COMM 422 - COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT - SYLLABUS

Department of Communication
Andrew D. Wolvin
Skinner 2111
(301) 405-6521
awolvin@umd.edu

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, you should:
1.  Understand and apply principles of communication management
2.  Be prepared to function as an effective communication manager

Nature of the Course:  This course functions as the capstone course for Communication senior 
majors to combine their learning in the discipline with communication issues in organizations 
of all types.  Communication Management is a course focused on managing the communication 
function.  The course will explore communication policies, communication plans, communication 
channels, and communication practices.

Text:  Diane Gayeski, Corporate Communications Management (Boston:  Focal Press, 1993).

Course Projects:
1.  Midterm Examination (text and class materials)
2.  Research Project:  Select an area and research what is known/not known about
	communication management in the area (e.g. political communication).  Take a particular 
	theory and use your case study to explicate that theoretical perspective.  Your research
	should include a literature review on the communication theory and on communication in 
	the sector represented in your study.  Conduct observations and interviews in an actual 
	organization which is representative of the area of study.  The paper should include 
	three sections:  (a)  literature review; (b) case study of the organization; and (c) 
	implications for communication.  Utilize APA guidelines.  Your paper should be of 
	publishable quality.  Additionally, prepare a 10-minute oral presentation of your 
	project.  The briefing should represent a high-quality corporate presentation complete 
	with PowerPoint graphics.
3.  Final Examination (projects)

Course Schedule:

UNIT I:  Communication Management Theory

1.  Introduction

2.  Principles of Communication (chapter 2)

3.  Theories of Management (chapter 2)

4.  Communication and the Information Age Organization (chapter 3)

5.  Communication Analysis and Design (chapter 4)

6.  Communication Interventions:  Rules and Tools  (chapter 5)

7.  Managing Communication Resources and Projects  (chapter 6)

8.  Corporate Communication Management (chapters 1, 7)

9.  Issues in Communication Management

10.  Applications of Communication Management

11.  Midterm Examination

UNIT II:  Communication Management Applications

12.  Project Inventory

13.  Project Plan and Bibliography

14.  Field Trip (to an organization that has a communication management system in place)

15.  Literature Review Due

16.  Preparation for Presentations

17.  Project Presentations

18.  Project Presentations

19.  Project Presentations

20.  Project Presentations

21.  Project Presentations

22.  Project Presentations

23.  Project Presentations

24.  Project Paper Due

25.  Recap

Final Examination.

COMM 422
COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT

You should be prepared to write about:

1.  What is communication management?

2.  What communication theory/theories best inform our understanding of communication management?

3.  What management theory/theories best inform our understanding of communication management?

4.  What are the major issues facing us as today's communication managers?

5.  What does it take to be an effective Renaissance communication manager?

6.  How can communication be managed effectively in an organization?