PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE 471.12 Business Communications 3 credit hours 2015 Winter Professor: Office: Website: Jeremy Funk, PhD jeremy.funk@prov.ca 2H22 Providence Student Portal Classes: Mon. & Thurs. 11:10 a.m. 12:25 p.m. Classroom #1 Office hours: Mon. & Thurs. 3:00 4:00 p.m. Wed. 10:00 11:00 a.m. Email to set up appointments at other times. SYLLABUS A. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is designed to provide a broad overview of communications as it relates to the business environment. Fundamentals of both written and oral communications are the foundation for this course. Students will develop techniques and practical methods for presenting ideas clearly and persuasively that will lead to sound decision making and effective teamwork. Instruction will come through: Lectures on material to be discussed Class, small group, and website discussions of readings or topics Regularly assigned readings Regular assignments and reports as indicated and administered Individual Case Study Analysis Group Case Study presentations Mid-term Examination B. COURSE OBJECTIVES The overall objective is to equip the student to write and speak effectively in business situations. The primary focus is on business communication foundations, written communication skills, employment messages, oral communication processes, and the various media used for communication purposes.
C. LEARNING OUTCOMES The completion of this course should enable the student to: Articulate the concepts and explain the basic theory of business communication. Practically use the writing process in brief, informal, long, and formal documents to clearly communicate the intended message. Use business communication principles in assessing articles and presentations for the clarity and quality of communication employed, as well as the learning value the communication process provides. Employ communication fundamentals to job-search requirements. Identify, analyze, synthesize, assess, and model effective skills required for oral communication. Integrate Christian Faith principles and values into the process of business communications. D. COURSE TEXT Thill, John V., Courtland L. Bovèe, Ava Cross. Excellence in Business Communication, Fifth Canadian Edition. Toronto: Pearson Education, 2015. ISBN 9780132825924 or Thill, John V., Courtland L. Bovèe, Ava Cross. Excellence in Business Communication, Fourth Canadian Edition. Toronto: Pearson Education, 2011. ISBN 9780135119129 E. COURSE REQUIREMENTS Quizzes, the mid-term exam, and any in-class assignments will be handwritten. Reading assessments, regular assignments, and case studies must be typed. All typed material is to be prepared in a standard or widely-accepted format (i.e., Chicago or APA style). Please follow the link for one such source for documentation styles if you need reminders as to the format: http://www.wisc.edu/writing/handbook/documentation.html. It is not important which you chose, only that you choose one and use it consistently. 1) Attendance and Participation: (5%) Students are expected to come to each class having prepared the material assigned and ready to participate in class discussion. Material covered in each class builds on previous concepts and therefore it is important to attend all classes. Absences require an explanation with frequent absences affecting the attendance and participation grade. Participation is more than just attending class. It means freely entering into class discussion and exercises. Students are expected to share concepts, information, and 2
experiences. It is important to point out, as stated by Robbins and Langton (1999) 1 that participation can be and is: providing recapitulations and summaries; making observations that integrate concepts and theories; citing relevant personal examples; asking key questions that lead to revealing discussions; engaging in devil's advocacy; disagreeing with the instructor or the group when the difference of opinion serves as both counterpoint and a way of exploring all sides of a concept, theory, issue or practice; being an active participant in group discussion and; working with others to come to a common understanding of topics. Furthermore, avoid continuously dominating class and group discussion. Listen to what others say. Come to class well prepared and equipped to intelligently discuss the topic of the day. We do not want just a warm body in the classroom whose mind is pre-occupied with other irrelevant issues. It is reasonable to expect timely completion of all assignments, consistent attendance, and participation in discussions in a university-level course. Interaction with colleagues and readings provides meaningful contributions to class dynamics