Communications 200
Business Communications is an intensive course designed to help students gain the written and oral skills needed to communicate effectively in a constantly changing business environment. In this course students will learn to prepare, design, and evaluate various written documents used in business. Also, they will present oral presentations. ___________________________________________________________________ Learning Outcomes COMM 200 is an introductory course designed to help you develop and refine the skills necessary to communicate effectively in a professional business environment. The focus will be on communicating clearly, concisely, considerately, and correctly, both orally and in writing. You will learn to plan, compose, and evaluate business documents, including letters, memos, and business reports; to use technology to communicate, including e-mail and discussion boards; and to prepare and deliver oral presentations. The course will also contain an introduction to employment communication, including résumés, application letters, and interview skills. Emphasis throughout the course will be placed on intercultural communication and the ethics of communication. Teaching/learning methods will include reading, close analysis of business and professional documents, in-class writing and oral exercises, brief lectures, formal writing assignments, group projects, and examinations. Through class meetings and out-of-class work, you should expect to do the following: 1. Understand the process of communication from the positions of “receiver” and “sender” in a variety of business and professional contexts. 2. Apply specific reasoned, practical, and ethical business communication principles to composing and delivering typical business and professional messages. 3. Enhance awareness of communication contexts and practices in other cultures. 4. Practice business communication skills in both independent and collaborative/team situations Required Textbook & Website Textbook: Guffey, Rhodes, Rogin (2006) Business Communication: Process and Product (6th Canadian Edition). Toronto: Nelson. Website: http://comm200.wikispaces.com/
COURSE SCHEDULE (SYLLABUS) Week WEEK 1
WEEK 2
Topic or Task Class orientation and introduction Class expectations C.L.U.E. (Competent Language Usage Essentials) Chapter 1 Communicating at Work • Analyzing communication styles • Workplace listening • Individual and group activities
Read: Chapter 2 Chapter 1 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) C.L.U.E. Reviews 1 & 2(check answers to all C.L.U.E. Reviews in back of textbook)
Chapter 2 De veloping Teams, Listening and etiquette Skills • Soft skills • Communicating in teams and small groups Individual and group activities
Read Chapter 3 Chapter 2 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk)
Chapter 3 Communicating Across Cultures • Individual and group activities
WEEK 3
WEEK 4
WEEK 5
Quizzes / Assignments / exercises Diagnostic CLUE assessment (non credit) In class diagnostic writing Read: Chapter 1
Chapter 4 Writing Process Phase 1: Analyze, Anticipate, Adapt • 3x3 process • audience analysis Individual and group activities
Read Chapter 4 Chapter 3 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk ) C.L.U.E. Reviews 3 & 4 (check answers to all C.L.U.E. Reviews in back of textbook)
Review Test 1 Read Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) C.L.U.E. Reviews 5& 6
Chapter 5 Writing Process Phase 2: Research, Organize, Compose Individual and group activities Introduction to APA APA Citations Individual and group activities
Chapter 5 Review questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) Chapter 5 Grammar Questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) APA citation assignment (DUE NEXT CLASS) Read Chapter 6
Chapter 6 Writing Process Phase 3: Re vise, Proofread, Evaluate Individual and group activities
Read Chapter 7 Chapter 6 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk)
Chapter 7 E-Mail Messages and Memos Individual and group activities
Review Test 2
Chapter 8 Positive Letters and Messages Individual and group activities
Read Chapter 8 Chapter 7 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) In class C.L.U.E. Assessment 1 Read Chapter 9 Chapter 8 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) C.L.U.E. Review 7 Writing Assignment1(First draft)
WEEK 6 Chapter 9 Persuasive and Marketing Messages Individual and group activities
GROUP CASE STUDY DUE Read Chapter 10 Chapter 9 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) C.L.U.E. Review 8
Midterm Review
Writing Assignment 1(final draft)
Midterm
Midterm
WEEK 8
Chapter 10 Negative Messages Individual and group activities
Read Chapter 11 Chapter 10 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) C.L.U.E. Review 9
WEEK 9
Chapter 11 Business Report Basics Individual and group activities
Read Chapter 12 Chapter 11 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk)
WEEK 10
Chapter 12 Informal Business Reports Individual and group activities
Writing Assignment 2 (first draft)
WEEK 7
Read Chapter 14 Chapter 12 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) In class C.L.U.E. Assessment 2 WEEK 11
Chapter 14 Business Presentations Individual and group activities
Read Chapter 15 Chapter 14 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) Writing Assignment 2 (final draft)
Chapter 15 The Job Search, Resumes and Cover Letters Individual and group activities
Read Chapter 16 Chapter 15 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk)
WEEK 12 Chapter 15 Resumes & Cover Letters Continued
Group Case Study Presentation Review Test 3
Writing Assignment 3(first draft) WEEK 13
Chapter 16 Interviewing and Following Up Individual and group activities Final Exam Review
WEEK 14
Final Exam
Chapter 16 Re vie w questions ( On - l i ne w o rk) Writing Assignment 3(final draft)