Organizational Messaging

Catalog description

Organizational rhetoric is the strategic use of symbols to generate meanings—the communication processes through which formal organizations exert influence on popular attitudes and public policies. In this course, we explore how people within organizations use language to generate collective identities, communicate with stakeholders, and reinforce particular organizational values and goals. We will learn different theories and approaches to analyzing rhetoric in order to engage and critique particular “artifacts” created by organizations (e.g., handbooks, websites, letters, press releases, public relations efforts, policies) using appropriate methods. We will take an evaluative approach (i.e., was the rhetoric successful?) as well as a critical approach (i.e., is there a power differential?) toward organizational rhetoric. CR: Enrolled in BS-Leadership program; Enrolled in the BS-Paramedicine program.