Syllabus for MGT 341 Business Communications 3 Credit Hours Spring 2012

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1 I. COURSE DESCRIPTION Syllabus for MGT 341 Business Communications 3 Credit Hours Spring 2012 A survey of all areas of business communications, not as an isolated unit of learning, but as a universal activity. It is designed to cultivate and refine a repertoire of basic essentials of communications. Prerequisites: None II. COURSE GOALS A. Business Communications is designed primarily for students interested in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful communicators in the business field while being a shining light for God. The class helps students achieve their potential as members of business while affording the opportunity to influence people with Christian values. The course includes instruction in letter and report writing and oral reports. B. In line with the purpose of this University, this course seeks to do the following: 1. Contribute to the education of the whole person. 2. Encourage each student to place faith in Jesus Christ at the center of their lives. 3. Encourage the synthesis and integration of the common bond of knowledge provided by the University into a unified whole. 4. Sharpen the communication, computation, and critical analysis skills of each student. 5. Develop appreciation for differing cultures. 6. Demonstrate that knowledge and experience are related not separated. 7. Reveal God's purpose and glory as evident in this course of study. 8. Assist the students' development of basic skills, acquiring of basic knowledge, and formulation of a world vision. 9. Advocate the examination of this field of knowledge in the context of its influence upon and its being influenced by others. C. In line with the purpose of the business administration program, this course is designed to prepare a student for an active role in the general area of business administration. An objective of this program is to provide a more general exposure which allows each student to elect a minor program to provide a much broader base of specialized knowledge in order to become an effective member of the business society. This course in business communications is part of a program to develop an integrated person--spiritually alive, intellectually alert, and physically disciplined. D. In line with the departmental objectives, this course seeks to prepare students in the following areas: 1. Critical thinking (skills in reasoning, objectivity, analysis, interpretation, research, or decision making relevant to the discipline) 2. Communication (abilities in areas such as written, oral, and nonverbal communication; group process; information technology and/or media production) 3. Broad comprehensive foundational knowledge for the professional standards of the major Last revision: 12/1/2011 1

2 4. Broad interpretation of the dynamics of business within the social and professional context III. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS COURSE Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to do the following: 1. Demonstrate basic language skills in grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, number usage, and sentence structure. 2. Exhibit communication techniques including skillful use of words, parallelism, emphasis, unity, tone, and style. 3. Communicate in a concise, clear, straightforward language. 4. Use problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to analyze business problems resulting in business documents. 5. Demonstrate reading and analytical skills by studying strategies and comparing effective and ineffective business documents. 6. Demonstrate interpersonal, listening, and speaking skills necessary in business situations. 7. Apply communication skills in an expanding business environment constantly affected by international, ethical, and diversity needs. 8. Integrate electronic elements in the communication process. 9. Identify important aspects of and develop materials for the job-search process. 10. Demonstrate oral communication skills through an oral presentation. IV. TEXTBOOK AND OTHER LEARNING RESOURCES Required Textbooks Flatley, M. et. al. (2012). M: Business Communication. New York: McGraw-Hill ISBN: Strunk, W. & White, E.B. (1999). The Elements of Style. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon. ISBN: X Reynolds, G. (2011). Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (2 nd ed.). Berkeley, CA: New Riders Press. ISBN: V. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES A. University Policies and Procedures 1. Attendance at each class or laboratory is mandatory at Oral Roberts University. Excessive absences can reduce a student s grade or deny credit for the course. 2. Students taking a late exam because of an unauthorized absence are charged a late exam fee. 3. Students and faculty at Oral Roberts University must adhere to all laws addressing the ethical use of others materials, whether it is in the form of print, electronic, video, multimedia, or computer software. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating involve both lying and stealing and are violations of ORU s Honor Code: I will not cheat or plagiarize; I will do my own academic 2

