The purpose of this paper is for you to apply TWO of the organizational communication theories from the first part of the semester to analyzing an organization that you are involved with. In doing so, your purpose is to assess that organization’s communication and to identify strengths, areas for improvement, and specific guidelines for improvement. Your paper should focus on a specific thesis (e.g., “Organization X illustrates classic scientific management principles but could reduce employee dissatisfaction by implementing a human relations approach.”)

Please select one of the following theories to apply:

• Taylor’s Management perspective
• Weber’s bureaucratic approach
• Human relations perspective
• Systems perspective
• Weick’s model of organizing
• Pragmatist Organizational Culture approach
• Purist Organizational Culture approach
• Critical Perspective of Organizational Communication

The organization that you select should be one that you have had or currently have direct experience with their communication by being a current or past employee or by having the ability to observe communication among employees or by being able to interview employees of the organization.

Your midterm paper should be approximately 7-8 pages in length (typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins on all sides), excluding title page and references. Please number your pages in the upper right-hand corner. Please include a title page with the title of your paper, your name, this course number (COMM 303), instructor name, and semester (Fall 2018). You should use section headers in between each main section. Section headers should be centered and bolded. You should use American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines for citing any sources used and for creating your reference list.

You should explain the perspectives that you are applying, identify and define some key concepts that you will apply, and explain how communication is viewed or defined from within each perspective. When you apply the perspectives, you should provide specific examples of communication from the organization you are analyzing to relate to concepts from each perspective. You do not have to apply all of the concepts, but rather should be strategic in identifying concepts that best relate to the focus you have chosen for your paper.

Your paper should consist of the following sections:
a) Introduction: (~1/2 page) Introduce reader to purpose of paper and topic of paper. States your thesis. Provides an explicit preview of the key sections of your paper.

b) Organizational Background: (~1/2 page) Describe the background of your organization or site of analysis. Also should explain your relationship to the organization. I.e., What is it? What does it do? What is its structure? What is its recent history? Who are the key people or groups to your study?

c) Method of Data Gathering: (~1/2 page) Describe how you gathered the data on your organization. If you observed, how many hours did you observe? How did you take notes? If you interviewed, how many people did you interview and why did you select those specific people to interview? (Note: If you conducted interviews or distributed surveys, those questions should be attached to the back of your paper as an appendix.) Also should explain what pre-cautions you took to ensure that your research was conducted in an ethical manner that was respectful of your research participants and their rights to privacy and anonymity.

d) Overview of Perspective 1: (~1 page) Define and explain the perspective that you are applying and its key concepts. You may rely on your text book for explaining the perspectives. You may also incorporate additional resources, but that is not a requirement of the paper. Please also make sure that you discuss how the perspective defines or views communication.

e) Application of Perspective 1: (~1.5 pages) Apply key concepts from the perspective to communication within the organization. Provides an overall assessment of communication in the organization by relating to the explanations of communication described by the perspective. Specific examples of communication should be provided throughout and how the concepts relate to the examples should be directly and explicitly explained.

f) Overview of Perspective 2: (~1 page) Define and explain the perspective that you are applying and its key concepts. You may rely on your text book for explaining the perspectives. You may also incorporate additional resources, but that is not a requirement of the paper. Please also make sure that you discuss how the perspective defines or views communication.

g) Application of Perspective 2: (~1.5 pages) Apply key concepts from the perspective to communication within the organization. Provides an overall assessment of communication in the organization by relating to the explanations of communication described by the perspective. Specific examples of communication should be provided throughout and how the concepts relate to the examples should be directly and explicitly explained.

h) Conclusion: (~1 page) Summarize paper. And:

• Compare and contrast each perspective in terms of their advantages and drawbacks in being applied to organizational communication.
• Reiterate your overall assessment of the organization’s communication in light of the perspective you applied.
• Provide and explain at least 3 recommendations to help that organization improve its communication and/or highlight best practices from that organization that provide a model for other organizations. The key here is to hit a total of 3, whether it is all recommendations, all best practices, or a combination of the two. As you explain your recommendations and/or best practices, make sure that you explicitly relate them to your preceding application of the organizational communication concepts.
• Reflect on what you learned about organizational communication from your project.

i) References: Provide a list of the sources of information you utilized. Minimally, I expect that your text book will be cited in your reference list. You are not required to use any other sources, but if you do, they should be cited and placed in your reference list.

