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BUCO 533: MANAGING COMMUNICATION IN ORGANIZATIONS--

The Role of Communication Strategy and Application in Team Leadership
Course Syllabus

Professor: Jim Gosline
Office: ACC 400-B
Phone: (213) 740-0197
Email: gosline@usc.edu
Office Hours: Tu. & Th. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and by appointment
Class Web Source: Blackboard https://blackboard.usc.edu/
Required Texts: Making the Team: A Guide for Managers (4
th
Edition), Leigh L.
Thompson, Prentice Hall 2011.
Articles/Handouts as Distributed and Assigned

Recommended:
The Business Writer's Companion, 5th Edition; Alred, Brusaw, and
Oliu; Bedford St. Martin's 2007
The Wall Street J ournal, Financial Times, or business magazines and
newspapers of your preference.


COURSE DESCRIPTION

BUCO 533: MANAGING COMMUNICATION IN ORGANIZATIONS offers you the
opportunity to confront an array of communication challenges commonly faced by business
professionals in every industry around the world. You will take classroom learning and put it
to use in working as consultants with an organization of your choice. You will be able to apply
your technical knowledge and leadership skills to benefit that organization, accelerating your
learning and building your confidence.

Your background in oral and written communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork, and
leadership will be your foundation as we practice communication and consulting tasks. We'll
explore underlying theories of effective organizational and small-team communication and learn
which communication practices and strategies work best in different situations.

Two major themes run through this course. The first theme is Team Communication and the
importance of understanding the processes of team formation and how communication can be
used to ensure optimal team performance.

The second underlying theme of this course is Problem Solving through Communication. You
will have the opportunity to consider situations and problems, decide how you would handle
them, and practice the related communication skills involved. The focus will be on developing
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your ability to work productively in small teams and to manage projects within an organizational
context.


LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Theoverall objective of this course is to give you exposure to and practice in a set of
communication and managerial challenges common in business organizations today and in
team settings. From these experiences, you will learn more about your personal strengths and
about the skills and strategies you need to develop further to reach the level of success you
envision for yourself as a team player and leader.

The communication and managerial challenges you will experience and learn about as they
pertain to teams include the following:
Team formation
Team structure
Power and influence within teams
Conflict and conflict resolution in teams
Team performance
Team decision-making
Team leadership
Planning and running meetings
Proposing, planning, and completing a client project

In the process of working in each of these areas, you will also continue to develop your business
writing skills, business presentation skills, teamwork skills, and interpersonal skills.


USC LEVENTHAL MASTERS PROGRAMS LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Technical, Conceptual, Problem-Solving Requirement
Students will be competent in and be able to apply discipline-specific knowledge and skills via
strategic communication in the fields of accounting or taxation. This learning outcome includes
the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as an understanding of
the strategic role of accounting in business organizations and society.

2. Professional Development Requirement
Students will be able to communicate clearly, and strategically, after considering the relevant
audience, situation, and purpose of the communication task. Students will develop the ability to
work productively with others to accomplish established goals.

3. Research and Life-Long Learning Requirement
Students will be able to use relevant research databases and academic and professional literature
to gain new knowledge and analyze business situations.

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4. Ethical Principles and Professional Standards Requirement
Students will be able to apply ethical principles and professional standards in analyzing
situations and making informed decisions.
5. Globalization Requirement
Students will be able to demonstrate an international perspective and appreciation for diversity
and cultural differences, along with their significance in global business.


EXPECTATIONS, EVALUATION AND GRADING

Expectations: Attendance, active participation, and a positive attitude are required for successful
completion of this course. Many sessions involve Team activities, and I plan and organize them
assuming all students will be present. Please notify me as far in advance as possible if you are
unable to attend any class or exercise so that I may adjust the activities as necessary.

I expect that you will be present in every class, and ready to begin work at the time class is
scheduled to start. Should you need to be absenteither because of an illness or because you
believe that there is something you must do that is more important than attending classI expect
to receive an email or a text from you PRIOR to the start of class. Keep in mind that an email or
text before class begins does not excuse your absenceit simply shows me that you are taking
responsibility for choosing to do something else during class time. Multiple absences, even when
accompanied by conscientious notification, will be viewed as unprofessional behavior.

