Cross-listed:

COMM 590: Seminar in Communication, Section 3 (3:3:0)

PUBP 533: Topics-Pub Policy Proc. Section 1 (3;3;0)

What are the issues involved in communicating in large organizations? The focus is properly placed on complexity; and the goal is to discover what barriers are posed by complexity to effective communication, and how to overcome them.

The content of this class is based on the professor's personal research program on complexity, extending over 30 years. This research has covered the gamut from the foundations of thought to applications in a variety of organizations. The specific topics will be drawn from an extensive set of documents and transparencies originated or collected during the time of the research. Much of this material is identified at this web site:

http://www.gmu.edu/departments/t-iasis

The research bibliography from its outset until 1993 is available at this web site:

http://www.statewave.com/tiers_1_4/BIBWARF.htm

This class has never been taught before, so a precise determination of the schedule of topics is not possible. However the intent is to discuss the following topics in the approximate order stated below, to the extent that time permits. Additional material will be added, to supplement what is listed below, when appropriate.

CLASS TOPICS

1. Three communication layers in the large organization. Examples in the US Department of Defense and in the Monterrey Institute of Technology.

2. Learning. Communication about complexity is closely related to learning, hence to behavior.

3. Behavioral pathologies (that inhibit communication)
   of the individual (triadic compatibility)
   of the small group (groupthink, clanthink, spreadthink)
   of the large group (clanthink, spreadthink)
   of the organization (clanthink, spreadthink, structural incompetence)

4. The deficiencies of natural language, and what has to be done to overcome these deficiencies
   (Linearity versus nonlinearity in communication structures)

5. Value Added. Value added for the consumer of communication demands that the modes of representation accommodate both the demands of complexity and the capability of the consumer. Still some modest accommodations must be made by the consumer to close the gap.

6. The example of the language of music, as a language tailored to specific requirements

7. The role of formalisms in integrative studies. Shielding the consumer from the intricacies of the formalisms, while preserving communication continuity and referential transparency.

8. The problematique as a prototypical communication form

9. An anthology of problematiques; the ubiquity of the representation, and the message it delivers about the deficiencies in ordinary communication modes.

10. Thought leaders who have brought communication about complexity to a state of pragmatic utility in the late 20^th century.

11. Contributions of selected thought leaders.

12. The "Killer Assumptions" that help assure defective communication.

13. The "Witch Doctors" who are getting rich by marketing inadequate processes to large organizations.

CLASS MEETINGS

Class meetings are scheduled in Krug Hall Room 205 on Saturday mornings from 9 AM to 11:40 AM. Classes will begin and end at the scheduled times. Students who cannot come on time should drop the course.

GRADING SYSTEM

1. Personal Diary (50%). Each student should keep a Personal Diary, preparing one written document for each lecture. This Diary, containing one document per lecture, should be kept up to date, and turned in at the end of the semester to be graded. The purpose of the Diary is to provide the student with a substitute for a textbook, since no textbook is available that discusses the content of this course; even though much of what is discussed comes from a variety of literature sources that will be identified as the class proceeds. One half of the grade will be based on the comprehensiveness and high-quality writing shown in the Personal Diary. Students who miss a class meeting should arrange with a fellow student to have the lecture taped, so that a resource will be available to use in preparing that part of the Personal Diary that accompanies a missed lecture.

2. Class Participation (30%). Thirty percent of your grade will be based on class participation. In order to make this feasible, each student should present to the instructor at the beginning of each class two pages of material, organized as follows: a) A one-page outline of the preceding lecture, and b) another page with one or more written questions having to do with the preceding lecture. You may wish to use this material later, so keep a copy of it for yourself. Part a) can be used as part of the Personal Diary if you wish. Part b) will be evidence of your class participation, upon which most of that part of your grade will be based. The rest will a subjective judgment of the student's classroom discussion.

3. Final Examination (20%). A final examination will be given at the time announced in the Schedule of Classes. It will reflect 20% of the semester grade.

Grade of A: 90% to 100%
Grade of B: 80% to 89%
Grade of C: 70% to 79%
Grade of D: 60% to 69%
Grade of F: Below 60%. Pluses and Minuses will NOT be used.

HANDOUTS

Some handouts will be distributed as the class proceeds. These will be distributed at no cost to the student, thanks to a grant from the Ford Motor Company, which has been one of the corporate beneficiaries of the material presented in this class. Some material may be distributed on a compact disk. Some videos of applications in organizations may be shown, but copies cannot be provided.