School of Management MGMT315 Management Communications 3 Credit Hours 8 weeks Prerequisite(s): None

Transcription

1 School of Management MGMT315 Management Communications 3 Credit Hours 8 weeks Prerequisite(s): None Instructor Information Course Description Course Scope Course Objectives Course Delivery Method Course Materials Evaluation Procedures Grading Scale Course Outline Policies Academic Services Instructor: Phone: Fax: Office Hours: Course Description (Catalog) This course is a study in the theory and techniques of communication within and between organizations. It takes an analytical approach to the development of content and presentation in management communications with an emphasis on the relationship of creative and logical thinking to the solution of management problems through written communications. 1

2 Course Scope This course analyzes management communications and addresses solutions to management problems through effective business communication. One of the important aspects of this course is the application of the theory to practical communication issues. The course scope addresses development of business communication skills including letter, report, , and resume writing and oral communication. (Note to Students: The course materials, assignments, learning outcomes, and expectations in this upper level undergraduate course assume that the student has completed all lower level general education and career planning coursework necessary to develop research, writing, and critical thinking skills. Students who have not fulfilled all general education requirements through courses or awarded transfer credit should strongly consider completing these requirements prior to registering for this course.) Course Objectives After successfully completing this course, students will fulfill the following Learning Objectives (L.O.): Analyze a range of management communication theory and techniques. Examine elements of effective management communication models and practices. Analyze the process of effective communication. Evaluate the concepts of management communication and apply them to practical applications. Course Delivery Method This MGMT315 Management Communications course delivered via distance learning will enable students to complete academic work in a flexible manner, completely online. Course materials and access to an online learning management system will be made available to each student. Online assignments are due by midnight Sunday (Eastern US) of the week as noted and include Discussion Board questions (accomplished in groups through a threaded discussion board), examination, and individual assignments submitted for review by the Faculty Member). Initial Discussion Board responses are due by midnight Thursday (Eastern US) of the week. Assigned faculty will support the students throughout this eight-week course. Course Materials Required Course Textbooks: 2

3 Book Number Authors Book Title Publication Info ISBN MGMT315-0 Locker, Kitty O. Business and Administrative Communication USA: McGraw Hill Publishing ISBN 13: ISBN 10: Textbooks in APA format: Locker, K. O. (2010). Business and administrative communication USA: McGraw Hill Publishing. Required Readings: See Course Outline Additional Resources: Additional course and assignment information is located in the Resources folder in the classroom. Websites In addition to the required course texts the following public domain Websites are useful. Please abide by the university s academic honesty policy when using Internet sources as well. Note web site addresses are subject to change. Site Name The OWL at Purdue APA Style Homepage Be A Leader Foundation Hackworth Foundation Accel Team Website URL/Address Evaluation Procedures Graded Assignment Percent of Final Grade Week 1 - Introductory Forum 5 - Quizzes Chapters 1, 2, 3 6 Week 2 - Clarity in Communication Forum 5 3

4 - Quizzes Chapters 7, 8, Paper Memo Evaluating Page Designs 9 Week 3 - Messages Forum 5 - Quizzes Chapters 14, 15, 16 6 Week 4 Working in Teams Forum 5 - Quizzes Chapters 4, 5, Paper Memo Business Trip 9 Week 5 Reports Forum 5 - Quizzes Chapters 10, 17, 18 6 Week 6 Resumes Forum 5 - Paper Resume 9 Week 7 Job Application Letters Forum 5 Week 8 Paper Formal Business Letter Total Week Course Outline Please see the Student Handbook to reference the University s grading scale Week Topic Learning Objectives Assignments 1 CHAPTER 1 Succeeding in Business Communication and Management CHAPTER 2 Adapting Your Message to Your Audience LO-1: Recognize and explain business communication and the impact on business success LO-2: Demonstrate the three basic purposes of communication LO-3: Analyze business communication problems Chapters 1, 2, 3 1. Introduce yourself using the guidelines in Week 1 Forum 2. Respond to two or more classmates CHAPTER 3 Building Goodwill LO-4: Identify trends affecting business and administrative communication 4

