BUS 3004: Business Communication Analysis and Application
Class information, e.g.,
Semester 200X
T/R 2pm CRN: XXXXX Classroom: Schneider XXXX
Faculty Name
Office Number
Office Hours
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Course Description
Using cases and applications, students in this course receive an overview of the role, scope and
importance of communication in organizations (profit and/or not-for-profit). Students develop an
understanding of organizational communication by analyzing business scenarios and by creating
messages with a variety of media.
Junior level class standing needed to enroll in course. Enrollment in business minor is not necessary.
This course is not equivalent to BCM 1420 or BUS 3700 and does not fulfill the University's Proficiency
1 or Baccelaureate writing requirements.
The Business Communication Program in the Haworth College of Business offers and staffs this course.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
1.
Recognize and understand the essential and complex role of communication in workplaces.
2. Develop and apply shared criteria and terminology to identify, analyze, and address workplace
messages and scenarios.
3. Demonstrate the ability to understand and evaluate business communication considerations with
regard to ethics; situation; audience; self; approach; content development and order; and delivery
type (oral, visual, written) and media (print, electronic, video, etc.).
4. Use business communication strategies to develop and transmit appropriate and effective
messages.
Measurable Learning Outcomes
In qualitative assessment of critical thinking and composition, students demonstrate their ability to meet
the course objectives through written solutions to case studies, problems and/or current business
communication scenarios reflecting the objectives.
Text and Supplementary Materials
 Business cases, found in a course pack, case compilation (book and/or website)
 Current business communication examples selected by students
 Business communication examples created by students
 A textbook guide to the analysis of business/professional communication
BUS 3004 Master Syllabus
Revised: September 14, 2008
Course Work
Drawing on case studies and examples from students, assignments toward course grades will include
analyzing and synthesizing information; in-class discussions; in- and out-of-class assignments, including
written and oral communciations; quizzes and exams.
Note: Students will do some assignments as individuals and others in teams.
Methodology
Lecture and discussion
Exams and Graded Activities
50-70% Reading, interpreting, and synthesizing information related to communication strategies and
principles; analyzing organizational situations, communication strategies, and messages;
discerning impacts of context, culture, organization, and media on communication situations
[These abilities can be assessed through a combination of group work, short writing
assignments, quizzes and exams, short presentations, and in-class assignments.]
20-40% Creating effective communications—using some combination of written, oral, visual, and
technology-mediated messages.
[These abilities can be assessed with criteria appropriate for each assignment and assignment
type.]
10-20% Class contributions (e. g., work in groups, quality of in-class discussion and questions,
attendance and promptness, examples provided).
Grading Scale
A
BA
B
CB
93-100% or 4.0 points
88-92% or 3.5 points
83-87% or 3.0 points
78-82% or 2.5 points
BUS 3004 Master Syllabus
C
DC
D
E
73-77% or 2.0 points
68-72% or 1.5 points
63-67% or .5 points
Below 63% or no point
Revised: September 14, 2008
Incompletes and Final Grade Policies
Classroom Policies (May be determined by individual instructor)
Attendance & Late Arrival
Participation
Absences
Acceptance of Late Assignments
Academic Honesty (Recommend following statement sent by Faculty Senate in August 2008)
You are responsible for making yourself aware of and understanding the policies and procedures in the
Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs that pertain to Academic Honesty. These policies include
cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple submission, plagiarism, complicity and
computer misuse. [The policies can be found at http://catalog.wmich.edu under Academic Policies,
Student Rights and Responsibilities.] If there is reason to believe you have been involved in academic
dishonesty, you will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to
review the charge(s). If you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity for a
hearing. You should consult with your instructor if you are uncertain about an issue of academic
honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test.
Topics
To meet the course objectives, these topics are among those likely to be covered:
▪ analyses of communication scenarios, cases and problems
▪ strategies for improving communication within businesses/situations
▪ strategies for persuasion
▪ message development, including strategies for organizing information
▪ distinguishing communication between and for individuals from communication among and for
groups
▪ verbal and non-verbal elements of communication
▪ technology’s impact on business communication decision-making and message design.
Schedule (May vary by instructor) Note: Not necessary to include weekly schedule at this stage.
BUS 3004 Master Syllabus
Revised: September 14, 2008