Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 220-3"
COURSE NAME: "Business Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Michele Favorite
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course deals with the definition and analysis of problems and the production of written and oral business reports. Use of appropriate computer software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, graphics) is an integral part of the course

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course will help students enhance their understanding of the strategic role that communication plays in the business world, and how effective communication can make or break a deal, an idea, a proposal, etc. The course will analyze how communication is used to inform, motivate, facilitate change and create value in today’s rapidly evolving organizations, and how the means of communication are changing constantly.

It will evaluate what determines effective business communication, and how to achieve it. Students will learn how to develop, support and organize arguments and how to strengthen their research skills. They will develop their written, oral and interpersonal communication skills in business settings and across a range of tasks including letters, memoranda, resumes, press releases, emails, reports and presentations. Students will learn how to effectively deliver negative and positive business news while maintaining a confident tone, how to communicate persuasively, how to present themselves to the business world through resumes and cover letters and how to create and present effective visual aids. The course will include at least one guest speaker and a resume workshop.

This course is writing-intensive. Grading rubrics are posted online.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn what makes written and oral business communication effective, how to think strategically about communication and achieve their aims by communicating successfully. Routine, bad news and persuasive communication will be covered in depth, both in writing and speaking.

Specifically, students will learn how to write routine emails, letters and memos, how to write effective bad-news and persuasive letters, how to effectively research and write a business report and how to prepare an effective resume and cover letter. The course will spend considerable time on oral communication: how to structure and deliver a business presentation, including visual aids.

All students in this class wil participarte in the JCU Elevator Pitch competition, thanks to which they will practice the art of persuasion in one minute.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
Communicating in Business	Scot Ober and Amy Newman	South Western Cengage	13978 11111 971 762

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Guide to Managerial Communication	Mary Munter	Prentice Hall	9780 1371 30467

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Participation		10%
Research report		15%
Power Point group presentation		15%
Midterm		15%
Homework		15%
Final Exam		20%
Elevator Pitch		10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the co
BThis is a highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performance demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the key issues raised. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant or insufficient.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
After two absences, students may be asked to leave the class. Absences directly affect the participation grade.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Bus 220

Business Communication

Schedule Spring 2017

Week 1 (16-20 Jan): Introduction to the course and to Business Communication; Fundamentals of communication strategy.

Class discussion: Munter: chapter 1.

Week 2 (23-27 Jan): Micro and macro writing review, Resumes

Class discussion: Munter: chapters 2, 4; Ober: chapter 5.

Class discussion: Ober, chapter 12.

Week 3 (30 Jan- 3 Feb): How to write an effective Resume

Class discussion: Different resume samples will be distributed and discussed during class. Discussion on resumes will continue throughout the semester.

The first draft of your resume is due on Thursday. Every week you will be asked to revise your resume according to the comments you receive from me. Please staple all versions together, with the most recent on top. The final grade for your resume will be a composite of your effort and the final result, and will be part of your overall Homework grade.

Week 4 (6-10 Feb): Routine communication

Class discussion: how to write an effective email and the challenges of routine communication. Munter: chapter 3; Ober: chapters 4 and 6.

Feb 10: MAKE-UP DAY FOR April 17

Week 5 (13-17 Feb): Persuasive communication

Class discussion: Ober: chapter 7.

Week 6 (20-24 Feb): Persuasive communication and Public Speaking

Review of persuasive communication, in-class exercises.

Class discussion: Ober: chapter 11 and discussion of public speaking strategies and techniques.

Week 7 (27 Feb- 3 Mar): Persuasion, Public Speaking, Visual aids

Class discussion: Ober: chapter 11 and chapter 9 (pp. 281-289); Munter chapters 5-7.

FEB 27: deadline to sign up for the Elevator Pitch Competition

MAR 3: MAKE-UP DAY FOR April 25

Week 8 (6-10 Mar): Midterm

Review for midterm and midterm exam.

MAR 6: Elevator Pitch Workshop

Week 9 (13-17 Mar): Elevator Pitch Competition, Class Presentations

Class Presentations.

MAR 13-14: Elevator Pitch Competition

Week 10 (20-24 Mar): Writing Business Reports

Class discussion: Ober: chapter 9. Writing reports, sourcing information, writing footnotes.

MAR 20: Elevator Pitch Final Round

MAR 24: LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM A CLASS

Week 11 (27-31 Mar): Bad News Communication

Class discussion: Ober: chapter 8.

Week 12 (3-7 Apr): Spring Break

Week 13 (10-14 Apr): Bad News Communication

Class discussion: review of homework assignments and class exercises.

Week 14 (17-21 Apr): Bad News Communication

Class Discussion: review of bad news communication and final exam review

APR 17: HOLIDAY

Week 15 (24-28 Apr): Final Exam Review

APR 25: HOLIDAY

APR 27: LAST DAY OF CLASS

Week 16 (29 Apr- 5 May): Final Exam Week