as a whole. My intention is to set the stage for a positive learning experience. To that end I intend to encourage you to think and reflect upon the assigned material and then contribute to the discussion when you are ready. Accordingly, while I will assume that students have prepared all the assigned materials, I generally will make limited use of the cold call technique (that is, calling upon students without warning). Instead, I will manage the classroom process using the following policies: i. First come, first served: A key entrepreneurial challenge is being appropriately proactive. While I expect to do some cold calling, I would also ask you to initiate participation. ii. Entry into discussion by raised hand 98% of the time: One of my key responsibilities is to facilitate orderly discussion. Therefore I would request that you indicate readiness to participate by raised hand. I will then do my best to bring you into the discussion as soon as possible. iii. First helpings before seconds: Anyone willing to participate for the n th (e.g., first) time will be given priority over anyone who is seeking to participate for the (n+1) th (e.g., second) time. 1 Robbins, Stephen P. and Nancy Langton. Instructor's Resource Manual, Organizational Behaviour: Concepts, Controversies, Applications. Canadian Edition. Scarborough: Prentice Hall Canada, 1999. p. XI 3
2) Assignments: (20%) Four assignments (each worth 5%) will assess your practical understanding of the primary concepts. Since this course is about being professional and communicating clearly, your assignments will be assessed accordingly. They will be scheduled throughout the course and will primarily be an exercise from the text or another appropriate exercise that applies directly to the material being studied. 3) Quizzes (12%) Four quizzes (each worth 3%) will test your knowledge of material from the textbook. The Review Questions in the Test Your Knowledge section of the particular chapters will be a good outline of material to understand. You may also access test-type questions on the textbook website. If you study and understand the core issues the writers are making, you will do fine. Each quiz consists of multiple choice and/or short answer questions. 4) Reading Assessments: (10%) Two reading assessments (each worth 5%) will give you opportunity to apply business communication principles to specific business articles. The assessments are to be no more than two typed pages (double-spaced) in length. Each assessment should cover three areas: The key points the article is making (no more than ½ page). How these points are relevant to the business communications topic and might apply in actual business situations you might encounter in your future career. Your assessment of the article s points do you agree or disagree and why? Assessments are due at the beginning of the class. Students should also come to class on these days prepared to summarize and discuss their assessments. Each assessment will be evaluated for: Summary quality Did you accurately and succinctly summarize the points made? Analysis Did you relate it to potential business situations? Did you relate it to course materials? Was your assessment of the article insightful? Writing style Clarity, Grammar, and Appearance. 4
5) Academic Workshop: Critical and Creative Engagement (Wednesday, January 14, 12:40 2:15 p.m.) All students should attend this helpful workshop. At various points during your time as a Providence student you will be expected to submit research and writing assignments. This workshop will help you excel in these tasks. As you are attending, you may choose to write a report of the workshop as an alternative to one of the reading assessments, though the assigned article must be read in preparation for class discussion. Follow the guidelines noted above, including a brief analysis of the oral presentations. 6) Individual Case Study: (15%) Case Study Written Report The written report is to consist of: A title page which includes: Case title; Course number and title; Date submitted; and Group members names A summary one-paragraph situation analysis that summarizes the situation facing the case protagonist and the decision they must make to address that situation An analysis of the alternatives available (approx. 1 page) A summary of theoretical issues applicable to this situation (approx. 1 page) An analysis of how those issues apply to this particular situation (approx. 1 page) A Christian perspective on this particular situation (approx. 1 page) A recommended decision and a course of action to implement that decision (approx. 1 page) References (if materials are referenced in the body of the report) The written reports will be evaluated for: Clarity of the thinking and writing Thoroughness of the alternatives presented Relevance of the theoretical issues discussed Insightfulness demonstrated in applying them to this particular situation Thoughtfulness of the Christian perspective put forward Effectiveness and practicality of the decision recommended and the course of action proposed Format, grammar, style 7) Mid-Term Examination 18% The mid-term exam will be based on the material covered to that point in the course with the primary emphasis being on the written business communication. It will consist of some short answer (M/C or T/F) questions, but mainly testing practical writing skills through document analysis and writing cases. 5
