Syllabus

 

I.          Course Prefix:               BUSN 350

            Course Title:                 Business Communications

            Credit Hours:                3

 

II.         Instructor:                     Valerie Evans

            Office Location:            DeBusk 319

            Office Contact: 869-6267 or vevans@lmunet.edu

            Office Hours:                MW 8-10, TR 9:30-11, F (by appointment)

 

III.       Prerequisites:                MGMT 300; ENGL 112 or 122

 

IV.       Course Description:  Oral and written communications; the application of theory to the composition of business communications.  An introduction to the basic forms of communication in the business world: letters, memos, e-mail, reports, and speeches.

 

V.        Relationship of this course to content area knowledge and skills:  This course familiarizes students with methods of communication required of them by the business community and gives them practical experience with each form.

 

VI.       Text:     Business and Administrative Communication, 6th ed.

                        Kitty O. Locker

                        McGraw-Hill / Irwin

                        ISBN 0-07-246958-7

 

VII.      Course Objectives:

            Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. Determine the best form of communication for a given business situation.
  2. Compose an appropriate correspondence with proper structure and style.
  3. Conduct a professional research project using both primary and secondary research sources.
  4. Deliver a professional presentation using presentation software.
  5. Write a professional resume and cover letter.

 

VIII.     Outline of Course content:         Homework       Spring 2004

 

 

A1

 

1.5

Introducing Yourself to Your Instructor

 

30

 

Jan 16

 

A2

 

13.9

 

Designing Questions

 

383-4

 

Jan 26

 

A3

 

14.8

 

Restaurant Tipping

 

435-6

Jan 30

 

A4

 

13.16 (also P1)

 

Proposal

 

386

Feb 6

 

A5

 

14.8 b

 

Revised Restaurant Tipping

 

435-6

Feb 13

 

 

A6

 

 

 

Speech Outline

 

 

Ch 16

Feb 9

 

A7

 

16.6

 

Evaluating Presentations

 

481-2

In Class

 

A8

2.14

2.15

Revising a Memo

Revising a Form Letter

 

55

Feb 16

 

A9

 

17.9

 

Resumes (chronological & skills)

 

517

Mar 8

 

A10

18.11

Writing a Solicited Letter

542-3

Mar 12

 

A11

 

6.12

 

Financial Aid Form

 

143-4

Mar 19

 

A12

 

7.18

 

Lining up a Consultant

 

175

Apr 2

 

A13

 

8.19

 

Rejecting a Would-be Client

 

209

Apr 7

A14

 

9.24

 

Sticky Recommendation

 

248

Apr 12

 

Research Paper

Deadlines

 

P1

 

Work Plan / Proposal

 

Feb 6

 

P2

 

Draft / Progress Report

 

Mar 15-19

 

P3

 

Research Paper

 

Apr 5

 

P4

 

Presentation

 

Apr 19-23

 

IX.       Evaluation Methods:

                        Research Project                      40%

                        Homework                               20%

                        Class work                               20%

                        Exams                                      20%

 

**Attendance is required; class work cannot be made up.**

 

100-94  A        93-90  A-        89-86 B+         85-80  B                      79-76 B-

75-70  C                      69-60 D                       59-0 F

 

X. Date of Revision:      August 2003

 

Any student with a disability requiring accommodation(s) should make an appointment with the Vice President for Student Affairs (423-869-6393) to discuss specific needs.
Course Policies – BUSN 350

  1. Homework must be turned in on time.  Late assignments cannot be accepted under any circumstances.  Assignments must be sent via e-mail attachment in either Word format (.doc) or Rich Text Format (.rtf). I cannot open Word Perfect documents or Works files.

All assignments should include assignment number, description, due date, and students’ name within the document’s text.

 

a)     Save your homework assignment using the format [lastname, assignmentnumber] ; for example Evans1_5; use this format no matter what the text says to call your file.

b)     If the assignment calls for more than one file, use the scheme: Evans1_5a, Evans1_5b, etc..

c)      E-mail your homework, send to: vevans@lmunet.edu. The class title should be in the subject line; for example BUSN 350.

  1. This course is designed to prepare students for communicating in the workplace. Since writing effectively is such an important part of good clear communication, students will be required to prove adequate basic writing skills: sentence structure, basic grammar and punctuation.
  2. Students are responsible for backing up their work.  If a disk or file is damaged and unreadable, you will be responsible for the providing a back-up copy for grading.
  3. Academic integrity is taken very seriously. A copy of the University policy is attached to this syllabus and can be found in the student handbook, page 39 (2003-2004). Students will also sign a form verifying their receipt and understanding of this policy. No work will be accepted until this form is signed.
  4. Regular attendance is necessary! Class work cannot be made up. 

 

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