MEDK4100 Strategic Leadership in Organizational Communication Course description

The course examines and critically evaluates selected theories, models and practices of strategic leadership in organizational communication in the media and communication field, nationally and internationally. Students are encouraged to identify and justify which approaches are most appropriate under which circumstances, including disruptive change and crises.

The course is arranged as two week-long gatherings at OsloMet, dates and other practical details are made available well in advance.

Language of instruction is English.

Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the syllabus before the course starts

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After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has acquired thorough knowledge of the academic literature on strategic leadership in organizational communication in different types of organizations in the media and communication field, both in the public and private sector, nationally and internationally
• has reached a deeper knowledge of cross-disciplinary perspectives on strategic leadership in organizational communication
• has a solid overview of the main challenges and issues pertinent to strategic leadership in organizational communication from external and internal forces

Skills

The student

• is able to navigate independently and critically in the academic literature and in other relevant sources relating to strategic leadership of organizational communication in the media and communication field
• can plan, lead and implement sustainable organizational change in both public and private sector organizations, nationally and internationally.
• can use in an independent way relevant theory and methods in research on strategic leadership in organizational communication applicable to the media and communication field

General competence

The student

• is competent to be part of the leadership team in a public or private sector organization in the media and communication field, both nationally and internationally
• can discuss professionally strategic leadership in organizational communication with co-professionals in the media and communication field and can contribute to ethical decision-making processes and sustainable development.

The course consists mainly of lectures, analysis of case studies, group work, student presentations and self-tuition of the syllabus and lectures. The group work is linked with themes from lectures and the syllabus.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

Coursework 1: An individual paper (8-10 pages) written in English based on the syllabus and course lectures as well as other relevant sources must be handed in within a set deadline and presented in English in a plenary class session with an assigned respondent. All students will be assigned the role of respondent.

Coursework 2: Presentations should include 5-7 Powerpoint slides or similar with highlights from the paper and last max. 6 minutes plus 4-5 minutes for the respondent.

The purpose of the course requirements are to encourage and motivate all students to engage in active dialogue and discussion in order to reinforce the learning outcomes of the course.

The paper with the presentation attached must be handed in/completed within the deadline and approved before the student can sit for the exam. If the paper is not approved, the student may hand in a new, improved version within a set deadline. If the presentation is not approved, the student may give a new, improved presentation within a set deadline. If the student does not meet the set deadline(s), the student loses the possibility to hand in the paper/hold the presentation, and thereby loses to right to sit for the exam.

In the event of illness or other valid reasons of absence, an individual deadline can be set by the teacher.

The exam is based on the approved course paper and consists of a written, individual term paper (12-15 pages) in English. Co-authored papers by two or three students are also possible based on one or several of the approved course papers, but then the page requirements are 18-20 pages for two authors and 24-26 pages for three authors.

Before the exam submission, all course papers should be revised and improved based on the plenary presentations and discussions.

Font and font size: Arial/Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner. At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Nathalie Hyde-Clarke