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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 220"
COURSE NAME: "Business Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sheryl Kayne
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 11:00AM 12:45PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
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:

Job Assessment and applications; Writing Business E-mails; Resume; Cover letter; Thank you note; Elevator Speech; Business Report focused on Problem/Solution with Four PowerPoint Slide Presentation; The Memo; The Business Letter; and Content Development and Business Blogging along with coordinated presentations
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

·         In Business Communication the emphasis is on recognizing, internalizing, and using the most effective, professional means of communication in everything that you write and say. Consider this class an opportunity to polish the skills you have and to identify what more you need to master to move forward professionally with self-confidence in your skills. 

·         Business written and spoken communication skills are analyzed and practiced in every class. Individual and group presentations, memos, letters, reports, resumes, and interview preparation are included.  Ongoing speaking activities encourage the development of spontaneous business thinking in conversations and presentations.

·         The goal is to learn to self-edit written and verbal communication; to pitch original ideas; present yourself intelligently in all situations; and argue and defend intelligently, logically, persuasively, and effectively. 

·         Here you will develop the ability to evaluate information sources for truth, relevance, and stylistic elements

·         Upon completion of this course, you will be able to assess professional business grammar and correct deficiencies and be fully confident in your speaking and writing abilities.

·         Using peer, personal, and instructor reviews will help you develop a very keen sense of how to continually improve upon presentations and writing with your own distinctive style.  
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Final grades on week's assignments close with end of Thursday's class (Friday for Week 1)Will inform students every Monday of grade average to that date. Assignments are due weekly, in final format at the end of each week, fully edited and polished for final grade. While working on the assignment, assistance is available from the Professor by appointment, before or after class, or via E-mail. 20% each week

-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
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference 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 performances 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 issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
JCU SCHOOL POLICY: You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam will be held on Friday, August 4, 2017.
Professor Kayne's Addendum to the Syllabus, effective immediately as of July 12, 2017, 7:42 p.m.: The Attendance Policy for this common core, summer school course is that every student has one (1) and only one excused absence for any reason needed. Following one cut, each additional cut will receive a three (3) point reduction at the end of the grading period, after the grade has been fully calculated, the additional point reductions will be deducted. In addition, any missing assignments will be averaged in as a zero and assignments handed in late, will receive a grade reduction of minus five (5) points for every day it is overdue.  
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

Monday, July 3

 This week’s focus:

·         Job Assessment outline: You will need a dream job advertisement/description for this, refer to what’s due for Wednesday).

·         Writing E-mail 

In class, we will review the Syllabus and class requirements, including maintaining a Speaker's Journal with the dates and reviews of all of your in-class presentations.

We will talk about this assignment: Writing and speaking together: What makes you, YOU. Include specific details on something unique and important to who you are.

Our format to follow when speaking: Express yourself fully with what you need to say to address the subject, but do not include superfluous or repetitive information that does not move your story forward. 

Be sure to have a strong opener that will grab listeners’ attention and lead them where you want them to go. The middle should only be the details and information that is needed to complete and move your communication forward.

The ending must pull everything together and lave a memorable take away for the reader to ponder. The beauty is in the details. Generalities including words such as such as, many, some, and word repetitions do not belong.

Tuesday, July 4 No class Happy Fourth of July in Rome!

DUE WEDNESDAY, July 5:

·         One double-spaced, edited page of yesterday’s What Makes You You; E-mail to professor or bring in hard copy.

