Grades have been entered

Hello Fabulous Students,

I have entered grade into D2L.

As a reminder, it is your responsibility to check your grades often (at least once a week), and email me if you have any questions.

Have a great day everyone!
:)
The Blogging Prof.

Week of November 26 - December 2

Hello Folks!

Here is what is listed on the Participation Page from D2L for this week.  The schedule for the entire semester, and the discussion questions for the entire semester are listed on the Schedule and Participation Pages, respectively.  In case you do not want to wait for the "Monday Post", you are more than welcome to get started by looking at those two pages on D2L.

Due this week:
*Read Chapter 15 - Managing Social Conflict
*Participate in the discussion on the class Wiki.  You should read through at least 3 other class members projects, then comment on their project in no less than 200 words.  Each response to a classmates project is worth 6 points, for a maximum of 18 points for the week.  You will go to the class Wiki, click on the names on the sidebar on the right hand side, read through the project in its entirety, then leave a comment down at the bottom of the project. MAKE SURE you add your name to your post so that I can easily track your comments.

Week of November 19-25

Hello Folks,

There is nothing due this week.  Y'all have worked incredibly hard all semester, you deserve a week off.

Have a great Thanksgiving!
:)
The Blogging Prof.

Reminder

Hello Fabulous Students,

As a reminder, you are able to contact me a number of different ways:

1). Email
2). Tues/Thurs - Yahoo Messenger:  carolperezcommclass  I hold office hours from 9:30am-11:30am.
3). Phone conversation - I'm always available to chat over the phone.  Just email me and we can set a time/date to chat.  I know it seems strange for students to chat with their instructor over the phone, but I let me assure you that I chat with students over the phone consistently.  So while it may seem a little strange to you, it is common practice for me.

In short - I'm available whenever you need to chat.

Have a great day!
:)
The Blogging Prof.

Instructor Wrap Up - Abigail Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Managing Organizational Conflict

It is really no surprise to discover that organizations re sources of conflict in our lives.  We defined conflict earlier in this textbook but we need to emphasize here that the interdependence among other parties is organizational in nature because it involves workplace relationships (boss-employee, colleagues, departmental heads, employee-public, etc.) and organizational rules of conduct.  Although conflict in organizations has the potential to slow productivity and negatively impact job satisfaction, the effective management of such conflict may enhance worker productivity and job satisfaction or at least reduce its harmful effects.  Ultimately, whether the presence of conflict in organizations becomes productive or destructive, improves functioning or derails the organization from its task depends upon team members' response to it.

In this chapter, then, we address the sources of these everyday conflicts in organizations and discuss various means to manage them.  We also discuss three important organizational phenomena: diversity-based conflict, work-life conflict, and the prevalence of workplace bullying.

For conflicts resulting from diversity in the workplace, we need to be more in tune with cultural differences and how they may be accommodated in the workplace.  We need to embrace civility.  As for work-life imbalances over the long run, we must strive for relieving hyperstress by balancing demands, having sufficient rest and "down time", and asserting ourselves when negotiating with our supervisors reasonable boundaries on what they can demand of our time and energy.  For dealing with bullies in the workplace, a person may use a variety of communicative means, such as turning an insult around and treating it as though it is a compliment; solicit the help of lawyers, outside experts, human resources, or oversight agencies; file a formal or informal grievance against the bully; document all interactions with the bully to accumulate a large body of evidence; and/or confront a bully using the confrontational ritual, but be prepared for failure because bullies are resistant to change and often fail to respond productively to what we think, feel, or want.  Remember or warning that one mark of a bully is a person who wants to control, dominate, or abuse others.

In the event that communication with a bully does not bring about desirable results, there are other options.  A person may engage in passive-aggressive behavior like subversive (dis)obedience, by changing his or her work output or communication patterns in ways that disadvantage the bully.  A person may rally others at work in an effort to "gang up" on the bully, although the bully may retaliate and pick on lone individuals when others are not there to protect them.  As a last resort, a person can quit her or his job or put in for a transfer.

Our approach to this chapter is to encourage you to carefully analyze an organizational conflict so that you apply the appropriate response to it.  Effective conflict management also includes awareness of options that exist in every situation.  All too often we respond to problematic situations by habit rather than make a more effective and appropriate response. 

