BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
SYLLABUS ****
FALL 2013
TROY UNIVERSITY SCOB MISSION STATEMENT
The Sorrell College of Business supports the Troy University
mission by preparing our diverse student body to become ethical
professionals equipped to compete in the global business
environment. To achieve this, our faculty, staff, and
administration will:
1) provide quality education in global business through our
undergraduate and graduate programs, delivered around
the world through face-to-face and online environments, to
traditional, non-traditional, military, and international
students;
2) contribute to the development and application of knowledge
focused on applied business, learning, and pedagogical
research;
2
3) provide service to the University, business and professional
organizations, and our communities through individual
involvement, business outreach, and our centers for research.
TROY UNIVERSITY SCOB VISION STATEMENT
The Sorrell College of Business will be a recognized and
respected leader for quality and flexibility in the delivery of
business education that prepares graduates to succeed in the
global business environment.
Revised July 2012
And from the Master Syllabus for the course:
Description
The course includes the analysis, and composition of business and personal
communications including mechanics and content of letters and memoranda.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
Correctly select, plan, and compose letters, résumés, memoranda, and reports,
Explain business communication concepts, methodologies, and formats.
Plan and deliver a well organized oral presentation,
Participate effectively in business discussions with peers,
Critically review work, accept suggestions, and make revisions, and
Discuss essential facets of intercultural business communication.
Purpose
The purpose of the course is to introduce all aspects of written and oral
communication applicable to the business world. Both theoretical knowledge and
practical experience in business communication are included as part of instruction.
COURSE TITLE:
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
CLASSES/SECTIONS:
BUS 3382 TBAA
BUS 3382 TEAB
MWF 8:00 AM
MWF 11:00 AM
BIBB GRAVES 245
BIBB GRAVES 245
BUS 3382 TGAC
BUS 3382 TGAG
MWF 1:00 PM
TTh
1:00 PM
BIBB GRAVES 245 and
BIBB GRAVES 245
INSTUCTOR: James M. Orendorff, J.D.
OFFICE HOURS – Workdays unless scheduled teaching,8:00AM to 1:00 PM,
also available by appointment, which allows, if needed, getting information
organized.
OFFICE LOCATION –238D BIBB GRAVES
OFFICE TELEPHONE - 334.670.3290
E-MAIL - jmorendorff@troy.edu
TEXT – Essentials of Business Communication, Guffy, 9th edition
Estimated Cost at TROY UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE: $250.00
STUDENT ISBN 978-1-111-82122-7
RELATED MATTERS
SUPPORT FACILITIES
The university library, in addition to the Internet, has substantial additional
Informative and instructive materials applicable to the subject matter of this course.
Group study rooms, on an as available or reserved basis, are available at the library.
Do not hesitate to make use of the available resources and research facilities, and if
in doubt make inquiry of the instructor.
SUPPORT MATERIAL
Available to those with appropriate needs there are support classes at Computer
Works, Writing Center, Tutorial Lab, ESL and the American Idiom etc. See the
instructor if you are interested in learning more of this assistance.
POLOCIES OF IMPORTANCE, etc.:
Plagiarism: All work is expected to be that of the named student(s). Plagiarism and
other forms of fraudulent behavior are not acceptable and such unacceptable
behavior will be appropriately reflected in the student’s grade. For discussion of the
school’s anti-cheating policy see the Troy University Student Handbook, “The
Oracle.” If the option is warranted, the student may be dismissed from school!
ADA: Any student, whose disabilities fall within ADA, must inform the instructor at
the beginning of the term of any special needs of equipment necessary to accomplish
the requirements of this course. Troy University supports Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which
insure that postsecondary students with disabilities have equal access to all academic
programs, physical access to all buildings, facilities and events, and are not
discriminated against on the basis of disability. Eligible students, with appropriate
documentation, will be provided equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic
skills and potential through the provision of academic adaptations and reasonable
accommodations. Further information, including appropriate contact information,
can be found at the link for Troy University’s Office of Human Resources at
ttp://www.troy.edu/humanresources/ADAPolicy
Other Disabilities: Students who have or may be dealing with a disability or
learning difficulty should speak with the instructor, contact the Adaptive Needs
Office or call 670-3220. Various accommodations are available through the
Adaptive Needs Program.
The faculty in the School of Business makes every effort to accommodate
unique and special needs of students with respect to language, speech, hearing,
vision seating or other possible disabling conditions. Please notify the instructor
the first class day of any special needs.
Cell Phones and other electronic Devices: During class KEEP IT OFF.
Use of any electronic devise by students in the instructional environment is
Prohibited unless explicitly approved on a case-by-case basis by the instructor or by
the Office of Disability Services in collaboration with the instructor.
