JCU Logo

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 220-2"
COURSE NAME: "Business Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2020
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Michele Favorite
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TTH 3:00-4:15 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 trains students in the best practices of effective Business Communication both in written and oral form. International real-business issues and cases serve as a backdrop for classwork and help sensitize students to the different needs of diverse audiences around the world.
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.

Topical issues relating to the business world --both in the US and abroad-- will be analyzed and will be the focus of projects and discussion. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with what's happening in the world of business and make intelligent contributions in class. 

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.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Guide to Managerial CommunicationMary MunterPrentice Hall9780137130467     
Communicating in BusinessScot Ober and Amy NewmanCengage Learning9781111971762     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Participation 15%
Short assignments  15%
Elevator Pitch 5%
Power Point group presentation 20%
Midterm 15%
Final Exam  25%
Resume, Cover Letter and Linkedin Profile 5%

-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 f
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:

Because so much of the course material is discussed in class, absences are a serious setback for the students who are absent and for the rest of the group. 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

Spring 2020

Business Communication (Bus 220-1 and 220-2) Syllabus

Week 1, Jan 20: Course introduction and elements of strategy

Course and class introduction 

Munter, ch. 1

Week 2, Jan 27: Micro and macro writing, persuasion

Ober, ch. 5

Different readings will be distributed and discussed in class; check for shared links in MYJCU

Week 3, Feb 3: Resumes and Linkedin

Ober ch 12; relevant shared links

In-class readings and exercises

Week 4, Feb 10: Routine communication and emails

Ober, ch. 4, 6

Material will be distributed in class; check for relevant shared links

Week 5, Feb 17: Persuasive communication

First Resume draft due

Ober, ch. 7

Week 6, Feb 24:  Persuasive communication (cont’d)

Review of routine and persuasive communication, Cover letters

Week 7, March 2:  Public Speaking

First Cover Letter draft due

Second Resume draft due

Ober, ch. 11; check for shared links

Week 8, Mach 9:  Vacation

Week 9, March 16: Persuasive Communication (cont’d)

Persuasive Communication: Please take a look at the link to my presentation and Ober chapter 7, which provide a general review of Persuasive Communication, and resubmit your Ikea sales letter to a recent college graduate by March 20. Your Ikea letter before Spring Break won’t be counted. 

Cover Letters:  Please review the Cover Letter sample and my accompanying audio comment. The first draft of your Cover Letter is due March 20. The Cover Letter needs to be written to respond to a Job Profile (a job you are qualified for today). Please attach the Job Profile along with the Cover Letter.  

Please join the Forum on Persuasive Communication and Cover Letters on Moodle. You will be able to participate after you add your comment.  This will represent a large part of your participation grade going forward.

Week 10, March 23:  Public Speaking

Public Speaking:  Please review the link to my presentation and audio message, and other relevant links, on Public Speaking and Elevator Pitches. These should prepare you to do a great job on the Elevator Pitch (due March 31) and your own presentation on Sustainable Capitalism (due April 9), which will now be an individual project.

Communication on the Elevator Pitch procedures will be sent out to you very soon by the Institute for Entrepreneurship.

A good part of this week will be spent understanding how to create effective visual aids.  Also check out other relevant available links.

Second Cover Letter draft is due.

Please join the Forum on Public Speaking.

Week 11, March 30:  Elevator Pitch, Midterm

Elevator Pitch is due March 31

Midterm Review:  Please review my presentation and audio for the review for the midterm.

Please join the Forum on Midterm Review

Midterm (April 2):  the Midterm will cover the principles of Routine Communication, Persuasive Communication and Public Speaking. I will ask you to write an email or a persuasive letter and may add some short questions.   

Week 12, April 6:  Presentations,  Linkedin,

Presentations on Sustainable Capitalism due April 9; the outline of your presentation is due April 6

Resume: Third Resume draft is due

Linkedin: Please consult my presentation and relevant available links on how to create an effective Linkedin profile.

Please join the Forum on Linkedin

Week 13, April 13:   Bad news communication

Bad News:  Please consult my presentation and audio on how to deliver Bad News and read the uploaded file with chapter 8 of Ober, plus all other relevant links.

Please join the Forum on Bad News communication

Week 14, April 20: Bad News (cont’d)

Bad News assignments are due

Final versions of Resume, Cover Letter and Linkedin profile are due

Please join the Forum on Bad News communication

Week 15, April 27: Final Week and Review

Final exam review:  Please consult my presentation and audio, the relevant links and join the Review Forum.

Week 16, May 4: Exams