Communication in the Workplace

Ch10 Groups and Teams – Ch11 Communication in the Workplace – Ch14 Public and Personal Influence

Black Mirror Season 4 Episode 1:  USS Callister

• The purpose of the assignment is to analyze the communication environment in the protagonists’ workplace and aboard the USS Callister. What do their interactions tell us about human beings at work and in groups?
• For this assignment, you want to go beyond the descriptions of human interactions (Part I and II) to an analysis of these interactions using the theories and vocabulary from the textbook (Part III).
• If you read information about the episode online; please use reliable websites and cite your sources to avoid an F for plagiarism.

Please answer each question separately and thoroughly with details and concepts from the textbook (in bold or underlined). Please follow the numbering system for clarity.

Part ICallister (the company)due Sat 11/14

1. Using the vocabulary from ch.11, describe the working environment at the company Callister.
2. Using the vocabulary from ch.10, describe the style of leadership and the kind of leaders Robert Daly and James Walton are.
3. Using the vocabulary from ch11, describe the company Callister through the relationships among the different employees. What are the positive and negative influences of these relationships?

Part II USS Callister (the space ship)due Sat 11/14

4. Using the vocabulary from ch.11, describe the working environment aboard the USS Callister.
5. Using the vocabulary from ch.10, describe the leadership style of Robert Daly, the USS Callister captain
6. Using the vocabulary from ch11, describe the USS Callister through the relationships among the different employees. What are the positive and negative influences of those relationships?

Part IIIAnalysis based on Part I and II (Part I, II, III by Sat 11/21)

7. Compare and contrast Robert’s Daly different personalities and communication style at Callister and on
   the USS Callister. Please refer to concepts in ch3-4-5 and ch14 (gaining compliance). Who is Robert Daly?
8. Compare and contrast the communication styles of the employees when they address Robert Daly
   at Callister and the same employees as the crew on USS Callister. What do these interactions tell you about therelationship between Robert Daly and his co-workers?
9. Compare and contrast James Walton’s behavior at the company and on the USS Callister. Please refer to concepts in ch4 (language), ch5 (nonverbal), and ch.14 (gaining compliance).
10. Compare and contrast Nanette Cole’s behavior at the company, on the USS Callister, and at the end of the episode. Analyze her evolution through her communication behaviors using concepts from ch4 – ch5.

Who is Nanette Cole?

Enjoy the assignment!