Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Fall 2012 page 1 BA 290, Business Communication Martha Kennedy, Instructor Office: SS East 2428, Office Hours MW 3:15-4:00 email for appointment Mailbox: SS East 2411, in Accountancy/BA Office Email: makcbasdsu@gmail.com Please email to make an appointment even for regularly scheduled office hours. REQUIRED Textbooks: Beyond Feelings by Vincent Ryan Ruggiero, 9th edition Business Communication Workbook, Lecture Notes and Practice by Martha Kennedy, ONLY available from Lulu.com as a small, bound book. It contains handouts, worksheets, lecture material and assignments. http://www.lulu.com/shop/martha-kennedy/businesscommunication-workbook/paperback/product-20602075.html You will need this book by the third week of class. Order now so you don’t have to pay more for shipping than you have to! 2/3 of your grade in this class is based on content from the workbook. Semester Calendar, Spring, 2013 January 17 FIRST DAY OF CLASSES. January 21 Holiday—Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Faculty/staff holiday. Campus closed. March 6 - 11, Professor at a Conference. Class resumes Tuesday, March 12 March 29 Last day of classes before spring recess. April 1-5 Spring recess. April 1 Holiday—Cesar Chavez Day. Campus closed. April 8 Classes resume. May 8 Last day of classes before final examinations. May 9–16 Final examinations Course Description: BA 290 is an intensely practical communication class, both written and oral, and it is a critical thinking class in which you develop your reasoning skills toward understanding and solving business related problems. The primary objective of BA 290 is learning how to communicate clearly to other people so that you and others are satisfied with the result. This makes BA 290 VERY difficult to teach because it is -- much of it -- intangible. I am sorry about that, but it is how it is. The textbook, Beyond Feelings, is a helpful tool in learning to evaluate what people mean when they say something, to determine the validity of your and others’ arguments, to respond appropriately to a problem. The class is divided into three sections: critical thinking, correspondence and problem solving, report writing. BSBA Program Goals -- BSBA students will graduate being: • Effective Communicators • Critical Thinkers • Able to Analyze Ethical Problems • Global in their perspective • Knowledgeable about the essentials of business BA 290 contributes to these goals through its student learning outcomes . . . Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Spring 2013 page 2 Learning Outcomes: When you have finished this class you will • Be able to respond correctly in writing and speaking to a variety of business related situations • Know how to identify your audience and its needs, • Know how to communicate bad news and good news effectively, • Know how to focus on relevant problems, anticipate questions and do the proper research to solve these problems and answer these questions. • Know how to write business reports expressing your ideas in a clear, accessible, complete and efficient manner • Have a solid knowledge of the basic forms of business communication Skills needed to excel in this class include: • The ability to understand your audience and its needs • The ability to write clearly and choose words appropriately • The ability to reason logically • Willingness to learn new skills • Excellent proofreading skills (challenging for everyone...) • The ability to follow instructions • The ability to work independently and use all the resources available Critical Thinking: BA 290 is a class in which you learn to apply knowledge. Because this needs to be learned, as do other skills, and it is a new skill for most students at this point in their education, we will be using a critical thinking text -- Beyond Feelings -- along with a business communication text. Critical thinking is the skill of identifying problems along understanding the situation in which the problems have arisen. It is a skill that helps us respond effectively to others. Since a major component of this class is learning to identify and respond to problems, BA 290 is NECESSARILY AMBIGUOUS simply because you are not solving problems when I tell you the answers. You will be frustrated and that is OK, normal, and natural though, of course, not comfortable. • • • • You will be tested on your ability to solve problems and write under pressure. In this class, there ARE right answers just as when you are helping a client or solving a problem for your boss. You must figure them out for yourself. You will be tested on your understanding of the principles of critical thinking as explained in Ruggiero’s book, Beyond Feelings. Evaluating