Course Syllabus (Tentative)
BSAD B65 Principles of Organizational Communication
Fall Semester 2015
Website: www2.bakersfieldcollege.edu/ivey
Office: Business B-1
Phone (661) 395-4363
CRN: 71171 Meets Wednesday 6 – 9:20 p.m.
Monday
9 – 9:30 a.m.
11 – 12:30 p.m.
Michael Ivey, Professor
Bakersfield College
1801 Panorama Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93305
e-mail: Mivey@bakersfieldcollege.edu
Office Hours
Tuesday
Wednesday
9 – 9:30 a.m.
5:30 – 6 p.m.
11 – 12:30 p.m.
5:30 – 6 p.m.
Other times by appointment
Thursday
Arrangement
Course Description: Examination of written and oral communication in the business world. Course will
examine the processes of human behavior and communication within the organizational context. It will
test the principles of English writing skills and communication in the business office. Focuses on writing
letters, memorandums, e-mails, resumes, reports and oral presentations. Course will define the
barriers to effective communication and teach the appropriate techniques to overcome poor
communication skills.
Student Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
 Write effective letters, memorandums, resumes and reports.
 Present material to the class in a professional manner.
 Distinguish who is their audience and improve their communication.
 Apply computer technology and correct grammar to develop excellent writing skills.
 Communicate effectively in a variety of settings.
 Conduct and interview for a job/position.
 Develop a resume with a persuasive letter of application.
 Practice proper communication skills and become more confidence speaking in front of an
audience.
Required Text and Materials: (at the bookstore) ESSENTIALS OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
(LOOSELEAF) By Mary Ellen Guffey and Dana Loewy; Cengage Publishing; 10th edition: ISBN:
9781305699748.
Grading
Chapter Tests (3 @ 100 points)
Final Examination
Writing / Oral Assignments
Total Points Available
300
100
400
800
Scale
A = 100 – 90
B = 89 – 80
C = 79 – 70
D = 69 - 60
Attendance:
There is a direct correlation between attendance and your grade. The fewer days missed, the higher
your grade. In the above grading scale, attendance is not considered as part of your grade, but you will
miss instructor and class discussions that may help you understand material that is important. Please
try to attend regularly and on time, if you know you will be absent, please let the instructor know
immediately. Any work missed is your responsibility to make up and the instructor will not remind you
of missed work. The instructor uses a one week policy, that is, work missed must be completed within
one week and you will be penalized one letter grade for late work turned in.
Class Rules:
1. Attend class promptly as required by your schedule.
2. Be prepared before you come to class, including having assignments read and homework
completed.
3. Take notes in class to help remind you of topics discussed when reviewing chapter tests.
4. The student is on his or her honor. This means cheating is unacceptable and will not be
tolerated. Anyone found cheating in this course will receive a grade of “0” on the work
involved and will be referred to the Dean of Students.
5. It is your responsibility to drop the course if you stop attending – not the instructor’s.
6. If you feel you are not getting what you expect or deserve from the instructor, talk to him. It
will not affect your grade!
****Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact Disabled Student Programs & Services located at Student Services Building,
1st Floor, Counseling Center (661-395-4334), as soon as possible to better ensure such
accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.
Tentative Schedule
Week of
8/26
Chapter Reading
Chapter 1, COMMUNICATING IN THE DIGITAL AGE WORKPLACE
Assignment
Getting to know you
email
9/2
Chapter 2, PLANNING BUSINESS MESSAGES
Chapter 3, ORGANIZING ADNDRAFTING BUSINESS MESSAGES
SEPTEMBER 6: Last day to drop semester length classes without receiving "W" grades.
9/9
Chapter 4, REVISING BUSINESS MESSAGES
9/16
9/23
9/30
Chapter 5, SHORT WORKPLACE MESSAGES AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Chapter 6, POSITIVE MESSAGES
Chapter 7, NEGATIVE MESSAGES
Chapter 8, PERSUASIVE MESSAGES
10/7
Chapter 9, INFORMAL REPORTS
10/14
10/21
CHAPTER 10, PROPOSALS AND FORMAL REPORTS
Chapter 11, PROFESSIONALISM AT WORK
Chapter 12, BUSINESS PRESENTATIONS
UNIT TEST, Chapters
1-4
E-mail / Letter
assigned on type of
message
UNIT TEST, Chapters
5-8
Formal/Informal
Report
10/28
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
OCTOBER 30: Last day to withdraw from semester length classes and receive "W" grades
11/4
Chapter 13, THE JOB SEARCH, RESUMES IN THE DIGITAL AGE
11/11
Veteran’s Day – NO CLASS!
11/18
Chapter 14, INTERVIEWING AND FOLLOWING UP
Resume and cover
letter
11/25
Thanksgiving – NO CLASS!
12/2
UNIT TEST 9 - 14
12/9
FINAL EXAM