BUS150-701 Business Communications

Course Syllabus, Policies, and Schedule

 

 

Overview

 

Communication is such an important skill in every aspect of almost every career.  Communication skills include writing, listening, speaking, nonverbal signs and signals, and intercultural relations.  There are so many modes of communication today.  Written communication includes letters, memos, and reports as well as e-mail, newsgroups, teleconferencing, and even desktop publishing.  Listening, speaking, and nonverbal skills are necessary for communicating face-to-face with customers, clients and the public as well as over the telephone, voice mail, oral presentations, and videoconferencing.  In addition, we communicate with a diverse group of people locally and internationally.

 

                      

 

This course is designed to provide the student with a foundation for developing effective communication skills.  All forms of communications and many of the modern modes of communication are discussed and utilized.  The course will develop skills, techniques, and strategies for many different business and personal situations such as routine messages, negative news messages, persuasive messages, good will messages, etc.  A job application series is emphasized which includes career research, developing a resume, and interviewing.  Students will develop and deliver an three- to four- minute oral presentation which can be presented in class meeting, on a videotape, or posted online.  Essentials of grammar including sentence structure, mechanics including punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary enrichment, and use of reference materials are also covered. 

 

General Objectives

Upon completion of this course, each student should achieve the following main objectives:

·        Understand the elements of effective communications.

·        Apply techniques of business and personal business writing.

·        Develop the ability to effectively write routine and non-routine business documents.

·        Deliver a brief presentation before a small group.

 

Specific Objectives

Upon completion of this course, each student should achieve the following specific objectives:

·        Understand the purposes of business writing.

·        Know the various types of business and personal letters.

·        Develop organized methods and strategies for written correspondence.

·        Develop the ability to write various routine letters and e-mails.

·        Write a 100% accurate and effective resume and letter of application.

·        Discuss correct interviewing techniques.

·        Gain familiarity with and utilize a reference manual for business writing.

·        Increase business and English vocabulary.

·        Develop an understanding of nonverbal communication signals.

·        Develop and give a short oral presentation to a small group.

 

Textbooks

 

Essentials of Business Communication, 5th Edition, Mary Ellen Guffey, Thomson Learning/South-Western College Publishing, 2001.  ISBN #0324-01357-4.

How 9, Clark & Clark, Thomson Learning/South-Western College Publishing, 2001. ISBN #0324-01362-0.

Hardware and Software

PC-compatible computer using a Windows 95 or 98 operating system.

Internet connection and browser software such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator

Word Processing software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, or other PC compatible software.

Other Materials

Two 3.5" HD floppy disks for backup 

A notebook and some type of folder or binder (preferably a 3-ring binder) for class notes and printouts.  You may print out any page, and there are several hundred pages in this course.  I'd recommend organizing them by module in a binder.

 

Course Activities

 

Reading Assignments.  You will be responsible for reading each assigned chapter in your textbook, Essentials of Business Communication, and use the material as a basis for group discussion, written assignments and tests. 

 

Written Assignments. These assignments will help you review important terminology, skills, and techniques from each chapter.  They will help me evaluate how well you've learned the material.  Some assignments will be created in a word processor and attached to an assignment document. 

 

Special assignments: There are two assignments that must be completed in order to pass the course:  A resume assigned in Chapter 13 and an oral presentation assigned in Chapter 12.  The resume will be saved in a word processing file and must be revised to 100% accuracy.  The oral presentation will be a 3-minute speech and will be presented in class on an assigned date.

Mechanics Checkups.  These assignments will require application of grammar and mechanics skills from your reference manual, How 9.  You'll follow the instructions on the document, which will require either correcting or supplying mechanics such as punctuation, capitalization, number style, grammar, sentence structure as so on. 

Class discussions.  These discussions simulate what would occur in a classroom.  We need to share ideas and communicate regularly.   

 

GRADING:  Your final average will consist of the following:

Writing assignments:  60%

You'll complete assignments that will teach you how to apply skills and techniques and help you prepare effective communications.  These include written documents and tests.  Your grade will be based upon the quality and quantity of these assignments.  These written assignments also include special projects explained below. 

 

Special projects:  There will be two special projects in this course.  These projects are a course requirement.  Failure to submit these projects will result in failure of the course.

 

1.       The first is an employment communications package which will include a letter of application, a resume, and a follow-up letter.  The goal for this project is to achieve 100% accuracy and effectiveness.  You will be submitting rough drafts and making revisions on these documents until they are perfect. 

 

2.       The second project is the preparation and delivery of an oral presentation.  It will require some research, an oral report outline, preparation of visual aids and handouts, and a 3-minute presentation before a small group or posted online with a small group. 

 

Mechanics assignments: 20%

These assignments will help you apply the grammar and mechanics rules properly.  Read the instructions for preparing these assignments. They must be submitted on their due date.

 

Final Exam  (Comprehensive):  20%

This will be a series of written assignments which will sum up and review the entire course. 

 

 

 

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