BCOM 1300 & 3300: Professionalism and Communication in Business
Course Information
Course Number/Section
Course Title
Term
BCOM 1300.015 & BCOM 3300.002
Professionalism and Communication in Business
Fall 2021
Professor Contact Information
Professor
Dr. Stacey Said
Email Address
Stacey.Said@UTDallas.edu
Office Location
JSOM 2.712
MS Teams Office Hours
M/W: 3:30-4:30 p.m., Thursdays: 2-3 p.m., By appointment/request
Important Change to Course Format---First 3 Weeks of Class
Due to the increasing number of COVID cases in our area, the university has required that larger classes such as
ours de-densify for the first 3 weeks of the course. (More information will follow about what will happen after
Week 3.) That means that half of you---Group 1---will attend class in-person on Mondays, while the other half--Group 2---will attend remotely via Microsoft Teams. For Wednesdays, Group 2 will attend in-person, and Group
1 will attend remotely. If you have questions or concerns about this, please e-mail me.
Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions
Credit cannot be received for both courses, BCOM 1300 and BCOM 3300.
Course Description from 2020 UTD Catalog
This course is an introduction to the study of business, with exposure to each of the business disciplines. Students
will be introduced to the functional areas of business and begin to plan their business careers. Students will focus
on developing the skills necessary to communicate professionally in the business world. Particular
communication skills include writing and evaluating internal and external communications; analyzing data using
appropriate tools; effectively integrating analyzed data into presentations and reports; networking and
professional presence; and interviewing professionals in the student’s chosen field for career path analysis.
Background on JSOM BCOM sequence
During your time as a JSOM student, you will complete a 2-course Business Communication sequence: BCOM
1300/3300, and BCOM 4300.
 BCOM 1300/3300 focuses on skills needed for communicating as you prepare to enter the business
world. Communication is essential as a college student, an intern, an employee, and a campus leader.
 BCOM 4300 focuses on skills needed for communication as a business school graduate, as a manager,
and as a professional leader. Recommended: take BCOM 4300 as a junior or senior.
Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes
1. Students will develop communication skills to aid them in their internships, campus leadership, and
community engagement.
2. Students will select appropriate writing and presentation techniques for professional and academic
settings.
3. Students will demonstrate professional communication best practices for networking and hiring.
Required Textbooks and Materials
Required Text (Free, nothing to buy): Business Communication for Success
Required Materials (Free, bought already by JSOM): Quinncia and Grammarly (login to both with your UTD
NetID email and password. Email bcom@utdallas.edu if you have access issues.)
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Tentative Course Schedule & Topics
See eLearning for weekly agendas with readings and participation activities. The descriptions and timelines
contained in this syllabus are subject to change. All changes will be announced via eLearning.
Week
Agenda/Topic
Major Deadlines
1
Lecture 1: Effective Business Communication
2
Lecture 2: Delivering Your Message and Understanding Your Audience
Lecture 3: Searching for Jobs, AI and ATS
3
Lecture 4: Networking & Creating a LinkedIn Profile (Elevator Pitch)
Lecture 5: Presentation Giving - topics and audience
4
Lectures 6-7: Presentation Research, APA Style, Outlines, and Content
1300: Essay Draft & Peer Review
3300: Cover Letter
5
Lectures 8-9: Presenting Nonverbally, Q&A, Slides
Test 1
Test 1, Thursday-Saturday
6
Presentations (1300 uses CttC Prompt; 3300 chooses own prompt)
Presentations
7
Presentations
Presentations
8
Lectures 10-11: Business Writing Principles and Writing Preparation
9
Lectures 12-13: Revising and Giving Feedback, and Emailing
Situation Study: Recommendation Memo
10
Lectures 14-15: Direct and Indirect Strategies & Bad News, and Document
Format
Situation Study: Emailed Bad News
11
Test 2
Test 2, Thursday-Saturday
12
Lecture 16: Communication Goal Setting / Portfolios
Draft: Portfolio
13
Portfolios
Final: Portfolio
14
Lectures 17-18: Resumes & Interviews
15
Quinncia Resume & Interview
LinkedIn Profile Discussion Board
Quinncia Resume and Interview Final
Score Download at 5 p.m.
