Course Description & General Goals

Text & Readings

Assignments

Assessment & Grading

Course Outline and Due Dates

Bibliography

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COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GENERAL GOALS:

The communication discipline has experienced a great deal of change and growth over the last fifty years.  Major assumptions are being challenged and established theories are being questioned.  Entire “ways of knowing” about communication are being examined, debated, and in some cases, overturned.  This course will act as an invitation to join in this debate about the nature, functions, and processes underlying human communication. 

This seminar will explore the connection between communication and leadership. Particularly, we will examine how the field of communication contributes to effective leadership study.  In addition, to adequately understand communication theory one must do practical work in communication as well.   Because leadership is a symbolic process and leaders are made, not born, this class will integrate both theory and practice.  Leadership competence is the product of communication competence.  Class sessions will include a combination of topical presentations and group experiences which will be supplemented by weekly readings, a weekly journal and an interview of a campus leader. A primary vehicle for learning in the class is seminar discussion and interaction. We will have guest speakers from time to time.
 

Narrative: 

 Doubt is not a very agreeable status, but certainty is a ridiculous one.
-Voltaire

The history of science is cluttered with the relics of conceptual schemes that were once fervently believed and that have since been replaced. There is no way of proving that a  conceptual scheme is final.
-Thomas Kuhn

I’m convinced that when historians 100 years from now or 200 hundred years from now try to describe our times, they will say we are living through the third great communication revolution in the history of western civilization.
-Lyman Bryson

Managers are people who do things right, while leaders are people who do the right thing.
 - Warren Bennis

No one would talk much in society if they knew how often they misunderstood others.
-. Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe


GOALS:

1. To identify major concepts and models of the process of communication. 

2. To explore basic theories of communication as they relate to concepts of leadership. 

3. To identify personal leadership and communication styles and skills and learn how to adopt and use them effectively. 

4. To develop a personal approach to effective leadership communication by  the integration of theory and practice. 

All classes are scheduled from 6 –10pm.  Class will not be kept later than necessary on any given night. Dates are subject to change because of professional meetings, but you will know well in advance.

January 17 and 31.
February TBA
March 7 and 21
April TBA and 11. 

Hackman, M.Z. and Johnson, C.E. (2000). Leadership: A communication perspective.  Prospect Heights, Illinois: Waveland Press.

There will be additional readings handed out in class and independent readings required.

1. Weekly Journal (30%).  Your weekly (one per class session) journals should be a thoughtful journey that demonstrates an analysis of your communication and leadership from the perspective of each topic covered in the course. Your weekly writings should build on each other and show evidence of a progression of thinking and learning across the semester. Each weekly assignment should be typed and be no more than 4 pages, double-spaced (if you need to go over a little that is fine). Late papers will lower your grade. 

Your weekly reflections should address the questions posed in the class and readings using your own leadership experiences to give substance to your ideas. They should be written after you have read all the required reading associated with the topic. They should be a thoughtful self-critique, analysis and integration of ideas/thoughts from class exercises and discussions, and ideas and theories from readings. They should include specific examples from your own leadership experiences; and they should be clearly written, with proper citation of ideas and quotes.

Journals should be posted on BlackBoard and can be part of in-class discussions.

Your journal writing should be about insights, personal reflections and commitments. 
Questions to consider are as follows:

* What did I learn? What insights did I gain? 
* How has my thinking been changed? 
* What do I think about where I am and what I have learned? 
* What will I do differently in the future? 
* What new role/actions do I plan to try/take? 


Specifically your writing will be graded using the following criteria:

* depth of analysis of relevant situation 
* use of concrete examples 
* integration of readings and proper acknowledgement of ideas 
* self-critique and personal learning 
* personal plan of action (new things you will add/change to improve your effectiveness as a leader) 
* clarity of writing with proper acknowledgment/citation of ideas and quotes 


2. Case Study or Interview Oral Presentation (20%) Due: Second Meeting in February (date to be determined)

Your task here is to describe a communication research study on leadership and communication (Journal article) or to interview a campus or organizational leader about communication and leadership and to critique the work or information based upon our class readings.  This will require a brief paper summary (2 – 3 pages) and a 8 to 10 minute case study oral presentation, followed by a question and answer period. Please make two copies of a 2 to 3 page outline--one for you and one for me. A list of professional journals will be provided and an outline model will be handed out in class. 
Do NOT EXCEED your time constraints and use PowerPoint or other audio-visual material only if it enhances your presentation. 

3. Rhetorical Analysis Paper  (15%) Due 3/7

This paper will analyze a famous piece of rhetoric delivered by a famous leader from the past.  You will be given a sample list of famous leaders and speeches as possible choices, but you may go outside the list if it is justified.  The idea here comes from the classical rhetoricians (Aristotle, Cicero, Quintilian, Aspasia and others who believed that the best training for effective speaking came from studying historical examples.  You will be given full guidelines for the paper and be asked to you’re a brief oral presentation (4 –5 minutes) on the speaker, their speech and leadership style. 

