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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "BUS 220"
COURSE NAME: "Business Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Summer Session II 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Siena Araceli Morgan
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: MTW 2:00 pm-3:00pm
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. Students will learn from leading industry professionals in various industries, discussing all manners of communication. 

 

This course is separated into multiple sections: communication and ethics, communication of self, communication of work, and communication and leadership. Students will learn how to present themselves in professional settings, from resumes/CVs, to interviews and elevator pitches. Students will then turn outward to understand how to communicate internally, within organisations, and how to communicate their work outside of their organisation. Lastly, we will look at how leadership and leadership styles are communicated. 
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 analyzed at length.
  1. Understand business communication concepts in both oral and written forms. 
  2. Apply creative, yet professional strategies for both internal and external communication. 
  3. Understand cross-cultural sensitivities in both oral and written business communications. 
  4. Develop confidence and skills in business communications both oral and written, using multiple medias. 
  5. Understand formatting and protocols of self-branding in business communication. 
  6. Understand and adhere to basic communication ethics principles. 
  7. Understand language and its translation/applicability in different business contexts.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
   
Group Presentation 15
Self-social media presentation 10
CV-Resume-Cover Letter 15
Industry Research Project 20
Ethics Case Study 10
Final Exam 25
Class Participation 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 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:

Students are expected to attend every class. Guest speakers may attend any course, and their knowledge is incredibly valuable to all assignments and learning outcomes.Any student not present at the beginning of class will be deemed absent. Students are allowed 3 absences-penalty free, with no discernment between excused and unexcused. Each absence between 4-6 will deduct 5% from overall final grade. 7 or more absences results in automatic failure of the course. 

Dean’s Office permission is required for any make-up final exam. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by serious impediment, documented illness, hospitalization, or death in the immediate family (with funeral attendance). Absences due to job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings, or personal inconvenience, will not be excused.Religious holidays are typically excused, and any planned make-up of final exams must be coordinated with the Dean’s office prior to the end of the add/drop period. 
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