International Organizational Communication

International Organizational Communication 

Course Description:

This course is aimed at providing an introductory understanding of intercultural and organizational communication and how organizations play a roll in our lives. By the end of the semester, I hope that you will be able to:

• Understand Organizational Communication models and approaches
• Increase intercultural communication competencies
• Understand how culture plays an integral part in organizations
• Increase own-culture awareness
• Understand how current habits translate to career-after-college life
• Increase writing skills

Readings:

Adler, N. J. (2008) International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior. Selected chapters.

Brewer, E. J., & Westerman, J. (2018) Organizational Communication: Today’s Professional Life in Context. Selected chapters.

Hofstede, G. (2005) Cultures and Organizational: Software of the Mind. Selected chapters.

Hall, E. T. (1990) The Silent Language. Selected chapters.

Norales, F. O. (2006) Cross-Cultural Communication: concepts, Cases and Challenges. Selected chapters.

Pednekar-Magal, V. (2015) International Communication: Essential Readings. Selected chapters.

ASSIGNMENTS

All assignments are to be completed and submitted electronically. Assignments that are printed out will not be accepted.

All assignments will be in APA style format. All assignments are to be done in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-spaced. Any references used must be on a separate page (not file) and listed in proper APA formatting. Your name, the date, and the course number are always to be at the top right side of the first page of your assignment. If an assignment requires something different, I will tell you.

•Baseline Reflection Piece - This will be the first assignment of the semester. Students will write a 3-4 page, APA style paper that includes what does the student know about intercultural communication, about organizational communication, and what they believe international organizational communication would include. Additionally, students will include 2-3 individual goals for themselves. This paper will be returned near the end of the semester as a reference for their final reflection piece. (20 points)

•Article Critiques (4/semester) - Each student will be required to critique four (4) of the required reading articles or chapters from the semester's list. Each critique will include a brief summary of the reading, impressions left on the student, and suggestions for furthering the knowledge presented in the reading. This will be a 2-3 page, APA style paper. (25 points each)

•Cultural Identity Piece - This is a 4-6 page, APA style paper about the student's own cultural identity. They are to think back through their family's history. Where did they come from? How did they get to this country? What are traditions their families celebrate? Where did these traditions originate? They should think abour possible stereotypes that may apply. What types of family behaviors, values, and norms may originate from their cultures? (40 points)

•Organizational Case Study -Based on class discussions, student's will research a company of their choice. They need to briefly describe the company's global footprint. They should then think and write about why and how the company went global and how globalization of the company presented challenges. This will be a 2-3 page, APA style paper. (40 points)

•Final Personal Reflection Piece - Students are to think of everything they’ve read, everything we’ve discussed, and other things that have been brought up in class this semester and write a paper about what they’ve learned. (50 points)

• Some things to think about while putting together the paper should be:
• What are you coming away with?
• What did you learn over the semester?
• How do you plan on using what you’ve learned in the future (college and career)?
• How might what you’ve learned have changed your actions or beliefs?
• How has this class made you think about the future?

Rough Grading Criteria for Assignments:

A – Assignment is of correct length. Correct use of APA style, if applicable. Correct use of theory or concept. Shows a thorough and deep understanding of ideas presented. Multiple additional sources correctly used and referenced (if necessary).

B - Assignment is of correct length. Correct use of APA style, if applicable, with a few errors. Correct use of theory or concept. Shows an understanding of ideas presented. Some additional sources correctly used and referenced (if necessary).

C - Assignment is of correct length. Correct use of APA style, if applicable, with some errors. Some understanding of ideas presented.

D – Incorrect length, Incorrect APA style used. Minimal understanding of ideas presented.

F – Failure to meet any required expectations.

Participation/Attendance:

 I do not have an attendance policy. By now, you know what you need to do in classes. My view is that you treat this class as if it were your job. It is your decision to come to work/class or not. Just remember that there are consequences to all actions and non-actions. Still, you are expected not only to be present, but also to contribute to class discussions and participate in all class activities

Technology in Class:

Please use technology for class purposes during class and make sure that all ringers are off.

