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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "BUS 220-3"
COURSE NAME: "Business Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2015
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Christin Campbell
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 8:30AM-9:45AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
By Appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course deals with the definition and analysis of problems and the production of written and oral business reports. Use of appropriate computer software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets, graphics) is an integral part of the course
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The course will enable you to communicate clearly, concisely and confidently in the business world. The course surveys how strategic communication in today's ever-changing business world can positively or negatively effect desired outcomes: getting the job, performing well, earning a promotion, making the deal. The course evaluates the mechanics of effective communication and analyzes how communication is used to inform, to request input, to persuade, to motivate or to create change. Through in-class exercises and workshops, you will practice proven strategies for creating succinct, appropriate and grammatically correct copy. You will learn to deliver difficult news gracefully and to speak persuasively. You will also learn to deliver an effective business presentation in contexts that may require impromptu oral presentations. You will develop effective written and interpersonal skills and learn to apply soft skills in business settings across various media. Practice exercises include editing and writing letters, writing memos, project planning, drafting reports and a CV and cover letter workshop. We work extensively on the do's and don'ts of email communication and learn how to summarize expertly. The course will be comprised of 28 sessions over 14 weeks and will consist of: assigned readings and weekly, student presentation of material; in-class writing exercises, individual assignments, a mid-term, a library visit, a research report, a group power point presentation and a final exam. There is a substantial in-class writing component and there will be at least one guest speaker during the semester.
Students will also participate in JCU's Elevator Pitch competition. The Elevator Pitch competition gives students the opportunity to put their persuasive speaking ability into action in one minute in front of a jury. The competition is designed to reinforce poise and an ability when interacting with the outside world in professional situations.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will learn how to write an effective resume and cover letter, how to conduct a competency based-job interview and how to interview successfully; how to write routine emails, letters and memos; how to create effective presentations and how to persuade an audience in both the oral and written mediums. The course will spend a substantial amount of time on in-class writing and on oral presentations.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Business Communication | Scot Ober | South-Western Cengage Learning | ISBN-13: 978-1-4390-3569-6 | AWC HD 30.3.027 | |
| Guide to Managerial Communication. 10th Edition. | Mary Munter | Prentice Hall | ISBN-13: 978-0132971331 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Participation | | 20% |
| In-class writing assignments | | 15% |
| Mid term | | 15% |
| Research report | | 15% |
| Group presentation | | 15% |
| Final Exam | | 20% |
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-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 cours
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:
Since the course is based on a series of in-class writing workshops and activities, regular attendance and class contribution are essential. As such, students are required to attend all class meetings. Students are allowed 3, no-questions-asked absences per semester for both the expected (i.e., being the best man in your brother’s wedding) and the unexpected (i.e., a flat tire). Each additional absence beyond the 3 allowed, with the exception of absences excused by the Dean's Office, will result in the reduction of the final grade for the course of 5%. Students who arrive to class after attendance have been taken will be counted as late. Two late arrivals will count as one absence. Please note that there is homework in nearly every class so if you are absent, you are still responsible for whatever material was covered in class. If a major scheduled grading event (assignment due, in-class workshop/peer review, presentation) is scheduled for that class period, and you don’t show up and don’t have a university-sanctioned excuse (see below) then you will lose the points for that activity. Please refer to the JCU Academic Policies link on the website for the University's Absence Policy.
UNIVERSITY ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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Week 1: Mon. 31 August and Wed. 2 Sept-Introduction to the course and to Business Communication; Communicating in today’s global workplace-Munter Chapter 1
Week 2: Mon. 7 Sept. and Wed. 9 Sept.-Employment Communication-How to write an effective resume and cover letter Ober Ch. 12
Week 3: Mon. 14 Sept. and Wed. 16 Sept.-Composing Efficiently; Revising your writing-Munter Chapters 2, 4; Ober Ch. 5
Week 4: Mon. 21 Sept. and Wed. 23 Sept.-Routine Communication-Munter Ch. 3; Ober Chapters 4 and 6; Formal Research Report topics assigned
Week 5: Mon. 28 Sept. and Wed. 30 Sept. Persuasive Communication-Ober Ch. 7 Formal Group Presentation topics assigned
Week 6: Mon. 5 Oct. and Wed. 7 Oct. Persuasive Communication cont’d.; Review of persuasive communication and in-class exercises
Week 7: Mon. 12 Oct. and Wed. 14 Oct. Mid-term week: review and exam
Week 8: Mon. 19 Oct. and Wed. 21 Oct. Communicating Bad news-Ober Ch. 8 *Make Library appointments.
Week 9: Mon. 26 Oct. and Wed. 28 Oct. Writing Reports; How to create effective visual aids. Munter Ch. 6 Ober Chs 9 and 10
Week 10: Mon. 2 Nov. and Wed. 4 Nov. How to create effective visual aids, continued; Interpersonal communication and How to run a meeting Guffey. p. 321-327 “The Essential of Business Communication” (On MY JCU) and Ober Ch. 3
Week 11: Mon. 9 Nov. and Wed. 11 Nov. Delivering Persuasive Presentations: Nancy Duarte and the Power of Your Ideas, plus a guest speaker! Munter Chs 5-7; Ober Ch.11
Week 12: Mon. 16 Nov. and Wed. 18 Nov. Practice presentations; globalization and communication *First-round of Elevator Pitch Competition
Week 13: Mon. 23 Nov. and Wed. 25 Nov. Final group presentations; Rough draft of research paper due (workshop).*Monday, November 23, 6.30pm, Tiber Café: Elevator Pitch Competition Final Round.
Week 14: Mon 30 Nov and Wed 2 Dec.-Final exam review and resume workshop.Final research papers due.
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