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Articles 301 - 330 of 764
Full-Text Articles in Communication
Defining The Organization, Philip K. Tompkins
Defining The Organization, Philip K. Tompkins
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article reflects on the role of department chairs in universities, drawing on experience in governance and administration to offer both theoretical and practical insights. It introduces the tension between structure and communitas, arguing that academic organizations often emphasize hierarchy at the expense of collegial bonds. Practical strategies include “penetration,” or building connections two levels up and down in the hierarchy, and developing persistence in advocating for departmental needs despite apprehension. The discussion addresses expectations from deans, the challenge of maintaining order without stifling conflict, and the ambiguity of rational versus irrational decision-making in complex systems. Additional observations concern how …
Organizational Qualities Of Academic Departments, Michael Pacanowsky
Organizational Qualities Of Academic Departments, Michael Pacanowsky
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article explores the qualities of organizational culture that can make academic departments more enabling rather than constraining. Drawing on a sabbatical experience with W.L. Gore & Associates, the discussion contrasts corporate practices with academic structures. Gore’s culture emphasized freedom, fairness, commitment, and open communication, supported by a lattice-style structure and sponsorship instead of hierarchical management. From this model, six principles of empowering organizations are identified: distributing power and opportunity, maintaining open communication, using integrative problem-solving, encouraging challenge within trust, fostering self-responsibility, and learning from organizational contradictions. The article applies these principles to higher education, offering questions for administrators to …
Female Leadership In Male-Dominated Organizations, Sue Dewine
Female Leadership In Male-Dominated Organizations, Sue Dewine
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines female leadership in male-dominated organizational cultures, particularly within the field of communication. It critiques common advice that encourages women to imitate masculine leadership models, arguing that such approaches create sterile environments and diminish the unique strengths women bring to leadership. The discussion reviews research on organizational culture and the influence of administrators in shaping departmental climates, highlighting persistent barriers faced by women in higher education. Evidence shows that female administrators often experience role conflict, isolation, and burnout, despite having skills comparable to male counterparts. Recommendations include embracing androgynous leadership traits, building professional networks, and promoting cultural change …
Stories, Accounts, And Organizational Power, Stanley Deetz
Stories, Accounts, And Organizational Power, Stanley Deetz
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines the role of power in academic organizations, with a focus on how departmental chairs mediate between collegial traditions and corporate administrative structures. Power is framed as both enabling and constraining, manifested not only in direct influence but also in agenda setting, hidden assumptions, and language use. The discussion highlights how storytelling and account-giving shape organizational life, with chairs serving as both accountants of departmental realities and narrators of institutional identity. Stories function to socialize members, naturalize practices, neutralize political interests, and legitimate decisions, thereby influencing whether discussions remain open or become closed. The article concludes that chairs …
Leadership And Conflict Management, Linda L. Putnam
Leadership And Conflict Management, Linda L. Putnam
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines conflict management as a central component of organizational life, particularly within educational settings. Conflict is defined as interaction among interdependent parties over perceived incompatible goals or actions, with potential to be either destructive or constructive. Constructive management emphasizes clarity, openness, and trust, while destructive approaches foster rigidity, defensiveness, and escalation. The discussion explores the unique features of academic organizations, including loosely coupled systems, competing goals, scarce resources, and divided professional loyalties, which make them especially prone to disputes. Strategies reviewed include conflict styles such as confrontation, forcing, smoothing, compromising, and avoiding, as well as bargaining approaches that …
Performance Appraisal Reviews In Academic Settings, Lloyd H. Goodall
Performance Appraisal Reviews In Academic Settings, Lloyd H. Goodall
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article critiques performance appraisal reviews in academic institutions, emphasizing their cultural ambiguity and questionable processes. It argues that evaluations are shaped by implicit academic standards such as professionalism, appropriate scholarship, and being respected in the field, all of which are strategically ambiguous and subject to cultural interpretation. The discussion highlights problems with annual reviews, including reliance on committees, lack of clear performance objectives, and limited opportunities for faculty input. Comparisons with non-academic organizations show that while both settings share subjectivity, some corporate models offer more transparent and participatory appraisal systems. A case study of a software company illustrates how …
The Communication Arts And Sciences: Together Again? Well, It All Depends, J. Robert Wills
The Communication Arts And Sciences: Together Again? Well, It All Depends, J. Robert Wills
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article considers the administrative organization of communication arts and sciences in higher education, noting that approaches vary widely across campuses. It emphasizes that no single model is universally correct; rather, structures should be shaped by institutional mission, levels of specialization, program size, and campus culture. Examples illustrate that theatre, for instance, may be housed in English, communication, fine arts, or as a stand-alone program, with each arrangement carrying historical precedent and local justification. The discussion argues against imposing a national norm, urging instead that institutions regularly examine their organizational choices. While structure can influence outcomes, program excellence depends more …
In Memoriam Richard M. Clark
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
An obituary for Richard M. Clark, chairperson of the Department of Theatre Arts, Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York.
