Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m. 7:45 p.m.; Interactive Broadcast. Canvas Learning Management System,

Transcription

1 MIS 3200 Spring Semester 2015 MIS 3200 provides Jon M. Huntsman School of Business (HSB) undergraduates with a conceptual framework and specific tools for communicating in complex organizational environments, complementing the overall business curriculum and helping students accomplish their strategic academic and professional business goals. This course provides writing, oral, and collaborative skills necessary for future business courses, internships, and professional positions. Instructor: Dr. Pam Dupin-Bryant Phone: Tooele: (435) Logan: (435) Office: Date/Time: Website: Connect: Resources: Tooele Regional Campus Pam.Dupin-Bryant@usu.edu Wednesdays, 5:15 p.m. 7:45 p.m.; Interactive Broadcast Canvas Learning Management System, McGraw-Hill Connect Business Communication, Business Communication: Developing Leaders for a Networked World, Cardon, 2014 (ebook is provided as part of the Connect platform) Required Technical support for students: HOW 12 or 13, A Handbook for Office Professionals Required The Resume.Com Guide to Writing Unbeatable Resumes, Curtis and Simons, 2004 (Optional highly recommended, but not required) Prerequisite: English 2010 or equivalent Expected Skills: Basic writing skills, including grammar and language mechanics; computer skills, including the ability to efficiently create files in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint as well as the ability to competently communicate face-to-face and via . This syllabus is a guide, and every attempt is made to provide an accurate overview of the course. However, circumstances and events may make it necessary for the instructor to modify the course during the semester and may depend, in part, on the progress, needs, and experiences of the students. Changes to the schedule will be made with advance notice. Page 1 of 6

2 Overview and Objectives The MIS 3200 instructors are committed to providing high-quality instruction that prepares students to effectively serve organizations and society; thus a great deal of rigor and relevance are integrated into all assignments. Business communication is the language of business and is essential in creating purpose- and audience-centered messages that increase influence and credibility. Industry leaders must exhibit excellent communication skills and technical expertise, work well with others, think critically and strategically, and take personal responsibility for their surrounding environment. Therefore, the following objectives will be accomplished through structured class experiences and assignments, constant attentiveness and personal readiness in class lectures and activities, energetic participation in class discussions, and reflective practice. AACSB Accreditation sets the standards for quality and continuous improvement in collegiate business education. The accreditation goal pertaining to this class is as follows: Students will be proficient in oral and written communication. Therefore, at the conclusion of the course, students should be able to 1. Analyze communication situations and audiences to determine the most effective way(s) to communicate and deliver messages. 2. Demonstrate effective written communication through professional business documents and deductive analytical writings. 3. Demonstrate effective, coherent oral communication through professional oral presentations in contexts that may require prepared or extemporaneous presentations. 4. Conduct research that utilizes electronic library resources and the Internet; use the research results to analyze and complete business case work as well as written and oral reports. 5. Develop and enhance collaborative skills through group exercises and projects. 6. Provide, accept, and use feedback to improve communication skills. 7. Write business documents that are grammatically correct and use appropriate business style and tone. 8. Understand and use appropriate communication technologies by which to communicate professionally and ethically across and within organizational and cultural boundaries. Expectations for students in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business are high; you are expected to work, read, and assimilate a great deal of material. You are expected to complete your own work on all assignments and tests. Any form of cheating will result in a failing grade for the course and will be reported to the associate vice president for student services for inclusion in your permanent student file. Instruction Methods To achieve the stated objectives, students will be assigned readings and research to provide the foundation for classroom discussions. The materials will offer professional and relevant background, theory, and practical information to support the important business communication issues raised in the assignments. The lecture portion of the course will set up the discussions, and the recitations will provide a workshop-like setting, allowing practice and communication assessments. Page 2 of 6