Assignments & Grading Policy
Assignment
Value
Grading Scale
Class Activities:
 LinkedIn profile/Discussion Board: 5%
 Presentation: 5%
 Peer Reviews: Essay (2.5%) & Portfolio (2.5%): 5%
 Essay (1300) OR Cover Letter (3300): 5%
 Quinncia Resume (5%) & Interview (5%): 10%
30%
Tests:


30%
100-98% = A+
97-94 = A
93-90 = A89-87 = B+
86-84 = B
83-80 = B79-77 = C+
76-74 = C
73-70 = C- (and so on)
Test 1 (15%)
Test 2 (15%)
Final Portfolio Project
30%
Lab Grade
10%
Total 100%
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Grading Policy
All work should demonstrate the same professional and ethical standards expected of you in the workplace, including
proofreading and editing carefully all work you submit in this class. See rubrics for written assignments.
Course Policies
1. General
a. Announcements are made in eLearning announcements or by UTD email.
b. Office hours are student conference hours for clarification, seeking additional help, or getting
advice on assignments or your coursework. Unlike class time, Student Conference Hours allow
for the privacy so things like grades can be discussed.
c. When emailing, use your UTD email and include a descriptive subject line such as “BCOM 1300
Tuesday/Thursday 1 pm Presentation Question.” Emails from non-utdallas.edu emails will not be
answered. Reviewing Assignments: I do not review by email; I can review during office hours or
after class.
d. All assignments, quizzes, and projects will be checked for scholastic dishonesty. This includes
using TurnItIn for papers. A finding of scholastic dishonesty may result in a grade of 0.
e. The instructor reserves the right to change the grading policy, the course schedule, and the
assignments; the instructor reserves the right to change published grades if there is a
miscalculation.
f. There is no extra credit in any BCOM course.
g. Grade Questions: Email within one week of grades being posted to request a meeting. Include in
this email the concerns or questions. A challenge may result in grades being raised or lowered.
h. Academic Support Resources: Please go to Academic Support Resources webpage.
i. School-wide Policies: The information contained in the following link constitutes the
University’s policies and procedures segment of the course syllabus. Please go to UT Dallas
Syllabus Policies webpage for these policies.
2. Assignments
a. Submit early to avoid technical issues.
b. Only submitted assignments in eLearning are graded. (Submission Folder)
c. See rubrics on assignment descriptions for how they are graded. (Assignments Folder)
d. Late Work: Late submission of the final portfolio will be docked 1 percent per hour late based on
when it’s submitted to the drop box.
e. Late Work: Peer review, activities, and discussion boards cannot be done late.
3. Tests
a. For Fall 2021, the tests are in the Testing Center. The Testing Center requires you to book your
test time and does not accept walk-in test takers.
b. Students must book an appointment with the Testing Center at least 72 hours before the test. We
recommend booking both test appointments the first week of classes. Failure to register for a test
will result in an automatic 30 percent deduction. Contact your professor in that situation. Failure
to take the test will result in a 0 on the test.
c. The two tests are multiple choice and true/false. They both have 60 questions.
d. Tests must be done individually. Collaboration, if proven, will result in a referral to Judicial
Affairs.
e. The tests are 90 minutes.
f. The tests are open note, but limited to one typical sized piece of paper - 8 x 11.5, front and back.
The Testing Center will collect your note page when you finish the test. Notes can be typed or
handwritten.
g. The test is open book. A link will be provided within the test to the textbook.
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h. Test makeups may be allowed at the instructor’s discretion and only due to documented medical
emergencies. In this case, makeup tests may be closed book, essay and short answer instead of
multiple choice and true false.
4. Class Participation & Attendance
a. Research has found that those who miss four or more classes tend to have decreased final grades
(source).
b. Professional communication is excepted. Show up ready to learn.
c. Attendance policy: You must communicate with me in advance (if possible) that you will be
missing class. You are permitted to miss 2 class meetings without any deduction of points. For
each class absence after that, there will be a deduction of 5 points off of your final course grade
(of 1000 points). There may be exceptions to this policy in the event of extenuating
circumstances.
Regardless of circumstance, in the event that you miss class, you must email a classmate
to get class notes and an explanation of what was missed. Do not email me directly to ask what
you missed in class. You may, however, ask follow-up/clarification questions about what you
missed.
