English 205OL: Business Communication in its Rhetorical Contexts
Instructor: Kimberly Wells
Office Hours: ST 806
Friday 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Ticket # 13459
Email Address:
kimberly.wells@csun.edu
Required Texts
●
Writing That Works: Communicating Effectively on the Job, tenth edition, by Walter E.
Oliu, Charles T. Brusaw, and Gerald J. Alred
● The World Is Flat, Release 3.0, by Thomas L. Friedman
Technical Requirements
Our class is held using Moodle and to access it you will need the following items:
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Access to the internet
A modern browser—the browsers that work best are Internet Explorer (v5.5 or later), Firefox
(all versions) Netscape (v7 or later)—browsers such as Google Chrome, Opera, Safari and
Camino may be used but do not support Moodle’s in-line HTML editor
Enabled cookies and JavaScript in your browser. These are typically enabled by default, but
if you think these settings might need enabling, check the documentation for your particular
browser for how to enable cookies and JavaScript.Java.
For many of the assignments in this class you will need to open and post an attachment using
Microsoft Word. It is your responsibility to make sure you can open Word attachments and
that you attach documents properly which can be viewed in Word. You can purchase
discounted single license copies of MS Office at the Matador Bookstore.
If you are using an older version of Microsoft Word, you may not be able to open a Word
document that was created with Word 2007. If this is the case, I suggest installing a
Compatibility Pack, which you can download from Microsoft Office Online. This will allow
you to view all Word 2007 documents.
Since we will all be sharing documents, please make sure you have an active anti-virus
shield.
Technical Problems?
If you are having any technology related problems, I suggest exploring the following links for
trouble shooting options:
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CSUN IT Help Center
CSUN’s Moodle FAQ Page
Moodle Training for Students (when prompted—use your CSUN ID and Password)
Course Description
Development of critical writing, thinking, research, and technology skills in the context of
business. Through substantial writing and other work, students will hone their written, oral, and
visual communication skills and their ability to find, synthesize, and make arguments based on
primary and secondary sources. Emphasis on communication with a diverse audience and case
studies about ethical issues common to the local and global business world. This course is
required of students who have declared a major in Accountancy, Business Administration,
Management, Marketing, Information Systems, or Finance. This class may also be taken as an
elective by other students who wish to enhance their professional communication skills.
Grades ● Individual Assignments 42%
Grading Scale
A 100-94
A- 93-90
B+ 89-88
B 87-83
BC+
C
C-
82-80
79-78
77-73
72-70
● Group Assignments 37%
D+
D
DF
● Discussions 21%
69-68
67-63
62-60
59 and below
Group Assignments
A significant portion of your grade in this class will be based on the final outcome of the group
project, which will be developed based on several smaller group assignments that precede it. As
the semester progresses, you will be given detailed assignment sheets explaining my
expectations. Everyone will form their own groups through an interview process, so start taking
note of people you want to work with and those you don’t (students who fail to actively
participate in the class often have trouble finding classmates to work with on this project). The
group project and all accompanying small assignments have specific due dates noted on the
course schedule.
Individual Assignments
You will be responsible for many individual assignments throughout the semester, most of which
will closely correspond to weekly readings from Writing That Works. As we progress, you will
be given detailed instructions explaining my expectations for each one. All assignments have
specific due dates, which are noted on the course schedule.
Participation in Discussions
Get involved! Your success, enjoyment, and learning in this course are closely related to how
you engage the material presented as well as your peers. This portion of your grade is based on
substantive replies to Discussion Questions and others’ posts. Most discussions are based on
readings from The World Is Flat. Generally, I expect each response to include specific
information from the week’s readings expressed in 150-300 words of thoughtful and well edited
writing. Please see the Grading Rubric for Participation in Discussions for more information on
how I will evaluate your posts. During weeks that require participation in discussions, you
will need to post a minimum of three high quality posts in each discussion thread to earn
full participation credit. You can earn participation points any time during the current week, or
sooner if the discussion threads are available, but late posts will not earn credit. Our class weeks
begin on Monday at 12:00 a.m. and end on Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
Late Work
I maintain a very strict policy in regard to late work, especially in the online classroom;
otherwise, keeping accurate records of grades becomes quite difficult. If you frequently have
trouble getting your work in on-time, this class is probably not well suited for you. All work
must be submitted by 11:59 pm (PST) on the due date indicated on the course schedule.