Absence from class and/or a pattern of lateness will adversely affect your grade (in the same way
that such behavior would adversely affect your performance evaluations in a professional
setting). We will oftentimes have some type of exercise at the start of class. Being late means
you miss the quiz, exercise, or impromptu opportunity and the points associated with itno
exceptions. A pattern of absences after a major project is presented or turned in would also
adversely affect ones grade. In addition, note that ELC dates are non-negotiableso missing an
ELC session poses a serious threat to your course grade. Much of this course is run similarly to
professional work environment, especially in terms of late or missed assignments, absence, and
showing up late (tardiness). If you can warn me ahead of time of an unavoidable problem
causing a late assignment, absence, or tardiness, we can discuss the matter and possibly find a
solution without penalty. Otherwise, the following guidelines apply:
Late assignmentsearned points reduced 50% (later than one week = missed assignment)
Missed assignmentszero points
Absence
First unexcused absence earns a warning
Each subsequent unexcused absence earns a 10-point penalty
Tardiness
First unexcused tardiness earns a warning
Each subsequent unexcused tardiness earns a 5-point penalty

I understand that unforeseen critical emergencies occur. Absence or tardiness will be excused
only when you provide me with printed and signed documentation from an appropriate source.
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Classroom Activities and Exercises: Throughout the term, you will participate in interactive
exercises in the classroom and in the Experiential Learning Center. Some of the exercises will
be credit/no credit based simply on participation in the exercise. Late arrivals will receive partial
credit. Excused absences will be reviewed on an individual basis. Unexcused absences will
receive no credit. Other exercises, however, such as peer review or homework used in classroom
exercises, will be assigned points based on the performance level.

Partial credit for missed classes or activities is at my discretion and may not be possible
depending on the activity and timing.

Evaluation and Grading: Your final course grade will be based on these percentages:
Individual presentations 15%
Team Cold Call presentations 15%
Quizzes and minor assignments 10%
Course participation 10%
Team Term Project 50%

Date Deliverables Points Possible
8/25 Oral Presentation Diagnostic Pencil Grade
Varies First Team Cold Call Presentation 50
Varies Second Team Cold Call Presentation 100
9/27 Individual Oral Presentation 50
10/4 Term Project Engagement Letter 100
10/11 Term Project Management Plan 50
10/25 Individual Oral Presentation 100
11/29 or 12/1 Term Project Team Presentation 150
12/2 Term Project: Written Report 150
Thank-You Letter 50
Varies Quizzes and minor assignments 100
Varies Overall Class Participation & Professionalism* 100
Total 1000

In general, I use a combination of two criteria for evaluation:
(1) How does your class output compare to that of your classmates?
(2) How does your class output compare to established norms for communication in
U.S. business?

Grade components are described briefly below. Assignment instructions will include grading
criteria, with additional details to be discussed in class.

Consulting Project
Working within a team of classmates, you will craft a consulting project for a local nonprofit
organization and deliver a final report and presentation to leaders in the organization. Elements
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of this project include an oral proposal, an engagement letter, a project management plan, a
business presentation to management, and a final report and thank-you letter to the client.

Presenting Yourself Professionally
Within the classroom, you will have the opportunity to synthesize and comment on assigned
readings, Web-based resources, and articles and handouts. You may take a stand on current
events that affect the business world. Individually or in teams, you will practice presenting your
position confidently and persuasively, and you will learn to respond professionally to challenges
and questions from the audience. Note: Many of these presentations will be "impromptu"you
will need to be present to participate and benefit from the learning experience.

ELC Exercises and Classroom Participation
Within the safe confines of the Experiential Learning Center, you will participate in exercises
designed to give you practice in specific skills: problem solving across an organization,
interviewing management, reaching consensus, handling difficult people, and resolving conflict.
In addition, classroom activities that require your attendance will contribute to this part of your
grade. Participation in class discussions, critiques of peer impromptu presentations, and online
discussion boards will also be included here. Some specific aspects of class involvement are: oral
feedback and support (including quality of analysis), team-member evaluations, impromptu
speaking, professionalism and attitude, attendance, punctuality, etc. A Professional-Level
Personal Responsibility policy applies* (see page 4): No Excuses, No Rationalizations
explained at first class meeting and on page 7.

