Mar 29, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)

TC 334 - Project Communications

3 lecture hours 0 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course focuses on rhetorical theory and practice associated with all communications involved in project management covering the entire life of a project. Special emphasis is given to communicating with internal and external audiences; communicating “up” and “down” a company’s organizational hierarchy; shaping content across temporalities, platforms, and contexts; addressing tacit/hidden rhetorical challenges; documenting processes; reporting on status/ progress to multiple audiences and for multiple purposes; optimizing communications aspects of knowledge management; improving teamwork and morale; and communicating “change.” Students will employ persuasive strategies for building a “business case” proposal. Additionally, tools and techniques for streamlining project communications will be introduced and utilized. (prereq: GS 1001 , GS 1002 , GS 1003 )
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Ability to determine multiple potential audiences for any message, to identify key characteristics of those audiences, and to adjust/reshape that message to accomplish rhetorical goals
  • Fluency with key vocabulary associated with project management, change management, knowledge management, and rhetorical theory
  • Knowledge of appropriate communications activity occurring throughout the lifecycle of a project
  • Knowledge of and proficiency with software and other professional tools needed to engage in all aspects of project communications
  • Knowledge of business contexts in which project communications occur
  • Ability to document and report on project progress
  • Knowledge of professional organizations that provide resources and support for professional growth for all communications associated with project management
  • Ability to determine the best medium for communication in any given context, including audience considerations, and to shape the message appropriately for that medium
  • Skill in interpersonal communications, including one-on-one conversations and larger group discussions
  • Ability to employ business communication principles to produce routine transactional communications that contribute to successful team building and effective interaction with a diverse array of clients, content providers, and outside contractors
  • Understanding of professional responsibilities and ability to apply ethical behaviors in ambiguous contexts
  • Ability to conduct primary and secondary research as needed to complete project communications tasks
  • Ability to capture, document, and apply knowledge from current and past projects

Prerequisites by Topic
  • None

Course Topics
  • Introduction to the rhetorical principles of business communication (2 classes)
  • Introduction to project communications: overview of key purposes, documents, processes, contexts (3 classes)
  • Principles of persuasion (1 class)
  • Building the business case (3 classes)
  • Audience analysis - multiple levels, hidden functions, and unanticipated future contexts (2 classes)
  • Reshaping messages for different audiences (2 classes)
  • Improving routine transactional communications to strengthen relationships (1 class)
  • Communication strategies for effective meetings (3 classes)
  • Status/progress reports (1 class)
  • Ethical dilemmas in project communications (1 class)
  • Communication strategies for optimizing knowledge management systems (2 classes)
  •  High-stakes project communications - delivering bad news, making demands,
  • communicating change, crisis communications (5 classes)
  • Writing workshops (4 classes)

Coordinator
Katherine Wikoff



Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)