JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "BUS 220" COURSE NAME: "Business Communications" SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2024

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Colin Biggs EMAIL: [email protected] HOURS: MTWTH 11:10 AM - 1:00 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 written and oral. Class work is conducted against the backdrop of the contemporary business world and the challenges faced by businesses to be environmentally and socially responsible as well as profitable. Environment, Social and Governance issues, and their relationship to business, are analyzed at length.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: This course trains students in the best practices of effective Business Communication, both written and oral. Class work is conducted against the backdrop of the contemporary business world and the challenges faced by businesses to be environmentally and socially responsible as well as profitable. Environment, Social and Governance issues, and their relationship to business, are analysed at length.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course trains students in the best practices of effective Business Communication, both written and oral. Class work is conducted against the backdrop of the contemporary business world and the challenges faced by businesses to be environmentally and socially responsible as well as profitable. Environment, Social and Governance issues, and their relationship to business, are analysed at length.

TEXTBOOK: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments Format Local Bookstore Online Purchase Guide to Managerial Communication Mary Munter Prentice Hall 9780137130467     Hard Copy

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: NONE RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight Attendance and active participation This means contributing regularly to class in a constructive, intelligent and proactive way. Students who miss or are late to more than 2 classes may be asked to withdraw from the class. 20% Individual pitches Individual micro-presentations on topics to be determined depending on class composition. 15% Two written assignments Topic to be determined depending on class composition 15% Small group project Topic to be determined based on class numbers, and prior presenting experience of class members. 50%       -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 written and oral. Class work is conducted against the backdrop of the contemporary business world and the challenges faced by businesses to be environmentally and socially responsible as well as profitable. Environment, Social and Governance issues, and their relationship to business, are analyzed at length.

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

Session Session Focus Reading Assignment     Week 1 Welcome Introduction & overview to business communication Personal branding materials – resume, cover letter, print and ePortfolios Communication strategy Munter: Chapters 1 – 4 and other readings as assigned by the instructor. Week 2 Writing effective communication: email, memoranda, letters, etc. Persuasive Communication Readings as assigned by the instructor, based on prior skills attainment levels of students. Week 3 Bad News Communication Preparation, finalisation and delivery of individual student presentations.  Debrief. Readings as assigned by the instructor, based on prior skills attainment. Week 4 Writing Reports Visual Aids The power of blogs, how they are changing business communication Preparing persuasive presentations; practice presentations.  Small group projects, co-mentored and instructor-mentored. Readings based around choice of small group project. Week 5 Finalisation of small group projects, review,  presentations and write-up. Readings as assigned by the instructor.