ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION (OCM)

An introduction to the study of communication, required of all Organizational Communication majors. This course includes a survey of basic theories of the human communication process, and an examination of communication theory in five business related contexts: (1) group communication; (2) persuasion and cultural communication; (3) intra/interpersonal communication; (4) mass communication; and (5) organizational communication. This course is a prerequisite for OCM 299.

Strategic Managerial Communication investigates the role of managerial communication within the organization as a key component of strategy implementation. This course investigates the vital role of communication as a mode of strategy implementation through an understanding of strategy-related management behavior and communication formats. The course examines corporate communication theory, structure and functions that are within the context of organizations’ communicating to internal and external constituencies. Topics include: identity, image, reputation, corporate responsibility, corporate advertising, media relations, internal communications, government relations, investor relations and crisis communication. It is an upper level seminar and capstone course for the major in Organizational Communication.

This course explores the critical role of communication in the workplace, focusing on how effective employee communication contributes to organizational efficiency and culture. Students will study topics such as internal communication structures, the role of leadership in shaping communication, interpersonal communication in teams, conflict management, and the use of digital platforms in the workplace. Through case studies, group projects, and practical exercises, students will develop the skills necessary to communicate effectively within organizations and navigate the complexities of diverse work environments. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of how strong employee communication drives collaboration, enhances productivity, and fosters a positive organizational climate.

This course offers an in-depth exploration of the communication strategies essential for leading effectively and managing organizational change. Students will learn how to communicate vision, motivate teams, and lead through times of transformation. Additionally, the course focuses on the critical role of communication in navigating and implementing organizational change, addressing resistance, and fostering employee engagement. Through case studies, role-playing, and group discussions, students will develop practical skills for managing communication during both planned and unplanned changes within an organizational setting. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to take on leadership roles where they can successfully drive change while maintaining transparency, empathy, and authenticity.

Crisis Communications examines the opportunities and challenges organizations face when communicating during crises. This course explores crisis response theories, risk communication, and reputation management while emphasizing proactive planning and real-time decision-making. Students will analyze case studies, develop crisis communication plans, and participate in simulations to apply best practices in responding to diverse stakeholders. Topics include issue monitoring, crisis preparedness, media relations, the role of digital and social media in crises, ethical considerations, and post-crisis recovery.

Open to highly qualified junior and senior majors.

This course permits the study of selected topics as designated by the instructor. Topics will change each time the course is offered.

Professional communicators must possess sound knowledge of their current skills and abilities as well as an understanding of the expectations of professional employment. In order to remain competitive in today’s changing work environment, professional communicators collect and showcase their skills, abilities, knowledge, and experience in a portfolio. The portfolio development process will assist the student to recognize and document the transferable skills they have already acquired through formal education and informal learning experiences. Students will analyze their prior learning within the context of the communication profession. They will document prior learning (knowledge and skills) and identify skills that they may need or want to develop in the future. The portfolio they develop will include a resume and cover letter, along with a variety of business communication writing samples. The portfolio will help the student develop a learning plan and action plan to enhance his/her competitiveness in the workplace and within the communication profession.

This course is designed to provide student interns with a valuable experiential learning opportunity, and includes a field-based internship experience of a minimum of 120 hours for the semester in the private, non-profit, entrepreneurial or governmental sector. Students attend a weekly seminar to discuss organizational behavior and management concepts and to share observations about their internship experiences. Students assess their career competencies, organizational culture preferences, risk tolerances and supervision/feedback requirements to determine their optimal career paths. They also conduct informational interviews with professionals in their career field or industry of interest. All students complete an observation/reflection paper which documents and analyzes organizational theory and applies it to experiential consequences and behavior.