MGT 3213 - ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS
SPRING 2016
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Susan Shira Lack
McCool Hall #302-S
662-325-0541
SSL1@msstate.edu
Mon, Wed, Friday, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.; other times by appointment
Text:
Title: BCOM (4th - 7th edition)
Authors: Lehman, C.M. & DuFrene, D.D.
Publisher: Cengage Learning (www.cengagebrain.com)
Slides: Posted on course website – Misweb, not MyCourses
http://misweb.cbi.msstate.edu/~COBI/faculty/publicWeb.shtml?slack|MGT3213
Prerequisites: EN 1113 and Junior standing (60 hours).
Course Description: A study of the role of communications in the modern business organization.
Emphasis is given to the basic writing skills applied to various forms of business communications.
Course Objectives: By the end of this course, you will be able to:
Study and apply the theory and methodology of business
letter writing, business reporting, and business research.
Understand and apply communication skills to increase
the possibility of being hired and promoted.
Identify barriers to communication and utilize various
techniques to overcome these barriers.
Honor Code: Mississippi State University has an approved Honor Code that applies to all students.
Complete information can be found at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/audit/1207A.html
Laptops, iPads, Cell Phones, etc. and Class Disruptions: The use of computers, cell phones, etc. IS
NOT permitted during class time, unless specifically approved by me. As a courtesy to others, cell
phones should be turned off while in class. In addition, disruptive, impolite, or inappropriate behavior
such as arriving late for class, eating in class, reading the newspaper, sleeping, and/or working on
assignments for other classes are/is not allowed. Disruptive students will be asked to leave the class
and will be reported for a violation of the MSU Honor Code.
Student Support Services: Students with disabilities who need academic accommodations should
contact the Student Support Services office in Montgomery Hall (325-3335) or go to their website at:
http://www.sss.msstate.edu
Title IX: Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on gender. MSU educational
programs must be free from sex discrimination, sexual harassment, or other forms of sexual
misconduct. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual discrimination, sexual violence
and/or harassment by any member of the MSU community, you are encouraged to report the conduct
to MSU’s Director of Title IX/EEO Programs at 325-8124 or email to titleix@msstate.edu
Attendance: In classrooms with the technology, your class attendance will be recorded by scanning
your MSU ID card, so you will need to bring your ID card to each class meeting. The specific
procedure will be explained to you in class.
Academic Honesty: All tests and assignments are to be completed individually with the exception of
the resume. Receiving help from a friend, fellow student, tutor, etc. will be considered a violation of
the Honor Code. On test days, possession of electronic devices (phones, IPods, etc) in plain sight will
be considered academic misconduct and will result in a “0” on the test. You will not be allowed to
leave the classroom during a test. Students who leave during a test must turn in their test paper which
will be graded “as is.”
Tests: Six “tests” will be given during the semester. Each test will be worth 100 points.
Your final course grade will be based on total points earned, not the “average.” If you miss Test #1 or
#2, a make-up will NOT be given unless arrangements have been made in advance. Late written
assignments (Tests #3, #4, #5) will receive a 10-point penalty for being late and an additional 10-point
penalty for every day beyond the due date they are late. Ten bonus points will be given for attendance
during each of the 3 workshops scheduled during the semester (total of 30 points). No other bonus
points will be offered.
Test # 1 (2/3) – MC & TF (Chapters 1-4)
Test # 2 (2/29) – MC & TF (Chapters 5-7, format/layout, grammar)
Test # 3 (due 2/29) – Good News Letter (Chapter 6)
Test # 4 (due 2/29) – Bad News Letter (Chapter 7)
Test # 5 (due 3/11) – Resume, etc. (Career Center Handbook, Chapters 13 & 14)
Test # 6 (see Exam Schedule) – Final Exam – MC & TF (Chapters 9 – 12)
Grading Scale:
EXAMS:
A
B
C
D
F
540 - 600 total points (90% - 100%)
480 - 539 total points (80% - 89%)
420 - 479 total points (70% - 79%)
360 - 419 total points (60% - 69%)
below 359 total points (less than 60%)
8:00 MWF – Thursday, May 5 (8-11 a.m.)
9:00 MWF – Wednesday, May 4 (8-11 a.m.)
11:00 MWF – Thursday, May 5 (12-3 p.m.)
12:00 MWF – Friday, April 29 (12-3 p.m.)
WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE
January 11, 13, 15
Introduction & Chapter 1
January 18, 20, 22
Holiday
Chapter 2
January 25, 27, 29
Chapters 3 & 4
February 1, 3, 5
Chapter 4
TEST # 1
Chapter 5
February 8, 10, 12
Grammar & Word Usage
Professional Online Presence Workshop
Format & Layout
February 15, 17, 19
Chapters 6 & 7
February 22, 24, 26
Chapter 7
Practice Writing
Avoiding Plagiarism Workshop
Feb. 29, March 2, 4
TEST # 2 & Letters due (#3 & #4)
Chapter 8
Resumes
March 7, 9, 11
Resumes/Chapter 13
Resume Assignment due by noon
March 14 - 18
Spring Break
March 21, 23, 25
Job Interviewing/Chapter 14
Career Chats
Holiday
March 28, 30 – April 1
Job Interviewing/Chapter 14
April 4, 6, 8
Chapters 9 & 10
April 11, 13, 15
Chapter 11
April 18, 20, 22
Chapter 12
Presentation Delivery Workshop
April 25, 27
Review for Final Exam
Test Makeups
**** Exact dates subject to change.