Home > Courses Taught > Communication Technology and Innovation 5540

Communication Technology
& Innovation

Course Objectives

This course will examine the subject of telecommunications and advanced media technology. It is intended for the professional manager who requires an applied understanding of the design and performance features of several critical communication technologies, including satellite communications, fiber optics, cellular & 3G wireless services, HDTV & advanced digital media, and the Internet and intelligent networking. Special attention is given to the business strategies underlying the use of such technologies and services. A second goal of this course is to look at the subject of innovation. Today, innovation is about much more than developing new products and services. It is about reinventing business and organizational processes and building entirely new markets to meet untapped customer needs. Innovation is also about taking organizations built for efficiency and rewiring them for creativity and growth.

Required Reading and Materials

1) Andrew Keen, The Cult of the Amateur, 2008

2) Richard A. Gershon, Com. 5540 Course Pack, including a full set of power point slides. The Com. 5540 course pack is available at the WMU bookstore.

3) A set of on-line readings to correspond with weekly topic issues

4) A three ring binder -- with section tabs for 15 units

Evaluation:
There will be three exams and one paper that are each worth 25% of your final grade.

Grading Scale:

93-100 A
87- 92
82- 86 B
76-81 C/B

70-75 C
65-69 D/C
60-64 D
-59 E

TECHNICAL INNOVATION BRIEFING PAPER (Project)