The Future Of Theatre Education: Defining The Discipline, J. Robert Wills
The Future Of Theatre Education: Defining The Discipline, J. Robert Wills
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article addresses the ongoing challenges and future prospects of theatre education in higher education. It argues that despite a long history on college campuses, theatre has struggled to gain widespread respectability and to achieve consistent excellence. The discussion emphasizes two fundamental questions—“Who are we?” and “What do we do?”—which programs must answer to define their missions and philosophies. Nine persistent dilemmas are outlined, including the balance between tradition and innovation, vocational training and liberal learning, specialization and generalization, and the role of students as individuals rather than passive participants. Additional concerns involve weak exploration of new ideas, limited articulation …
The Future Of Theatre Education: The Research University, Milly S. Barranger
The Future Of Theatre Education: The Research University, Milly S. Barranger
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article considers the future of theatre education in research universities, emphasizing both opportunities and challenges. Positive developments include the recognition of creative work as equivalent to scholarly research, the establishment of the MFA as a terminal degree in performance and production, and the growing prominence of dramaturgy as a field integrating scholarship with practice. Undergraduate curricula are increasingly modeled on broad-based core requirements, positioning theatre within general education. At the same time, declining budgets, faculty reductions, and overextended programs threaten stability. The article identifies two likely trends: greater emphasis on quality through program evaluation and national visibility, and stronger …
The Future Of Organizational Communication: An Outline Of Postmodernism, Phillip Tompkins
The Future Of Organizational Communication: An Outline Of Postmodernism, Phillip Tompkins
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article outlines the past, present, and possible future trajectories of organizational communication, emphasizing the shift from modernist approaches toward postmodern alternatives. The field’s history is traced through three eras—preparation, consolidation, and maturity—culminating in recent developments that challenge the dominance of prediction, control, and managerial perspectives. Emerging orientations, including naturalistic and critical approaches, have expanded the scope of inquiry by highlighting social construction, culture, symbolism, and emancipatory goals. Concerns are raised about uncritical pro-management biases, the overuse of psychological models, and the risks of excessive vocationalism that could narrow the discipline’s academic role. In response, the article advocates for interdependent …
15th Annual Seminar Departmental Leadership: Getting Results
15th Annual Seminar Departmental Leadership: Getting Results
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
In November 1987, the Association for Communication Administration held its Fifteenth Annual Seminar and programs in Boston. The seminar, “Departmental Leadership: Getting Results,” was facilitated by Lee Bolman of Harvard University and featured plenary discussions, small group sessions, and a luncheon. Additional programs addressed major issues facing communication administrators, including accreditation in the communication disciplines, curriculum design in merged departments, and the role of departments in faculty recruitment. Special sessions supported new administrators and explored strategies for promoting faculty, responding to adult learners, and sustaining quality programs during budget constraints. The meeting concluded with discussions on balancing increased enrollments with …
Guidelines For Evaluating Artistic Performance For Promotion And Tenure
Guidelines For Evaluating Artistic Performance For Promotion And Tenure
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
In 1987, the Association for Communication Administration circulated guidelines for evaluating artistic performance as part of promotion and tenure decisions. The document recognized interpretation—oral and written literature in performance—as a legitimate scholarly activity alongside teaching, publication, and service. The guidelines emphasized the need for external jurors to approximate peer review standards and stressed the importance of fair, expert evaluation of an artist’s body of work.