Cellular phones, pagers, and other communication devices may be used for
emergencies, however, but sending or receiving non-emergency messages is
forbidden by the University. Use of a communication device in violation of the Troy
University “Standards of Conduct” will result in appropriate disciplinary action (See
the Oracle.)
In order to receive emergency messages from the University or family members,
The call receipt indicator on devices must be in the vibration mode or other
unobtrusive mode of indication. Students receiving calls that they believe to be
emergency calls must answer quietly without disturbing the teaching environment. If
the call is an emergency, they must move unobtrusively and quietly from the
instructional area and notify the instructor as soon as reasonably possible. Students
who are expecting an emergency call should inform the instructor before the start of
the instructional period.
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COURSE PROCEDURES
THE STUDENT WILL BE PROVIDED INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR
THE STUDENT TO DEVELOP TECHNIQUES AND SKILLS OF EFFECTIVE
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION. THE DEVELOPMENT IS DONE BY
THE STUDENT, NOT OTHERS.
1.
Classes and attendance:
Classes are held as scheduled above. They are a combination of the instructor’s
lectures, leadership and supervision of class discussion on the applicable chapter
material and presentations. Extensive use of the Socratic Teaching Method will be
made.
During class, as a professional courtesy to the other members of the class, and to
avoid interruption of the class in progress, prompt attendance is expected. A
student’s professionalism not only is evidenced by conduct such as attending timely,
but also by being prepared to discuss the day’s assignment.
The exercise of courtesy to the class, the other students and the instructor will be
evaluated in determining each student’s final grade. All work, oral or written should
be in accord of the principles presented, and complete, timely and submitted prior to
the class when due.
This includes having read the assigned materials and discussed them with a study
group or other students of the class prior to class.
The Socratic Method requires full class participation; therefore each student is
expected to be prompt, prepared and present.
Chronic tardiness (more than three times in continuous two week period) or
unexcused absences (more than three times) will result in a negative adjustment of
the student’s grade for this course. Roll is taken at the beginning of class, late arrival
(tardiness) is counted as an absence.
The instructor’s presentation will not necessarily cover all material of the course for
which the student is held responsible.
It is the student’s obligation to make himself known to the instructor is part of the
objectives of this course (experience dealing with not only subordinates and peers
but also authority figures). Review of a student’s effort should be requested by a
student within a week be of the graded event, oral or written presentation.
2.
Graded Events:
A questionnaire will be distributed at or prior to the start of each class. NOTE the
questionnaire will be available at those times only. The score of all questionnaires
for each will be equal to one test score.
Unit Tests and concurrent Memoranda:
There will be five tests:
Unit 1 Chapter 1 and the articles referred in this syllabus for the first
test. IN LIEU OF A MEMORANDUM BASED ON THE TEXT, A
PERSONAL MEMORANDUM ASIGNMENT WILL BE DUE, IT
WILL BE THE BASIS FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT
THROUGHOUT THE COURSE.
Unit 2 Chapters 2, 3 & 4 for the second test
Units 4 and 5 Chapters 9, 10, 11 and 12 for the third test
Unit 3 Chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8 for the fourth test
There will be a comprehensive final examination including Chapters
13 and 14
In addition to the Team Formal Report, team oral presentations are scheduled for the
last two weeks of the course.
The essay tests at the end of each study unit consist of ten topics for the student to
prepare a responsive analysis. The response should be written in ink in a Blue Book,
and clearly present the topic, the solution and an analysis.
For teach topic, each student will independently prepare a memorandum of not more
than three pages in conformity with the principles discussed in class on a subject
selected by the instructor. The student will select the topic, and other aspects in
composing an informal memorandum.
Final Formal Report: A team prepared formal, written report conforming to the
instructions of Chapter 10, p. 302 et seq. of the text is a major product for the
semester. The Final Formal Report shall be prepared by teams of students arbitrarily
selected by the instructor and due roughly ten class days prior to the last day of class.
The report shall be of not less than ten pages for the “body” and appropriate
supportive pages. Citation of authorities will be in conformity with the APA.
Oral Reports: Unit 4, Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8, discusses the principles used in
communication in the workplace. Teams in serial fashion (four at a time) will
present oral reports using the focus of the chapter. Each chapter will be presented by
three teams (see Chapter 12 ) as to style and communicating.
Teams 1, 2, 3 & 4 will report on Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8
Teams 5, 6, 7, & 8 will report on Chapter 5 and Chapters 8, 9 10 & 11
Team 9 & 10 will report on Chapters 12. 13 & 14.
