Instructor of Record:
COURSE SYLLABUS
CIBU 694 – Business English
Spring, 2010
5 Quarter Credits
Dermot Rodgers
Phone: 619 -634 3708
E-mail: drodgers@cibu.edu
(Thursdays 5-7:30pm)
Holly Edwards
Junior Teaching Associate
Phone: 619-719-2627
E-mail: hedwards@cibu.edu
(Tuesdays 5-7:30pm)
Course:
Location:
CIBU 694: Business English
Lyon
Course Description:
This course is designed to help students build upon their fundamental English language communication skills
by using professional and formal business tool such as letters, reports, and oral presentations in structured
business environments.
Text: Geffner, Andrea B. (2004). Barron’s Business English. (4th ed.) Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s
Educational Series, Inc.
Course Objectives:
1.
Core concepts and syntactic practice for business communication
2.
The process of writing and developing writing skills for business documents (style, Tone, Readability)
3.
Business correspondence (complaints, requests, PR, social business, etc.)
4.
Report writing (formal and informal)
5.
Oral and Employment Communication (Presentations, Employee Communication)
6.
Business discussions using case studies for application
7.
Formal business communication via technology
8.
Non-verbal communication
Instructional Methods:
1. This course will be conducted via lecture, in-class activities, student presentations and lab activities.
2. Use the following website for the on-line resources:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu
http://businessenglishpod.com
http://marketplace.publicradio.org
Expectations of Students
Utilize the resources provided including: class material, course instructor, and current publications relevant to
the topic(s).
All written assignments will be typed (Courier New, 12 point, double-spaced), using the APA style. Your
CIBU 694 – BUSINESS ENGLISH -
papers should present relevant points in a clear, well-organized manner. Your work should be free from
spelling and grammatical errors. Assignments are to be turned in on time.
Oral assignments (presentations) should be presented in a clear and concise manner, be relevant, and have
effective visual aids. Good eye contact, appropriate gestures, audible and modulated delivery is important.
Business attire should be worn for presentations unless otherwise specified.
Academic and Professional Conduct
Ensuring academic integrity is an educational objective taken very seriously. The school's academic policy is
printed in the catalog, and the following explanations may be helpful in interpreting what are considered to
be violations of the policy.
Students have a responsibility to maintain both the academic and professional integrity of the School and to
meet the highest standards of academic and professional conduct. Students are expected to do their own work
on examinations, class preparation and assignments and to conduct themselves professionally when interacting
with fellow students, faculty and staff. Students must also make equitable contributions to both the quality and
quantity of work performed on group projects.
Academic and/or professional misconduct is subject to disciplinary action including course failure, probation or
dismissal. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on examinations, plagiarism, bribery, and
falsification of student records and improper attempts to influence instructors or school officials.
Academic honesty is highly valued at CIBU. You must always submit work that represents your original words or
ideas. If any words or ideas used in a class posting or assignment submission do not represent your original words
or ideas, you must cite all relevant sources (using the APA style) and make clear the extent to which such sources
were used. Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic
publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such
communication clearly originates from an identifiable source. Please see the CIBU Catalog for more information
about academic honesty, including the consequences of academic dishonesty.
Attendance and Participation
Participation includes:
• Signing your name on the attendance sheet;
• Being on time to class and returning from breaks;
• Sharing experiences;
• Describing how you have applied the recent course concepts to your personal/professional life;
• Sharing another resource you have used as you explored the course topics;
• Providing relevant input to in-class discussions and complete participation in the in-class
activities;
• Participating equitable on team projects;
• Submitting your individual assignment(s) when they are due. Work handed in beyond the
deadline will be deducted 10% per day.
• Students are required to observe the specific guidelines of each faculty member. Additionally, an
absence will result in a written warning from the school and there are possible visa implications
with the U.S. government. Any student missing more than one class will be required to meet
with the Academic Dean at CIBU for a verbal warning. A second absence may result in
expulsion.
CIBU 694 – BUSINESS ENGLISH -
Classroom Decorum
•
•
•
•
•
To enhance the learning atmosphere, students are expected to dress and behave in a fashion
conducive to an institution of higher learning.
Cell phones are to be put on 'silence' mode and calls are not to placed or answered during class.
The use of laptops and other devices is to be restricted to research and study pertinent to the current
class
This class is expected to be interactive, however, CIBU policy requires that ALL conversations be
conducted in English in the classrooms.
