DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY

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CAS 326	Corporate Communication
Instructor:	Richard Calabrese, Ph.D. .

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Fall 2003<div align="center">

Office:	Crown 34
Office Hours:	Saturday 8:00-9:00 A.M. and 12:00-1:00 P.M.
Office Phone:	708-524-6919
Home Phone:	630-466-4248
Home Fax	630-466-4248
Home E-mail	Rcalabr007@aol.com

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Course Description

This course seeks to expand and improve the student's understanding of managerial and corporate communication as well as to enhance his/her written and oral communication skills. These goals will be reached through participation and study of a variety of cases, readings, and role play activities that will help the student to understand how corporate communication relates to general management in a corporation. In addition a variety of experiential activities in the area of managerial communication will occur in and outside of class.

Objectives

· To have insight and an overview into the myriad of functions considered to be "corporate communication "

· To understand the changing environment of business and its effect on the corporate communication functions

· To gain experience and an increased level of proficiency in the interpersonal skills required for managerial communication.

· To network and interview professionals and "seasoned" experts in the areas of corporate and managerial communication.

· To experience training and education in the area of business etiquette.

Texts

Richard Calabrese, "Designing and Delivering Presentations and Workshops"

Robbins and Hunsaker, Training in Interpersonal Skills: Tips for Managing People at Work, 1996. Two free supplements are included: Making Presentations and Reducing Stress.

Everding, M. Panache that Pays, plus attending etiquette workshop

Grading

Exams--	35%
Class Attendance and Punctuality	10%
Participation--Role Plays and Discussion	10%
Interview Papers	35%
Interview Presentations	10%

A	90-100%
B	80-89%
C	70-79%
D	60-69%
F	Below 60%

Course Calendar

Date	Topic	Assignment
9/6	Introduction to the course, pass out syllabus and article on making presentations	Read Calabrese article for next class and supplement on making presentations.
9/13	Lecture on Making Presentations Impromptu Presentations	TIS--Chapters 1-3
9/20	Lecture on Group Discussion and Facilitation	Practice Panels
9/27	Guest Lecturer	TIS—Chapters 4-6
10/4	TIS--Quiz and activities— Ch.1-3	TIS--Chapters 7-9
10/11	TIS—Quiz and Activities-Ch. 4-6	Interview Assignments.
10/18	Long-weekend
10/25	Quiz/case study--TIS, 7-9	TIS--Chapter 10-12
11/1	Interview One-- PowerPoint slides	Prepare second interview
11/8	TIS Chapter 10-12
11/15	Interview two--Videotaped with PowerPoint slides	Prepare for interview three. Read Panache That Pays plus the supplement on reducing stress.
11/22	Discuss Etiquette Text—and supplement: quiz
11/29	Thanksgiving Holiday
12/6	Interview Three—Videotaped with PowerPoint slides	TIS--Chapters 13-14
12/13	Quiz: TIS: 13-14

Assignments:

INTERVIEW ASSIGNMENT: Students are to conduct three interviews during the course of the semester. The individuals must be people in professional corporate communication positions who have experience in any of the areas included in our text. The purpose of the interviews are to discover what unique problems and challenges these individuals encountered as they progressed in their professions and what insights they have related to the topics you are investigating. Compare in your paper the ways in which the individuals interviewed either supported or contrasted with what you are reading in your texts. A two-page reaction to each interview, typed, is due on the day of the presentation. Attach copies of letters sent to the interviewees--one copy thanking him/her for the appointment and listing topics you hope to discuss, and a second letter thanking the individual for taking the time to be interviewed by you. The way you write your letter creates a lasting impression of both you and Dominican University. Proofread carefully! Letters are required and interviews with friends, relatives or anyone by telephone are unacceptable. Prior to sending a letter of confirmation to the interviewee, all interview subjects must be cleared with the instructor. Either discuss it with me in class or send E-mail. It is critical that you talk with "seasoned" professionals and not inexperienced staff.

INTERVIEW AND PANEL PRESENTATION: Students will report orally on their learning experience. The presentation is expected to be polished, concise, and interesting. The format should be as follows: after telling the class the name and position of the person interviewed, enumerate the THREE KEY POINTS you intend to share. Then share each point, mentioning specifically, point one, point two, and point three. Prepare a conclusion and request questions. The content should be what you LEARNED from the experience. You might say, for example, "I never realized before that... or "To me the most significant insight I had about the corporate communication function is...." The third presentation will be in the form of a group panel.

Presentations are limited to four minutes. Students are required to include four Power Point for Windows 95 slides in the presentation. Practice with the equipment prior to the classroom experience. Not knowing how to get the presentation slides activated will waste time and cause the grade to be lowered.

Questions to include when doing Interview Assignment I: TIS Chapters 1-5. You may, of course, add additional questions from the chapters.

· How important are listening skills in your position? How would you describe yours? Have you ever attempted to develop these skills in staff? Is so, how?

· Please discuss your opinions regarding the value of "goal setting," describing how you might teach members of your staff to learn the strategies

· Do you have any "tips" for how to give constructive "feedback" to an employee who may not be meeting expectations?

Questions to include for interview two, based on chapters 6-10 of TIS

· Do you use delegation with staff? What are your criteria for deciding to whom to delegate what?

· What have your learned about the best methods of being "persuasive" to convince others toward your preferences?

· What is your understanding of "organizational coaching"? Do you have any techniques for coaching you might share with me?

· What should a person new to the workforce know and understand about office "politics" and what to do and avoid to be successful?

· What have you learned about the best way to running effective meetings?

Questions to include for three, based on chapters 11-15 of TIS

· To what extent do you use "teams" in your work? What can you teach me about team building?

· What are your personal guidelines for conflict resolution? What are your preferred strategies for negotiating?

· What should I know in order to be effective in interviewing others on the job?

· Please discuss your philosophy and practice of handling "conflicts" in the office among staff. Do you distinguish between "coping" with conflict and "resolving" conflict?

Course Protocol:

A. Attendance is taken and punctuality is expected. If students must sometimes miss a class, the instructor should be informed prior to class, ext. 6919.

B. Papers are due on time; late papers may not be accepted. If they are, the grade will be lowered. Resubmission's of papers is not automatic. Approval of the professor is necessary.

C. Do not request make-up exams for any reason.

D. Assignments missed because of anticipated absences should be turned in prior to the class. When unanticipated, the assignment should be turned in the week following the absence.

E. Plagiarism, copying another’s work or any other form of cheating will cause an automatic "F" in the course.

F. Exchange phone numbers with a classmate. If you must miss a class, contact the classmate to take notes and copies of any handouts the instructor may pass out. Do not request missed notes and handouts from the professor unless prior arrangements have been made with him.