You will not be able to submit assignments after this time. Late work will only be accepted if
you and I have come to an alternate agreement—this will be determined on an individual basis—
and is very unlikely. Unless you have proof of an emergency, I reserve the right to refuse late
work or make a significant point deduction. Individual technical difficulties, failing to attach
your assignment properly or attaching the wrong document will not excuse late work—be
prepared and double check your submissions.
Disability Issues
Please email me early in the semester if you require academic accommodations based on a
documented disability. Further information: CSUN Center On Disabilities National Center On
Deafness
Policy on Plagiarism
DON’T DO IT!!! Plagiarism is the act of “intentionally or knowingly representing the words,
ideas, or work of another as one’s own in any academic exercise” (CSUN catalog, page 553).
Plagiarism is grounds for disciplinary action by the university, including expulsion.
Netiquette
Just like society has rules of conduct governing interactions in the face-to-face environment; the
virtual community also has rules of conduct for electronic interactions. The term netiquette is
used to refer to online etiquette. Following these rules will improve the readability of your
messages and will help others handle the large volume of information in an online classroom.
Recommendations include the following:
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Stay on topic. While discussion is encouraged in online classrooms, rambling and tangential
conversations may not be conducive to a quality learning experience.
Use appropriate subject lines in your replies. As a conversation evolves, it’s helpful to
change the subject line of a threaded message to reflect the changing topic. For example, if
the subject line reads "Oral Presentations" and the conversation has now evolved into a
discussion of PowerPoint, change the subject line to “PowerPoint” in your reply.
Add multiple comments directly into messages in your replies. While a straight-forward
reply is usually appropriate, interspersing your comments throughout an original posting may
be more effective if you wish to respond to multiple points. For example, interspersing
***multiple*** comments in the body of the original message ***like this*** increases the
readability of a response that addresses various points.
Avoid ''I agree'' and ''Me, too!'' messages. Spending time reading messages without
substance can be frustrating for all parties.
Avoid the use of all caps. (IT'S LIKE SHOUTING!) Use caps occasionally for strong
emphasis, but only for individual words.
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Avoid writing errors, even when "talking" with one another. Messages in the Discussion
Forum are conversational and often informal; thus, they are prone to occasional grammatical,
spelling, and typographical errors. Be sure to consistently post intelligible messages despite
the informality of the environment.
Carefully choose the format for your messages. Long paragraphs are difficult to follow onscreen. As a general rule, limit each paragraph to five to seven lines. Avoid fonts that are
difficult to read because of style, color, or size. In addition, do not use stationery, as it adds to
download time.
Avoid responding when emotions are running high. For example, if you are angry, put
your message aside. Remember, the ability to write and save messages for later review is one
of the advantages of asynchronous learning.
All Information on this Syllabus is Subject to Change
Please Scroll Down to View the Course Schedule.
English 205OL — Course Schedule — Fall 2010
Week 1: 8/23/10 – 8/29/10
8/27/10
Get Comfortable Using Moodle—Print Out and Thoroughly Read Syllabus, Read
All of My Available Posts, Make Sure You Understand How to Access
Discussions and Assignments, Officially Check-In
8/29/10
Due: Week 1 Discussion Posts
Week 2: 8/30/10 – 9/05/10
Read
 Writing That Works – “Part One: The Writing Process,” “Chapter 7: Designing Documents”
(209-220) & “Chapter 8: Understanding the Principles of Business Communication” (275315)
