1. COMM 4170-01: Applied Organizational Communication Instructor: Dan Lair Day Two: What is Theory? August 29, 2005

2. Today’s Agenda Introductions Project Discussion Discussion: – Corman on theory – How to do a case study

3. Introductions Think about your 30-second “elevator speech” answer to the question, “Why am I studying organizational communication?” Make sure to relate your answer to your specific career goals and experience, as you would if you were in a job interview.

4. Discussion of Project Options available – Option One: Class Project on Training (as per syllabus, modified for class size) – Option Two: Group Consulting Projects (will amend the syllabus) Group project grade (including presentation) Still 2 individual papers Will add a mid-term, open-book exam Deliberation/Decision

5. Understanding Theory Theory: a “systematically related set of ideas used to describe and/or explain phenomenon” (Corman, 1995, p. 4). Theory as a tool Levels of theory: – Meta-theory – Meso-theory – Theory Theory and Reasoning: – Building Theory: Deductive – Applying Theory: Inductive

6. Questions about Corman What “lay theories” do you use to make sense of your organizational experiences? Example: Office Politics What makes up the “real world”? Is it a place separate from theory? Why do we have many different theories? What do different theories accomplish?

7. Introducing Case Studies What is the purpose of case studies? How do they work? When reading case studies: – Use your theoretical “lens” to “look” at the case – Pay attention to both broad patterns and specific details, taking notes (!) about both (that’s what margins are for!) – Ask questions of the case: What’s not included that might be helpful? What is included that might be a red herring?

8. Writing Up a Case Study 1 page, single-spaced Case Studies should include: – A paragraph describing the case in general, from your theoretical perspective – A diagnosis of the central communication problem in the case, based on your “reading” of both broad patterns and specific details. – Your suggestions for how to solve that problem, based on your theoretical perspective (you’ll need to remember what you learned in 3170!) – An assessment of the appropriateness of your theory to this particular case. Are there weaknesses/blind spots that hinder your ability to suggest adequate solutions?

9. Discussion: Introductory Case Study What theories do Yasmin and Marcus use in their conversation to describe and explain their experiences as job seekers and new employees? How do they use these theories to suggest practices Yasmin’s sister (and others) might use to predict and control her experiences as a job seeker and potential new employee?