WELCOME TO BA 290—Section 13
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION (3 units)
Tuesday/Thursday 4:00-5:15 pm SSW2522
Course Syllabus
Instructor:
Office Hours:
Janet C. Lawry
(619) 594-3033
E-mail: jlawry@mail.sdsu.edu
T/TH 11-11:45 AM
SPRING, 2013
Office SSE 3322
Class Website: http://blackboard.sdsu.edu/
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course teaches effective communication as it is applied to
business messages and long reports. It includes researching, organizing, writing and presenting
business documents on ethical, global, social and technological issues. It incorporates the
basic principles of speaking effectively for business.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Since business majors are required to communicate in written
and oral reports and presentations, this course is designed to improve your communication
skills so that you can present business information more effectively. Upon successful
completion of this course you will be able to:
1. Adapt the concepts of the basic communication model to written messages and oral
presentations through careful audience analysis and message planning.
2. Choose words, write sentences and develop paragraphs for good news, bad news and
persuasive messages that are clear, concise, complete and accurate.
3. Incorporate technology effectively in gathering, organizing, writing and presenting
written and oral messages.
4. Effectively gather, interpret and organize both primary and secondary. information
needed to support written and oral reports.
5. Evaluate and produce graphics to communicate messages quickly and accurately.
6.
Write effectively for those with English as a second language.
7. Collaborate effectively on written documents.
COURSE DESIGN: This course consists of lectures, labs, oral presentations, group work,
individual work and homework. You will be graded on each of the above-mentioned areas.
ALL OUTSIDE WORK MUST BE DONE ON THE COMPUTER IN 12 FONT, TIMES
NEW ROMAN—NO EXCEPTIONS ON 8 1/1 BY 11 WHITE PAPER.
IDENTIFY YOUR WORK IN THE UPPER RIGHT-HAND CORNER:
This is how it should look
One (1) inch from the top
Your last name, your first name
Assignment
Due Date
OBJECTIVES:
You will compose business letters, emails, a resume packet, memoranda and a business
report/research paper utilizing correct format, grammar, tone, style and spelling in all
assignments. You will participate in class discussions and oral presentations.
STUDENT PREPARATION: Each student is expected to check BlackBoard and email
before each class session. It is a good idea to do this early enough so that you can complete
any assignment that may be posted or print any materials that may be needed for that day’s
class.
COURSE POLICIES: Attendance is very important in this class. I DO take attendance.
If a serious illness or situation arises and you will be absent more than two classes—email me.
REQUIRED TEXT: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 2e by Flatley, Rentz and Lentz
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTS
A reference guide for grammar, punctuation and formatting available in print and digital
versions such as Sabin. W. (2005) Gregg Reference Manual (11th edition)Boston, MA;
McGraw-Hill/Irwin and an up-to-date dictionary (a printed one or try an online one such as
Merriam Webster or Dictionary.com). There is even a version that works for your ipod/phone.
iPod site is: http://www.ipreppress.com/Pages/Refrence/MWPocket.htm
Merriam-Webster dictionaries are also available for a variety of mobile devices, including
PDA’s and smartphones at: http//www.mobile-webster.com
Two good resources if English is NOT your first language:
Geffner, A.(1998). Barron’s ESL guide to American business English. Huckin, T. and Olsen,
L. (1991). Technical writing and professional communication for non-native speakers of
English (2nd ed.)New York, NY:McGraw
APA WEBLIKS: We will be using APA format in our report, so familiarize yourself with
these two sites:
http://owl.eglish.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE: WORD—A full featured word processing
program. This is available at a discounted rate in the Aztec Shops bookstore for SDSU
students. Word is available in the library computer lab as well as other labs around the
campus.
PowerPoint or Prezi will be needed for your oral presentation. Works does not work on our
system in the classroom, so do NOT do your presentation on an Apple computer in a Works
program. It will not work. See me for further instructions.
COMPUTERS: You can use the computers in the library to access many of the abovementioned applications and the web. With a wi-fi enabled laptop or handheld, you can access
the internet from many hotspots on campus as well as some classrooms.
SUPPLIES:
One package of 815-E Scantrons
Two 882-E Scantrons
Flash Drive—keep all of your BA 290 assignments (in and out of class on
this)—bring the flash drive to class daily.
Pen, pencil and highlighters
Dictionary/word division manual (optional)
Thesaurus (optional)
Office Reference Manual (optional)
ACCESS TO A COMPUTER
One sheet of Quality Resume Paper, one Thank You Card (blank inside)
One folder for your projects—I will show you a sample in class
WRITING: Writing is a skill. Business writing is a DIFFERENT type of writing and a
different skill from most of the writing you have done previously. Your written work in this
class will evaluated using a rubric that has been approved by the Business department. You
need to bring a printed copy of this rubric for each in-class writing.
GRADING
Your grade will be determined by your scores on the assignments, quizzes, tests, group work, a
written report, an oral report, the resume packet, the in-class writings, the midterm and the
final. Your grades will be posted on BlackBoard. It is your job to keep track of your grades.
1000 Total Points
300
100
100
100
200
100
100
In-class writings
Quizzes, group work, in-class assignments
Resume Packet
Midterm
Report
Oral Report PowerPoint Presentation
Final
Grades: 1000 attainable points in this class
A = 900 - 1000
B = 800 – 899
This class is based on POINTS not PERCENTAGES
C = 700 – 799
D = 600 - 699
Plusses and Minuses will be determined by the instructor.
