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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "BUS 220-3"
COURSE NAME: "Business Communications"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2016
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Michele Favorite
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 8:30 AM 9:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above
OFFICE HOURS:
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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:
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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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.
All students in this class wil participarte in the JCU Elevator Pitch competition, thanks to which they will practice the art of persuasion in one minute. |
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Short Assignments | | 20% |
| Research Report | | 15% |
| Power Point Group Presentation | | 15% |
| Midterm | | 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 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:
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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Bus 220
Business Communication
Schedule Spring 2016
Week 1: Introduction to the course and to Business Communication; Fundamentals of communication strategy.
Class discussion: Munter: chapter 1.
Week 2: How to write an effective Resume
Class discussion: Ober: chapter 12. Different resumes will be distributed and discussed during class. A revised draft will be due ever week before the Resume workshop. Please staple all versions of your resume together, with the most recent on top. The final draft will be due a week before the Resume Workshop, which takes place towards the end of the course.
Week 3: Micro and macro writing
Class discussion: Munter: chapters 2, 4; Ober: chapter 5.
Week 4: Routine communication
Class discussion: Munter: chapter 3; Ober: chapters 4 and 6. Harvard Management Communication Letter (HMCL): “The best memo you’ll ever write;” HMCL: “Don’t push that send button!”
Report topics will be assigned.
Week 5: Persuasive communication
Class discussion: Ober, chapter 7.
Assignment of presentation topics.
Week 6: Persuasive communication (cont’d)
Review of persuasive communication, in-class exercises.
Week 7: Midterm week
Review for midterms and midterm exam.
Week 8: Communicating bad news
Class Discussion: Ober: chapter 8.
Week 9: Writing reports; how to create effective visual aids
Class Discussion: Munter: chapter 6; Ober: chapters 9 and 10. HMCL: “Picture it: the power of visual speaking;”
Week 10: Spring vacation
Week 11: How to create effective visual aids (cont’d); the power of blogs: how they are changing business communication
Class will focus on visual aid exercises. Material on blogs to be distributed in class.
Week 12: Delivering persuasive presentations
Class discussion: Munter: chapters 5-7; Ober, chapter 11. HMCL: “Why the best presentations are good conversations.”
Reports are due.
Week 13: Practice presentations; globalization and communication.
Class discussion: Friedman, ch. 2.
Week 14: Presentations
Week 15: Review and Resume workshop
Please note that class schedule may vary according to guest speaker availability.
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