Leadership And Management In The Academic Department: How Can Community And Bureaucracy Be Reconciled?, George Cheney
Leadership And Management In The Academic Department: How Can Community And Bureaucracy Be Reconciled?, George Cheney
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article explores the tension between bureaucracy and community in academic departments, offering leadership as a means of reconciliation. Bureaucratic structures, rooted in Weber’s analysis, are critiqued for displacing goals with procedures, obscuring social purposes, and minimizing individuals. These issues are shown to be particularly relevant in higher education, where efficiency, specialization, and management often overshadow academic ideals. The discussion contrasts management, associated with control and manipulation, with leadership, defined as guidance, inspiration, and cooperation. Drawing on organizational theory, leadership is described as fostering communication, articulating shared purpose, and enlisting cooperation. The metaphor of community is proposed to balance bureaucratic …
Negotiating And Bargaining In Academic Settings, Larry D. Browning, James A. Gilchrist
Negotiating And Bargaining In Academic Settings, Larry D. Browning, James A. Gilchrist
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines political decision making in academic organizations, contrasting the rational-economic model with the realities of negotiation and bargaining in complex environments. It argues that limited information, conflicting goals, and interdependent subunits make purely rational decision making impractical, leading instead to “satisficing” outcomes shaped by coalitions and informal networks. The discussion highlights how leaders use influence, resource control, and interpersonal exchanges to stabilize authority and secure commitments. A set of practical negotiation rules is outlined, emphasizing strategies such as coalition building, impression management, strategic disclosure, patience, and maintaining options. These practices help leaders navigate ambiguity, manage power dynamics, and …
Bringing Communication Scholars Together: Wise Or Foolish?, Erwin P. Bettinghouse
Bringing Communication Scholars Together: Wise Or Foolish?, Erwin P. Bettinghouse
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines the question of whether communication-related disciplines should be merged into free-standing schools or colleges. It argues that the wisdom of such mergers depends on institutional type, the history and strength of the units involved, and the degree of intellectual similarity among them. Large universities with dominant arts and sciences colleges may disadvantage communication units if they separate, while smaller or more balanced institutions may provide opportunities for equal resource distribution. Past histories of strong or weak departments also influence outcomes, as disparities in size or reputation can create dominance or instability. The discussion stresses that intellectual kinship …
Why A College Of Communication And Fine Arts?, Richard R. Ranta
Why A College Of Communication And Fine Arts?, Richard R. Ranta
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines the rationale for creating a College of Communication and Fine Arts, using the case of Memphis State University as an example. It argues that combining communication and fine arts disciplines into one administrative unit provides advantages in administration, creativity, and efficiency. A separate college allowed norms for faculty loads, facilities, and nontraditional scholarly activities to be judged fairly, rather than against inappropriate benchmarks from larger arts and sciences colleges. The structure also fostered cooperation among previously competitive departments, leading to joint projects in theatre, journalism, music, and visual arts. Examples include collaborative media productions, shared photography facilities, …
In Memoriam Betty Jo Welch
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
An obituary for Betty Jo Welch, head of the Speech Communication program at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.
Aca Seminar And Programs, Robert M. Smith
Aca Seminar And Programs, Robert M. Smith
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
In 1987, the Association for Communication Administration announced a series of seminars and programs scheduled for its annual meeting in Boston.
Constitutional Amendment Proposed
Constitutional Amendment Proposed
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
A proposed constitutional amendment was announced to change the title “Executive Secretary” to “Executive Director and Editor-in-Chief,” aligning ACA with other academic associations.
So The Football Team Was 10-2! How Are The Fine Arts Here?, Paul A. Distler
So The Football Team Was 10-2! How Are The Fine Arts Here?, Paul A. Distler
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article reflects on the evolving relationship between administrators and arts educators in higher education. Once marked by misunderstanding and tension, these groups increasingly recognized the arts as a vital resource for institutional success. Anecdotes illustrate how strong arts programs became assets in recruiting distinguished faculty, attracting top-level students, and appealing to parents seeking well-rounded educational opportunities. The arts also played growing roles in alumni relations and fundraising, demonstrating their ability to enhance institutional prestige and financial support. The discussion emphasizes that administrators came to view the arts much like athletics—an area with broad value for visibility, engagement, and development. …
The Communication Chairperson As An Agent Of Change, Betty Jo Welch
The Communication Chairperson As An Agent Of Change, Betty Jo Welch
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article analyzes the role of the communication department chairperson as a change agent within academic institutions. Drawing from situational leadership and the “linking pin” concept, the discussion emphasizes how chairs connect faculty with higher administration, often mediating change initiated from above. The process of planned change is outlined through seven phases, from recognizing the need for assistance to stabilizing and generalizing new practices. The chair’s responsibilities include diagnosing problems, assessing motivations and capacities for change, establishing collaborative relationships, guiding the process, and evaluating outcomes. The article stresses that resistance to change is natural and should be managed constructively, with …
Running An Intern Program: An Administrative View, Susan A. Hellweg
Running An Intern Program: An Administrative View, Susan A. Hellweg
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article explores the perspectives of university administrators toward internship programs in the communication arts and sciences. Despite the prevalence of faculty and student viewpoints in prior literature, administrators’ attitudes had not been systematically studied. Using a survey of deans and higher-level administrators across U.S. institutions, the study examined the presence, structure, and perceived value of internship programs. Results indicated widespread adoption of undergraduate internships, particularly in speech communication, journalism, and drama/theatre, with more limited offerings at the graduate level. Administrators valued internships primarily for providing opportunities to apply theory in practice, improve employability, and build professional networks. They emphasized …
