MKT309 - Business Communication
Garrett, Fall 2014, Online
This syllabus & course schedule is subject to change.
Business and professional communication: job search skills; collaboration; communication technology; verbal and
non-verbal strategies. Emphasis on effective persuasion, interpersonal, intercultural, and organizational strategies
through business styles, formats and presentations.
Course Instructor:
Ms. Dianne Garrett
377 Bryan Building
336.334.4473
drgarret@uncg.edu (best way to contact me)
Office hours: T/R at 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Twitter: Dianne_Garrett
RSS on the class website
Additional Support: The UNCG Writing Center, The UNCG Speaking Center
Credits: 3 hours
Prerequisites: Junior standing and admission to approved program.
Course Overview & Philosophy:
You are graded on WHAT you say (content) and HOW you say it (delivery). In this class, we’ll practice our
writing, speaking and relating skills. This Writing Intensive & Speaking Intensive course is performance-based.
Since knowledge and skills improve through practice, you are graded on your performance activities, not on effort.
Said another way, you are measured on your resulting production.
This course is designed for your learning success:
1. It is sequenced – the learning of one topic leads to the next. (Don’t miss an assignment.)
2. It is sequenced at a steady pace which helps you not to procrastinate.
3. It is designed for a spirit of collaborative learning. Everyone helps everyone learn.
4. It is designed to offer you a significant amount of feedback. Feedback is a key to learning.
5. You have activities that are practice and non-graded to prepare you for the graded assignments.
The Bryan School of Business and Economic Student Learning Goals: Common to all business students.
1. You will be skilled in critical thinking and decision-making, as supported by the appropriate use of analytical
and quantitative techniques.
2. You will recognize and assess the ethical and social dimensions of management activities and evaluate their
impact on management decisions.
3. You will communicate clearly and correctly, and can demonstrate collaborative and leadership skills.
4. You will understand the core organizational functions and activities and how they interrelate to accomplish
an organization’s major goals through effective processes.
5. You will evaluate the role global markets have on management decisions and formulate appropriate
strategies to improve performance in the world economy.
MKT309 Student Outcomes: After successful completion of this course, you should:
1. Understand the importance of effective communication in the workplace.
2. Identify communication strategies to business situations.
3. Create responses to communication needs.
4. Conduct business research for evidence-based writings & presentations.
5. Use accurate documentation of sources.
6. Write concise and organized documents using the appropriate format.
7. Use the three step writing process.
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“I went to the gym when I wanted to, and I went to the gym when I didn’t want to.” Muhammad Ali
8.
9.
Write reports based on the evaluation of data.
Develop and demonstrate effective oral presentations with verbal and nonverbal proficiencies.
Course Requirements
1. Course text: Writing That Works by Oliu, Brusaw, and Alred, 11th edition
ISBN-10: 1-4576-1113-9 / ISBN-13: 978-1-4576-1113-1
2. Recommended reference for writing rules: Stunk & White’s Elements of Style. Find it for FREE in our UNCG
library database at http://www.bartleby.com/141/.
3. Read and reference the course material on http://businesscommunication2013.wordpress.com/, our class
website.
4. Use your UNCG email account.
5. Check Blackboard for any adverse weather conditions as they occur. However, in our online learning
environment, the weather should not impact our activities.
6. You are expected to adhere to the UNCG Honor Code which can be found online at
http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/. As your professor, I will hold you to your integrity.
7. Please review the faculty/student guidelines at http://www.uncg.edu/bae/faculty_student_guidelines.pdf.
The Student Code of Conduct short link is http://sa.uncg.edu/handbook/student-code-of-conduct.
8. Disruptive Behavior in the classroom: Any behavior that inhibits the learning process and or is
disruptive to the classroom environment will not be tolerated. It is imperative that you read, understand,
and adhere to this policy which can be found online at
http://sa.uncg.edu/handbook/wp-content/uploads/disruptive_policy.pdf.
Course Policies & Procedures
1. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: To establish reasonable accommodations, students with
disabilities are to contact the Office of Disability Services (334-5440) in the first week of school.
2. Religious Observances: See your instructor if any class assignments conflict with your religious practices.
3. Do not email any assignments to me; unless, you ask special permission and I agree to that delivery.
Submit all assignments as instructed.
4. By enrolling in this course, you are agreeing to this timeline and responsibilities. You are to manage your
time to fit – everyone has personal and professional tasks to balance.
5. You are responsible to monitor your Blackboard grades.
6. Email me with professionalism using appropriate tone. Always remember that I am your authority and offer
respect. Remember audience-centeredness too. I care about what you say and how you say it. When you
write me use appropriate paragraphing, capitalization, etc. If you do not, I may ask you to re-do your email
before I answer your question.
7. Final grades are rounded up to the next point at ‘.5’ and more only. For example, a 74.5 is rounded to a 75.
8. You are responsible to monitor your Blackboard grades.
9. Grades are non-negotiable.
10. If you write using more than one passive voice construction after mid-term, I may reduce your assignment
grade by a full letter grade. (Only exception is the Indirect Approach assignment.)