3 Grading Course grades will be determined by achievement in the following areas. Grading in this class is based on the percentages listed below. Final percentages will be rounded down to the nearest whole number. The weight given to each area follows: 1. Homework Assignments/Participation... 20% 2. Writing Unit Assignments... 20% Employment Communication... 10% Report Writing (group)... 5% Professional Correspondence... 5% 3. PLP (Achieve Modules)... 5% 4. Oral Presentations... 10% Small Group... 5% Large Group... 5% 5. Assessments... 40% Quizzes... 10% Language Mechanics Assessment % Language Mechanics Assessment % Comprehensive Writing Assessment... 10% Comprehensive Final... 10% 6. Professionalism... 5% Grade Scale A >94% A- >90% B+ >87% B >84% B- >80% C+ >77% C >74% C- >70% D+ >67% D >60% F <60% Notes All correspondence in the class must be in business-professional form; this includes all s to instructors. For example, s starting with Hey are not recommended. Others may proof your work and give suggestions; however, you are responsible for the final submission. Course materials are the criteria by which language mechanics, format, and content are graded. A tentative schedule will be distributed on the learning management system (Canvas). Changes and additions to the schedule (exams, assignments, and due dates) may be announced in class. Students are responsible to note changes and additions. Classroom order and respect are essential; therefore, please understand that in all fairness to the other members of the class, the instructors will strictly adhere to all due dates, guidelines, and objectives. Exceptions to any of these items create inequality. Page 3 of 6

4 Grade Policy MIS 3200 is a business acumen course in the Huntsman School of Business; thus, the following HSB grading policy applies to this course: Acumen courses in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business are designed to provide students with both general and management-specific foundational knowledge and skills for their business careers. The faculty of the Huntsman School of Business desire that concepts taught in acumen courses be rigorous and provide a broad understanding of the functional disciplines of business. To help ensure rigor, general business literacy, and differentiation of student achievement, grades in the Huntsman acumen courses typically should not exceed a class average of 2.8 in lower division courses and 3.2 in upper division courses. Homework Assignments/Participation (20%) Active and thoughtful contributions are highly valued in the business and classroom environments. Please think of every day as an opportunity to practice and improve your communication skills. Attendance, of course, is necessary for in-class contributions. Being well-prepared and effective are critical involvements. Active, positive engagement in the classroom is desired. Class participation and preparation are especially important to students' learning in this course. Due to the nature of the course, class members should read assigned material prior to class sessions, attend class regularly and punctually, bring assignments to class when they are due, share relevant comments and questions, and respect other class members' contributions. All mobile and electronic devices (laptops, phones, tablets, etc.) must be stored unless specifically being used for class activities as allowed by instructor. Students not performing in this manner will lose participation points or be dismissed from class entirely at the instructor s option. The participation grade will be based on these factors and punctual submission of practice writing assignments when requested. Each assignment given in this class is designed with a specific purpose and skill development. Please understand the purpose of each given assignment, audience aims, criteria for evaluation, and respective guidelines regarding assignment length, format, and collaboration expectations. This class is not an online class. Due to the nature of the course content, assignments are given (and/or adjusted) in class, and some documents are available only in the classroom. Therefore, please network with your classmates. If you miss or are late to a class session, you are responsible for the assigned work. All assignments (unless otherwise noted) must be completed and submitted prior to the start of class on the date due. Do not wait until the last minute to prepare and print your assignments. Software and printer problems are not acceptable excuses for late work. Late assignments will be accepted one class session after the due date and receive half credit (maximum). Homework assignments will go through a review process since they serve as practice and preparation for graded writing exercises; furthermore, they lead to useful feedback about your individual writing skills. Submitting assignments on the requested day will contribute to your grade. Only those assignments that are correctly formatted, typewritten, and contain only a limited number of errors will be positively counted toward your grade; moreover, selected class activities may be used as part of the participation grade. Please save all papers you submit throughout the semester and store them chronologically in a binder or a folder. Page 4 of 6