 The World is Flat – “Chapter 1: While I Was Sleeping”
9/01/10
Due: Academic Writing vs. Business Writing Assignment
9/05/10
Due: Week 2 Discussion Posts
Week 3: 9/06/10 – 9/12/10
Read
 Writing That Works – “Chapter 7: Designing Documents” (209-220) & “Chapter 8:
Understanding the Principles of Business Communication” (275-315)
 The World is Flat – 2 of the 10 sections (or “Flatteners”) in “Chapter 2: The Ten Forces That
Flattened the World”
9/08/10
Due: Email Messages Assignment
9/12/10
Due: Week 3 Discussion Posts
Week 4: 9/13/10 – 9/19/10
Read
 The Assignment Sheet for the Group Project
 Writing That Works — “Chapter 16: Writing an Effective Letter of Application” (602-608)
 The World is Flat – “Chapter 4: The Great Sorting Out”
9/15/10
Due: Letter of Application Assignment
9/19/10
Due: Week 4 Discussion Posts
Week 5: 9/20/10 – 9/26/10
Read
 The Assignment Sheet for the Group Project
 Writing That Works — “Chapter 16: Preparing an Effective Resume” (578-601)
 The World is Flat — “Chapter 5: America and Free Trade” and Supplemental Articles
9/22/10
Due: Resume Assignment
9/26/10
Due: Week 5 Discussion Posts
Week 6: 9/27/10 – 10/03/10
Read
 The World is Flat – choose one – “Chapter 6: The Untouchables” OR “Chapter 7: The Right
Stuff”
9/29/10
Post Letter of Application and Resume for Group Project Interviews
10/03/10
Due: Week 6 Discussion Posts
Week 7: 10/04/10 – 10/10/10
Read
 The World is Flat – choose one – “Chapter 8: The Quiet Crisis” OR “Chapter 9: This Is
Not a Test”
10/06/10
Due: Group Project Team Information Assignment
10/10/10
Due: Week 7 Discussion Posts
Week 8: 10/11/10 – 10/17/10
Read
 Writing That Works — “Chapter 5: Collaborative Writing,” “Chapter 6: Researching Your
Subject,” “Chapter 7: Designing Documents and Visuals,” “Chapter 9: Writing International
Correspondence (343-352),” “Chapter 14: Giving Presentations and Conducting Meetings,”
and “Chapter 15: Writing for the Web: Rhetorical Principles” (These are the same as the
readings listed on the Group Project Assignment Sheet and I do not expect you will read
every word of every section, but that you will use them as guides for the work you will
produce for the Group Project.)
 The World is Flat – “Chapter 10: The Virgin of Guadalupe”
10/13/10
Due: Group Project Policies and Responsibilities Assignment
10/17/10
Due: Week 8 Discussion Posts
Week 9: 10/18/10 – 10/24/10
Read
 Writing That Works —“Chapter 2: Organizing Your Information” and “Chapter 6:
Researching Your Subject” (You will likely use these chapters as references rather than
reading every word)
 The World is Flat – “Chapter 11: How Companies Cope”
10/20/10
Due: Group Project Topic Outline and Annotated Bibliography Assignment
10/24/10
Due: Week 9 Discussion Posts
Week 10: 10/25/10 – 10/31/10
Read
 Writing That Works – “Progress Reports” (361-365)\
 The World is Flat – choose one from the following options – “Chapter 12: Globalization
of the Local” and “Chapter 13: If It’s Not Happening, It’s Because You’re Not Doing It”
OR “Chapter 13: If It’s Not Happening, It’s Because You’re Not Doing It” and “Chapter
14: What Happens When We All Have Dog’s Hearing?”
10/27/10
Due: Group Project Progress Report Assignment
10/31/10
Due: Week 10 Discussion Posts
Week 11: 11/01/10 – 11/07/10
Read
 Writing that Works, subdivisions of Chapter 8 “Structuring Effective Correspondence”
pages 283-292 and “Writing and Formatting Memos” pages 303-305 as well as
“Adjustments” in Chapter 9 pages 336-341
 The World is Flat – “Chapter 15: The Unflat World”
11/03/10
Due: 205 Common Assessment Assignment
11/07/10
Due: Week 11 Discussion Posts
Week 12: 11/08/09 – 11/14/10
Read
 The World is Flat – “Chapter 16: The Dell Theory of Conflict Prevention”
11/14/10
Due: Week 12 Discussion Posts
Week 13: 11/15/10 – 11/21/10
11/21/10
Due: Group Project
Week 14: 11/22/10 – 11/28/10
Read
 The World is Flat — “Chapter 17: 11/9 Versus 9/11”
11/24/10
Due: Group Project Reflection and Evaluation Assignment
11/28/10
Due: Week 14 Discussion Posts
Week 15: 11/29/10 -- 12/05/10
12/05/10
Due: Week 15 Discussion Posts
Week 15: 12/06/10 -- 12/08/10 (not a full week)
12/08/10
Due: Final Essay
All Information on this Course Schedule is Subject to Change