ideas. Not every idea is equal; some work, some work partially, some need adjustment, and some do not work at all. Practice in critical thinking will help you evaluate and express ideas. Timed writings have correct and incorrect answers; an incorrect answer is a fail regardless how well the wrong answer is written. Why? Because responding incorrectly to a client, customer or co-worker in your job could cost you your job. Better to learn now than later! Practice in critical thinking will help you evaluate and express ideas. Writing -- This may be the FIRST directly applicable and practical class you have had so far in your post-secondary educational experience. Excellent skills in communication require understanding the people with whom you are communicating. Most forms of professional communication begin with writing. You will write individual and group reports, research projects and oral presentations. You will apply many of the skills you have ALREADY Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Fall 2012 page 3 LEARNED to problems in this class. Your writing will be evaluated with the Rubric for written work in the College of Business, posted on our class blog and on Blackboard. This is NOT another academic writing class! This is COMPLETELY different! I expect you to be responsible for your own learning and to treat class as you would a job you care about. Be attentive, responsible, alert, polite, willing to think and willing to adapt to new situations, because unless you have a very boring, going nowhere, routine job those are all skills and qualities you will need every hour of every day. Doing well in BA 290: This class is about learning communication skills you can use in every facet of your life and about learning to solve problems on your own. Many educators believe that the skills needed for successful communication in business cannot be taught in school, but must be learned in "life," in a particular business culture. To a certain extent, they are right. I CAN teach you strategies, encourage, prod, stimulate and nudge you into thinking and reasoning for yourselves, tell you when your client/boss will be happy with what you've written/said/done OR if you have lost your client and your job through what you've written/said/done. I can help you cross the bridge from academic to business writing. Assessment: Your progress will be assessed through quizzes and timed writings as well as through research projects, oral reports, a comprehensive final exam, class participation and attitude. In assessing your written work, I will be using the grading rubric developed by the College of Business Administration, a copy of which will be posted on Blackboard and given to you in class. My hope is that you will have developed sophisticated thinking skills along with the ability and desire to solve problems on your own; you will know how to apply what you’ve learned in school to “real world” problems as you confront them in the safe laboratory of BA 290. Course Conduct and Expectations Participation and Attendance: The minimum requirement for passing any class is showing up. Attendance does not, alone, constitute participation. If you are absent, you can make up the class in any other section of BA 290. Active participation includes: • asking questions when you don’t understand something, • being willing to learn, • doing practice exercises on Blackboard and in class but not required for your grade • knowing what’s going on • attending report writing workshops Minimum requirements for being taken seriously by the professor include: • attending class • arriving on time • paying attention to what is going on rather than surfing the net and texting Rudeness and disrespect toward the professor and/or your classmates are poor strategies if you want to learn and hope for a good grade, particularly as audience awareness is the primary skill on which you are evaluated. Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Spring 2013 page 4 Excellent participation, demonstrated improvement and consistently showing a positive attitude will help your grade at the end of the semester if it is on the borderline. Poor participation, no improvement and a poor/aggressive attitude will hurt your grade if it is on the borderline. If you constantly text, have your cell phone on your desk or your lap top open, I will count you absent. This is annoying and distracting to me and to your classmates. Blackboard: We will use Blackboard with this class!!! I post the syllabus, assignments and lectures on Blackboard. There will be announcements from time to time. Grades will be posted on Blackboard. We MAY use Blackboard for timed writings. Be sure your email address is upto-date with the university because