Columbia College Chicago 600 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60605
Arts, Entertainment & Media Management Department (AEMM) 618 S. Michigan Avenue
Course: Writing for Managers 28-2021-00
Instructor: Janelle Azmy
Course Summary: This course prepares students to communicate in the professional world. The course emphasizes the importance of reaching one’s audience, as well as how to use concise written communication to reach other artists and managers in today’s arts entertainment industry. Provides students the skills they will need to lead and succeed in clear communication.
Course Objectives: Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to: - Communicate organized information successfully in the appropriate format - Understand the importance of using writing to communicate in the professional world - Identify and research their audience to successfully achieve communication goals - Apply skills learned to progress and become leaders in their industry of study
Course Format: Writing for Managers will be taught using a variety of mediums. Students will be taught lessons and concepts through PowerPoint presentations and handouts. These concepts will then be expanded upon through in-class and group activities. All PowerPoints will be posted in Moodle after class as a reference. Moodle forums will be used for out-of-class discussions and questions. Depending on the assignment, homework will be submitted either via Moodle or Google Docs. This formatting is effective because it keeps students attention through a variety of mediums. If students struggle to learn through any of these mediums, it is easier to adjust to make the material more accessible for them. It also allows students to practice communicating in different settings.
Course Materials: Oliu, Walter E., Charles T. Brusaw, and Gerald J. Alred. Writing that works: communicating effectively on the job. 10th ed. New York, NY. All students are required to have access to the textbook, “Writing That Works: Communicating Effectively on the Job.” This text is not required for purchase, although students are encouraged to do so. Homework reading assignments will be optional and supplemental, should students need clarification or reiteration of a subject. Additional readings may be assigned.
Course Policies: Homework will be assigned each week in class. Homework is to be completed before the next class. Homework will be submitted electronically, either in Moodle or as a Google Doc depending on the assignment. Late Assignments will receive an automatic 10% deduction for each week they are late. After on-time homework has been graded and returned, students will have the option of revising homework and turning it back in for a higher grade. Revised works must be turned in 2 weeks after the graded assignment was returned. Revised work turned in after this deadline will not be accepted. Revisions are allowed to give students the chance to regularly practice revising their work. Students are expected to attend class each week and arrive on time. One absence is allowed without consequences. Three tardies will be counted as an absence. After three absences students will be in jeopardy of automatically failing this course. Five absences will result in automatic course failure.
Assignment Descriptions: Of the assignments to be completed in this course the most important for students to successfully understand and achieve are the professional email, resume and press release. Professional Emails: professional emails are an extremely important (and daily) part of today’s fast paced work environment. That said, it is very easy to miscommunicate in an email. Through this assignment students will learn the do’s and don’ts of creating a professional email so that they can easily communicate in their industry. Resume: When applying for a job one of the first things an employer is looking at is an applicant’s resume. It is extremely important that students learn how to properly and best communicate about themselves through this document. This assignment will allow students to create, edit and revise their resume so that they can stand out and compete in the professional world to secure employment. Press Releases: Press releases are necessary for marketing and communications in the arts. No matter what entertainment industry a student is hoping to pursue, press releases will be involved. Students must learn how to properly create and communicate through a press release document. Through this assignment students will learn the ins and outs of creating a press release: how to read it and write it, well.
Of the assignments to be completed in this course, the least important, the one that could be dropped from the schedule, is the instruction writing assignment. While instruction writing is a handy skill to understand, I don’t think our students will find that it is an extremely important part of the professional arts industries. It seems a bit out of place on in the lesson, like a last minute assignment that is required just because. I would recommend removing this assignment altogether to allow students to use this time to further work on the revision process.
Course Outline: Writing for Managers will be taught in stand-alone classes. The course is laid out so that students progress from business basics (such as composing and responding to professional emails), to applying for employment (i.e. writing cover letters and resumes), to on the job communication (meeting minutes, press releases), to writing for positions of power (business plans and instructions). This way student’s can progress and build on their knowledge, as they would progress in the workplace. Week #1
Introduction Welcome/Course Overview Understanding Moodle and Google Docs
Week #2
Back to the Basics Grammar and Punctuation Grammar Quiz #1 Theme: Importance of Grammar
Week #3
Writing Letters Business Snail Mail Grammar Quiz #2 Professional Letter of Complaint Theme: Clear Communication
Week #4
Digital Communications Business and Social Media/Communications Grammar Quiz #3 Business Email Theme: Concise Communication
Week #5
The Art of Memo’s Communication via Memos Write and respond to memo Theme: Understanding your Audience
Week #6
Getting the Job Cover Letters and Resumes Create cover letter and resume Theme: Networking and Connections
Week #7
Really Getting the Job Follow up letters and Interviews Create follow up letter Mock Interview Theme: How to best represent yourself
Week #8
Mastering the Meeting Agendas and Minutes Create meeting agenda and minutes Theme: Refining and Attention to Detail
Week #9
Business Reports Creating clear Business Reports Create business report Theme: Organization and Clarity
Week #10
Press Releases Understanding and creating Press Releases Create press release Theme: Know your Audience/Grab Attention
Week #11
Being the Boss, Part 1 Instructions Create instructions Theme: Keeping your readers interest thru brevity
Week #12
Being the Boss, Part 2 Resignation Letters and Bad News Letters Write and respond to resignation letter Theme: Tone and Style
Week #13
Proposals Business Proposals Create a business proposal Theme: Putting all your skills together!
Week #14
Final Portfolio Final Revisions and putting it all together Submit final portfolio!