This assignment, worth 30% of your final grade, requires you to analyze two different types of content related to what we cover in COMM 251. First, as the name of the assignment implies, you are required to read a book relating to course content. Next, you will choose a complementary TED talk or podcast (not one involving the author of your book), or movie. For the both of these (that is, the book and other content), you will provide a detailed, yet concise, analysis. It is expected that you will critically and carefully read the book and watch/listen to the TED talk, podcast, or movie, in order to provide a good understanding of their main themes and their relevance to organizational behaviour. Keep in mind that audiobooks are a great way to do your reading if sitting down and reading a book isn’t your thing.
Consider the following:
A book review asks you to analyze a book; your goal is to identify the key arguments of the book and how the author supports these arguments as well as to evaluate the book’s strengths and weaknesses. A book review asks you to move beyond your personal likes or dislikes and provide a reasoned argument as to the merits or problems contained in the book. In a book review, it is not enough to say that a particular book was “bad” or “excellent.” You need to provide detailed analysis as to what factors, such as scope, theoretical perspective, or use of evidence made it so.1
Your review should deal with some of the following issues2 :
how well the book and TED talk/podcast/movie achieved their goals, and the connections between them
what possibilities are suggested by the book and TED talk/podcast/movie, and how they compare and contrast with each other
what the book and TED talk/podcast/movie have left out, and what specific points are not convincing
relevance to COMM 251-651 course content
what personal experiences you’ve had related to the subject
Note that the above list isn’t exhaustive and your book review can cover topics not on this list. It is necessary, though, to make sure that you are making connections to our course content.
Submission
Your book review should be 1200-1500 words, and is due on June 18. There are no specific guidelines regarding how to present your content; you have the autonomy to present it in the way that best suits you.
Assessment
You will be assessed based on your ability to provide a critical analysis of your book and TED talk/podcast/movie, making connections between them. Take a look at the points above, and try to address those that are of particularly relevance to the content you’re analyzing. One of the biggest issues with book reviews is the focus on summary or description – be sure that you are covering the “so what” question (that is, by focusing on analysis). This resource (also posted in the topic reflection details) about descriptive vs. analytical writing may be of some use to you.
Academic Integrity
This is an individual assignment; your work must be yours and yours alone. Given the abundance of easily accessible book reviews, it is not recommended that you read what other people think of your books – instead, focus on your own analysis and opinion. Potential violations of academic integrity will be investigated as set out in the course outline.
1 http://trentu.ca/history/workbook/documents/HowtoWriteaBookReview.pdf
2 Based on http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/book_reviews.pdf
How to Choose Your Content for Review
For the TED Talks and podcasts, you can choose any one that is related to course content, providing it does not involve the author of the book that you are reading. You may find some of TED’s Business and Work playlists helpful in choosing a talk. There are so many podcasts to choose from, if you decide to go that route! Consider ones that are well-rated and closely connected to your topic of choice. If you decide to use a movie as your second piece of content, choose one that can be easily connected to the book you read.
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