11. Do not say something electronically that you would not say in person to the instructor or to your classmates.
12. Do NOT ask for grade reconsideration at the end of course. No begs – for any reason, including an ‘A.’ Do
not tell me you are a 4.0 student with the intention to influence me to an ‘A’ grade.
13. You will receive more feedback from me at the beginning of the course as opposed to the end of the
course.
14. No late work is accepted.
15. No extra credit is offered on coursework.
16. No make-up work is offered.
Email Etiquette
I care about writing excellence and teach business writing, so when you write to me, do your best. Include the
following information:
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A greeting- Hi Professor Garrett.
In-class or online section
Strategic subject line that links to your first sentence
Front-end loaded purpose (direct approach)
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“I went to the gym when I wanted to, and I went to the gym when I didn’t want to.” Muhammad Ali

Use appropriate tone, at all times.
_____________________________________________________________________
Teaching Methods and Assignments
The administrative information and content is delivered via Blackboard. Blackboard has a folder for each class that
holds the topical information, pointers to other information and your assignments. You will submit your assignments
most often in your Student/Instructor Box and in the Discussion Boards. You are expected to check Blackboard daily.
Take advantage of the wealth of information offered to you.
Additional content is delivered via the course website at http://businesscommunication2013.wordpress.com/. I
frequently post information to the class website that helps you in your weekly assignments. My suggestion is that
you click the RSS feed and allow this helpful information to come directly to your inbox. The Wordpress website is a
composite of writing to aid in your knowledge. They are written in business style and are quick to read.
Use the text and reading assignments for supportive reading and reference.
Direct communication with me is via email, phone, or in my office.
Additionally, I offer helpful information via Twitter. I invite you to follow me.
Deliverables
Preparation Exercises
Writing Assignments
Presentations
Discussion Board Feedback Posts
Reflections
Final
Total
Percentage of Final Grade
8%
43%
18%
11%
10%
10%
100%
Preparation Exercises
Post (via upload) these deliverables in the Student/Instructor Box. All items that are posted on time and
that meet the assignment expectations score ‘B’ work. Do all assignments, graded or not-graded, as all the
tasks are for your advancement. All assignments are designed for you benefit.
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Post (via upload) these deliverables in the Student/Instructor Box.
See the assignment list in Blackboard and/or on the course schedule.
Grading will be completed at the end of term.
Writing Assignments
Each writing assignment has an instructor and peer feedback/grading component.
The assignment flow:
1. Submit your assignments to the instructor
2. (Discussion Board Opens)
3. Complete your Feedback Discussion Board posts
4. Complete your Reflection posts
Complete your assignment (according to the schedule only) and submit in as instructed, in hard copy and/or
posted to your Student/Instructor Box.
Your feedback quantity will match your effort. In other words, if you do little effort in your work, your
feedback quantity will be an energetic match.
As your learn, your feedback should lessen, as you know and do not need my reminder.
I do not note every error.
3
“I went to the gym when I wanted to, and I went to the gym when I didn’t want to.” Muhammad Ali
If you continue to make the same error (I keep giving you the same helpful information), then you are
showing me that you need to work harder to apply the feedback. At some point, I will not continue to
repeat myself and the consequences are yours.
Research Report & Information Literacy: You have a course requirement to learn and conduct business
research. Therefore you will meet with our business librarian, Mr. Steve Cramer. The research project
assignment is announced in Blackboard.
Writing Tips

Remember too, regarding colleague feedback, it is your decision what information you apply and what
information you don’t apply; however, one hint to help decide which information to apply is to look for
what is said to you in multiple ways.
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All writing assignments are to be in at least three paragraphs: an introduction, a body (can be more
than one), and a conclusion.
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Draft (or formative) assignments are not optional.
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Don’t ask for re-do work as the course already has formative and summative rounds.
Presentations
Effective oral communication is essential to business success – both in person. In this course you will
experience extemporaneous speaking assignments. Part of your grade is completing and submitting the
preparation documents.
Video Presentation 1: Welcome – Building relationships Video
Introduce yourself to me. This is your practice video and I’ll give your feedback to help you on
your graded speeches.
Video Presentation 2: Instructional Video
How to – teach us how to do something. You can make up your business and your business
situation. An example is you own a cupcake bakery and create a video for your employees that
informs on How to Frost a Cupcake.
Video Presentation 3: Research Project Video
Speaking Tips
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If you are feeling intensive anxiety, I invite you to talk/email with me.
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From CST105, you should know aspects of your delivery that need performance improvement.
Discussion Boards Feedback Posts
Your responsibility to each other is to offer your best information (critique) to help a colleague succeed.
While you have individual contribution, your contribution to others is significant. When you are part of a
team in business, you must learn how to offer your expertise and advance others at the same time. Mobius
provides you this environment for practice. Our intention is bettered community performance. You will see
many right ways and wrong ways of performance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Post work assignment anonymously!
Post three feedback posts. As a rule, choose the work posted before and after your main post. Then
randomly choose one other.
You are graded on the quality of your feedback. A model is provided. Give concrete actionable
information, not empty flattery.
The DB open and close on a schedule. You must post within that time period.
