Recommended Preparation: Eligibility for English 1A

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1 El Camino College Department of Business Management - Business Division Course Syllabus Fall 2012 BUSINESS 28: Written Business Communications Wednesdays: 6:30 9:40 Instructor: David Sherwood Section: 3207 Classroom: Communication 309 Telephone: (310) x dsherwood@elcamino.edu (preferred mode of contact) Website: (for class notes) Office Hours: Wednesdays, 6:00 6:30, by appointment Recommended Preparation: Eligibility for English 1A Course Description: In this course students will study the theory and practice of functional writing to give them an understanding of the human relations aspects of communication, to help develop logical patterns of organizing ideas, and to aid in achieving clear, concise expression. Practice in writing various types of business letters and reports will be emphasized throughout the course. Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes: At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Compose various business documents, applying the principles of effective communication. 2. Write clear and effective business documents. 3. Identify and employ the proper approach or plan to be used for various business communication situations. 4. Develop logical patterns of presenting ideas as a means of achieving clear, concise expression. 5. Criticize, evaluate, and revise the content and structure of business communications. 6. Plan, research, and compose formal informational business reports. 7. Evaluate business problems or conflicts, organize strategies, and compose effective written communications under typical business conditions. Required Textbook: Lehman & Dufrene, Business Communication, (16th Edition) Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. ISBN: DATE TOPICS CH In-Class Homework Address: bus28elcamino@gmail.com 29- Aug Course Overview / Establishing a Framework for Business Communications 1 Summarize a recent, challenging conversation you've had with your manager. None explaining the challenging conversation with suggestions for ways to improve the situation in the future.

2 5-12- Focusing on Interpersonal and Group Communication; Introduce Semester Project Planning and Spoken and Written 2 3, 4 Summarize a recent meeting you've had at work. Write a bulletin to employees explaining why they are not permitted to park in nearby parking spots and must instead leave those open for customers Form Project Groups: Exchange contact information and begin to brainstorm presentation topic. Submit 3 Potential Project Concepts. either praising them for the productive meeting or suggesting ways to improve the situation. explaining why the new parking policy needs to be adjusted (unsafe, too far, unnecessary, etc.). 19- Communicating Electronically 5 Write an to an outside vendor disputing a charge on an invoice Based on instructor feedback, choose refine your top-choice topic and resubmit. Write an as if you were the vendor justifying the charge on the invoice Oct Delivering Good and Neutral News Delivering Bad News 6 7 Write and deliver a speech announcing yearly bonuses for a company Prepare a statement to a group of employees AFTER a series of layoffs have taken place Define roles and responsibilities and develop timeline for each piece to be submitted. Write an to a remote employee summarizing the speech and announcing the bonus. Write an to an employee who was laid off due to economic conditions but is distraught.

3 10-Oct 17-Oct Delivering Persuasive Understanding the Report Process and Research Methods 24-Oct Managing Data and Using Graphics Write a letter to your Health Insurance Company requesting reimbursement for a claim based on a passage in your policy Conduct a survey of classmate opinions Create graphical representation of last week's survey Same as In- Class Same as In- Class Write an agreeing to pay half the claim due to vagueness in the policy. Summarize the results of your survey findings in an . Translate graphics into electronic format and them. 31-Oct MIDTERM None None None Utilizing the survey and 11, graphics, write 7- Designing and Delivering 12 a brief report Same as In- Business suggesting a Class Presentations policy change Resumes and Application NO CLASS: Thanksgiving Holiday Interviewing for a Job and Employment Group 5-Dec Presentations; Final Review 12- Dec Final Exam Resume Workshop! Interview Workshop! Finish Project! Rehearse and Finalize Project! Write-up and Your Report. Resume. Prepare for Project Presentation None Presentations! Prepare for Final! Evaluation: Your semester grade will be based on the following. Weekly s Midterm Exam 100 Points 30 Points

4 Group Presentation Final Exam Total 50 Points 70 Points 250 Points Weekly s and Much of the learning from this course will come from applying the principles we are discussing to In Class s followed up by a Homework . Being able to think critically and present a point of view, both written and verbal, is a critical part of your growth in business. As such, you MAY be dropped from the class if you miss two or more classes. This does not guarantee that you WILL be dropped so if you are unable to attend the sessions, please contact me to discuss options. You should be prepared to discuss the weekly s and you could be cold-called to present. Weekly s are due by the scheduled start of class. Unless special arrangements are made, late work is not accepted. Please send all assignment s to: bus28elcamino@gmail.com and make sure to include the following at the beginning of each Your Name The Chapter of the Group Project: In groups of four, you will plan the rollout and communication of a major policy change at a company or organization. You will be responsible to write and deliver orally a written speech that would address all stakeholders of the policy change; create a Powerpoint Presentation that walks the class through the details of that change, including background data presented in chart and graph format. The details of the project will be explained as the semester progresses and ample time will be provided to prepare the presentation in-class. Key Dates: tember 7: Last Day to ADD a Class or Drop for an Enrollment Fee Refund ember 16: Last Day to Drop Without Notation on Permanent Record Grading Policy: The grading policy is online. Academic Honesty: All students are expected to abide by and will be held to the academic honesty policy. Cheating violates section I.B.1 of El Camino College s Board Policy 5138, Standards of Student Conduct. The El Camino College faculty, staff and administrators are dedicated to maintaining an optimal learning environment and will not tolerate academic dishonesty. To uphold the academic integrity of the institution, all members of the academic community, faculty and students alike, must assume responsibility for providing an educational environment of the highest standards characterized by a spirit of academic honesty. The following statement is part of Board Policy 5138, Standards of Conduct: Dishonesty, including but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the college. When there is evidence of cheating or plagiarism in classroom

5 work, students may receive an F for that piece of work or may be suspended from all classes for that term and the following term if deemed appropriate. Examples of cheating or plagiarism include: Representing the words, ideas or work of another as one s own in any academic exercise, including the work of commercial term paper companies; Copying or allowing another student to copy from one s paper or answer sheet during an examination; Allowing another individual to assume one s identity for the purpose of enhancing one s grade in any one of the following: testing, field trips or attendance; Falsifying or attempting to falsify attendance records and/or grade rosters; Changing answers on a previously scored test, assignment or experiment with the intent to defraud; Inventing data for the purpose of completing a laboratory experiment or case study analysis with the intent to defraud; Giving and/or taking information during an examination by any means such as sign language, hand signals or secret codes; Obtaining copies of notes, exams or exam questions by any means other than distributing form the instructor. (This includes copying and removing exam questions from the classroom for any purpose.); Using study aids such as calculators, tape recorders or notes that have been specifically prohibited by the instructor. Responsibility of El Camino College Students It is the responsibility of each student to conduct him/herself in a manner which encourages learning and promotes honesty; and to act with fairness toward other students in the classroom. This incorporates that notion that students should not seek an unfair advantage over other students when completing an assignment, taking an examination or engaging in any other kind of academic activity. Special Considerations: If you need additional time to complete a test or if you require any special accommodations, you must notify the instructor in a timely manner. Otherwise, you will be expected to adhere to the information included on this course syllabus. Disability Statement: Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact the Special Resources Center on campus as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implements in a timely fashion. Special Resources Center contact information is telephone, and , Students are also encouraged to contact me privately to discuss specific needs.