Grading Criteria

Excellent Passing Inadequate
Structure of Paper Clear introduction, main sections, and conclusion with distinct transitions in between each; body of paper previewed in introduction; thesis presented clearly in introduction; theoretical perspectives to be applied are identified (5 pts.) Clear introduction, main sections, and conclusion; thesis presented clearly in introduction; theoretical perspectives to be applied are identified (3-4 pts.) Structure of paper may be difficult to figure out; thesis and preview unclearly presented (0-2 pts.)
Organizational Background Thoroughly describes the background of organization; explains student’s relationship to the organization. (5 pts.) Describes the organization and its purpose, but may lead out relevant details about the recent history of the organization or student’s connection to the organization (3-4 pt.) Missing important background information about the organization and/or relationship to the organization (0-2 pts.)
Methods Describes how primary data was gathered, including number of hours of observation or number of interviews, how field notes were taken (if applicable) or how many people were interviewed and how they were selected; for interviews, describes what questions were asked; addresses what pre-cautions were taken to ensure that research was conducted ethically (5 pts.) Addresses most of the criteria for excellent (3-4 pts.) May be vague in describing data collection and/or does not address ethical considerations in conducting research (0-2 pts.)
Overview of Perspectives Accurately defines and explains selected perspective and concepts from the theoretical perspective; explains the perspective’s view of communication (9-10 pts.) Accurately defines key theory or concepts from the theoretical perspective; explains the perspective’s view of communication; some explanations may be unclear or missing (7-8 pts.) Does not meet at least one of the criteria described for passing (0-6 pts.)
Application Accurately applies specific concepts from the theoretical perspective to specific examples of communication; explains how the concepts relate to the key concepts identified; relates application to paper thesis (11-12 pts.) Meets most of the criteria for excellent (9-10 pts.) Analysis may be unclearly organized; may not address communication; data non-specific or based on personal memories (0-8 pts.)
Conclusion Summarizes key ideas of paper; compares and contrasts the two perspectives; provides and explains 3 recommendations or best practices that have clear connections to the application section of the paper; provides thoughtful reflection of what student individually learned from project (5 pts.) Meets most of the criteria for excellent (3-4 pts.) Barely meets one of the criteria for excellent (0-2 pts.)
References (uses a point deduction scale) Scholarly sources are cited using APA formatting—no points deducted Sources are cited, but APA formatting guidelines may not be strictly used—a deduction of 3-6 points Sources not cited—this can result in a failing grade on the assignment.
Writing (uses a point deduction scale) Nearly or completely free of spelling and grammatical errors; paper structure is clear and follows assignment guidelines; writing flows well and smoothly–no points deducted A few spelling or grammatical errors per page; structure discernible; some areas of awkward writing—1-3 points deducted Frequent spelling or grammatical errors; did not follow structure guidelines for assignment; several areas of awkward writing—4-12 points deducted

The purpose of an evaluation is to help the audience decide if they should invest time and money into the resource under review. They are based on specific criteria (aesthetic, practical and/or ethical) that are relevant to the audience. Since different audiences have different needs and concerns, reviewers must carefully assess which criteria are most appropriate to their audiences. For this assignment, write a review of a tabletop game for a chosen audience. Will your audience like the game? Explain why or why not by relating criteria to their needs and concerns. For example, parents may want to know if a certain game is kid-friendly. Newcomers to tabletop games may wonder if a game is too shallow or challenging for them. Veteran gamers may be more interested in game mechanics and design theory. Tailor your review to your audience

write a 3 page summary of your assessment, diagnosis and treatment recommendation. This needs to include the following:

1.The methods and strategies you would use in order to perform the initial assessment. In other words, I want to know how you arrived to the diagnosis and what processes you used.
2.Which diagnoses would you consider? You should have a primary diagnosis, but perhaps there may be other possible diagnoses you may want to rule/out or consider.
3.What is your case formulation? That is more comprehensive than just the diagnosis. For example let’s say you are considering ‘Major Depression” as a Diagnosis. Your case formulation may be something like this: “this patient has suffered significant recent loses in his life, and in the context of possible biological vulnerabilities (ie; history of maternal depression) and limited psychological resources he has developed a depressive condition”.
4.What is your treatment plan? Nothing extensive here but it has to make sense. Don’t just put things in there to make sure you cover all bases.
5.What else would you have liked to know about this patient, which was not given to you in the case scenario, and you think it may have been very useful in order to reach a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan? For example, the patient with depression has complained primarily of fatigue, mild dizziness and difficulties concentrating. Perhaps you may want to rule out a medical condition (anemia) and you may want to have this patient be medically evaluated.