Likewise, out of respect to classmates and instructors, leaving the classroom for any nonemergency should be limited to scheduled break times.
Attendance Policy
Students are required to attend all class sessions and events, and to observe the specific guidelines of
each faculty member. This includes mid-term and final examinations, and other important events in
each class schedule.
Any absence from a class in the 10-week quarter will affect your course grade as per the syllabus.
Additionally, unexcused absences will result in a written warning from the Academic Administration.
Any student missing 2 classes will be required to meet with the Dean of Academic Programs. In
addition to the negative impact on the course grade, potential academic probation and visa implications
with the US government, unexcused absences may result in expulsion.
Feedback:
The instructor will return written assignments with feedback to students.
Grading Standards
A = Clearly stands out as an excellent performance. Has unusually sharp insight into material and initiates
thoughtful questions. Sees many sides of an issue, articulates well, and writes logically and clearly. Integrates
ideas previously learned from this and other disciplines; anticipates next steps in the progression of ideas.
B = Grasps subject matter at a level considered to be very good. Is an active listener and participates in
the workshop discussions. Speaks and writes well. Accomplishes more than the minimum requirements.
Work in and out of workshop is of a high quality.
C = Demonstrates a satisfactory comprehension of the subject matter. Accomplishes only the minimum
requirements, and displays little or no initiative. Communicates orally and in writing at an acceptable level for
a college student. Has generally acceptable understanding of all basic concepts.
D = Quality and quantity of work in and out of the class is below average and barely acceptable.
F = Quality and quantity of work in and out other class is unacceptable.
Grading Scale:
Letter
Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
Description/Quality
Points
95-100 Excellent
90-94
87-89
83-86 Good
80-82
77-79
73-76
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
CIBU 694 – BUSINESS ENGLISH -
CD+
D
DF
70-72
67-69
63-66 Poor
60-62
Failure
1.7
1.3
1.0
.7
0.0
Quizzes: (4 points each)
• Chapters 1 & 2
• Chapters 3 & 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapters 6 & 7
• Chapter 8
20 points
Letters: (4 points each)
• Application
• Request
• Response
• Complaint
• Sympathy
20 points
Resume
Presentation (PECHA KUCHA midterm)
Response/Essay
In-Class Teamwork
Portfolio
Final
Total Possible
CIBU 694 – BUSINESS ENGLISH -
5 points
20 points
5 points
10 points
5 points
15 points
100 points
Week
1
2
3
Date
Class 1
March 23
Rodgers
Topic
Introductions, Class
expectations, Review syllabus,
tour Learning Resource Center
(LRC), APA style and format
for homework assignments,
portfolio building
Class 2
March 25
Edwards
• Overview/Review of Chapters
1&2
• Listening: Podcast (BEP 149
& 150 ADV) Parts 1 & 2
• The Resume (pp 253-260)
Class 3
March 30
Edwards
• Chapter 3- Sentence,
Fragments, Run-ons
• Chapter 4- Subject-Verb
Agreement
• Chapter 9- Business Style (pp
157-165 ONLY)
• Letters of Reference (pp 266267)
Class 4
April 1
Rodgers
• Continue Chapter 9
Class 5
April 6
Edwards
Chapter 5- Verb Forms
Chapter 10- Letter Format (pp
173-184)
Listening: Customer Service:
Handling Complaints (BEP 53
& 54 ADV)
Class 6
April 8
Rodgers
Chapter 11- Request Letters
(pp 187-192)
Chapter 12- Replies (pp 193209)
Research for details, setting up
appointments, interviewing for
information.
CIBU 694 – BUSINESS ENGLISH -
Activities/Assignments/Tests
1. Tour of library and resources
2. Proper APA format review and exercise.
3. Resume review. Bring a printed copy of current
resume to class! In class review of resumes.
4. Work in pairs to write Letters of Application (pp
260-265)
5. HW: Edit and perfect Letters of Application
1. Chapters 1 & 2 exercises. Quiz to follow.
2. Listening to Podcast regarding the Multicultural
Workplace (businessenglishpod.com)
3. Covering the Resume (pp 253-260).
4. HW: Refine existing resume or create new resume.
Write a summary of what was changed or
unchanged and why. *Note the resumes might be
different depending on your experience.
