX.

Severin, W. & Tankard, J. 2000, Communication Theories: Origins. Methods and Uses in Mass Media, Addison-Wesley Longman,.

Smith, L. 2003, Effective Internal Communication, Kogan Page, London.

Tyson, T. 1998, Working with Groups, 2nd edn, MacMillan Education, Melbourne.

West, R. & Turner, L. 2004, Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application, 2nd edn, McGraw-Hill, New York.