This is not a difficult task, but requires a little thinking from your part. As long as you are “in the ball park” for the diagnosis, you will be fine. The important point is that I need you to show me you know how to do the assessment, followed by a diagnosis, good case formulation and a reasonable treatment plan. Don’t write more than 3 pages (about 1000-1200 words).

Grading: I will look for comprehensive cover of the points above. Each step is important, example does your assessment makes sense? Is your diagnosis fairly accurate? Are you able to develop a good treatment plan? Are you able to understand differential diagnosis? And finally can you describe and support your conclusions on the last part of the assignment. Do NOT forget to follow the sample guidelines below.

OK, here is the format.

FIRST PAGE:

Title of the Assignment and your name (Title Page/ first page).
EXAMPLE: Clinical Case Assignment
Mr. John Doe

SECOND PAGE:

I would like for you to LIST your answers to the 5 topics above. This means a short summary for each five topics like this::
EXAMPLE:
• Methods and Strategies: This means the types of assessments or procedure you would use to get information on the patient. For example: Interview patient, review record, etc.
• Diagnosis: Including PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS and any other SECONDARY DIAGNOSIS

• Case Formulation: (I want a short paragraph). For Example: “ The patient’s anxiety is present in multiple settings and situations, following a period of intense stress. This anxiety has significantly impacted her social and professional functioning, leading her to seek help”.

• Treatment Plan: Here I want you to list the types of treatment or interventions you would recommend (try to be as specific as possible). Make sure the treatment you recommend are treatments that typically are used for the diagnosis you gave to your patient. In other words, think about it and just don’t throw everything in there:
•
• Example: – Relaxation Training – SSRI’s
•
• 5 What Else I would like to know: Here you will add any other information you would like to know about your patient, which may help you to formulate a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. For example:
• – Medical history – Interview family members

• ON THE THIRD PAGE

• I would like for you to expand on the topics above, telling me for example how you arrived to the diagnosis and what other diagnoses you would consider and why; what is your treatment plan and reasons for it, what else you would like to do or know and/or or any other aspect you think is important for me to know. Please no more than 4 or 5 paragraphs.Turn it in ON THE DUE DATE, AND YOU ARE DONE!

******CASE STUDY*******
Clarisse is a 26 years old white single female, who comes to see you to get help with her “bad mood”. She heard you are “very good Psychologist” and wants to try therapy. On your initial interview, you observe she is a very attractive female, perhaps too seductively dressed for a doctor’s office. However, she was pleasant and engaging and did not appear in obvious distress. She is however, unhappy. She complaints about men, and expressed remorse over her history of “failed relationships”. She tends to idealize men and then despises and hates them. Her anger is a problematic issue with her and often she feels out of control. She explains that things typically start really good and she often thinks the guy is the “best in the world”, but soon she begins to feel “empty” and develops very strong jealousy feelings, which end up destroying the relationship. She further confesses to you, she “gets crazy when that happens and in a couple of occasions she has become violent with her boyfriends. She says she has “low self-esteem” and at times she “is not even sure who she is”. This has been going on for years now and she can’t get out of this pattern. Unfortunately her history of rocky interpersonal relationships is not only with guys but with people in general. This is a pattern that has existed since early adolescence and into adulthood. She reported a history of conflict with her parents and rarely talks to them these days. She would like to “feel normal” and be happy, but she does not know how to do so.