I will email you from Blackboard also. Check your email daily in case class has been cancelled or there is a new assignment. Absences: • DO NOT COME TO CLASS SICK. WE WILL WORK IT OUT. STAY HOME, GET WELL, DON'T SHARE YOUR GERMS. If you come to class sick, I may send you home and if I do, you must leave. It does not mean I hate you; it just means I do not want to get sick, and I am sure your classmates don’t either. As most material will be posted on Blackboard, and I teach multiple 290 sections, you will not fall behind if you are sick and do the right thing by staying home. • Make up the work you missed by attending another section of this class. • Check Blackboard. Most projects and PowerPoints from lectures will be posted there. • Read your textbooks. • Email a classmate if you are not sure. • EXCESSIVE, non-made up absences, WILL (naturally) RESULT IN LOWER GRADES. If you miss an in-class activity, a quiz, or an oral presentation, you canNOT make it up except by attending another section of the class. NO exceptions. Missing too many classes will, naturally and logically, lead to an F simply because you will not know what is going on. ALWAYS contact me if you are worried. Late Policy: I don’t accept work after day it is due, no exceptions, ever. If you know ahead of time that work is due and that you will miss class, it is your responsibility to get the work to me, either in my box in the BA office or via a classmate. Email is possible, but please arrange this ahead of time if you can. Contacting me: • My office hours are posted on Blackboard and on my office door. • Many student questions and problems can be addressed more privately and efficiently via email. • You must email me for an appointment even during regularly scheduled office hours. I have a mailbox in the MIS/Accountancy office, SS 2411. Do NOT leave papers with my office mate, slide them under my office door, tack them to my door or put them on my desk. Things get lost that way. Emailing me: Construct your email professionally, politely and give me complete information about you. Why? This is a business communication class and writing to a professor IS business communication. An example: Dear Professor Kennedy: Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Fall 2012 page 5 I am First name Last name in your MW 9 a.m. section of BA 290. I will be making up a class I missed in the Thursday 2 p.m. section, if that is all right with you. Please let me know if that will be a problem. Thank you! Regards, First name If you do not tell me your name and your class section, I MAY not answer you. Many professors complain about emails from students saying that student emails are often rude and demanding, often asking questions answered by the syllabus. Students with Special Needs: If you need special accommodation, please meet with me to discuss this. I am happy to help. To receive the "SDS Reasonable Accommodation" please present your SDS form to me during the first week of class. Academic Dishonesty Cheating: Cheating is behavior that undermines the learning objectives of a paper, exam, quiz or any other graded work. Among other things, cheating is working with a classmate on an individual project. It is using a quiz from a former semester to study for a quiz in your class. It is copying from a text. It is passing someone else’s work off as your own. If you do this, and you are caught, you will be reported to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities AND you will be contacted. If it happens twice during your time at SDSU, you could be expelled. The SDSU Student Code: plagiarism is “any attempt to take credit for work that is not your own,” including paraphrasing or failing to cite sources. Academic sanctions include grade of F on the paper, failure in the course; University sanctions include suspension, expulsion, and probation. The SDSU definition of plagiarism can be found in section 2.2 (page 14) of the SDSU policy file available at http://senate.sdsu.edu/policy/policy_file.pdf. The language is quoted here for your convenience: “Plagiarism shall be defined as the act of incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether purchased, borrowed, or otherwise obtained, and submitting same to the university as one’s own work to fulfill academic requirements without giving credit to the appropriate source. Plagiarism shall include but not be limited to (a) submitting work, either in part or in whole, completed by another; (b) omitting footnotes for ideas, statements, facts, or conclusions that belong to another; (c) omitting quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, sentence, or part thereof; (d) close and lengthy paraphrasing of the writings of another; (e) submitting another