Grade Appeals:

If you feel that your paper or exam warrants a different grade than what I have given it, you have two ways to appeal it. The first way is in writing. Write me an email carefully explaining why you feel you deserve more points (based on the grading criteria given to you). Be thorough and clear in your explanation. Alternatively, you can meet with me at my office by appointment. I require that these meetings take place at least 24 hours after the paper is returned so that you have ample time to review the paper as well as my comments and corrections. If you prefer to meet face-to-face, please spend time before we meet re-reading your work and analyzing it based on the criteria above. Either way, you will be expected to address the comments made on your assignment.

Please note if you request an appeal, I will be taking a much closer look at your assignment. This may or may not result in a change of your grade. The grade may go up, but it may also go down. Any grade change will be permanent regardless of which direction it goes. This is not a higher of the two grades situation.

Assignment Points:

To determine your grade at any point, divide the number of points you have earned by the number of points available to date.

A+ = 100% B+ = 87-89% C+ = 77-79% D+ = 67-69%

A = 90-99% B = 80-86% C = 70-76% D = 60-66%

F = 0-59%

Helpful Tools:

Purdue OWL  - For APA rules, go to https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/. This also includes some general writing resources and guidelines.

Grammarly – A free app that will help you with spelling and grammar. It’s up if you want to add this one. It’s plug-in for your browser. Like any other program or app, this is not a substitute for careful reading and reviewing. Go to www.gramarly.com.

Academic Misconduct Policy: 

Academic misconduct by students includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student commit an act of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, each of the following acts when performed in any type of academic or academically related matter, exercise, or activity.

Cheating -- using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, study aids, or computer-related information.

Plagiarism -- representing the words, data, works, ideas, computer program or output, or anything not generated in an authorized fashion, as one’s own.

Self-plagiarism – resubmitting any part of your own previously submitted work without proper citation and permission from the instructor.

Fabrication -- presenting as genuine any invented or falsified citation or material.

Misrepresentation -- falsifying, altering, or mistaking the contents of documents or other materials related to academic matters, including schedules, prerequisites, and transcripts.

All assignments must be in APA format.  This means 12-point, Times New Roman font, and double spaced.  All additional sources must be cited in APA format.  All assignments will be submitted electronically.  Please do not submit a hard paper copy.  It will not be accepted.  

•Baseline Reflection Piece - This will be the first assignment of the semester.  Students will write a 3-4 page, APA style paper that includes what does the student know about intercultural communication, about organizational communication, and what they believe international organizational communication would include.  Additionally, students will include 2-3 individual goals for themselves.  This paper will be returned near the end of the semester as a reference for their final reflection piece.

•Article Critiques (4/semester) - Each student will be required to critique four (4) of the required reading articles or chapters from the semester's list.  Each critique will include a brief summary of the reading, impressions left on the student, and suggestions for furthering the knowledge presented in the reading.  This will be a 2-3 page, APA style paper.

•Cultural Identity Piece - This is a 4-6 page, APA style paper about the student's own cultural identity.  They are to think back through their family's history.  Where did they come from?  How did they get to this country? What are traditions their families celebrate?  Where did these traditions originate?  They should think abour possible stereotypes that may apply.  What types of family behaviors, values, and norms may originate from their cultures?

•Organizational Case Study -Based on class discussions, student's will research a company of their choice.  They need to briefly describe the company's global footprint.  They should then think and write about why and how the company went global and how globalization of the company presented challenges.  This will be a 2-3 page, APA style paper.

•Final Personal Reflection Piece - Students are to think of everything they’ve read, everything we’ve discussed, and other things that have been brought up in class this semester and write a paper about what they’ve learned.

Some things to think about while putting together the paper should be:

• What are you coming away with?
• What did you learn over the semester?
• How do you plan on using what you’ve learned in the future (college and career)?
• How might what you’ve learned have changed your actions or beliefs?
• How has this class made you think about the future?

The paper should be at the very least 3 full pages (please don’t ask if 2 ½ pages are ok – keep thinking), double spaced, 12-point, Times New Roman font.  Name, the date, and course number should be in the top right, corner of the first page.

This is not an assignment that can be done in one day. Take the time to think about what has been learned, take notes, and write out ideas. Papers will be graded on how thorough ideas are and how well they are supported. Spelling and grammar will count.