STEP 1: Watch a TV Show featuring an organizational setting:

Watch one episode of the following:

The Office (US or Original), Parks and Recreation, Frasier, Murphy Brown, Scrubs, Workaholics, Cheers, Corporate (I haven’t watched this, but students have written about this show in prompts), Taxi (Bonus point if you actually watch Taxi. It’s a great sitcom from the early 80’s by some of the producers who went on to create The Simpsons. And, if you like It’s Always Sunny, the origins of Frank Reynolds can be found in Danny DeVito’s character Louie)

You may watch any episode (or show) you like (e.g., The Sopranos would work), but I would encourage you to watch episodes that focus on organizational-based narratives. For instance, if you’re watching The Office, you might want to pick “Downsizing” “Work Bus” or “Corporate Picnic” instead of “Roy’s Wedding” or “Mrs. California” because….

STEP 2: Respond

Answer the following:

A. Identify three (3) course concepts from ANY chapter featured on the show you watch. What were they and how were they portrayed?

E.g., “I saw transactional communication on The Office when Jan told Pam to log Michael’s activity”

B. How might media influence public perceptions of organizational settings? Do people “learn” from television? What might people think of the concepts you’ve identified based on how they are portrayed on TV?