1. Peer Evaluation: Resume.
2. In-class pair work: Interview your partner and
start a Letter of Reference and a Letter of
Recommendation (pp 266-267)
3. Chapter 3, 4. Quiz to follow.
4. Business style—writing for correct tone and to
avoid repetition.
5. HW: Listen to Marketplace Morning Report for
today, March 30th (marketplace.publicradio.org).
Write a 300-word response to the news in the
podcast.
1. Business style application (pp 165-171)
2. Individual Presentation of Marketplace Morning Report
response. Visual aides a plus. Notes only.
3. Peer review and critique of written responses.
1. Chapter 5. Quiz to follow
2. Discuss proper letter format (pp 173-184)
3. In-class: Practice on p 185.
4. Listen to Podcast re: complaints
(businessenglispod.com)
5. HW: Write a Request Letter to me to obtain
information about CIBU
1. Turn in HW (Request Letter)
2. Chapter 12- Replies
3. Setting up appts. with CIBU staff to gain
information about CIBU. Researching CIBU
website to obtain information.
4. HW: Write a response from yourself to answer the
questions in the Request Letters from students.
4
Class 7
April 13
Edwards
Class 8
April 15
Rodgers
5
Class 9
April 20
Edwards
Class 10
April 22
Rodgers
6
7
8
Class 11
April 27
Edwards
Class 12
April 29
Rodgers
Class 13
May 4
Edwards
Class 14
May 6
Rodgers
Class 15
May 11
Edwards
Class 16
May 13
Rodgers
Listening: BEP 59, 60, 62
ADV
(businessenglishpod.com)
1. Turn in Repsonse Letter.
2. Listen to/discuss three podcasts regarding
presentations.
3. Reading charts and graphs for correct information
(RE:World population)
Charts & Graph reading
Field Study project information 1. Preparing for Field Study activities and projects.
2. View PECHA KUCHA samples from youtube.com
PECHA KUCHA Introduction 3. Remind students to meet (time and place TBA)
instead of 5 p.m.
Field study activities
1. Spring San Diego national College fair
(http://www.nacacnet.org/EventsTrainin/CollegeFa
irs/ncf/Spring/Pages/SanDiegoNCF.aspx#general)
2. PECHA KUCHA night
(http://www.pechakucha.org/cities/sandiego)
1. Recap of field study events.
Discussion/Analysis of Field
Study
2. In-class activities preparing for presentations and
team projects (College Fair Pecha Kucha. Crisis
communication, College Fair—long report)/
Mid-term preparation
1. Presentations—PECHA KUCHA style. (Video
Mid-term
recording)
Feedback on mid-term
presentations
1. Peer evaluation of video recorded presentations.
Chapter 6- Pronouns
1. Cover Chapters 6 & 7. Quiz to follow.
2. Chapter 14 (pp 223-232).
3. Investigate and discuss pissedconsumer.com,
cnet.com, sandiego.bbb.org, yelp.com
4. HW: Write a Complaint Letter to turn in on
Thursday
Chapter 7- Advanced Sentence
Structure
Chapter 14-Complaints,
Claims and Adjustments
Cultural Approaches to
Customer Service and
Relations
Chapter 8- Mechanics
Chapter 16- Social Business
Letters
Chapter 15- Sales and PR
Letters
Verbal and non-verbal
communication
CIBU 694 – BUSINESS ENGLISH -
1. Turn in Complaint Letter
2. Discuss different cultural approaches to customer
service and relations.
1. Cover Chapter 8. Quiz to follow
2. Discuss social business letters for different
situations.
3. HW: Write a Letter of Sympathy to Jane Doe.
1. Cover Chapter 15.
2. Verbal and non-verbal communication
9
10
Class 17
May 18
Edwards
Chapter 19- News Releases
Class 18
May 20
Rodgers
Class 19
May 25
Edwards
Class 20
May 27
Rodgers
Chapter 20- Business Reports
Technological Correspondence
Technological Correspondence
Final Exam Review
Presentation Preparation
Comprehensive Final Exam
CIBU 694 – BUSINESS ENGLISH -
Team Teaching with Mr. Rodgers
1. Cover Chapter 19-News Releases
2. Communication in the 21st Century via e-mail
and/or internet messenger.
Team Teaching with Ms. Edwards
1. Cover Chapter 20-Business Reports
2. Report via Skype.
1. Review
2. Final preparations for portfolio
1. In-class test
2. Portfolio presentation