Suppose you are an economic adviser to the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board (the Fed), and he asks you whether it is advisable to increase the money supply to bolster the economy.
What factors would you take into account in your advice?
How would you use econometrics in your advice?
To reduce the dependence on foreign oil supplies, the government is thinking of increasing the federal taxes on gasoline. Suppose the Ford Motor Company has hired you to assess the impact of the tax increase on the demand for its cars.
How would you go about advising the company?
Suppose the president of the United States is thinking of imposing tariffs on imported steel to protect the interests of the domestic steel industry.
As an economic adviser to the president, what would be your recommendations?
How would you set up an econometric study to assess the consequences of imposing the tariff?
Complete the following assignment(s):

Description
Please complete this quiz in preparation for class on October 18, 2018.

(Please separate )
quiz 1
Instructions
Multiple Attempts This test allows 5 attempts. This is attempt number 2.
Force Completion This test can be saved and resumed later.

1) A sales manager for an advertising agency believes there is a relationship between the number of contacts and the amount of the sales. To verify this belief, the following data was collected:

Reference: Ref. 13-4

What is the Y-intercept of the linear equation?

A- –12.201

B- 2.1946

C- –2.1946

D-12.201

Outline
annotated Bibliography
Works Cited page

Thesis presents well-phrased controlling idea/argument
All argumentative statements are persuasively worded and logically support thesis with a related point
Each body paragraph contains well-chosen CD’s that effectively support the point
All quotes are embedded in lead-in sentences
Interpretations present insightful, well-developed analysis
Essay effectively uses relevant research to develop points
Essay maintains focus on controlling idea, all points are substantial and well-developed
Essay demonstrates attention paid to the audience and the purpose
Concluding paragraph draws conclusions that go beyond restating thesis
Organization:

Paragraphs logically sequenced
Smooth transitions between and within paragraphs create coherence and unity
CD’s arranged logically within paragraph to support TS
Fluent expression of ideas
Focus maintained throughout essay

Language Use:

Sentences varied in length and structure
Mastery of compound/complex structures, parallelism, noun/verb agreement, noun/pronoun, agreement, verb tense consistency, preposition use
Diction appropriate for academic writing
·

Mechanics and Vocabulary:

Unique, confident and engaging voice and style
Word choices are engaging and fresh
Effective use of language
Proper syntax
Accurate spelling and punctuation, very few, if any, grammatical or mechanical errors

Handout Instructions: Below is a case study presentation of a patient with a urinary condition. Read the case study and answer the questions. Some questions ask for information not included within this lesson. Use your text, a medical dictionary, or any other reference material you choose to answer these questions.

Urinary System Infection Case Study

A 32-year-old female is seen in the urologist’s office because of a fever, chills, and generalized fatigue. She also reported urgency, frequency, dysuria, and hematuria. In addition, she noticed that her urine was cloudy with a fishy odor. The physician ordered the following tests: a clean catch specimen for a U/A, a urine C&S, and a KUB. The U/A revealed pyuria, bacteria, and a slightly acidic pH. Escherichia coli was grown in the culture. X-rays revealed acute pyelonephritis resulting from cystitis which has spread up to the kidney from the bladder. The patient was placed on an antibiotic and encouraged to “push fluids” by drinking 2L of water a day

1.   This patient has two urinary system infections in different locations; name them. Which one caused the other and how? Look these conditions up in a reference source and include a short description of each.

2.   List and define each of the patient’s presenting symptoms in your own words.

3.   What diagnostic tests did the urologist order? Describe them in your own words.

4.   Explain the results of each diagnostic test in your own words.

5.   Where is E. coli normally found in the body?

6.   Describe the normal appearance of urine.

 