Teamwork
In the interest of fairness, a peer evaluation of each team members participation in and
contributions to the consulting project will constitute a portion of the grade in the class.


ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Academic Standards: Academic integrity is a critical value of the University Community.
Integrity violations destroy the fabric of a learning community and the spirit of inquiry that is
vital to the effectiveness of the University. This course is subject to the Marshall School of
Business Academic Standards and USC Academic Integrity Standards, as detailed in SCampus.
(http://web-app.usc.edu/scampus/). Please refer to and become familiar with these standards.
I will work with you to maintain an atmosphere conducive to personal integrity, intellectual
honesty, and ethical behavior.

Students with Disabilities: Any student requesting academic accommodations based on a
disability is required to register with Disability Services and Programs (DSP) each semester. A
letter of verification for approved accommodations may be obtained from DSP. Please deliver
the letter to me as early in the term as possible. DSP is located in STU 301 (phone 213-740-
0776) and is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Professors Retention of Graded Papers: Returned paperwork, unclaimed by a student, may
be discarded one month after the end of the class. Paperwork intentionally not returned to
students will be retained until May 31, 2012.

Key DatesFall 2011: Below are the key dates on the University calendar. Please refer to our
course schedule and calendar for additional information.

Aug. 22 Fall semester classes begin in Session 001
Aug. 22-26 Late registration and change of program
Sept. 5 Labor Day, university holiday
Sept. 9 Deadline for purchasing or showing proof of health insurance
Sept. 9 Last day to register and add classes for Session 001
Sept. 9
Last day to drop a class without a mark of "W," except for Monday-only classes, and
receive a 100% refund for Session 001
Sept. 9 Last day to change enrollment option to Pass/No Pass or Audit for Session 001
Sept. 9 Last day to purchase or waive tuition refund insurance for Session 001
Sept. 13
Last day to drop a Monday-only class without a mark of "W" and receive a 100%
refund or change to Pass/No Pass or Audit for Session 001
Nov.1 Thesis/Dissertation submission
Nov. 11 Last day to drop a class with a mark of W for Session 001
Nov. 23-26 Thanksgiving recess
Dec. 2 Fall semester classes end
Dec. 3-6 Study days
Dec. 7-14 Final examinations
Dec. 15-Jan. 8 Winter recess


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PROFESSIONAL-LEVEL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Professor Jim Gosline
GSBA 533, Fall Semester 2011

As noted in the course syllabus, I will be applying professional-level personal responsibility in
our GSBA 533 class. This concept affects your course grade, so you may want to know more
about what I think it means. For this concept, as well as most of what I teach, I agree strongly
with one of Albert Einsteins convictions, that the universe loves simplicity and beauty.

Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.
Albert Einstein
U.S. (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)

In its simplest form, professional-level personal responsibility means, Treat others as you would
want to be treatedthe Golden Rule. Many people think of this as a Christian belief (Matthew
7:12), but there is evidence for its influence in all major faiths:

BuddhismHurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. (Udana-
Varga 5:18)

ConfucianismDo not unto others what you would not have them do unto you.
(Analects 15:23)

HinduismThis is the sum of duty: Do naught unto others which would cause you
pain if done to you. (Mahabharata 5:1517)

IslamNo one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he
desires for himself. (Sunnah)

JudaismWhat is hateful to you, do not to your fellowman. (Talmud, Shabbat
31a)

TaoismRegard your neighbors gain as your own gain and your neighbors loss
as your loss. (Tai ShangKan Ying Pien)

ZoroastrianismThat nature alone is good which refrains from doing unto another
whatsoever is not good for itself. (Dadistan-i-dinik 94:5)

Professional-level personal responsibility means that you take full responsibility for the choices
you make. Thats all. In our class you will be making many personal choices; all that I am asking
is that you own those choices and related consequences. Assigning blame, making excuses, and
creating rationalizations are all symptoms of personal irresponsibility. You will find much more
personal and professional success if you dont go down that path.

