Spring 2024
CMS 386N Computational Methods
Ashwin Rajadesingan
W 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. (CMA 7.160)
This hands-on course introduces students to different computational methods that can be applied at scale to answer social science questions. The class will place particular emphasis on how to adopt certain data modeling techniques for classification and clustering, including deep learning and chatGPT, to study social phenomena. The course is structured to cover the complete data analysis pipeline including data collection, cleaning, exploratory data analysis, modeling, and interpretation. This class will use the Python programming language, however, no prior programming experience is required.
CMS 386N.2 Qualitative Research Methods
Samantha Shorey
TH 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (CMA 7.160)
Through presentation of scholarly readings and immersion into one’s own in-depth research project, this course explores a variety of qualitative research approaches, taking into account issues of epistemology (ways of knowing), methodology (ways of examining), and representation (ways of writing and reporting). We will examine interpretive theory, and several intellectual traditions that constitute thi s field of research including analytic induction, grounded theory, and ethnography. We will read exemplars of qualitative research that illustrate diverse theoretical traditions as well as examine key issues such as gaining access to research sites, forms of interactions with research subjects, and research ethics.
CMS 386P.7 Stereotyping/Prejudice in Interpersonal Communication
Matt McGlone
(matthew_mcglone@austin.utexas.edu)
M 6:30 – 9:30 PM (CMA 7.160)
Examines problems posed by stereotyping and prejudice in interpersonal communication, and the research and theory aimed at reducing their impact. Designed to provide opportunities to seek constructive ways of defining and addressing stereotyping and prejudice; emphasis on recent research in the formation, maintenance, and application of stereotypes.
CMS 386P.11 Advocacy
John Daly
TTH 12:30 - 2:00 PM (RRH 3.310)
This course introduces you to how people successful “market” their ideas particularly within organizations. No matter how good your ideas are, unless you can also effectively sell those notions to decision-makers, those ideas don’t matter. Good ideas, in short, don’t sell themselves. In this class we focus on crucial skills that help you not only understand how people influence you but also help you successfully pitch your ideas to others. You’ll be exposed to research answering questions like:
- How do you clearly and memorably communicate your ideas?
- How do you build and maintain affinity and credibility as an advocate?
- How do you become a more effective story-teller when persuading others?
- How do you know when it is the right time to pitch an idea?
- How do you build alliances to get better buy-in for your ideas?
- How do you “pre-sell” ideas?
- How do you successfully influence change in organizations?
- How do you effectively persuade others to adopt your ideas?
- How do you make yourself more impactful in meetings?
The class is designed for anyone who will face the challenge of convincing others to invest in their ideas. Advocacy matters in every profession and at every level of an organization. Creative entrepreneurs must successfully pitch their innovations, managers must, on a daily basis, effectively persuade team members and garner buy-in from leadership to adopt their ideas, sales and marketing folks constantly advocate for their products and services.
CMS 390M.2 Intercultural Communication
Roselia Mendez Murillo
(roselia.mendezmurillo@austin.utexas.edu)
W 3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (CMA 7.160)
A selective and critical overview of current approaches to intercultural communication in disciplines such as communication studies, sociology, sociolinguistics, conversation analysis, and anthropology.
CMS 390P Decolonizing Communication
Stacey Sowards
(stacey.sowards@austin.utexas.edu)
T 3:30 – 6:30 PM (CMA 7.160)
This course will be an advanced reading course in rhetorical theories on decoloniality, postcolonial theory, globalization, modernity, race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexuality.
CMS 390S.7 On Time
Dawna Ballard
M 3:30 – 6:30 PM (CMA 7.160)
Introduction to the field of chronemics, the study of time as it is bound with communication, via a broad survey of literature across several disciplines. A range of contemporary communication challenges, as well as opportunities for positive communication and organizational scholarship will be interrogated.
CMS 390S.10 Survey of Organizational Communication
Shiv Ganesh
(shiv.ganesh@austin.utexas.edu)
T 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm (CMA 7.160)
The field of organizational communication has come a long way from its beginnings in studies of
interpersonal supervisor-subordinate communication to the point where it now features a
bewildering array of research interests, a multitude of interdisciplinary theories, and considerable
methodological breadth. Contemporary scholars of organizational communication grapple with a
diversity of issues, including industrial, domestic and precarious labour, corporate mergers,
global justice activism, nonprofit organizations, collective action, diversity management,
leadership, gender and sexuality, worker identification processes, corporate social responsibility,
strategic corporate communication, workplace wellbeing, NGOs and development, work-family
balances, entrepreneurship, spirituality in the workplace, globalized organizations, resilience,
volunteering, environmental sustainability, colonial workforces, and high-tech workers— and
these are but a sample. So, while this course is designed to give you a substantive
understanding of major issues, topics and approaches to the academic study of
organisational communication, it is by no means comprehensive.
Thus, the course is structured around major themes in organizational communication research
rather than specific topics in organizational communication. We will begin the semester by
examining some key historical aspects of the study of organizational communication, in order to
gain an overall sense of the field and its tensions. We will follow this up with specific
discussions about such historically important themes in organizational communication research
as structure, power, networks and culture. We will then explore some contemporary themes,
including discourse, identity, tensions, “new” materiality and postcoloniality. As we engage with
all these themes, we will take a critical stance on a range of issues and topics, from gender,
justice and social movements, to globalization, corporate transparency, technology, temporary
labour and inequality. Participants will complete a text/book review in the first month of the
semester after week 4; a midterm exam in a mock-comprehensive exam format after week 8, and
a term paper at the end of the semester. They will also be evaluated on the quality of their online
and in-class participation.
Link to Spring 24 Course schedule: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/registrar/course_schedule/20242/