BA/EN 325 – Business
Communication
Course Syllabus – Fall
2009
Instructor Information: Office Hours:
WBC 106 1:00
– 2:30 Tuesday and Thursday
susan.meyeraan@wartburg.edu
-and by
appointment (I’m happy to
352-8315 meet
at other times – just email or call)
232-9155 (home – before 9:00 p.m.)
(please leave a
local number – I am not
always able to
return long distance calls)
Class Time: Class Location:
Sec.
01:
Sec.
02:
Course Description:
BA 325 is identical
with EN 325. Communication skills needed
for success in business will be emphasized, including business letters, memos,
and report writing. Oral presentation
skills, job application skills, communication theory, and technology will also
be covered. This is a writing intensive
course. Prerequisite: third- or fourth-year standing; writing
preparatory competency.
Course Objectives:
At the end
of this course, students will be able to:
1.
consider the purpose of communication in
order to develop and effectively structure ideas
2.
analyze the audience to better target
oral and written communications
3.
understand the importance of interpersonal
skills in the communication process, and sense the subtleties of positive,
effectively worded communications to build goodwill
4.
format information to enhance content
and represent data in appropriate forms
5.
compose informative and positive
letters and memos, effective negative messages that are accepted by the audience,
and persuasive messages that lead the audience to take desired actions
6.
plan and deliver effective oral
presentations to meet the needs of the audience using PowerPoint presentation
software
7.
understand the job application process in
order to communicate effectively through resumes, application letters,
interviews, and follow-up correspondence
8.
review grammar, edit writing, and
proofread to make communication more effective
9.
understand the effects of technology
and ethics on the communication process
10. consider
implications of communicating in an increasingly diverse and global work
environment
Required Texts and Supplies:
Flatley, M., & Rentz, K. (2010).
M: Business Communications.
Rossiter, J. (2007).
The APA Pocket Handbook: Rules for Format & Documentation. (K. Dailey, Ed.). Grand
Handouts found on my.wartburg
Flash drive – can be used for other courses as well
NOTE: flash drives labeled USB3 will NOT work in
Wartburg’s computer labs
Student Responsibilities:
1. Attend all class sessions and
participate constructively in discussions and activities.
2. Complete assigned readings and come
to class prepared (includes bringing paper/pencils and anything else you need
to be successful).
3. Complete all written assignments in
a professional manner, following instructions detailed on the assignment
sheet. Assignments are due during the
class period on the day assigned. Begin
assignments early enough to allow time to develop quality content and proofread
the final product. Late assignments
will incur a penalty of up to 20% of the total points possible for each day
late.
4. Be accountable for the contributions
you are to make in any team activities.
5. Ask questions.
Evaluation System:
Students
will be evaluated on class preparation and participation, assigned activities,
and exams. Points for each graded
component are detailed at the end of the syllabus.
Final
grades will be determined by your standing in relation to other students and
will approximately follow a 90%, 80%, 70%, 60% scale.
Keep track of the points earned on graded assignments. Save
all assignments in printed/graded form until you receive your final course
grade.
The copy of each graded project you submit is normally
considered the final version. Rewrites
are not provided for unless otherwise noted, so make sure that you revise and
proofread effectively. The exceptions to this are your resume, your job
application letter, and your final project report. You will receive feedback on the drafts of
these three assignments before you submit the final revision for a grade.
Exams:
Exams will
be given as scheduled on the syllabus.
There will be no makeup exams without a written excuse from a doctor,
other evidence of an emergency, or pre-arrangement with the instructor. Tests will be a combination of true/false and
multiple choice questions, and will also include writing applications. The objective portion of the exams may be
machine scored, so come prepared with pencils and erasers. Any material we cover in class, whether from
the text, discussion, presentations, or group projects, may be on the exams. Exact format and topics for each exam will be
discussed in class. Students will not
be allowed to leave the room during exams.
Class Participation and Work Habits:
It is
expected that you will do more than just “be here” during class time. Active participation requires arriving on
time, being prepared for the day’s activities, showing interest in the
discussion, and staying until the end of class.
In order to earn full credit for the participation points, you should
ask questions which make us think AND volunteer to answer questions based upon
your own personal experiences.
Additionally, you should show respect to your classmates by encouraging
and supporting them in their learning efforts and staying awake during
discussions. This includes attending and
being active listeners during your classmates’ presentations. If you have any constraints limiting your
ability to participate, please contact me before the end of the third class.
Special Policies:
1. ORIGINAL WORK: Work done for this class should be new work
or be a significant modification of your own past efforts. Modifications of previous work done should be
first approved by the instructor. Plagiarized
work will, minimally, result in a zero for the assignment.
2. GROUP WORK: It is expected that each person will
contribute equally in any group activities.
It is up to each person to ensure that they have an equal share of work.
3. SUBMITTED WORK: Please follow directions on assignment sheet
regarding how and when assignments are
to be submitted.
4. LATE ASSIGNMENTS: Late assignments will be penalized by a
deduction of up to 20% of the total points possible for each day late. All assignments are to be turned in during
class on the due date.
5. MAKE-UP EXAMS: Make-up exams will be allowed only in the
event of an emergency or pre-arrangement with the instructor. In case of illness, a doctor’s excuse may be
requested. You are responsible for
contacting the instructor and making necessary arrangements.
General Conduct:
Hats are
not to be worn during exams or presentations.
PDAs and other hand-held devices are not allowed during exams. Students are not allowed to leave the room
during exams. As a courtesy to others,
please turn off cell phones, MP3 players, and other electronic devices, and limit
your need to leave the room during all class activities.
Honor Code:
By attending
As
a matter of personal commitment, students, faculty, and staff of
(1) all work
submitted be your own,
(2) when using the
work or ideas of others, including fellow students, give full credit through
accurate citations,
(3) if you are
uncertain about the ground rules on a particular assignment, ask for
clarification.
All
are responsible for abiding by these guidelines and opposing academic
dishonesty by reporting any act that goes against these guidelines.
Accommodation:
Please let
me know if you have a disability which may require any modification of
classroom arrangement, such as seating, audio or visual aids, etc. If more significant accommodation is needed,
please follow the
“The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (
Possible Points for each
Assignment:
____/15 Introductory
memo
____/10 Personalized
letterhead and business card
____/50 Persuasive presentation on why
students should use a specific website
____/30 Resume
using personalized look (final draft)
____/15 Mock
interview thank you note using personalized letterhead
____/10 Self-evaluation
of presentation with goals for next presentation
____/40 Application
letter for internship or job using personalized look (final draft)
____/100 Test 1
over Chapters 1-6 and 12, plus in-class material
____/100 Professional
web site project to promote yourself to potential employers
using
personalized look
____/25 Documentation
exercise as assigned in class
____/100 Test 2
over Chapters 7-11 and 13-14, plus in-class materials
____/125 Final
project report
____/30 Final
project brochure
____/75 Final
project presentation
____/30 Final
project team evaluation
____/75 Class
participation
____/25 Work
habits
*Includes attendance, punctuality, and general work
ethic. Three unexcused absences,
or persistently being late, leaving early, or sleeping
during class, may result in zero points for this category.
____/855 Total
points possible