5 LO-5: Analyze individuals, organizational culture and group members in relation to the communication audience LO-6: Analyze audience to adapt written or spoken message based upon audience need LO-7: Identify and explain reader benefits pertaining to communication LO-8: Recognize importance of goodwill in business and personal communication LO-9: Analyze messages and correspondence for attitude, positive emphasis, tone and bias. Take Online Exams for Chapters 1, 2, 3 LO-1: Identify good style in business writing and recognize half-truths about style Read Chapters 7, 8, 9 2 CHAPTER 7 Planning, Composing, and Revising CHAPTER 8 Designing Documents CHAPTER 9 Creating Visuals and Data Displays LO-2: Evaluate validity of rules about writing utilize techniques to build ten characteristics in individual writing LO-3: Calculate readability formulas for writing LO-4: Recognize relationships between planning and effective communication LO-5: Recognize importance of revising writing and employ skill in revising, editing, and proofreading process LO-6: Evaluate writing and use constructive criticism to provide feedback for improvement Respond to Forum Question by midnight (Eastern US) Thursday. Respond to two or more classmates by midnight (Eastern US) Sunday. Paper: See Resources folder for instructions Take online exams for Chapters 7, 8, 9 3 CHAPTER 14 5

6 Sharing Informative and Positive Messages LO-1: Identify primary and secondary purposes of memos Read Chapters 14, 15, 16 CHAPTER 15 Delivering Negative Messages CHAPTER 16 Crafting Persuasive Messages LO-2: Select subject lines, effectively organize, and locate reader benefits in informative and positive messages LO-3: Critique and select informative and positive messages LO-4: Identify subject lines and parts of a negative message Respond to Forum Question by midnight (Eastern US) Thursday. Respond to two or more classmates by midnight (Eastern US) Sunday. LO-5: Evaluate tone and consider alternate strategies for negative messages LO-6: Analyze persuasive strategy and effectiveness of threats Take Online Exams for Chapters 14, 15, 16 LO-7: Recognize and compose persuasive direct requests and problems solving messages utilizing appropriate tone LO-8: Identify components of junk mail and effective direct mail LO-1: Interpret values, beliefs, and practices of different cultures as they relate to global business Read Chapters 4, 5, 6 4 CHAPTER 4 Navigating Through the Business Environment CHAPTER 5 Communicating Across LO-2: Comprehend cultural differences in oral and nonverbal communication LO-3: Identify best forms of writing international business communications LO-4: Identify roles of group members and behaviors of leaders LO-5: Differentiate between good and poor decision-making strategies and techniques Respond to Forum Question by midnight (Eastern US) Thursday. Respond to two or more classmates by midnight (Eastern US) Sunday. Paper: See Resources folder for instructions 6

7 Cultures CHAPTER 6 Working and Writing in Groups LO-6: Identify characteristics of successful student groups LO-7: Develop effective conflict resolution skills LO-8: Demonstrate knowledge of effective meeting presentations LO-9: Understanding business communications, trends, and how technology changes business communications Take Online Exams for Chapters 4, 5, 6 LO-1: Articulate importance of timelines in report writing 5 CHAPTER 10 Making Oral Presentations CHAPTER 17 Planning and Researching For Reports LO-2: Develop proposals for class projects, action, sales, and funding LO-3: Compose chronological, task, and recommendation progress reports LO-4: Apply research strategies to reports LO-5: Analyze data and information included in reports LO-6: Collect, design, and present information effectively in formal reports Read Chapters 10, 17, 19 Respond to Forum Question by midnight (Eastern US) Thursday. Respond to two or more classmates by midnight (Eastern US) Sunday. CHAPTER 19 Analyzing Information and Writing Reports LO-7: Develop strong presentation opening and closing statements LO-8: Evaluate and organize presentation information Take Online Exams for Chapters 10, 17, 19 LO-9: Identify effective and ineffective group presentations 6 CHAPTER 11 Building Resumes LO-1: Evaluate personal strengths and weaknesses Read Chapter 11 7

8 LO-2: Utilize internet in job search LO-3: Identify optimal information to be included in resume LO-4: Develop strategy for dealing with difficult backgrounds and situations in a resume LO-5: Create personal resume Respond to Forum Question by midnight (Eastern US) Thursday. Respond to two or more classmates by midnight (Eastern US) Sunday. Paper: See Resources folder for instructions No exams this week. LO-1: Identify components of effective resumes and letters of application LO-2: Identify and organize required content for employment application letters Read Chapters 12 & 13 7 CHAPTER 12 Writing Job Application Letters LO-3: Differentiate between qualities of and paper application letters LO-4: Create professional image with packaged resume and letter of application LO-5: Comprehend importance of the interview as a business communication technique Respond Forum Question by midnight (Eastern US) Thursday. Respond to two or more classmates by midnight (Eastern US) Sunday. CHAPTER 13 Interviewing for a Job LO-6: Differentiate advantages and disadvantages of types of interview questions No exams this week. LO-7: Evaluate traditional and nontraditional interview questions and responses 8