4. Persuasive Speech (10%) Due: 3/21

A 6 - 8 minute persuasive speech (with an outline) on a topic related to communication and leadership. Do NOT EXCEED your time constraints and use PowerPoint or other audio-visual material only if it enhances your presentation 

5. Final Paper and Oral. (15%) Due date: 4/11

Personal Policy Paper based upon research and an interview with an effective communicator.  For the final class you are required to turn in a paper reflecting your personal policy of communication and leadership. In addition, you will give a five minute oral presentation from your paper to the class about this personal policy. Your paper/statement should reflect what you have learned about yourself as a communicator and leader and the primary things you have been thinking and writing about throughout this course (readings, class experiences and discussions and your own leadership experiences) in your journal submissions. You should include one or two commitments to things you wish to develop or improve upon personally as a communicator and leader. Be sure your paper reflects good scholarly writing.  This paper IS NOT just your opinion.  All arguments need support and citations from scholarly work to back-up your arguments.  I expect APA style internal citations and an APA formatted bibliography. 
 

5. Preparation and thoughtful and active participation in class.  (10%)

Doctoral level work should be of high quality in both content and presentation.

• Journals: 30 %
• Case Study: 20%
• Rhetorical Analysis Paper: 15% 
• Persuasive Speech: 10%
• Final Paper and Oral: 15%
• Preparation and thoughtful participation: 10%

January 17: Introduction

• Course overview and objectives 
• Diagnostic exam
• Leadership theory and application to communication 
• Group exercises 
• Case Studies 
• Review of class assignments
 

Readings: (Readings are to be read for the class session and responded to for the following sessions Journal)
Hackman, Ch. 1
Holiday, K. “Leadership: Different venues, common themes.” (Handout)

Journal One:
Journal (Remember to review the journal guidelines in the assignment descriptions before writing your journal.)  Your responses should include material from Chapter 1 and the article by Holliday. 

1. In a paragraph, briefly describe a leadership position that you hold and that you will be using as a basis for your journal writing for the remainder of the course.

2. Why are you taking this course? What do you hope to get out of this course?

3. Why do you lead? What values is your leadership based on? What qualities do you bring to your leadership role that make you an effective leader?

4. What are some personal barriers that may/do prevent you from becoming the kind of leader you would like to be?

5. What is the relationship of leadership and communication?

6. What do you see as your communication and leadership strengths and weaknesses

Class Overview
• Self-Assessment of leadership and communication style 
• The role of leadership style in effective leadership 
• Group exercises 
• Case Studies
• Possible Guest: 

Readings for tonight: Hackman, Ch. 2, 3, 4

Additional Suggested Readings on Leadership Styles (These are outside sources you may wish to locate and read.) 

Block, Peter. "Replacing Leadership with Stewardship" and "Choosing Service Over Self-Interest". Stewardship. Berrett-Koehler, 1990. p. 3-22, 41-51.

Cox, Taylor, Jr. "Cultural Differences". Cultural Diversity in Organizations. Berrett-Koehler, 1994. p 105-129.

Journal Two: 
(Remember to review the journal guidelines before writing your journal and include material from Chapters 2, 3 and 4.)

1. Describe your leadership and communication style. In what ways is your style effective with your group? In what ways is your style ineffective? What is most challenging to you personally as a leader?

Overview:
• Group exercises 
• Case Studies
•Video on decision-making during the Cuban Missile Crisis 

Readings for tonight: Hackman, Ch. 5; also pp. 9 – 10.  In addition we will be including material from Chapters 2, 3 and 4

Additional Outside Suggested Readings:
Cohen, Allan R. and David Bradford. "Influence Without Authority: The Use of Alliances, Reciprocity, and Exchange to Accomplish Work". American Management Association. 1989. p. 5-17.

Pfeffer, Jeffrey, "Understanding Power in Organizations". California Management
Review. Winter, 1992. p. 29-50.

Journal Three:
This is a free Journal using the criteria on the Journal description and utilizing the material from Chapter 5.

Overview:
• Group Development Theory
• Roles
• Leadership
• Decision-Making
• Organizations
• Group exercises
* Group survival simulation 
* Discussion of survival simulation 
• Case Studies  Oral Presentations Due Tonight
• Review Rhetorical Analysis Paper Due next class

Readings for tonight: Hackman, Ch. 7 & 8

Additional Suggested Outside Readings on Groups/Problem Solving
Dimrock, Hedley G. "Understanding Group Structure". Groups: Leadership and Group Development. Pfeiffer and Company, 1987. p. 23-39.

Janis, Irving, L. "Groupthink". Readings in Managerial Psychology. Edited by Harold J. Leavitt, Louis R. Pondy, and David M. Boje. University of Chicago Press, 1971. p. 439-450.

Schein, Edgar H. "The Process of Building and Maintaining a Group" and "Group Problem Solving and Decision Making." Process Consultation Volume I. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., 1988. p. 40-44, 49-55.

Additional Outside Suggested Readings on Developing Groups:
Cohen, Allen R., Fink, Stephen L., Gadon, Herman, Willits, Robin D. "Developing Group Effectiveness". Effective Behavior in Organizations. Irwin, 1988. p. 142-149, 156 -166.

