Managerial Communication Professor Barron Spring 2003

Instructor: Professor Lisa A. Barron Office: GSM 441 Phone: 949-824-5553 Email: lbarron@uci.edu Office Hours: W 2:00 3:00, by appointment Course Materials: Guide to Managerial Communication, Munter Reader (REQUIRED; to be purchased from University Reader Service) Simulation Materials (distributed in class)

Course Description
Communication is fundamental to human existence. It helps us establish relationships, let others know who we are and what we believe, interact with the world, accomplish tasks together, and lead, manage and run organizations. We communicate in many ways physically, verbally, through writing and through our creations such as art, music, dance and drama. In this introductory class, we will focus on verbal communication, primarily with an organizational focus. The goal of this class is to introduce you to the idea of communicating strategically that is to think about your audience as well the purpose of your message and what you know about the message and to design your message accordingly. Strategic communication involves a certain level of consciousness and intentionality in designing and delivering your message. We will focus on three communication arenas: presentations, meetings, and interpersonal communication. This class will involve public speaking situations in which many people feel shy or vulnerable. It will also involve offering feedback about peoples communication styles and performances. Because of this, it is important that we establish a supportive environment for people to learn and that all feedback is safe and constructive. Learning to provide feedback in this manner will be useful, as feedback is also an important aspect of the communication process.

Course Format
Each class session will involve exercises done either in groups, pairs or individually. These sessions will allow students an opportunity to practice what they are learning or to explore topics in greater depth. Class attendance is essential since a great deal of the learning will take place in class.

Course Requirements and Grading Quizzes (33% of grade)

At the beginning of each class session we will have a 10-question multiple choice and/or true/false quiz. Quizzes will be taken in Catalyst and will be automatically graded. Answers will be posted in Catalyst. You will need to bring your laptop to each class. The quizzes will focus on the weeks readings, although a few questions about previous weeks readings might be included as well. The purpose of the quizzes is to ensure that you have read and understood the material and are grasping the concepts discussed in class. Questions will focus on big picture concepts. It will not be difficult to do well on the quizzes if you have carefully read the material for that week and are paying attention in class.

Participation (33% of grade)

Participation will be based on attending class, being prepared, and actively participating in and learning from class activities.

Group Presentation (33% of grade)

Groups of four students will present on one of the four class topics (Sessions 2-5). Students may choose their own groups. Each class two groups will present. Presentations will be strictly limited to 15 minutes followed by a 10-minute feedback session. Presentations should be interesting and informative. Creativity is encouraged. Students should be careful that humor, props, and fancy slides serve, rather than replace, content and delivery. The following issues should be considered in your presentations (see p. 32 of Munter, also): - Communications objective - Tell/Sell/Consult/Join (Demonstrate/Teach/Entertain/Motivate) - Presenter Credibility - Audience Strategy - Who is the audience? - What does your audience know? - What does your audience feel toward the topic? - How can you motivate them? - What is your message strategy? - What is the appropriate use of humor, props, technology?

Class Sessions
April 9 Session 1: Strategic Communication Readings: Munter, M., Guide to Managerial Communication, Ch 1, pp. 2-33

April 16 Session 2: Persuasion, Influence & Presentations Readings: Reardon, K., Persausion in Practice, Ch 1, 1-12; Ch 4, 40-64; Ch 5, 65-80. Taylor, S., Peplau, L., & D. Sears, Social Psychology, ed. 9, Ch 8, pp. 203-225

April 23 Session 3: Group and Meeting Behavior Readings: Andrews, D. & Andrews, W., Management Communication: A Guide, pp. 91101, pp. 148-158 Munter, M., Guide to Managerial Communication, Ch 5: 95-109 Doyle, M. & Straus, D. 1978. What Goes Wrong at Meetings in How to Make Meetings Work. Playboy Publishing: Chicago.

April 30 Session 4: Interpersonal Communication Readings: Tannen, D., Thats Not What I Meant: How Conversational Style Makes or Breaks Relationships , 3-109 Porter, L. Giving and Receiving Feedback; It will never be easy, but it can be better. In NTL Reading Book for Human Relations Training. NTL Institute 1982.

May 7 Session 5: Cross-Cultural Communication Readings: Nisbett, R., The Geography of Thought: How Asians and Westerners Think Differentlyand Why, Introduction, pp. xiii-xxiii, Ch 2: 29-45, Ch 3: 47-77