3 work and will not inappropriately collaborate with other students on assignments. Plagiarism is usually defined as copying someone else s ideas, words, or sentence structure and submitting them as one s own. Other forms of academic dishonesty include (but are not limited to) the following: a. Submitting another s work as one s own or colluding with someone else and submitting that work as though it were his or hers; b. Failing to meet group assignment or project requirements while claiming to have done so; c. Failing to cite sources used in a paper; d. Creating results for experiments, observations, interviews, or projects that were not done; e. Receiving or giving unauthorized help on assignments. By submitting an assignment in any form, the student gives permission for the assignment to be checked for plagiarism, either by submitting the work for electronic verification or by other means. Penalties for any of the above infractions may result in disciplinary action including failing the assignment or failing the course or expulsion from the University, as determined by department and University guidelines. 4. Final exams cannot be given before their scheduled times. Students need to check the final exam schedule before planning return flights or other events at the end of the semester. 5. Students are to be in compliance with University, college, and departmental policies regarding Whole Person Assessment requirements. Students should consult the WPA handbooks for requirements regarding general education and the students majors. a. The penalty for not submitting electronically or for incorrectly submitting an WPA artifact is a zero for that assignment. b. By submitting an assignment, the student gives permission for the assignment to be assessed electronically.. B. Course Policies and Procedures 1. Evaluation Procedures Point Distribution Personal Branding 20% Resume 20% Individual Presentation 20% Team Presentation 20% Participation 20% 2. Late Work Policy a. Late work will not be accepted. Assignments are due on or before the deadline given. b. Under rare circumstances, exceptions will be made. However, notice of late work must be given before assigned deadline. 3. Attendance Policy a. Attendance is mandatory. Students are permitted 3 unexcused absences. b. After each set of 3 unexcused absences, ten points will be deducted from student s final grade. 3

4 c. Students are expected to be in dress code. Students arriving not in dress code will be counted as absent. C. Contact information David Burkus GC CR 3F

5 VI. COURSE CALENDAR Date Topic Assignment Week 1 Communicating in the Workplace Flatley Chapter 1 Week 2 Understanding the Writing Process Flatley Chapter 2 Week 3 Using Visuals in Communication Flatley Chapter 3 Week 4 Using an Appropriate Style Flatley Chapter 4 Week 5 Writing Good News Flatley Chapter 5 Week 6 Writing Bad News Flatley Chapter 6 Week 7 Writing Persuasive Messages Flatley Chapter 7 Week 8 Researching and Writing Reports Flatley Chapter 8 Week 9 Writing Short Reports Flatley Chapter 9 Week 10 Individual Presentations Presentations Week 11 Fall Break Week 12 Communicating Orally Flatley Chapter 10 Week 13 Communicating in the Job Search Flatley Chapter 11 Cover Letter & Resume Week 14 Presentation Preparation Reynolds Preparation Week 15 Presentation Design Reynolds Design Week 16 Presentation Delivery Reynolds Delivery Week 17 Final Exam Team Presentations Team Presentations 5

6 Course Inventory for ORU s Student Learning Outcomes Business Communications MGT 341 Spring 2012 This course contributes to the ORU student learning outcomes as indicated below: Significant Addresses the outcome directly and includes targeted assessment. Moderate Address the outcome directly or indirectly and includes some assessment. Minimal Address the outcome indirectly and includes little or no assessment. No Does not address the outcome. The student Learning glossary at defines each outcome and each of the proficiencies/capacities. OUTCOMES and Significant Moderate Minimal No 1 Outcome #1 SPIRITUALLY ALIVE 1A Biblical knowledge X 1B Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit X 1C Evangelistic capability X 1D Ethical behavior X 2 Outcome #2 INTELLECTUALLY ALERT 2A Critical thinking X 2B Analytical problem solving X 2C Global and historical perspectives X 2D Aesthetic appreciation X 2E Intellectual creativity X 2F Information literacy X 3 Outcome #3 PHYSICALLY DISCIPLINED 3A Healthy lifestyle X 3B Physically active lifestyle X 3C Properly balanced nutrition plan X 4 Outcome #4 SOCIALLY ADEPT 4A Communication skills X 4B Interpersonal skills X 4C Appreciation of cultural and linguistic X differences 4D Responsible citizenship X 4E Leadership capacity X 6