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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 220-1"
COURSE NAME: "Business Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2023
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Michele Favorite
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
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 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. To this end, they will have to read about and be able to discuss current business news. Free media subscriptions are provided to the class.

Throughout the course, we will discuss the increasing importance of sustainable capitalism and specifically the elements of ESG (Environment, Social Responsibility and Governance) in business and in society.  Students will read, discuss and present on these topics.
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.

Students will understand what makes a good story and how to craft one.

Students will use persuasion to understand how to promote themselves through resumes, cover letters and Linkedin profiles, and how to pitch their ideas in 60 seconds. 

Students will be knowledgeable of the increasing importance of ESG in business and in society and will be educated in the challenges revolving around sustainable capitalism.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
A Life on our PlanetDavid AttenboroughPenguin Random House9781529108293     
Guide to Managerial CommunicationMary MunterPrentice Hall9781111971762     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Participation 15%
Short Assignments 20%
Elevator Pitch 5%
Triggering Change Pitch 5%
Midterm 15%
Final 20%
PowerPoint Presentation 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 course.
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:
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.
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 2023

Business Communication Schedule

Week 1, Jan 17 and 19: Course introduction and elements of strategy

Introduction to: Bus 220, PR,  ESG (Environment, Social Responsibility and Governance), David Attenborough, Communication Strategy 

Munter, ch. 1; Attenborough, A Life on Our Planet; and selected readings on Moodle

Week 2, Jan 24 and 26: Micro and macro writing, Introduction to Persuasion, Synthesis

Ober, ch. 5 and selected readings on Moodle

Week 3, Jan 31 and Feb 2: Resumes and Linkedin

Ober ch. 12 and selected readings/material on Moodle

Week 4, Feb 7 and 9: Routine communication and emails

Ober, ch. 4, 6 and selected readings on Moodle

First draft of resume is due

Week 5, Feb 14 and 16: Persuasive communication

MAKE UP DAY

Ober, ch. 7 and selected readings

Second Resume draft is due

Week 6, Feb 21 and 23:  Persuasive communication (cont’d) and ESG

Email assignment is due, A Life on Our Planet forum is due; ESG forum discussion is due on February 22 at 8:00 pm on Moodle

Review of persuasive communication and Cover Letters

Week 7, Feb 28 and March 2:  Spring Break

Week 8, March 7 and 9:   Public Speaking, Visual Aids

Reading material on Moodle

Persuasive Communication assignment is due

Third resume draft is due

 First draft of cover letter is due

Week 9, March 14 and 16:  Public Speaking, Visual Aids, Midterm

Midterm review and Midterm

Elevator Pitch outline is due

Week 10,  March 21 and 23: Public Speaking, Discussion on ESG

ELEVATOR PITCH IS DUE: March 21

Second Persuasive Communication assignment is due

Final version of cover letter is due

Linkedin profile draft is due

Week 11, March 28 and 30:  Introduction to delivering bad news

Ober, ch. 8 and selected readings on Moodle

Week 12, April 4 and 6:  Class Presentations

ESG PRESENTATIONS ARE DUE

Week 13, April 11 and 13: Delivering bad news 

Week 14, April 18 and 20: finishing up Bad news and cover letters

TRIGGERING CHANGE PITCH IS DUE

Bad News assignment is due

Week 15, April 25 and 27: Review

Final exam review

Week 16, Final Week and Review