  • Presentation: Be prepared to share with the class what makes you YOU based upon a theme you selected from Monday’s class. You’ll need room on your phone or laptop to videotape your 1-minute presentation.
  • Bring to class a copy of an ad for your dream job on your laptop to work from in class. Be sure that it is the entire advertisement and that it is really a good match for you. 
  • Be sure to bring the entire ad, the full description of what the company seeks in an employee for this particular position. Then go to the company’s website to learn more about them, looking for ways that your skills, passions and interests mesh with their goals and needs. Make notes that you can use and refer to later.
  • Subjects Covered: Grammar; Transitions; Flow in writing and speaking; Copy editing;
    The Comma; Identifying your most common error and how to correct it; Editing with Microsoft Track Changes

Thursday, July 6   

Rough Draft:  Job Assessment Outline due for your dream job
Writing E-mails: What does and does not belong in a business E-mail

Friday, July 7        

FINALS DUE:

Job Assessment Outline written from your job advertisement

Send an E-mail to [email protected]: YOUR PERSONAL INTRODUCTION ABOUT YOURSELF, why you chose to take this class here at John Cabot, what you most hope to achieve this semester: your goals for you.

Monday, July 10

This Week’s Emphasis: Resume and Cover Letter

Bring to class your current resume electronically on your laptop.  If you don’t have one yet, bring a list of jobs you’ve held and skills you have that you want to include.

Self-Editing, logical progression of information, appropriate validation of facts, vocabulary and word choices, sentence structure; pronouns; parallel construction; Subject/Verb Agreement

Instruction on creating resume and cover letters; Prepare resume and cover letter for dream job or a professional position you have in mind

Tuesday, July 11

DUE:

  • Resume rough draft         
  • Discussion: Subject/verb agreement/business vocabulary/pronouns/possessive vs. plural
  • Cover letter integration of job advertisement

Wednesday, July 12

DUE:

  • Rough draft cover letter due

               

Thursday, July 13

THIS WEEK’S FINALS DUE: Resume and cover letter

Monday, July 17

This week’s emphasis:

  • Thank you note
  • The Elevator Speech: include your name, major and full picture of who you are and your goals in about 30 seconds
  • 4 Slide PowerPoint Presentation on Problem/Solution

Business report on a problem/solution with 4 PowerPoint slides (must follow PowerPoint Pointers included at end of this document. DO NOT read from your slides). Your slides should supplement your script and message, not repeat it word for word.  

Discussions: Professional networking and career management; People-centered messages; “I” vs. “You”; Presenting your own ideas: persuasion, proof, debate, concession – verbal and written

Tuesday, July 18   

DUE IN CLASS:

PowerPoint Slide TOPIC must be Ok’d by professor; brief outline of supporting slides and primary informational points       

Thank you note, written out

Be Prepared: Taping Elevator Speech Presentations

Wednesday, July 19

Rehearsal for PowerPoint presentations

Editing and reviewing written elevator speeches

Thursday, July 20

Finals Due: The Elevator Speech; thank you note; 4 PowerPoint slide script and Videotape your Power Point Slide Presentation   

Monday, July 24

Emphasis this week:

The Memo

The Business Letter

Today Review: Requirements of the Memo and Business Letter

Additional Activities/Discussions:

Identifying qualities of great speakers

How do you sound on the phone? 

Active vs. Passive voice

Tuesday, July 25        

DUE IN CLASS: Rough Draft of Memo

Wednesday, July 26

DUE IN CLASS: Rough Draft of Business Letter

Thursday, July 27

Finals Due:

Business letter

Memo

Monday, July 31

This week: Content Development and Blogging

Due in Class: What’s Blogging all about? Bring to class the three awesome blogs in your area of expertise; Present what you want to blog about (follow format of strong opener, three primary points and conclusion); must okay topic with professor before leaving class

Tuesday, August 1

Due: Outline your subject area with minimum of opening, three primary points, and conclusion

Rough draft of blog is due

Rehearsal for Blog Presentation

Wednesday, August 2:

 DUE by Midnight: Send a final E-mail to [email protected] describing where you were at the beginning of the class, what you have achieved during these five weeks. Please include your ah-hah moment – something you learned that you took away and will be using for yourself in the future. 

DUE: Your Speaker’s Journal

Thursday, August 3 Final Class, Final Exam presentation         

E-mail professor your final written Blog before class or hand her your hard copy of your written blog before your presentation. Appropriate business attire required. Must tape presentation.