Weight Discrimination: A New Type of Corporate Downsizing?
During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s most of us were aware that many firms were
“getting leaner and meaner”
national, and global rivals. Today, however, the terms “leaner and meaner” and even
“downsizing” are taking on entirely new meanings, as more and more overweight executivelevel
applicants are experiencing rejection because they don’t fit the “trim and slim” mold that
some firms prefer. In fact, even the most casual of observers will notice that top managers who
are overweight, out of shape, or sluggish, by today’s corporate standards, tend to be the
exception, not the rule.
For those overweight applicants hoping to someday secure a management position, some
experts contend that their chances of being rejected simply because they don’t “look the part”
are pretty strong. Findings from a study conducted by the National Association to Advance Fat
Acceptance (NAAFA) (http://www.naafaonline.com/dev2/about/index.html ) indicate that only
9% of top male executives are overweight. In addition, overweight people typically are hired for
less prestigious positions and generally receive less pay. Although some executive recruiters
don’t believe that a person’s weight plays a part in career advancement, many other experts
believe otherwise.
Using the resources found at NAAFA, the NY Times Pay Discrimination article and through your
own research, answer the following questions:
1.What evidence do you find of federal or state of Georgia legislation regarding weight
discrimination? Under what conditions are overweight employees protected against
size-related discrimination?
2.According to your research, why do companies have a hard time hiring overweight
candidates?
3.What evidence do you find of disparity between overweight employees’ compensation
and treatment as compared to their thinner counterparts? To what extent is there bias
along gender lines?
4.What strategies do you find in your research, as well as what you would suggest, to help
overweight employees secure employment with other firms?
5.Identify one popular figure (politician, celebrity, media personality, etc.) that has been
targeted for being over-sized. Discuss the key points of their story and how they have
responded in no more than 700 words.
Format
Your paper should use prose (rather than numbering or a bullet format), APA style, be between
2000-3000 words (exclusive of your title and reference pages) and include citations of your
research within the body of your paper. Organize your paper using these subheadings:
Legislation, Employment Conditions and Popular Figures.

Explain why utilitarianism has difficulty accommodating the concept of justice showing how and why the unjust treatment or scapegoating of some people for the sake of the general happiness is in principle possible with this ethical theory. Assume the classical conception of justice as meaning giving each individual his or her due. Critically examine the problem of justice in utilitarian approaches to distributive justice, euthanasia, and abortion. In doing so, select at least three readings that are representative of utilitarianism in Social Ethics textbook. (1 from each chapter 1,2, and 8.) consider whether the principle of double effect offers a more satisfactory outcome in each case. Explains and justify your answers. Textbook is Social Ethics Morality and Social Policy by Thomas A Mappes, Jane S. Zembaty, David DeGrazia.

The novel is Hector Tobar’s “The Tattooed Soldier”. My vision is to make an argument about how the manipulation of mankind as it is historically presentedin the novel is relatable to the manipulation we see in American Society today by government, schools..etc. I must cite this novel, as well as 1 other academic source. It has to be 3-4 pages double spaced, MLA format with 1 inch margins. My professor is looking for a strong thesis as well as a bibliography page.Response Paper Guidelines
Each Response Paper Final Draft must be a minimum of 3-pages and a max of 4 pages. For each
response paper, students will choose a topic and text from the course reading list up until the day
the rough draft is due. Essays must include a clear thesis and should address the text’s historical
context but focus mostly on a critical analysis of the topic.
Format: Responses should be in MLA style, 12 point Times New Roman font, double- spaced
with a one-inch margin.
Submit: Students must submit their rough drafts online (2-page minimum). For the final draft,
submit online before class time and bring a hard copy to class.
Papers will be graded for organization, clarity, argument, bibliography and grammar.
*Bibliography-Final Drafts must include at least one primary source and at least 1 secondary
academic source. (Except for Response Paper #1, 2 sources required, at least 1 outside source)

This assignment will be submitted to Turnitin®.
Instructions
This week, you have learned how to analyze your customer, ascertain what they’re thinking from your point of view as well as their point of view, and you have learned about different methods to better understand them (e.g., observations, discussions, focus groups, and surveys). In this assignment, you will write an essay summarizing your customer analysis for your chosen company. Keep in mind, the attributes you select in your customer analysis will vary given the product that you make or the service you provide. Include the following in your essay:
Summarize your customers in terms of total rank order and segment. You may use a table, chart or graph, or you may describe in essay form for this portion of the assignment.

Identify Key Customer Data including the following suggested information: Product/service, market segment, buying from competition, location of their end use customers, key quality characteristics, sales volume.

Design a high level plan to gather data from your employees (i.e., observations, discussions, focus groups, and surveys). Summarize how you will gather data. If using a survey, include in your appendix. If using discussions or focus groups, include the questions you will ask. If using observation, describe specifically what and how you will observe.
Provide a summary paragraph that concludes your primary thoughts on your customers and potential customers.
Support your paper with a minimum of three scholarly resources. In addition to these specified resources, other appropriate scholarly resources, including older articles, may be included.

Length: 5-7 pages, not including title and reference pages