Communication 224 Midterm Exam Study Guide
Weights of Readings, Essay, Short-Answer/Definition Options
ORG CMUN 224, MIDTERM EXAM STUDY GUIDE
(S99)
JIM L. QUERY, JR., PH.D.
This document is designed to provide you with some key test-taking strategies as well as a focus of course content with which you should be very familiar. As always, self-review questions are not the same as test questions and depth of coverage is not totally addressed ("Geez Jim, that statement sounds like the Mission Impossible Disclaimer!! **BG**).
If you have been working through the lecture handouts, this guide will contain only a small amount of new information. As promised, my handouts have pay-offs.
I.
General Information and Test-Taking Strategies
(A) The exam will consist of 35 Multiple Choice (MC)items worth 1.75 points each. The written section will be worth 38.75 points. Its structure, essay or short-answer definition will be determined by the class.
(B) The material covered includes KPS CH1, KPS CH2, and KPS CH3. The articles covered include: US AIR, TWA Flight 800 Incident (USA Today, 7/22/96; 7/25/96), Caterpillar, United Voices, Mail Carrier, InfoGlut, House Razing, and, The Meaning of Work. The preceding descriptors will be used on the exam. For the articles, remember, I do not test over all the details. Rather, I evaluate your ability to discern key org comm concepts/principles. Addressing the expected question per reading ratio, you should anticipate the following breakdown: KPS CH1 = 10 MCQs; KPS CH2= 10 MCQs; and KPS CH3= 15 MCQs. The articles are considered part of the chapter in which they were used. The objective part of the exam is worth 61.25 points. The written section is worth 38.75 points. The total points possible are 100.
(C) Having discussed the structure of the exam, let's look at some preparation tips [go to examprep.html] please.
II.
Key Topics-----(remember please that the current event articles should be reviewed within their respective CHs.)
(A.) KPS CH1 and its articles---10MCQs
Please review prior self-review questions (handouts for 1/19 & 1/26).
(B). Kreps CH2 and its articles---10 MCQs
Please review prior self-review questions (handouts for 1/26 and 2/2).
(C). Kreps CH3 and its articles---15 MCQs
Please review prior self-review questions (handout for 2/9).
*****************POSSIBLE ESSAY EXAM**************************
III.
ESSAY QUESTION STRUCTURE
For any essay option, you must include within your analysis two of the current event articles distributed in class.
Assuming Option A is selected by the class, the essay question structure will be broad and the writer justifies his/her analysis throughout. A sample follows.
*Sample*
Kreps argues that classical theory (CT) is comprised of three related, yet distinct perspectives. Support or reject this argument and "pull in" the umbrella metaphor. You must justify your analysis. That is, the "burden of proof" rests on your shoulders, and a rationale should be advanced to support the subtopic areas you address.
Assuming Option B is selected by the class, the essay question structure will be specific and detailed. Justification of analysis remains important; however, subtopic area support ceases to become a criterion. A sample follows.
*Sample*
It has been suggested that communication and organizing are interdependent. Support or reject this argument. A successful analysis will describe at least three views of organizing, the contribution of the two major views of communication, as well as the relationship among organizing, communication, and information. The analysis will then address case 1.2 and demonstrate along at least two fronts how the case supports or rejects your view of communication and organizing.
IV.
ESSAY PART---OPTION C
Assuming Option C is selected by the class, the essay question will not be announced prior to the exam and the writing standards guide will not be applicable. The EQ will be drawn from the covered readings.
V.
ESSAY PART---OPTION D
Assuming Option D is selected by the class, all essay responses will be evaluated according to a "loose" interpretation of the writing standards guide. That is, grammatical and mechanical rules will be less emphasized. However, violations which reduce clarity will be penalized. Conceptual development, that is, your ability to identify, explain, and support your position will remain a high priority. Regarding length, you should be able to write your response so that it fills at least two sides of the furnished paper. Note that an outline IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE. FINALLY, YOU SHOULD USE A LEGIBLE SCRIPT. IF I AM UNABLE TO READ YOUR RESPONSE, NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN. Having addressed the grading criteria, the pool of essay questions follow. Only one will appear on the exam, and it will not be announced prior to the exam.
(EQ1)
It has been suggested that traditional and contemporary views of CT are distinct with sharp managerial and interaction implications. Support or reject the utility of his approach. You must justify your analysis. That is, the "burden of proof" rests on your shoulders, and a rationale should be advanced to support the subtopic areas you addressed.
