Mini-Case Analysis Assignment: 25 extra credit points

Select a contemporary case study involving any form of organization (e.g., corporation, nonprofit, government agency) and analyze the situation from ONE of the six main perspectives discussed in class (i.e., classical management, human relations, human resources, systems, cultural, OR critical/feminist). Your case analysis paper should be 5-7 paragraphs single-spaced (font size 11-12). It should include the following information:

1. Introduction:
   1. Introduction of the case and relevant organizational communication perspective (1 paragraph at start is mandatory)
   2. Background of the case
   3. Outline of the organizational communication perspective and relevant concepts (e.g., the machine metaphor from the classical management perspective)
2. 3-4 paragraphs (at least 1 paragraph per application)
   1. Application of the perspective/concept to the case: you may select 2-3 key applications; be sure to provide examples to justify your claims.
3. Recommendations:
   1. suggest 1-2 recommendations for the case, based on your preceding analysis. f)
4. Conclusion: summarize your case, the relevant organizational communication perspective/concept, applications identified, and recommendations suggested (1 paragraph mandatory)

You can draw from various sources (both in print and online) to search initial material for your cases (try this: www.orgcominthenews.com). Your case analysis should contain a minimum of 3 credible references, which means that you must have MORE than a single primary reference for the case study. Please be sure to cite ALL your references in relevant parts of the paper; simply listing them at the end will NOT count. Also be sure to cite your references in the style of the American Psychological Association (APA); see: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Grading Rubric for the assignment:

• Clarity of meaning and presentation (including spelling, grammar) – 5 pts
• Persuasiveness of arguments/analysis (e.g., sufficient evidence for claims) – 15 pts
• Adherence to set guidelines and structure (e.g., APA style) – 5 pts

In essence, you are reading about a “situation” within an organization, analyzing it for concepts, theories, issues, perspectives discussed in the course, and making recommendations for it. After reading a case, you might start your thought process by asking yourself “what is this an example of?” and go from there.