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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 220"
COURSE NAME: "Business Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2022
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Michele Favorite
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MTWTH 9:00 AM 10:50 AM
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.



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.
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.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Communicating in BusinessScot Ober and Amy Newman PePearson9780137130467      
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
ParticipationParticipation means contributing regularly to class in a constructive, intelligent and proactive way. Students who miss or are late to more than three classes may be asked to withdraw from the class. Two latenesses equal one absence15%
Short assignments (letters, memos, emails, outlines of 1 or 2 pages) 20%
Resume, cover letter and Linkedin profile 15%
PowerPoint Presentation 15%
Midterm 15%
Final Exam 20%
   

-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 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:
Participation means contributing regularly to class in a constructive, intelligent and proactive way. Students who miss or are late to more than three classes may be asked to withdraw from the class. Two latenesses equal one absence.
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

SCHEDULE

Session

Session Focus

Reading Assignment

Week 1

Introduction to business communication, communication strategy & techniques, persuasion, routine communication, resumes

Presentation of ESG

Assigned reading:

Ober chapter 5, 6, 7, 12

Munter: chapters 1-4

Ad hoc readings

Week 2

Writing effective routine communication: emails, letters, memos

Persuasive Communication & cover letters

Assignment of ESG presentations & review of student research on ESG

Assigned reading:

Ober: chapters 6-7

Ad hoc readings

Week 3

Midterm review & midterm

Bad News Communication

Public Speaking

Discussion on ESG

Assigned reading :

Ober, chapter 8

Ad hoc readings

Week 4

Visual aids

Practice presentations

Bad News Communication

Assigned reading:

Ober, chapter 9, 10

Ad hoc readings

Week 5

Presentations. Review and Final Exam

Resumes, cover letters and Linkedin profile due