9 LO-8: Recognize and understand behavioral and situational interview techniques No reading assignments this week 8 LO-1: Evaluate and summarize learning Paper: See Resources folder for instructions No exams this week. Policies Please see the Student Handbook to reference all University policies. Quick links to frequently asked question about policies are listed below. Drop/Withdrawal Policy Plagiarism Policy Extension Process and Policy Disability Accommodations WRITING EXPECTATIONS All written submissions should be submitted in a font and page set-up that is readable and neat. It is recommended that students try to adhere to a consistent format, which is described below. Typewritten in double-spaced format with a readable style and font and submitted inside the electronic classroom (unless classroom access is not possible and other arrangements have been approved by the professor). Arial 11 or 12-point font or Times New Roman styles. 9

10 Page margins Top, Bottom, Left Side and Right Side = 1 inch, with reasonable accommodation made for special situations and online submission variances. Citation and Reference Style Attention Please: Students will follow the APA Style as the sole citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of coursework to the University. Assignments completed in a narrative essay or composition format must follow the citation style cited in the APA Style Guidelines. Late Assignments Students are expected to submit classroom assignments by the posted due date and to complete the course according to the published class schedule. As adults, students, and working professionals I understand you must manage competing demands on your time. Should you need additional time to complete an assignment please contact me before the due date so we can discuss the situation and determine an acceptable resolution. Routine submission of late assignments is unacceptable and may result in points deducted from your final course grade. Netiquette Online universities promote the advance of knowledge through positive and constructive debate--both inside and outside the classroom. Discussions on the Internet, however, can occasionally degenerate into needless insults and flaming. Such activity and the loss of good manners are not acceptable in a university setting--basic academic rules of good behavior and proper Netiquette must persist. Remember that you are in a place for the fun and excitement of learning that does not include descent to personal attacks, or student attempts to stifle the discussion of others. Technology Limitations: While you should feel free to explore the full-range of creative composition in your formal papers, keep layouts simple. The Educator classroom may not fully support MIME or HTML encoded messages, which means that bold face, italics, underlining, and a variety of color-coding or other visual effects will not translate in your messages. Humor Note: Despite the best of intentions, jokes and--especially--satire can easily get lost or taken seriously. If you feel the need for humor, you may wish to add emoticons to help alert your readers: ;-), : ), Disclaimer Statement Course content may vary from the outline to meet the needs of this particular group. Academic Services 10

11 The Online Library is available to enrolled students and faculty from inside the electronic campus. This is your starting point for access to online books, subscription periodicals, and Web resources that are designed to support your classes and generally not available through search engines on the open Web. In addition, the Online Library provides access to special learning resources, which the University has contracted to assist with your studies. Questions can be directed to Charles Town Library and Inter Library Loan: The University maintains a special library with a limited number of supporting volumes, collection of our professors publication, and services to search and borrow research books and articles from other libraries. Electronic Books: You can use the online library to uncover and download over 50,000 titles, which have been scanned and made available in electronic format. Electronic Journals: The University provides access to over 12,000 journals, which are available in electronic form and only through limited subscription services. Turnitin.com: Turnitin.com is a tool to improve student research skills that also detect plagiarism. Turnitin.com provides resources on developing topics and assignments that encourage and guide students in producing papers that are intellectually honest, original in thought, and clear in expression. This tool helps ensure a culture of adherence to the University's standards for intellectual honesty. Turnitin.com also reviews students' papers for matches with Internet materials and with thousands of student papers in its database, and returns an Originality Report to instructors and/or students. Tutor.com: Students have access to 10 free hours of tutoring service per year. Tutor.com is an award-winning online homework help and learning service that connects students to a certified tutor for one-on-one help Get help with homework, studying, projects, essay writing, and test prep in every subject, including algebra, statistics, chemistry, physics, social studies, and English. There are thousands of academic and career services resources worksheets, practice problems, videos in every subject, as well as financial literacy tips. They are available 24/7 so you can access them whenever you need extra help. Tutor.com can be accessed through the Online Library Tutorial Center link. Request a Library Guide for your course ( The AMU/APU Library Guides provide access to collections of trusted sites on the Open Web and licensed resources on the Deep Web. These are specially tailored for academic research at APUS: Program Portals contain topical and methodological resources to help launch general research in the degree program. To locate, search by department name or navigate by school. Course Lib-Guides narrow the focus to relevant resources for the corresponding course. To locate, search by class code (e.g., SOCI111) or class name. If a guide you need isn't available yet, let us know by ing the APUS Library: librarian@apus.edu 11