(EQ2)
It has been suggested that communication and organizing are interdependent. Support or reject this argument. A successful analysis will describe at least three views of organizing, the contribution of the two major views of communication, as well as the relationship among organizing, communication, and information. The analysis will then address case 1.2 and demonstrate along at least two fronts how the case supports or rejects your view of communication and organizing.
(EQ3)
Gary advances a continuum of humanness. Support or reject the utility of his approach. You must justify your analysis. That is, the "burden of proof" rests on your shoulders, and a rationale should be advanced to support the subtopic areas you address.
(EQ4)
Compare and contrast bureaucratic theory, administrative theory, and scientific management. A successful analysis will address the following areas: (1) main thrust of each perspective; (2) key chars of each perspective; (3)implications for relationships between supervisors and employees; and (4) provide a detailed example illustrating the three views.
VI.
ESSAY PART---OPTION E
Assuming Option E is selected by the class, all essay responses will be evaluated according to the following dimensions: (1) clarity; (2) conceptual development,that is, your ability to identify, explain, and support your position; and (3) length and mechanics. Regarding length, you should be able to write your response so that it fills at least two sides of the furnished paper. Addressing mechanics, you are encouraged to provide an intro, body, and conclusion with effective transitions, as well as satisfactory punctuation. Please refer to the writing standards guide [go to jimsclasses.html]. Note that an outline is NOT AN ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE. FINALLY, YOU SHOULD USE A LEGIBLE SCRIPT. IF I AM UNABLE TO READ YOUR RESPONSE, NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN. Having addressed the grading criteria, the essay question follows.
(EQ)
Depending on the class vote, either EQ3 or EQ4 will be employed.
VII.
OPTION F SHORT ANSWER DEFINITION
If this option is selected, the written section will consist of two short-answer questions (i.e., two well-developed paragraphs per item) and three definitions.
*Sample*
SA---How does classical theory inform our understanding of organizational communication and its research?
Defn---analogic communication is...
VIII.
Closing Comment
(A). Remember that this is a higher order exam. Strive for recognition, understanding, and application of the key concepts. Good luck (and no, that is NOT verbal irony; GO FOR IT!!).
(S99)
JIM L. QUERY, JR., PH.D.
This document is designed to provide you with some key test-taking strategies as well as a focus of course content with which you should be very familiar. As always, self-review questions are not the same as test questions and depth of coverage is not totally addressed ("Geez Jim, that statement sounds like the Mission Impossible Disclaimer!! **BG**).
If you have been working through the lecture handouts, this guide will contain only a small amount of new information. As promised, my handouts have pay-offs.
I.
General Information and Test-Taking Strategies
(A) The exam will consist of 35 Multiple Choice (MC)items worth 1.75 points each. The written section will be worth 38.75 points. Its structure, essay or short-answer definition will be determined by the class.
(B) The material covered includes KPS CH1, KPS CH2, and KPS CH3. The articles covered include: US AIR, TWA Flight 800 Incident (USA Today, 7/22/96; 7/25/96), Caterpillar, United Voices, Mail Carrier, InfoGlut, House Razing, and, The Meaning of Work. The preceding descriptors will be used on the exam. For the articles, remember, I do not test over all the details. Rather, I evaluate your ability to discern key org comm concepts/principles. Addressing the expected question per reading ratio, you should anticipate the following breakdown: KPS CH1 = 10 MCQs; KPS CH2= 10 MCQs; and KPS CH3= 15 MCQs. The articles are considered part of the chapter in which they were used. The objective part of the exam is worth 61.25 points. The written section is worth 38.75 points. The total points possible are 100.
(C) Having discussed the structure of the exam, let's look at some preparation tips [go to examprep.html] please.
II.
Key Topics-----(remember please that the current event articles should be reviewed within their respective CHs.)
(A.) KPS CH1 and its articles---10MCQs
Please review prior self-review questions (handouts for 1/19 & 1/26).
(B). Kreps CH2 and its articles---10 MCQs
Please review prior self-review questions (handouts for 1/26 and 2/2).
(C). Kreps CH3 and its articles---15 MCQs
Please review prior self-review questions (handout for 2/9).
*****************POSSIBLE ESSAY EXAM**************************
III.
