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The effective management of communication is central to the success of all enterprises regardless of whether they are commercial enterprises or not-for-profit. This course examines what is known about communication management using examples from marketing, public relations, politics, journalism, mass, organisational and interpersonal communication.
Relationship to Other CoursesMGMT617 is one of the content courses in the BCom (Hons) in Management. Because it explores the management of leadership communication and workplace relationships it complements both MGMT612 and MGMT616. It also addresses theory and practice relating to change and crisis management.Those that have studied MGMT330 Communication Management in their BCom will find that while this course introduced key areas of communication management, MGMT617 explores the challenges associated with these areas more critically while at the same time providing students with the opportunity to meet communication managers and examine their professional practice.WorkloadThis course requires students to read articles and textbook chapters prior to lectures. Each week nominated students will lead discussions on a one or more of these readings. The readings are all available on LEARN2.
This course aims to challenge students to look more closely at organisational communication and the challenges that confront the professional communication manager so they can develop principles to guide their own communication management that are soundly grounded in both theory and the experiences of practitioners.Upon completion of this course students will be able to: Identify and justify a set of guiding tenets for effective communication management that demonstrates an understanding of key theories from organisational communication, PR, mass communication, politics and journalism.Critically analyse a range of internal and external communication management cases.Research and present a communication management case, which demonstrates an ability to interpret practical communication in terms of relevant theory.
Subject to approval of the Head of Department
MGMT475
NOTE: As from Monday 5 August, MGMT617 runs from 9:30-11:30am in KF06 102. This class occurs at this time for the rest of the semester EXCEPT for Monday 7 October which will be advised.
Colleen Mills
Guest Speakers
The assessment in MGMT617 is designed to link theory to practice in a way that will benefit students studying any aspect of management or marketing. It is particularly good preparation for those intending to seek management or consultancy roles and those specifically interested in communication management (e.g., public or community relations, internal communication management, organisational development, internal marketing and promotion). It gives students the opportunity to study real examples of communication management from the perspective of practitioners in the field. The assessment also allows students to demonstrate practical professional communication management skills (written and oral) that are soundly based on research and established communication theory. The course has THREE interrelated assessments, which are designed to allow the workload to be managed and to promote top-level outcome plus a contribution component. 1. Conceptual paper (35%)2. Written paper presenting and analysing a communication campaign (40%) 3. Presentation of this case study to the class (15%)4. Class contribution – leading discussions on key CM themes (10%)NOTE: Students will be able to tailor the assignments to match their interests and maximise the practical value gained from them.1. Conceptual Assignment Due midnight Friday 9 August (35% of final mark)This assignment requires students to delve into the communication and related literatures and synthesis a set of significant (as opposed to trivial) communication management principles based on the theory and research located in this literature. The aim is to provide an opportunity for students to develop a theoretically based set of principles that can guide communication management in practise. The marking criteria for this assessed task are:1. Demonstrates a sound understanding of communication theory.2. Demonstrates a sound understanding of the nature of communication management in the choice of theory and the principles presented in the synthesis of this theory. 3. The communication management principles are significant, realistic, ethical, and justified using sound logical and communication theory.4. Presentation is logical, coherent and error free.5. The work is concise (i.e., free from unnecessary waffle and repetition).6. The APA (Edition 6) style is adhered to.The assignment is to be no more than 3000 words including references. Note that this word limit is a maximum length NOT a target length. It is possible to complete this assignment effectively and to a high standard in fewer than 2500 words.2. Case Study Paper Due midnight Friday 20 September (40% of final mark)The case study involves talking with a professional involved in a communication management role (PR, marketing communication, community relations, customer relations, internal communication, media relations, industrial relations, dispute management) about one communication project or activity they have managed. There is a huge range of possible communication projects that those in communication management roles design and implement or oversee, ranging from one-on-one communication to mass communication campaigns. Some examples are press releases, community consultation meetings, staff surveys, product launches, focus groups, staff forums, internal change notifications, farewells, welcomes, and displays at trade fairs.The aims of the case study project are to:1. Collect data on a professional’s rationale for the design of a communication project, its implementation and the professional’s criteria for assessing the project’s success.2. Use the theory and principles presented in the conceptual assignment to interpret the data collected.The marking criteria for this assessment task are:1. Data on (1) the professional’s rationale, (2) implementation (3) assessment is concisely presented in a manner that reveals both:a. the nature of the communication projects and b. the professional’s sensemaking with regard to the design and implementation. 