5. Group Assignments
a. You will be assigned a group. The group is responsible for determining roles, including the lead
who submits work.
b. No additional team members will be added if someone drops.
c. The instructor reserves the right to remove or adjust the grade of a noncompliant team member;
teams cannot make this choice on their own. To request a review of a noncompliant team
member, the team lead should submit in writing three things: meeting agendas with attendance;
deadline documentation; and a record of communication attempts.
Need additional coaching or advice? Use these JSOM-only resources
1. Document and Presentation Coaching? See Business Communication Center.
https://jindal.utdallas.edu/student-resources/business-communication-center/
2. Internship and Job Searching? See JSOM Career Management Center (CMC) The CMC (JSOM 12.110
offers career coaching, resume and cover-letter critiques, mock interviews, etc.
http://jindal.utdallas.edu/career-management-center/
Comet Creed
This creed was voted on by the UT Dallas student body in 2014. It is a standard that Comets choose to live by and
encourage others to do the same:
“As a Comet, I pledge honesty, integrity, and service in all that I do.”
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Dates Week
Major Theme
Aug.
23,
2021
Aug.
25,
2021
Aug.
30,
2021
1
Topic
Test
Content
Intro to JSOM / Syllabus
Distribute
Study Guide
Effective Business
Communication (BCS 1)
Introduce Portfolio Assignment
Communication Core Concepts
2
Sept. 1
Delivering Your Message and
Understanding Your Audience
(BCS 2 & 3)
Searching for Jobs, AI and ATS
[note that resume intro in form of
BCC authored module in lab]
BCS 1
Networking & Creating a
LinkedIn Profile
3
Sept. 8
Writing - LinkedIn Profile
Submission
Writing Feedback - LinkedIn
Profiles
BCS 10
Topic Selection and Audience
Sept.
13
Sept.
15
Sept.
20
Sept.
22
Sept.
27
Sept.
29
Oct. 4
Research & APA Style
4
Presentation Skills
5
Outlining Presentations and
Presentations to Inform
Presenting (nonverbal/visual
aids) and Q&A
Test 1 Review
Introduce yourself by setting up
and posting your LinkedIn
profile on the discussion board
by Sept. 1.
BCS 2 & 3
NO CLASS – LABOR DAY
Sept. 6
Assignments, Self
Assessment, and Case Study
Topics
1300 – Groups are formed by
UNIV now. They complete a
group contract. (Sept. 13)
Research &
APA
Essay Draft (1300)
Cover Letter Draft (3300)
Essay Peer Review (1300)
BCS 12 & 13
Cover Letter Peer Review (3300)
BCS 11.3 Essay Due (1300)
11.5
Cover Letter Due (3300)
Testing Window:
(10 units)
Thursday - Saturday
Work Day/Portfolio Check-in
6
7
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
Presentations
5
Oct. 6
Oct. 11
Presentations
Presentations
Business Writing
BCS 4
Writing Preparation
BCS 5 & 6
Revising and Presenting Your
Writing
Giving Feedback
BCS 7
Oct. 20
Email Writing
BCS 9.1
Oct. 25
Direct and Indirect Strategies &
Bad News
BCS 17.1
Oct. 13
8
Oct. 18
9
10
Oct. 27
Writing & Document Format
Nov. 1
Nov. 3
11
Writing Skills
12
CommWork Day: Portfolio Draft
Day
(Professor Review Optional)
CommWork Day: Portfolio Peer
Review
(Professor Review Optional)
Nov. 15
13
Nov. 17
Dec. 1
14
15
PeerMark: Portfolio, eLearning
TurnItIn
MAJOR DEADLINE: Final
Portfolio Submission, eLearning
TurnItIn
Resume Writing
BCS 9.5
Interviewing Skills
BCS 16.5
Final Conferences
Testing Window:
Thursday - Saturday
In-Class Workshop: Portfolio
Check In
Polished Draft: Portfolio,
eLearning TurnItIn
Conference & Submission Day
Job Market Skills
Dec. 6
(6 units)
Portfolios
Nov. 10
Nov. 29
Work/Review Day
Test 2 Review
Nov. 8
OPTIONAL: Polished Draft:
Report memo, eLearning
TurnItIn
OPTIONAL: Peer Review: Report
memo, eLearning TurnItIn
OPTIONAL: Polished Draft:
Email, eLearning TurnItIn
OPTIONAL: Peer Review: Email,
eLearning TurnItIn
Resume & Interview
Conferences. Quinncia scores
final at 5 p.m.
6