person’s artistic works, such as musical compositions, photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures; and (f) submitting as one’s own work papers purchased from research companies.” Generally speaking, any work you do that is less than 85 percent YOUR OWN WORDS, regardless of how punctiliously you have cited your sources, is plagiarized. Students have, in the past, failed this class for this reason. Citing sources and giving credit where credit is due are very important ethical issues. For appropriate citations, you need two things, a complete alphabetical Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Spring 2013 page 6 source listing AND individual parenthetical citations at each point in the text where you borrow material. For the complete policy of San Diego State University on this issue, consult the official University Catalog. Grading policy: It is the policy of San Diego State University to use the grade of A for only truly exceptional work. This ensures that when you graduate from SDSU, good employers will want to hire you BECAUSE you have a degree from THIS University. University grading policy SDSU II-C-1 states: "[f]aculty members are expected to use all grades from A to F to distinguish among level of academic accomplishment... [t]he grade for average undergraduate achievement is C." For a class of 50 students, and assuming a 'normal' grade distribution, application of this policy would result in approximately 3 grades of A, 12 grades of B, 20 grades of C, 12 grades of D, and 3 grades of F. The following University-wide grading standards will be used to determine your final course grade. Students are responsible for monitoring their own progress throughout the semester.” The bottom-line: Don’t expect this class or any class to “fix” your GPA. If your GPA needs help, talk to me or to an adviser. There are ways you can fix it and I’m very happy to explain the options to you. This class is difficult. It’s entertaining, it’s challenging, some regard it as fun, others hate it, but no one has ever found it easy. You will USE everything you learn in this class every day of your life. I am compelled to grade you whether I like it or not (I don’t). I am compelled to challenge you so that you learn. I will NEVER require you to do anything that is BEYOND your ability or education. Use your critical thinking skills, your imagination. Use the grading rubric as a tool and remember the audience is ALWAYS the most important consideration. I use the same values for A, B, C, D, F as the CSU system. Grades will be posted on Blackboard and Blackboard will average your grades. A=4 B=3 C=2 Plus (+) and minus (–) falling at 3.3 to 3.7 for B+ etc. • • • • • 2 Midterms based on lecture and on PowerPoints for a total of 400 points. One midterm on Beyond Feelings (200 points); an in-class timed writing midterm testing you on your ability to identify when to use direct or indirect structure (200 points). Total: 400 points. 8 online chapter quizzes for Beyond Feelings 200 points 2 graded homework assignments, timed, done on Blackboard, based on Good/Neutral News messages (using direct structure) and Bad News messages (using indirect structure), PowerPoints, lectures and in-class activities. Remember: timed writings have RIGHT and WRONG answers. A timed writing with the WRONG answer is failing regardless of the quality of the writing. PASSING timed writings will be evaluated using the CBA Grading Rubric. Each 100 points for a total of 200 points. Long analytical group research report. 200 points. Final exam: Comprehensive, multiple-choice final exam based on lectures and PowerPoints related to topics in business communication (100 points) comprehensive multiple choice in-class, open book, final on Beyond Feelings, Chapters 1 - 13 (200 Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Fall 2012 page 7 points) in-class timed writing covering all the message types covered in class (200 points). Final exam, 500 points. Total points: 1500 Do the required work at the required time, and you do not have to worry about much. Everyone WANTS an A; you DO NOT have to tell me. You will NOT earn an A if: • • • • • • • You work for a grade rather than to learn the skills involved in this class You leave your projects until the last minute Work is incomplete, late and/or missing Work is not typed when it is supposed to be You don't ask questions when you need to You miss more than three classes You do not attend workshops and help sessions All written work is graded using the grading rubric developed by the College of Business Administration. This rubric is posted below, is included in Business Communication, Lecture Notes and Practice by Martha Kennedy, is on the blog, ba290mkennedy.blogspot.com, and is available on Blackboard. Writing Rubric for the College of Business Intended outcome: the student will use clear and concise communication in the written form. Passing: EXCELLENT(4) SATISFACTORY(3) 4 = A; Combination 4 and 3 = B; 3 = C Failing: BELOW EXPECTATIONS (2) UNACCEPTABLE(0-1) 2 = D; 0-1 = F (0 basically means something is just NOT there; it’s absent, unquantifiable) AudienceAnalysis (MOST IMPORTANT!!!!) 