8) Study Groups: You will be divided into small study groups, with membership provided by the instructor during the first couple weeks of the semester. These groups are expected to meet at least once per week. Each study group will be expected to: i. Share study notes. ii. Proof-read each other s writing. iii. Discuss reading assessments and other written materials as required. iv. Analyze and present a group case together. 9) Group Work Reflection: (5%) This personal reflection is a 2-3 page discussion of group communication, indicating: i. How communication was used effectively and ineffectively in your group. ii. How your group discussions and work have been handled differently. iii. What you learned through this experience. 10) Group Case Study: (15%) Case Study Written Report (10%) See Individual Case Study details above in regards to the written analysis. Case Study Presentation (5%) Each group will also be required to make a five-minute PowerPoint presentation plus discussion time of their case report to the class, and then to lead the class in a discussion. The purpose of the presentation is not to reproduce the written report, but to effectively orally communicate, and therefore the presentation should consist of only: A brief problem statement A recommended alternative A listing of the alternatives considered The pros and cons of each alternative considered An explanation of why the group is recommending its alternative 2 or 3 questions for the class to discuss The presentation will be evaluated for: Clarity Involvement of all members of the group in the presentation Ability to distinguish between symptoms, facts, opinions, your inferences, and underlying problems or causes Professionalism In leading the discussion, the group will be evaluated on: Involving group members in the discussion Involving class members in the discussion Ability to hear and seriously consider viewpoints differing from their own 6
F. GRADING SUMMARY Numeric grades will be converted to letter grades by applying the following scale: Excellent A+ 4.0 >91 Satisfactory C+ 2.3 67 69 A 4.0 85-90 A- 3.7 80-84 Adequate C 2.0 63 66 C- 1.7 60 62 Very Good B+ 3.3 77-79 Marginal D+ 1.3 57 59 Good B 3.0 73-76 D 1.0 53 56 B- 2.7 70-72 D- 0.7 50 52 Group Work Group Case Study 15% Reflection 5% Failure F 0.0 <50 Individual Work Participation 5% Reading Assessments/Workshop 10% Assignments 20% Quizzes 12% Mid-term Exam 18% Individual Case Study 15% Total 20% Total 80% 7
G. COURSE POLICIES Full text to the academic policies, procedures and regulations of Providence College can be found online in the Student Handbook (http://www.providenceuc.ca/college/student_life/) and the College Academic Calendar (http://www.providenceuc.ca/college/registrars_office/calendar/). 1. Class Attendance Policy Students are required to provide an explanation for absences, using the Absence Form available in the Registrar s Office or at the end of the syllabus. Absences will affect the participation grade. 2. Late Assignment Policy Late assignments (any time after the class period when it is due) are accepted, but will receive a 10% per day mark reduction. Missed in-class assignments or exams can only be made up at the discretion of the instructor. It is the students responsibility to initiate follow-up on any missed material. Specific dates for assignments and the exams are listed in this syllabus, will be announced in class, and are posted on the course website. If a student hands in a late assignment and wishes it to be considered for partial marks, they must submit it with the Late Assignment Form. 3. Plagiarism Students are expected to demonstrate academic integrity in all its various forms, and will be held accountable for doing so by the policy on Academic Conduct in the Student Handbook (http://www.providenceuc.ca/college/student_life). One particularly problematic breach of academic integrity is plagiarism, which is stealing from the ideas and writings of another person and passing them off as one s own. For an elaboration of the nature, types, and prevention of plagiarism, see the Providence College document entitled Academic Dishonesty: The Problem of Plagiarism in Academic Writing, in the Providence College Academic Formation Guide available in the bookstore. Information on how to cite sources and avoid plagiarism can be found at (http://www.providenceuc.ca/college/library/information/use_a_style_guide_or_creat e_a_bibliography/). 