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More information that may help you focus on the impact that professional-level personal
responsibility will have in our class and in your professional life comes from a book titled,
The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz, M.D. The Agreements are:

1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against
yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth
and [caring].

2. DONT TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own
reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you
wont be the victim of needless suffering.

3. DONT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate
with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With
just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are
healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will
avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

(Miguel Ruiz, M.D., The Four Agreements; Amber-Allen Publishing, CA; 1997)

If you have questions about any of thisor other aspects of business communicationplease let
me know.


"When you're finished changing, you're finished."Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)














Meeting-by-meeting schedule on the next page is TENATIVE and will almost certainly change.
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TUESDAYS THURSDAYS
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Reading Due Topics & Work Due
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Reading Due Topics & Work Due
1 8/23
Introductions, general course overview,
required text, etc.
Oral presentation assignment for Thursday
8/25
Syllabus &
Handouts from
Tuesday 8/23
Meet in BRI 3 ELC
(basement)
DUE: Oral Presentation Diagnostic
Team Formation & "Cold Calling"
assignment
2 8/30
Making the Team:
Introduction & Ch. 1
Teams in Organizations: Facts and Myths
Communication Strategy
9/1 Ch. 2
Team 1:
Ch. 2--Performance and Productivity
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
3 9/6
Independent Team Research:
Identify Not-for-Profit
Term Project Client
9/8 Ch. 3
Team 2:
Ch. 3--Rewarding Teamwork
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
4 9/13
Handouts from
previous class
meeting
Meet in BRI 3 ELC
ELC Simulation 9/15 Ch. 4
Team 3:
Ch. 4--Designing the Team
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
5 9/20
Handouts from
previous class
meeting
DUE: Team Presentations:
Term Project Proposals 9/22 Ch. 5
Team 4:
Ch. 5--Team Identity
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
6 9/27
Handouts from
previous class
meeting
Meet in BRI 3 ELC
DUE: Individual Oral Presentation & Outline
DUE: Draft version of engagement letter
9/29 Ch. 6
Team 5:
Ch. 6--Sharpening the Team Mind
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
7 10/4
Handouts from
previous class
meeting
Persuasive PowerPoint
DUE: Final, signed, engagement letter 10/6 Ch. 7
Team 6:
Ch. 7--Team Decision Making
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
8 10/11
Handouts from
previous class
meeting
Meet in JKP 301 ELC
ELC Simulation
DUE: Project Management Plan
10/13
Release Class Meeting Time:
Team Meetings
9 10/18
Team Meetings:
Meet with Professor 10/20 Ch. 8
Team 1:
Ch. 8--Conflict in Teams
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
10 10/25
Handouts from
previous class
meeting
Meet in JKP 301 ELC
DUE: Individual Oral Presentation & Outline 10/27 Ch. 9
Team 2:
Ch. 9--Creativity
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
11 11/1 Ch. 10
Team 3:
Ch. 10--Networking, Social Capital & Integrating Across
Teams
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
11/3 Ch. 11
Team 4:
Ch. 11--Leadership
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
12 11/8
Handouts from
previous class
meeting
Meet in JKP 301 ELC
ELC Simulation 11/10 Ch. 12
Team 5:
Ch. 12--Interteam Relations
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
13 11/15
Handouts from
previous class
meeting
Meet in BRI 3 ELC
ELC Simulation 11/17 Ch. 13
Team 6:
Ch. 13--Teamwork via Information
Technology
Impromptu Exercises: Ethics & Values
14 11/22
Team Meetings:
Meet with Professor
11/24
15 11/29
DUE: Team Term Project Presentations,
Part One 12/1
DUE: Team Term Project Presentations,
Part Two
DUE FRIDAY 12/2
Team written report
Thank-You Letter
Individual Team Evaluation
(in my mailbox, ACC 400, by 12 noon)
ENJOY YOUR THANKSGIVING
--BE SAFE--