4: Reader-centered writing; demonstrates empathy, addresses readers’ questions or objections, creates goodwill; uses appropriate strategy. 3: Treats reader politely; addresses readers’ needs and concerns; uses positive emphasis; uses appropriate strategy. 2: Writer-focused; lacks “you” attitude, and positive emphasis; inconsistent use of appropriate strategy 0-1: Lacks audience awareness. Is rude, hostile, discourteous, or insulting to readers; did not use appropriate strategy. Structure/Document Design 4: Clear and appropriate beginning, development, and conclusion. Paragraphing and transitions are clear and appropriate. Document design helps the reader understand and remember information. 3: Beginning, development, and conclusion are clear. Paragraphing is logical and transitions are adequate. Document design helps readers find the information they need. 2: Weak beginning, development, and conclusion. Paragraphing and transitions are also deficient. Imbalanced or cluttered design. Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Spring 2013 page 8 0-1: Organizational structure and paragraphing have serious and persistent errors. Format interferes with readability. Content: 4: Provides appropriate coverage of the topic and assertions are compelling and clearly supported. 3: Sufficient coverage of the topic and assertions are supported. 2: Does not adequately cover assigned topic and assertions are weakly supported. 0-1: Does not cover the assigned topic and assertions are not supported. Style: 4: Demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of the language; writes fluidly and concisely; varies syntax and vocabulary. 3: Writes clearly, comprehensively, and coherently; uses strong action verbs. Rarely uses jargon/clichés. 2: Writes in a notably awkward manner; misuses words and idioms; uses slang; wordy; uses some borrowed language from sources or case. 0-1: Style is difficult to read and understand. Copies case wording. Mechanics: **Mechanics is a threshold category. You must earn a Satisfactory (3) rating in mechanics to receive a passing grade on your assignment. Major errors include semicolons, apostrophes, agreement, fragments, run-ons, endings, spelling and typing errors. 4: No errors in word usage, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Establishes audience credibility. 3: Relatively free of errors in word usage, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Establishes audience credibility. 2: Several major errors in word usage, sentence structure (run-ons, fragments), spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Undermines audience credibility. 0-1: Serious and persistent errors in word usage, sentence structure, spelling (homonyms), punctuation, and capitalization. Lacks audience credibility. BA 290, Business Communication Martha Kennedy, Instructor Office: SS East 2428, Office Hours MW 3:15-4:00 email for appointment Mailbox: SS East 2411, in Accountancy/BA Office Email: makcbasdsu@gmail.com Please email to make an appointment even for regularly scheduled office hours. REQUIRED Textbooks: Beyond Feelings by Vincent Ryan Ruggiero, 9th edition Business Communication Workbook, Lecture Notes and Practice by Martha Kennedy, ONLY available from Lulu.com as a small, bound book. It contains handouts, worksheets, Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Fall 2012 page 9 lecture material and assignments. http://www.lulu.com/shop/martha-kennedy/businesscommunication-workbook/paperback/product-20602075.html Semester Calendar for SDSU, Spring 2013 January 17 FIRST DAY OF CLASSES. January 21 Holiday—Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Faculty/staff holiday. Campus closed. March 6 - 11, Professor at a Conference. Class resumes Tuesday, March 12 March 29 Last day of classes before spring recess. April 1-5 Spring recess. April 1 Holiday—Cesar Chavez Day. Campus closed. April 8 Classes resume. May 8 Last day of classes before final examinations. May 9–16 Final examinations Schedule of Quizzes The following quizzes will be taken online, on Blackboard. They are multiple choice. Remember in a multiple choice exam, MANY choices may be good, but one is BEST. Follow instructions exactly. Unless otherwise stated (in class, posted on Blackboard) quizzes will open at 8 a.m. on Thursdays and