Chapter Objectives:

At the end of the this chapter, you should be able to: 

1). Describe the sources of conflict in organizations. 

2). List strategies you can use to manage conflict in organizations.

3). Describe diversity-based conflict.

4). List strategies you can use to manage diversity-based conflict.

5). Describe work-life conflict.

6). List strategies to manage work-life conflict.

7). Describe workplace bullying.

8). List strategies you can use to combat bullying in the workplace. 

-Abigail, R.A., & Cahn, D.D., (2011)

Week of November 12-18

Hello Folks!

Here is what is listed on the Participation Page from D2L for this week.  The schedule for the entire semester, and the discussion questions for the entire semester are listed on the Schedule and Participation Pages, respectively.  In case you do not want to wait for the "Monday Post", you are more than welcome to get started by looking at those two pages on D2L.

Due this week:
*Read Chapter 14 - Managing Organizational Conflict
*Upload Workshop Project to the class Wiki: I will send you an invitation to the Wiki through email shortly, as well as send you directions about how to upload your project.  You have ALL WEEK to upload your project to the Wiki, and to make your page look how you would like it to look.  Email me if any questions or issues with the Wiki arise.

Grades updated in D2L

Hello Fabulous Students,

I have entered grade into D2L for a few items.

As a reminder, it is your responsibility to check your grades often (at least once a week), and email me if you have any questions.

Have a great evening everyone!
:)
The Blogging Prof.

Study Abroad Summer 2013 - Beijing

The Blogging Prof. is leading a study abroad trip to Beijing during the summer of 2013!!!!!!      

Visit Beijing and earn four upper division units in communication studies!

During the summer of 2013 I will be leading an intercultural communication study abroad program to China, with a special emphasis on tourism, modernity, and urban life.

Students will stay at Communication University of China, which provides comfortable dormitory housing, low-cost meals, and easy access to the sights of Beijing.  Classes focus on conversation and real-life exploration, and you will have lots of free time.  That means opportunities to climb the Great Wall, wander the Forbidden City, experience the Peking Opera, and more.

Great Wall

Forbidden City

Peking Opera

Pricing (excluding airfare and visa fees) is about $2,500, which covers housing, course fees, food, and several local tours.  Cost for airfare and visa fees is estimated at an additional $1,500.  The course meets COMM 161F requirements, but course substitutions can be made if you've already taken that class.  If you a communication major, you should apply for this terrific opportunity.  However, this opportunity is open to all SJSU students.

Want to learn more:

Please contact me for more information.  Students are currently working on getting their passports and deposits, but there is still time to join the trip.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Week of November 5 - 11

Hello Folks,

The only thing due this week is the "Practice" unit project for the class:  Workshop Project and read Chapter 13 in the course text.  As you know, this project is worth a total of 25% of your grade in this class.  It will also be reviewed by all of your classmates after you post it to the class Wiki next week.  Please make sure this is your best possible work!

When you email me your submission this week to the class email address (no later than Sunday, November 11th - preferably earlier), you should include the following:

1). Video of your workshop (uploaded to You Tube or Vimeo) - a link should be added to your final paper.
2). Powerpoint presentation used during your workshop.
3). Handouts/notes used during workshop.
4). Role-playing activities used to exemplify concepts during workshop.
5). Analysis:  6-9 page paper including outside sources - see assignment sheet for more detail regarding the essay portion of the paper. 
6). Detailed Time log.
7). You will also upload ALL workshop materials to the class Wiki (details will be sent soon), so make sure that this is your best work!!!

Please make sure that you have everything listed here, and send all attachments in a single email.  I will keep a file for every student, and I will evaluate all items sent by the due date.  Remember, this is a complete workshop in which you are acting as the instructor/facilitator.

I can't wait to see what y'all put together.  Since this has been a semester long project, I expect that your projects will be phenomenal.  Email me with any questions you might have.
:)
The Blogging Prof.

Grades have been updated

Hello Fabulous Students,

I have entered grade into D2L for a few items.

As a reminder, it is your responsibility to check your grades often (at least once a week), and email me if you have any questions.

Have a great evening everyone!
:)
The Blogging Prof.