5 Writing Unit Assignments (20%) Three major writing unit assignments will be assigned this semester. Specific instructions for completing each writing assignment will be given during class. Assignments should be submitted before the due date to receive credit. Achieve Modules (Personalized Learning Plan PLP) (5%) Through a series of adaptive questions, Achieve identifies where you need to focus your learning in this class in two basic areas: language mechanics/grammar and the research process. Because students enter this class with different levels of knowledge, the program is intuitive; and each module will provide learning resources (e.g. slides, videos, interactive activities) on topics in which you need reinforcement. Each module with accompanying segments must be completed on or before the due date to receive full credit for the module. No late work will be accepted on the Achieve modules. Due dates are listed on both the Connect course home page and Canvas. Oral Presentations (10%) Two oral presentations will be given this semester. Each student will participate in a large group presentation and a small group presentation. Specific instructions for each presentation will be given during class. Presentations will be given at various dates and times throughout the semester. Students will receive credit for presenting as well as actively participating as audience members. Assessments (40%) Assessment format and administration will vary based on each assessment type. A detailed explanation and review will be given prior to each assessment. Professionalism (5%) Professionalism implies positive participation and an appropriate attitude for learning. This behavior involves being personally accountable for learning and asking questions in a timely manner, arriving on time, turning off communication devices and music, restraining from text messaging, and communicating with the instructor and other class members in a courteous and professional way. In addition, professionalism means maintaining integrity by doing your own work. When using ideas from other sources, whether in presentations or written documents, always credit sources with citations. Other items considered are attitude toward the course, your peers, and the instructor; evidence of preparation; peer evaluations; professional approach to learning; respect for diversity and ideas; and behavior consistent with successful business professionals. Students who are often absent, late, or noisy learn less; moreover, they reduce the learning of their classmates. Also, students who are, in the instructor s opinion, disruptive and creating a negative learning environment will be warned the first time and given a participation point deduction. They will be asked to leave the classroom the second time and will be administratively dropped from the course. The professionalism component of the grade is fair but strictly subjective and at the instructor s discretion, as is a supervisor s discretion in an organization. Near the end of the semester, each student will be asked to evaluate their own performance in this area. Page 5 of 6

6 Incomplete Grades Incomplete (I) grades will be given only in accordance with university policy. In some cases a student may not be able to complete all of the assignments and tests due to extenuating circumstances. These would include (a) incapacitating illness, (b) death in the immediate family, (c) financial responsibilities requiring a student to alter his or her course schedule to secure employment, (d) change in work schedule as required by employer, or (e) other emergencies of this nature. Documentation of the circumstances cited to justify an incomplete grade is required. An incomplete grade will not be given because of poor performance and will not under any circumstances be given during the first few weeks of the semester when other methods of withdrawing from the class are available. Comfortable Learning Environment As indicated in the Code of Policies and Procedures for Students, "students are expected to engage in reasonable and substantial preparation for their coursework and to follow course and class guidelines as set forth in syllabi and as enunciated by their instructors. All interactions with faculty members, staff members, and other students should be conducted with courtesy, civility, decency, and a concern for personal dignity." USU, the MIS Department, and the MIS instructors are all committed to maintaining an inoffensive, non-threatening learning environment for every student. Class members (and the instructor) are thus to treat each other politely both in word and deed. Offensive humor and aggressive personal advances are specifically forbidden. If you feel uncomfortable with a personal interaction related to this class, contact your recitation instructor for help in solving the problem. The MIS Department head, HSB dean, and USU's Affirmative Action Office are also available to help as needed. Student recordings of any portion of the class activities (audio or video) are allowed only after permission is obtained from the instructor and/or others involved. Any recordings made without permission will be considered a violation of individual privacy. Disability Assistance Students with ADA-documented physical, sensory, emotional or medical impairments may be eligible for reasonable accommodations. Veterans may also be eligible for services. All accommodations are coordinated through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) in Room 101 of the University Inn, (435) Please contact the DRC as early in the semester as possible. Alternate format materials (Braille, large print, digital, or audio) are available with advance notice. Page 6 of 6