close at 1:00 p.m. on Mondays. Please refer to your workbook for instructions for taking exams on Blackboard!!!! If you wait until the last minute, and are locked out, I may not be able to help you and you will earn an F for the quiz AND I won’t care. 1/24-1/27 Chapter 1 Quiz (20 points) 1/31-2/3 Chapter 2 Quiz (20 points) 2/7-2/10 Chapter 3 Quiz (20 points) 2/14-2/17 Chapter 4 Quiz (20 points) 2/21-2/24 Chapter 5 Quiz (20 points) 2/28-3/4 Chapter 6 Quiz (20 points) 3/7-3/10 Chapter 7 Quiz (20 points) 3/14-21 ONLINE Bus Comm Quiz based on the Workbook, PowerPoints, lecture, your project (20 points) 3/21-25 Chapter 8 Quiz (40 points) Total points for quizzes: 200 • Long analytical report due: MW classes 2/25, TTh classes, 2/26. Points for report: 200. • Online timed graded homework on direct structure messages opens Friday and closes the following Friday -- 3/8 - 3/15, 100 points • Beyond Feeling midterm, chapters 1 through 7, online, March 3/18 – 25, 200 points • Online timed graded homework timed homework with indirect structure messages, 3/2528, 100 points • TIMED WRITING MIDTERM, IN CLASS, TWO CASES/PROMPTS 4/10-11, 200 points Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Spring 2013 page 10 Tentative Calendar I have built extra time into this calendar in case we need more time for a particular area once we get started. You are responsible for keeping up with changes which will be announced in class and posted on Blackboard. Week One 1/17-18 PARTIAL WEEK: Introduction to business communication and critical thinking. Who are you? How do you factor into the equation of successful communication? Why is it important to know your audience? What are the advantages to you of writing well? Chapter One, Beyond Feelings. Week Two 1/22-25 PARTIAL WEEK: Chapter One-Two, Beyond Feelings. Online Chapter 1 Quiz (20 points) 1/24-1/28 Week Three 1/28-31 Chapter Two Beyond Feelings: Using language effectively, word choice and audience. Construction of Clear Sentences and Paragraphs. Writing for Effect, positive language, you-viewpoint, techniques of emphasis. Very important for the semester and the rest of your life. You will be expected to use these tools throughout the semester. NOT using them will adversely affect your grade. 1/31-2/4 Chapter 2 Quiz (20 points) Week Four 2/4-7: Chapter Three, Beyond Feelings. Assign long analytical report. Chapter 3 Quiz (20 points) 2/7-2/11 Week Five 2/11-14: Chapter Four, Beyond Feelings. Work on long analytical report -data gathering tool. 2/14-2/18 Chapter 4 Quiz (20 points) Week Six 2/18-21: Chapter Five, Beyond Feelings. Very important for the construction of bad news messages and business report writing. Work on project. Drafts should be finished; critique executive summaries. 2/212/25 Chapter 5 Quiz (20 points) Week Seven 2/25-28: Chapter Six, Beyond Feelings. Begin Directness in Writing Good News and Neutral Messages. Discuss forms of business communication. Long analytical report due: MW classes, Monday. TTh classes, Tuesday. Points for report: 200. 2/28-3/5 Chapter 6 Quiz (20 points) Week Eight SHORT WEEK 3/4-5: Chapter Seven, Beyond Feelings, Direct Order Messages -- Good News and Neutral Messages. In-class writing practice and discussion, good news and neutral messages. 3/7-3/11 Chapter 7 Quiz (20 points) Kennedy BA 290 Syllabus, Fall 2012 page 11 Online graded homework on good news/neutral messages opens Friday, 3/8 and closes the following Friday 3/15. If you are locked out at the last minute (which is within 12 hours of the closing of the exam) you are just out of luck. Bus Comm quiz online, 3/14-21 ONLINE Week Nine SHORT WEEK 3/12-14: Begin indirectness in bad news messages, review for midterm. Midterm, Beyond Feelings -- Chapters 1 - 7. Multiple choice, ONLINE, 200 points, March 3/18--25. Chapters 8 through 12 in Beyond Feelings address different problems in thinking, procedure and reaction. Chapter 13 looks at the errors in combination and is very important for the final exam. It’s normal to lose steam after Spring Break, but DON’T Week Ten 3/18-21: Chapter 8 Beyond Feelings. Indirectness in bad news messages. 3/21-25 Chapter 8 Quiz (40 points) Week Eleven 3/25-28: Chapter 9 Beyond Feelings. Online timed graded homework timed homework with bad news messages. March 29, April 1-5 Spring recess. Week Twelve 4/8-11: Chapters 10 -- 11 Beyond Feelings. TIMED WRITING MIDTERM, IN CLASS, TWO CASES/PROMPTS APRIL 10-11 Week Thirteen 4/15-18: Chapter 12 Beyond Feelings Week Fifteen 4/22-25 Chapter 13 Beyond Feelings Errors in Combination -- this is very, very important for the final exam. Week Sixteen 4/29-5/2: Review for final Week Seventeen 5/6-8 PARTIAL WEEK: Review for final. May 8, office hours ONLY, and ONLY by appointment, 2-5:00 pm