Entry requirements

60 credits in media and communication studies including 7.5 credits in communication studies

Learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• account for and show in-depth understanding of central theories and themes of organisational communication, and their relation to general communication theories,
• account for and show understanding of the constitutive perspective and the transmission view of the role of communication for organisations,
• explain and show understanding of how organisational communication affect and is affected by the organisation itself and its context.

Competence and skills

On the basis of, and with a standpoint in the acquired theoretical knowledge, the student will

• independently analyse the constitutive role of communication for organisations,
• independently identify and analyse how communication is conducted and given, space in different types of organisations,
• independently identify and analyse communication problems that may occur in organisations and present relevant solutions to these.

Judgement and approach

• critically review and evaluate the meaning and significance of communication for organisations, both from the viewpoint of communication as constitutive and as a strategic tool,
• independently identify and analyse the role of communication for organising and different theoretical perspectives on this,
• independently make ethical and legal considerations in relation to communication, organising and organisation.

Content

This course, building on the foundations set in previous communication courses within the communication strand, offers further insights about theories of communication, organising and organisation. This includes perspectives and concepts such as integrated communication, participation, power and control. The focus is on exploring, critically reviewing and evaluating the role of communication in processes that involve founding, organising and developing organisations, as well as how communication can be used as a strategic tool. The course begins by exploring the development of theories and perspectives on organisational communication, which also includes discussions about general communication theories. Furthermore, the course focuses on practically translating theoretical knowledge to analyse organisations and its communicative activities. Students will compare different theories and perspectives to gain knowledge about how these offer different understandings of the role of communication. The course also discusses ethical and legal aspects and effects of various communicative choices and actions.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars and workshops are combined with individual and group assignments.

Assessment

The course is examined through active participation in compulsory activities, including individual and group-work assignments, and in written examinations.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator or a decision by the department's working group for study matters.