2. This data is interpreted in terms of sound and appropriate communication management principles.3. Presentation is logical, coherent, and error free.4. The work is concise (i.e., free from unnecessary waffle and repetition).5. The APA (Edition 5) style is adhered to.The cases are to be written up in no more than 3500 words including references. Note that this word limit is a maximum length NOT a target length. It is possible to complete this assignment effectively and to a high standard in fewer than 3500 words.3. Presentation of ONE Case Study Week 12 – in lecture time (15% of final mark)A summary of the case study and its interpretation is to be presented to the class. The aim of this presentation is to give students the opportunity to demonstrate how they can effectively manage a communication event. (i.e., in this case a public presentation). The presentation will be marked in terms of the presenter’s ability to embody sound communication management principles in their presentation. The seven marking criteria for this assessment task are:1. Clear and well designed structure 2. Appropriate professional presentation style3. Clarity and command of content 4. Effective management of the discussion5. Effective time management (balance and timeliness) 6. Effective use of media7. Evidence of audience analysis (appropriate media, structure, language, content sophistication and audience interest).Each speaker will have 15-20 minutes plus 5-10 minutes for questions (Time depends on number in class). Written Assignment FormatAll written assignments must be written in Times New Roman, font size 12 and with 1.5 line spacing and standard margins. All formatting should follow American Psychological Association (APA) Style Book (Edition 6). SubmissionAssignments to be submitted electronically in .doc format. Include a cover sheeton each written assignment. WorkloadTo ensure a manageable workload the three assignments are all linked. The workload will vary but the expectation is that overall between 3 and 5 hours of self-directed work will be required each week in addition to class attendance. GradingMarks for the assignments may be scaled before a final grade is determined. You should not regard 50% as a pass mark.
Crossman, Joanna. , Bordia, Sarbari., Mills, Colleen; Business communication : for the global age ; 1st ed; McGraw-Hill, 2010 (This course has the same textbook as MGMT330).
Useful Theory BooksBelasen, A. T. (2008). Theory and practice of corporate communciation: A competing values perspective. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Clegg, S. (2006) The Sage handbook of organization studies. London; Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Dainton, M & Zelley, E. D. (2005). Applying communication theory for professional life: A practical introduction. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.Griffin, E. (2003 and 2009). A first look at communication theory. Boston: McGraw-Hill. Jablin, F. M. & Putnam, L. (2001). The new handbook of organizational communication: Advances in theory, research and methods. Thousand oaks, CA: Sage. Littlejohn, S. W. (2005). Theories of human communication. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth. Miller, K. (2003). Organizational communication: Approaches and Processes. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Wadsworth. Cornelissen, J. (2004). Corporate communications: Theory and practice. London: Sage.Johnstone, J. and Zawawi, C.(Eds). (2000). Public relations: Theory and practice. St Leonards, NSW: Allen and Unwin. (Not in UC library)L'Etang, J. (2007). Public relations: Concepts, practice and critique. Thousand Oaks, Sage.Sunstein, C.R. (2006) Infotopia: How many minds produce knowledge. Oxford: OUP.Tymson, C., Lazar, P., Lazar, R., & Martin, J. L. (2002). The new Australian and New Zealand public relations manual. Chatswood, NSW: Tymson CommunicationsOther useful books can be found in P 90 and HD 30-31 sections of the University of Canterbury’s Central Library.Useful JournalsThe following journals contain useful material on communication management and related subjects. These can be accessed through Multisearch on the Library webpage:Journal of Communication ManagementJournal of Business CommunicationJournal of CommunicationCommunication MonographsCorporate CommunicationsThe Journal of Applied Communication ResearchAustralian Journal of CommunicationCommunication Journal of New ZealandMedia International AustraliaPublic Relations JournalPublic Relations QuarterlyPolitical CommunicationJournal of Communication Management (Strongly PR focussed)Journal of Public Relations ResearchJournal of Public AffairsStrategic Communication Management (Practitioner-based)Harvard International Journal of Press and PoliticsHuman RelationsOrganization StudiesOrganization
Online Theory Resource MGMT617S2 Course Outline LEARN2
Departmental Academic Policies The Department assumes that you have read this document.You should also read the General Course and Examination Regulations Dishonest PracticeThe University of Canterbury considers cheating and plagiarism to be serious acts of dishonesty. All assessed work must be your own individual work unless specifically stated otherwise in the assessment guidelines. Material quoted from any other source must be clearly acknowledged. You must not copy the work of another person (student or published work) in any assessment including examinations, tests and assignments. Any person, who is found to have copied someone else's work, or to have allowed their work to be copied, will receive a fail grade for that piece of assessment and may face disciplinary action which may lead to a fine, community service or exclusion from the university.IMPORTANT: Where there are concerns regarding the authorship of written course work, a student can be required to provide a formal, oral explanation of the content of their work.
Domestic fee $814.00
International Postgraduate fees
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
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