Reflection
4
“I went to the gym when I wanted to, and I went to the gym when I didn’t want to.” Muhammad Ali
You are to write memos (one full page, single-spaced in Tahoma 10 point font) to me detailing your
personal learning journey. This is not a regurgitation exercise; instead, it’s a look back and a look forward
to how you will apply the information. You are to have an opinion of the content and how this information
affects you.
Final
(1) You are to re-do your Application Letter and Resume. In bettering your documents, simply applying a
few items of feedback is usually not be enough! Some students will need to do major re-writing.
(2) You are to write a 400-word quality in-depth course reflection relating your learning to the course
objectives. What did you learn? How are you a better writer, speaker and interpersonal relator?
Grading Matrix
Your grades are held in the Blackboard Gradebook.
Final grades are rounded up to the next point at ‘.5’ and more only. For example, a 74.5 is rounded to a 75.
+
-
A – Exceeds
Expectations
B – Achieves
Expectations
100 - 97
96 - 94
93 - 90
89 - 87
86 - 84
83 - 80
C – Working
Toward
Expectations
79 - 77
76 - 74
73 - 70
DBelow
F–
Below
69 - 67
66 - 64
63 - 60
59>
Overview Grading Rubric
Specific assignment rubrics are posted in Blackboard.
A
Exceeds
Expectations
Expands assignment
into excellence, adds
creativity.
+ (plus)
Exceeds Expectations
B
Meets Expectations
Complete all that is
required with high quality
C
Working Toward
Expectations
Complete the work with a
few areas for improvement
Null
Meets Expectations
(a few un-impactful errors)
D/F
Below Expectations
Did not meet the assignment
requirements
1. (minus)
Working Toward Expectations
A few impactful errors
5
“I went to the gym when I wanted to, and I went to the gym when I didn’t want to.” Muhammad Ali
COURSE SCHEDULE
Blackboard will house the administration. See the Week by Week folder for more details. Stay alert and as changes
will be made as we move through the course. While some of your Preparation assignments are listed here,
reference Blackboard for your responsibilities.
Date
Each unit opens on Monday 8am. Do your work and post by Sunday evenings.
Post your Peer Feedback by Monday evenings at 11:55pm, and your Reflections
by Tuesday evenings at 11:55pm.
1 - Aug 19
Welcome
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Academic Integrity Pledge
Current Resume
Course Goals
400-word Reflection: My Understanding of the Course – What will it
take for you to achieve your course goals? What is the most
important mention(s) in the syllabus? What are your achievement
concerns? Decision Fatigue
2 – Aug 25
Business Speaking
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Speech Planning Document
S1: 1.5 minute Video 1 – Introduce Yourself
DB Feedback Posts
200-word Reflection: My Speaking
3 – Sept 1
Audience-centeredness
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
W1: Case
DB Feedback Posts
Reflection: My Audience-centeredness
4 - Sept 8
Stage 1 of the Writing Process
:Organization & Writing Instructions &
Writing for the Web
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Speech Planning Document
S2: 1.5 minute Video 2 – Instructional Video
DB Feedback Posts
Reflection: My Organization & Transitioning & Flow
5 - Sept 15
Stage 2 & Stages 3of the Writing
Process:
Stage 2: Business Writing
Academic Writing to Business Writing
Stage 3: Proofreading and Editing
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W2: Case
Reflection: My Business Writing to Academic Writing or Business
Writing or Proofreading and Editing
6 - Sept 22
Emotion: Tone, Style and Word Choices
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Emotional Inventory Worksheet
W3: Goodwill with CSW
DB Feedback Posts
Reflection: My Emotions, Others Emotions & Communicating Emotion
7 - Sept 29
Negative
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W4: Negative Case
DB Feedback Posts
Reflection: My Negative
8 - Oct 6
9 - Oct 13 - 15
Job Search- Application Letter & Resume
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Post your selected ‘real’ job solicitation – choose a publically traded
company
W5: Application Letter with CSW and Resume
DB Feedback Posts
Reflection: My Job Search
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***Due to Fall Break, DB Posts and Reflections are due on Wednesday the 15th
& Thursday the 16th.
6
“I went to the gym when I wanted to, and I went to the gym when I didn’t want to.” Muhammad Ali
9 - Oct 15 (short week)
10 - Oct 20
Cultural Communication
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CQ Assessment (in the Cultural Intelligence article)
Reflection: My Cultural Comm
***Due to Fall Break, this unit starts on Oct 15th
11 - Oct 27
Research Project Announcement
Intro to Reporting Library & Work Plan
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
W6: Research Project Work Plan
DB Feedback Posts
12 - Nov 3
Reporting, Frame,
Powerpoints & Visuals
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W7: Research Project Document Frame
DB Feedback Posts
13 - Nov 10
14 - Nov 17
Research & Writing Week s
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W8: Research Business Report
DB Feedback Posts
Speech Planning Document
S3: 1.5 minute Research Project Video
DB Feedback Posts
15 – Dec 1
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Re-work your Resume & Application Letter. Do your best!
400-word Course Reflection: What I Learned in this course? How did
you meet your goals and objectives?
7
“I went to the gym when I wanted to, and I went to the gym when I didn’t want to.” Muhammad Ali