Dimrock, Hedley G. "Understanding Group Leadership". Groups: Leadership and Group Development. Pfeiffer and Company, 1987. p. 3-21.

Kormanski, Chuck. "A Situational Leadership Approach to Groups Using the Tuckman Model of Group Development". The 1985 Annual. University Associates, 1985. p. 217-225.

Journal Four:
(Remember to review the journal guidelines before writing your journal and include material from Chapters 7 & 8.)

1. Analyze an on-going group to which you belong using the group stage model. Provide examples for those stages you have observed in your group. What would an outside observer be seeing that would let them know what stage the group is currently in?

2. How does your leadership style fit with your group's stage.

3. Where do you think the group should go? What do you need to do to facilitate the group's progress? What are the personal challenges you face in doing so (i.e., things you need to work on in your own leadership style)?

*From in class simulation

4. What did you learn about leadership and about yourself personally from this simulation? Think about what you did to help the group, what others did to help the group, what you did to hinder the group and what others did to hinder the group? 

5.What ideas can you take from the in-class experience and readings that you can use to help your group/oganization develop and to make you a more effective leader in the group?

Overview:
•. Dyadic communication
• Public Communication 
• Verbal and Nonverbal Public Speaking Skills
• Persuasive Campaigns
• Ethical Considerations
• Leadership Development
• Group exercises 
• Rhetorical Analysis Paper and Oral Due
• Review Persuasive Speech Assignment

Readings for tonight: Hackman, Ch. 9. 11, 12

Journal Five:
 This is a free Journal following the guidelines and using material from Chapters 9, 11 and 12.

Overview:
• Persuading others/Credibility
• Types of Persuasion 
• More Persuasive speeches 
• Group exercises 
• Case Studies
• Persuasive Speeches Due

Readings for tonight: Hackman, Ch. 6. and pp. 109-110

Journal Six:
This is a free Journal following the guidelines and using material from Chapter 6.

Readings for Tonight:  Handouts

Class Overview
• Group exercises 
• Case Studies

* Johari Window 


Reading:
Luft, Joseph. "The Johari Window: A Graphic Model of Awareness in Interpersonal Relations." Group Processes. Mayfield Publishing Company, 1984. p. 57-84.

Overview:
• Managing Diversity
• Understanding Cultural Differences
• Gender and Leadership 
• Group exercises 
• Case Studies
• Final Paper and Oral Due

Readings for tonight: Hackman, Chapter 10

Brown, J. A. C. (1963). Techniques of persuasion. Baltimore, MD: Penguin Books, Inc.

Caputo, J., Hazel, H., & McMahon, C. (1997). Interpersonal communication: Using reason to make relationships work. Dubuque, Iowa.: Kendall-Hunt Publishing, Second edition.

Covey, S. (1989). The 7 habits of highly effective people. New York: Simon & Schuster. 

Fisher, R., Ury, W., & Patton, B. (1991). Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in (2nd ed.). New York: Penguin Books.

Hacker, D. (1993). A pocket style manual. New York: Bedford Books of St. Martin's Press. 

Hazel, H. (1987). The art of talking to yourself and others. Kansas City, MO: Sheed & Ward.

Hazel, H., & Caputo, J. (1994). Public speaking handbook: A liberal arts approach. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt. 

Janis, I. (1982). Groupthink. (2nd ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 

Kreps, G. (1990). Organizational communication (2nd ed.). New York and London: Longman. 

Larson, C. U. (1986). Persuasion: Reception and responsibility (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company.

Levering, R. (1988). A great place to work: What makes some employers so good and most so bad. New York: Random House, Inc.

Lumsden, G., & Lumsden, D. (1993). Communicating in groups and teams: Sharing leadership. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Company. 

Nyberg, D. (1993). The varnished truth. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press. 

Peck, S. (1978). The road less traveled. New York: Simon & Schuster.. 

Simons, H. W. (1986). Persuasion: Understanding, practice, and analysis (2nd ed.). New York: Random House. 

Spiker, B., & Daniels, T. (1987). Perspectives on organizational communication (1st ed.). Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown Publishers.

Readings on Vision
Collins, James C. and Porras, Jerry I. "Organizational Vision and Visionary Organizations". California Management Review. Vol. 34. No. 1, Fall 1991. p. 30-52.

King Jr., Martin Luther. "I Have a Dream". A Testament of Hope. Edited by James M. Washington. Harper, 1986. p. 217-220. 

Senge, Peter M. "Shared Vision". The Fifth Discipline. Currency Doubleday, 1990. p. 205-230.

Please write your responses to each of the following questions without consulting any sources.  I will review your responses and ask you to write new responses to the same questions of the conclusion of the course.

1. What is language?
2. What is communication and when is it effective?
3. How are language and communication related and how are they different?
4. What is leadership?
5. What is management?
6. What is the difference between leaders and managers?
7. How are leadership and communication related?
8. Write your own personal theory of leadership and communication.