Bloomsburg University
Communication Studies

Jim Tomlinson, Ph.D.

Communication for Business Professionals

Communication Studies
Course 25.307.01

James E. Tomlinson, Ph.D.

     FALL 2006           MHS 2202       Tues/Thurs 12:30 - 2pm

 Office Hours:  

Office Location:  McCormick Bldg - Room 1115

Tuesdays and Thursdays  9:30 - 11 and 3:30 - 4
                Wed 5 - 6 pm               
other times can be arranged by prior appointment

Email: jtomlins@bloomu.edu     Phone:(570) 389-4189

"When people go to work, they shouldn't have to
leave their hearts at home. "
Betty Bender

This class is designed to explore organizations from a communication perspective. We will examine how humans act and interact within the organizational context, with an emphasis on practical applications.

New technologies are significant factors in organizational communication. Throughout  this semester we will examine emerging technologies and discuss the changes which they stimulate, and the opportunities which they offer.  

                 Text:        "Business Communication"  
                                            Berko/Wolvin/Ray - Bedford/St. Martin's Publishers

                                       (Additional readings will be assigned in class)

                 Attendance:     Two unexcused absences will be permitted. 
                                             Each additional  unexcused absence will result in a
                                             reduction of the student's class participation grade.

                 Grading :      Book Review -                     10  % 
                                            (Click here for the Book Review Help Page)
                                                                                                                                  
                                          Speech of Introduction -     10%

                                          Sales Presentation -             20%

                                           Class Participation -            10%          

                                           Unit Tests (2 @ 15% EACH) -   30%

                                           Final Exam -                            20%

    Here are the links YOU are responsible for during the semester
Click on the title to see the page

                                    A -  Interesting Organizational Facts Page

                                    B - Supplemental Materials for Class 
                                                (Handouts/additional readings)
 
                                    C -  Links Page

There is a lot of false information all over the Internet. One of the best places to look for - or to report - hoaxes is a website maintained   by the US Department of Energy.  You can find it at:
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org

Policy on Plagiarism 

 "The art of Persuasion ought not to be neglected, 
being indeed especially necessary for the educator whom it behooves
to excel in eloquence and the power of speech"
St. Augustine 

Fall 2006 Semester Course Schedule

THIS IS A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

        Week           Class Activity                           Readings for class sessions

       Aug 29        Orientation - syllabus - assignments

       Aug 31        Classical and Modern Organizations     Chapter 1                                                    

       Sept   5        Public Speaking in Business                   Chapters 11,12,13                                                  

       Sept 7          Listening                                                        Chapter 5

       Sept  12       Ethics                                                               Chapter 2

       Sept  14       Emergencies and Crisis Planning              

        Sept 19       Cultural Contexts in a Diverse Working Environment                                         

        Sept 21       TEST # 1
 

        Sept 26, 28, Oct 3, 5     Speeches of Introduction -     CLICK TO SEE THE DATE YOU SPEAK

                                        CLICK HERE FOR OUTLINE FORMAT

       Oct 10          Ethics, Leadership and Supervision, Crises Management                        Chapters 2,  9, 10

       Oct 12          Social Equity  - Guest Speaker - Dr. Bob Wislock, BU Director of Social Equity

        Oct 17         Leadership and Supervision - the power of ownership and thank you                                     

        Oct 19         Phone Etiquette - Guest Speaker - Eileen Evert  BU Development Center
                                                                                                           

        Oct 24, 26 31 Nov 2, 7,     Sales Presentations   

                                                            Click here for the Sales Presentation Format

                                                            Click here for the date you will present your sales speech

 Nov 14                                Sales Presentations from Nov 9 - moved to Nov 14

           Nov 16                                Technology in the modern workplace

        Nov 21                                DEPARTMENT INTERVIEWS = no class

        Nov 23                                 NO CLASS - THANKSGIVING                                                   

        Nov 28/30                         Movie Week!!!!! (Cultural and Interpersonal influences on organizations) 

                                                    I will provide Popcorn - you can bring a drink to class

                                                        For discussion after the movie - Chapters 3,4,6,7,8

        Dec 5/7        DEPARTMENTAL INTERVIEWS           

                            
                    FINAL EXAM - will be a take home essay - you will be given the assignment on Nov 21 - it is due by December 7

See Below!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Communication for Business Professionals

1. Class on Thursday Nov 16 – finish Sales Speeches – Discussion on Email Etiquette and Technology in the Workplace

2. No class on Tuesday – Nov 21 – Final Candidate for Communication Trainer position is being interviewed in the department

3. Tuesday Nov 28 and Thursday Nov 30 – MOVIE DAYS!!! I will bring the popcorn, you may bring a drink -  discussion about the movie when it is finished on Thursday – Impact of culture on organizational settings.

4. Classes for Dec 5 and 7 are reserved for visits by 2 candidates for tenure track positions in the Comm Studies Department

5. Your book review is due to me NO LATER THAN THURSDAY November 30 – NO EXCEPTIONS.  You may email your book review to me – I will reply to your email to confirm my receipt of your book review.  OR, you may turn in a “hard copy” to me at my office or in class.

6. Your final Exam is a take-home – it is due to me NO LATER THAN Thursday December 7 – NO EXCEPTIONS. Your final exam is presented below.  Your essays must be typed – NO hand written materials will be accepted. You may email your final exam to me – I will reply to your email to confirm my receipt of your final exam.  OR, you may turn in a “hard copy” to me at my office or in class.

FINAL EXAM:

1. Who gave the best Speech of Introduction and why.  Include in your essay the major things you need to remember when writing a Speech of Introduction.
   (50 points)

2. Write an essay describing the major contributions to Organizational and Workplace theory of ONE of the following individuals:  Karl Marx,  Max Weber, or Frederick Taylor.
   (75 points)

3. Write an essay on a specific technology that is changing the way people communicate in the modern workplace, and evaluate its positive and negative impact on communication in professional settings.
   (75 points)

4. Your final exam is to be no more than 4 pages in length

 
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