Measuring Speech Communication Skills, Edwin C. Carpenter
Measuring Speech Communication Skills, Edwin C. Carpenter
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines whether speech communication skills acquired in the college classroom can be effectively measured and how such assessment supports accountability in higher education. Carpenter argues that public demand for demonstrable educational outcomes requires communication programs to adopt rigorous, standardized methods of evaluating student achievement. While faculty may resist external measures, he contends that effective instruments already exist, including the Communication Competency Assessment Instrument (CCAI) and the ACT Speaking Skills Assessment, which focus on observable speaking and listening behaviors. The paper highlights the importance of faculty-defined performance criteria, consistent evaluation practices, and feedback systems for continuous program improvement. Drawing …
To What Extent Should Instructors Be Held Accountable For Students' Value-Added Skills?, Jack Douglas
To What Extent Should Instructors Be Held Accountable For Students' Value-Added Skills?, Jack Douglas
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines the applicability of the value-added model of learning to speech communication education and the degree to which instructors should be held accountable for students’ growth. Douglas critiques the model’s economic and industrial origins, which frame students as products and teachers as assembly-line workers. While the model provides clarity through measurable objectives and feedback mechanisms, it risks narrowing learning to easily quantifiable skills at the expense of creativity, individuality, and higher-order symbolic development. The paper argues that the model can be useful for assessing basic, observable skills, but is inadequate for capturing the organic, non-linear nature of human …
The Essential Undergraduate Curriculum In Speech Communication: A Progress Report, Roger Smitter, Bonnie W. Buzza
The Essential Undergraduate Curriculum In Speech Communication: A Progress Report, Roger Smitter, Bonnie W. Buzza
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This report documents the outcomes of two national conferences (1985 and 1986) convened to develop an essential undergraduate curriculum in speech communication. Against the backdrop of widespread critiques of liberal arts education and rapid enrollment growth in communication programs, the conferences brought together faculty from small colleges to identify core knowledge, courses, and curricular structures for the discipline. Participants affirmed the place of speech communication within the liberal arts and articulated goals of producing effective and ethically responsible communicators. The 1985 conference identified five core courses—public speaking, interpersonal communication, small group communication, understanding media, and communication and rhetorical theory—alongside additional …
A Comparison Between The Usa And Australia In The Administration Of Communication Studies In Higher Education, Michael Kaye, Bobby H. Patton
A Comparison Between The Usa And Australia In The Administration Of Communication Studies In Higher Education, Michael Kaye, Bobby H. Patton
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article compares the administration of communication studies programs in the United States and Australia, using a faculty exchange between the University of Kansas and Kuring-gai College of Advanced Education as a case study. The analysis identifies three major areas of difference: historical development, philosophical orientation, and administrative policies. In the United States, communication programs largely evolved from speech departments with strong rhetorical and skills-based traditions, while in Australia the field developed more recently with interdisciplinary and critical orientations. Philosophical divergences are evident in curricular emphases, with American programs often stressing public speaking and skills training, and Australian programs incorporating …
Celebrating Aca’S Legacy: Founder Correspondence, 1987, Ernest E. Ettlich, Robley D. Rhine
Celebrating Aca’S Legacy: Founder Correspondence, 1987, Ernest E. Ettlich, Robley D. Rhine
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
In late 1986, Ernest E. Ettlich, Interim President of Southern Oregon State College, and Robley D. Rhine, Chair at the University of Colorado at Denver, sent letters of appreciation to the Association for Communication Administration. Both expressed gratitude for commemorative plaques marking ACA’s fifteenth anniversary and reflected on their roles in the organization’s founding. Ettlich emphasized his pride in ACA’s continued vitality and its contributions to developing administrative leadership. Rhine recalled the early San Francisco meeting, acknowledged ACA’s growth, and noted ongoing efforts to advocate for the centrality of communication within liberal arts programs. Their correspondence underscored the historical significance …
Development Of Quality Factors For College And University Theatre Programs, Kelvie C. Comer
Development Of Quality Factors For College And University Theatre Programs, Kelvie C. Comer
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines the meaning and application of “quality” in theatre programs within higher education. It emphasizes that quality must be defined not only in abstract terms but also through practical factors that affect program success and survival. Key considerations include curriculum design, student admission standards, faculty recruitment and retention, and the establishment of appropriate evaluative criteria. The discussion highlights the influence of external judgments, such as accreditation and professional expectations, as well as the role of internal leadership in shaping program direction. The article argues that quality is not an accidental byproduct but the result of conscious decisions that …
Program Quality And Departmental Responsibility, Richard M. Clark
Program Quality And Departmental Responsibility, Richard M. Clark
Association for Communication Administration Bulletin
This article examines the vulnerability of theatre departments in higher education and the factors that contribute to program discontinuance or restructuring. It argues that departments often play a role in their own decline by failing to recognize weaknesses, respond to warning signs, or engage constructively with administrative concerns. Key indicators of trouble include declining enrollment, poor faculty retention, weak curricular vitality, budget mismanagement, and insular hiring practices. The discussion emphasizes that resentment toward administrative actions is counterproductive; instead, departments must proactively demonstrate quality through alignment with institutional goals, strong student outcomes, faculty development, and effective governance. Failure to address shortcomings …