4. Missed Exams Students who miss exams other than a final exam are responsible to contact the professor within one week of the exam date if they still wish to write the exam. Permission to do so will be given to only those students who present evidence or reasonable grounds acceptable to the professor for having missed the exam. The format of the exam will be at the discretion of the professor. Students who do not write an exam by at most two weeks after the exam date will receive a grade of zero for that component of the course. 8
5. Information and Communication Technologies in the Classroom Student use of information and communication technologies for purposes other than class note-taking is not allowed in the classroom, as students are expected to give their total attention to class activities. Use of cell-phones or ipods is never appropriate in the classroom, and use of laptop computers to play games, chat with others, browse the Internet, or engage material not related to the class is always distracting to classmates and disrespectful to the instructor. Unlike some other post-secondary institutions, Providence has not yet found it necessary to ban laptops from the classroom, or prevent wireless internet access in classrooms. Only judicious use of them will keep it that way. 9
H. COURSE SCHEDULE Session # Date Topics 1 Jan. 8 Syllabus / Introduction 2 Jan. 12 Jan. 14 3 Jan. 15 4 Jan. 19 5 Jan. 22 6 Jan. 26 7 Jan. 29 8 Feb. 2 Feb. 5 9 Feb. 9 10 Feb. 12 Feb. 16 11 Feb. 19 12 Feb. 23 13 Feb. 26 14 Mar. 9 Foundations of Business Communications Effective Business Communication Academic Workshop (12:40 2:15 p.m.) Foundations of Business Communications Communicating in Teams Foundations of Business Communications Listening & Nonverbal Communication Foundations of Business Communications Intercultural Communication Foundations of Business Communications Intercultural Communication Three-Step Writing Process Planning Business Messages Three-Step Writing Process Planning Business Messages Missio Dei No Class Three-Step Writing Process Writing Business Messages Three-Step Writing Process Completing Business Messages Louis Riel Day No Class Designing & Delivering Oral & Online Presentations Designing & Delivering Oral & Online Presentations Crafting Brief Messages Electronic Media Mar. 2-6 Reading Break No Classes Crafting Brief Messages Electronic Media Readings Due 1 2 2 3 Assignments Critical & Creative Engagement Assignment #1 p. 59-60 Running Case 1 Noreen 3 Quiz #1 Ch. 1-3 4 Reading Assessment #1 4 5 6 Quiz #2 Ch. 4-6 14 14 Assignment #2 Practice Your Knowledge, p. 173-174 Document 6.B 7 Individual Case Study 7 Reading Assessment #2 15 Mar. 12 Mid-term Exam Mid-term Exam 16 Mar. 16 Crafting Brief Messages Routine & Positive Messages 8 10
Session # Date Topics 17 Mar. 19 Crafting Brief Messages Negative Messages 18 Mar. 23 Crafting Brief Messages Persuasive Messages Readings Due 19 Mar. 26 Planning Reports & Proposals 11 20 Mar. 30 Writing & Completing Reports & Proposals 12 &13 Assignments 9 Quiz #3 Ch. 7-9 10 Assignment #3 p. 281 Running Case 2 Kwong Assignment #4 Exercises, p. 370-371 11.7 & 11.9 21 Apr. 2 Employment Messages & Interviewing for Jobs 15 &16 Quiz #4 Ch. 10-12 22 Apr. 6 Group Case Study Presentations 23 Apr. 9 Group Case Study Presentations Apr. 13-17 (EXAM WEEK NO FINAL EXAM) Group Case Study Group Work Reflection Group Case Study Group Work Reflection 11
Student Information Late Assignment Submission Form Providence University College Name: Student number: Course Number: Course Title: Instructor: Assignment information Title of Assignment: Assignment Due Date: Assignment Submission Date: Reason for Lateness: Please provide an explanation for the lateness of the assignment. N.B. Please provide all relevant documentation (e.g. Doctor s note) Student s Signature: Instructors Use Only Date Assignment Received: Late Penalty Waived / Assessed Late Penalty: % Faculty Signature: 12
Student Information Absence Form Providence University College Name: Student number: Course Number: Course Title: Instructor: Absence Information Date of Absence: Please provide an explanation for the absence*. *Please provide all relevant documentation (e.g. Doctor s note) Student Signature: Instructors Use Only Date Absence Form Received: Absence Waived / Assessed Faculty Signature: 13