F = 599 or below
I cannot just “give” you points—you earn your points.
REDO—a redo is an in-class writing assignment in which you did not meet the required “C”
writing level, and you are given the paper back to fix (redo).
NO REDOS will be accepted AFTER Tuesday, April 30, 2013.
COURSE SCHEDULE: The course schedule on BlackBoard gives you an idea of the
material covered, assignments, quiz and exam dates. You are, however, responsible for any
changes that are made to the schedule in class, via email or announced on BlackBoard.
STUDENTS HELP: I am always available to help you with assignments, review drafts of
your writing (but not on the day a writing assignment is due), OR to go over reading
assignments you do not understand etc. during my office hours.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: You are expected to comply with all university rules
and regulations including those regarding cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic
dishonesty and unethical conduct. Go to
http://its.sdsu.edu/turnitin/pdf/Plagiarism_AcadSen.pdf, for the entire document.
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.
.
The library has the online information literacy tutorial, "Plagiarism: The Crime of Intellectual
Kidnapping." This is a self-directed, 30-minute tutorial that teaches you about plagiarism,
paraphrasing, and citing sources. The quiz helps you determine your ability to recognize and
avoid plagiarism.
Take this tutorial outside of class time. You will receive a score on the screen that you can
print and submit to me as proof of completion. The due date for this assignment will be listed
on your class schedule.
I will discuss plagiarism in depth in class.
IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENTS /WRITINGS AND EXAMS: Your in-class written work will
be evaluated using the SDSU rubric. You will be provided with a copy of this rubric on
BlackBoard. It must be turned in with each in-class writing assignment.
These assignments CANNOT be made up without prior arrangement with the instructor and
then with a late policy applied. Only documented severe illness or other grave circumstances
will be considered as valid reasons for allowing make up work for full credit. All ATHLETES
etc. must see me at least one week BEFORE missing a graded assignment OR exam so that an
early date can be set for you to do the assignment.
RESEARCH PAPER
You will be given a topic in February, 2013. Your report is due on Tuesday, April 9,
2013 at the beginning of the class—otherwise your report is late. Point deductions will be
listed on the Report Information Sheet. We will use APA format via Owl at Purdue.
The research paper MUST be completed correctly to pass the class!!!!!!!!
The oral presentation must also be presented with PowerPoint to pass the class.!!!!!!
If you plagiarize, the penalty may range from a zero, an F in the class to even more serious
consequences. Do Not take a chance.
YOU MUST HAVE IN-TEXT CITATIONS IN BOTH THE RESEARCH PAPER AND THE
ORAL PRESENTATION AS WELL AS on a REFERENCES PAGE.
RESUME PACKET—The resume must be done on resume paper, the thank you card must be
blank on the inside. Your resume packet is due on _________________.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY: Please turn off all cell phones, iPods and other
electronic devices. If there is some extraordinary reason why you must have an electronic
device on, please see me before class begins. Please do not leave the room to talk on your cell
phone. No TEXTING in class. You will be permitted to use your electronic device to enter
assignments, changes to schedule etc.—I will let you know when you can do this.
Also, no recorders (audio or video), scanners, smart pens (Pulse etc.) or similar devices are
permitted to be used without my permission.
NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE PERMITTED AT YOUR DESK DURING
QUIZZES, IN-CLASS WRITINGS OR EXAMS.
CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS
All reading/chapter assignments must be completed PRIOR to the class in which the chapter
will be covered—that means on Tuesday. Assignments are due at the BEGINNING OF THE
CLASS. I accept work one class day late for one half ½ credit—after that it is yours to keep.
Expect an unannounced quiz on every chapter. If you are not in the classroom when the quiz
begins, you may only answer the questions you can finish in the allotted regular quiz time.
Assignments will be marked down for major errors such as misspelled words, incorrect
subject-verb agreement, incomplete sentences and incorrect language usage. You need to use
spell and grammar check—however, remember neither of these programs is totally reliable—
each one only catches approximately 60-70 percent of the errors.
EMAIL—You must have a proper business email address in order to email me or it will go to
spam. I do not know your emails—I only send message to you via BlackBoard and your name.
An example of a proper business email is:jlawry@mail.sdsu.edu.
OTHER
Please remove your HAT/or other head coverings (except religious ones) when you enter the
classroom—this means all ladies and gentlemen.
No visitors in the classroom
This syllabus may be altered during the semester.
YOU may NOT record (video or audio) the class/lecture etc. without my permission. It is
illegal.
You are NOT permitted to have scanners of any type (pen type included) in the classroom.
The following items that MUST BE COMPLETED TO PASS THE CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The research paper
Oral presentation of your research paper with PowerPoint or Prezi
All three in-class writings
The midterm exam
The final exam
ABSENCES
All students are responsible for what happened in class on days they were absent. Contact a
fellow class member (preferably someone from your group) for this information. Please DO
NOT email me for this information.
I am dedicated to helping each of you achieve your potential in this class. I look forward to a
great semester.
I answer all emails within 24 hours Monday through
Friday. Please include class and section number in the
subject line on all emails. I DO NOT ANSWER EMAILS
ON WEEKENDS OR HOLIDAY PERIODS.
.