ESSAY QUESTION STRUCTURE
For any essay option, you must include within your analysis two of the current event articles distributed in class.
Assuming Option A is selected by the class, the essay question structure will be broad and the writer justifies his/her analysis throughout. A sample follows.
*Sample*
Kreps argues that classical theory (CT) is comprised of three related, yet distinct perspectives. Support or reject this argument and "pull in" the umbrella metaphor. You must justify your analysis. That is, the "burden of proof" rests on your shoulders, and a rationale should be advanced to support the subtopic areas you address.
Assuming Option B is selected by the class, the essay question structure will be specific and detailed. Justification of analysis remains important; however, subtopic area support ceases to become a criterion. A sample follows.
*Sample*
It has been suggested that communication and organizing are interdependent. Support or reject this argument. A successful analysis will describe at least three views of organizing, the contribution of the two major views of communication, as well as the relationship among organizing, communication, and information. The analysis will then address case 1.2 and demonstrate along at least two fronts how the case supports or rejects your view of communication and organizing.
IV.
ESSAY PART---OPTION C
Assuming Option C is selected by the class, the essay question will not be announced prior to the exam and the writing standards guide will not be applicable. The EQ will be drawn from the covered readings.
V.
ESSAY PART---OPTION D
Assuming Option D is selected by the class, all essay responses will be evaluated according to a "loose" interpretation of the writing standards guide. That is, grammatical and mechanical rules will be less emphasized. However, violations which reduce clarity will be penalized. Conceptual development, that is, your ability to identify, explain, and support your position will remain a high priority. Regarding length, you should be able to write your response so that it fills at least two sides of the furnished paper. Note that an outline IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE. FINALLY, YOU SHOULD USE A LEGIBLE SCRIPT. IF I AM UNABLE TO READ YOUR RESPONSE, NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN. Having addressed the grading criteria, the pool of essay questions follow. Only one will appear on the exam, and it will not be announced prior to the exam.
(EQ1)
It has been suggested that traditional and contemporary views of CT are distinct with sharp managerial and interaction implications. Support or reject the utility of his approach. You must justify your analysis. That is, the "burden of proof" rests on your shoulders, and a rationale should be advanced to support the subtopic areas you addressed.
(EQ2)
It has been suggested that communication and organizing are interdependent. Support or reject this argument. A successful analysis will describe at least three views of organizing, the contribution of the two major views of communication, as well as the relationship among organizing, communication, and information. The analysis will then address case 1.2 and demonstrate along at least two fronts how the case supports or rejects your view of communication and organizing.
(EQ3)
Gary advances a continuum of humanness. Support or reject the utility of his approach. You must justify your analysis. That is, the "burden of proof" rests on your shoulders, and a rationale should be advanced to support the subtopic areas you address.
(EQ4)
Compare and contrast bureaucratic theory, administrative theory, and scientific management. A successful analysis will address the following areas: (1) main thrust of each perspective; (2) key chars of each perspective; (3)implications for relationships between supervisors and employees; and (4) provide a detailed example illustrating the three views.
VI.
ESSAY PART---OPTION E
Assuming Option E is selected by the class, all essay responses will be evaluated according to the following dimensions: (1) clarity; (2) conceptual development,that is, your ability to identify, explain, and support your position; and (3) length and mechanics. Regarding length, you should be able to write your response so that it fills at least two sides of the furnished paper. Addressing mechanics, you are encouraged to provide an intro, body, and conclusion with effective transitions, as well as satisfactory punctuation. Please refer to the writing standards guide [go to jimsclasses.html]. Note that an outline is NOT AN ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE. FINALLY, YOU SHOULD USE A LEGIBLE SCRIPT. IF I AM UNABLE TO READ YOUR RESPONSE, NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN. Having addressed the grading criteria, the essay question follows.
(EQ)
Depending on the class vote, either EQ3 or EQ4 will be employed.
VII.
OPTION F SHORT ANSWER DEFINITION
If this option is selected, the written section will consist of two short-answer questions (i.e., two well-developed paragraphs per item) and three definitions.
*Sample*
SA---How does classical theory inform our understanding of organizational communication and its research?
Defn---analogic communication is...
VIII.
Closing Comment
(A). Remember that this is a higher order exam. Strive for recognition, understanding, and application of the key concepts. Good luck (and no, that is NOT verbal irony; GO FOR IT!!).