The Final Formal Report is due no later than noon November 15, 2013; the subject
will be “The Constitutional Right to posses rifles and guns, What are the
appropriate boundaries?”
Study groups and Formal Report subject: Students will be arbitrarily assigned
to a study group or a team of classmates. Each team must meet periodically for
the preparation of assignments, e.g., oral reports. The cap-stone is the Final Formal
Report. It incorporates teamwork experience as well as communication skills. (see
p.400 of the text).
3.
Grades
Course grades are:
A for outstanding performance
B for excellent performance
C for adequate performance
D for poor performance
F for non-performance
Timely student inquiry is welcomed, in fact grades are distributed by the instructor
to the student in each instance! Unless subject to pending re-evaluation test
documents such as the Blue Book and memoranda are destroyed two weeks after
event – only record of the score is maintained. Written answers are expected to be in
essay or memorandum form.
There are no makeup examinations.
Once during the semester, other than for the final, if a reasonable excuse for the
absence, a “home study” consisting of the well answered essay and memorandum
delivered within ten days of the missed event will be accepted as a “pass”– no score
but no penalty. If the terms are not met then the missed examination will be recorded
as an F.
Course Dates of importance:
Classes begin
Last date to drop w/o penalty
Holiday
Fall Break
Classes End
Dead day
August 15
August 20
September
3
November 19 - 23
December 4
December 5
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ASSIGNED READING BEYOND TEXT AND SYLLABUS, suggestions will be
made at commencement of the course for 1. How to write an outline –
2. How to write an effective memo 3. How to Study Transmittal format:
ALL documents to be received will make use of a coversheet, setting out the
information (1) Student (2) Title of Document, (3) Date Due.
Guide for Communication:
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
What is the date of intended receipt?
TO:
Who is the intended recipient?
FROM:
Who is making the delivery
SUBJECT:
a.
What is being delivered?
b.
What course requirement does the delivery meet?
Business Communication goals:
Compose message to impress, persuade and inform audience through use of form
and substance with clear statement of:
Purpose
Subject
Topic
Audience:
Analyze its needs, interests and abilities
Seize and maintain interest of audience
Phases of presentation:
Introduction and its purpose to provide:
Background
Explanation
Significance
Credibility
Forecast
Transition to body
Body and its purpose to the present and
Organize information for powerful impact
Keep related points together
Present information logically
Summarize points for benefit of audience
Use techniques generating attention
Transition to conclusion
Conclusion and its purpose to kindle acceptance and action
to
Review points of presentation
Summarize importance
Set time and action to be done
Explain benefits to audience
TOOLS TO ATTRACT AUDIENCE INTEREST
Introduction
Capture audience’s attention and get them involved
Identify yourself and state qualification
Preview your main points
Body
Organize around common elements
Conclusion
Summarize main themes of presentation
Refer to background information
Create drama
Use appropriate headings
Keep headings short and sure
Use appropriate eye contact
Use parallelism
Paraphrase
Make a promise
Animate body
Ask questions
Present a demonstration
and/or samples, props or visuals
Dress attractively
Refer to personal anecdotes and statistics
Admit self interest
Use analogies, metaphors or similes
Worst case/best case comparisons
Signals of transition
Reviewing
Summarizing
Switching directions
Speak extemporaneously
Punctuate words
Control voice and vocabulary
Fully prepare and rehearse
Use pauses when appropriate
Show enthusiasm
Avoid digressions
Summarize main points
Keep control
Present both sides of issue
Distinguish facts from opinions
Cite and Refer to sources
Understand purpose of presentation
Avoid “yes, but. . .”answers
TOOLS TO ATTRACT AUDIENCE INTEREST
Introduction
Capture audience’s attention and get them involved
Identify yourself and state qualification
Preview your main points
Body
Organize around common elements
Conclusion
Summarize main themes of presentation
Refer to background information
Create drama
Use appropriate headings
Keep headings short and sure
Use appropriate eye contact
Use parallelism
Paraphrase
Make a promise
Animate body
Ask questions
Present a demonstration
and/or samples, props or visuals
Dress attractively
Refer to personal anecdotes and statistics
Admit self interest
Use analogies, metaphors or similes
Worst case/best case comparisons
Signals of transition
Reviewing
Summarizing
Switching directions
Speak extemporaneously
Punctuate words
Control voice and vocabulary
Fully prepare and rehearse
Use pauses when appropriate
Show enthusiasm
Avoid digressions
Summarize main points
Keep control
Present both sides of issue
Distinguish facts from opinions
Cite and Refer to sources
Understand purpose of presentation
Avoid “yes, but. . .”answers
By proper e-mail format (see appendix) request from instructor:
Receipt for syllabus
Business Communications Course BUS 3882
Class ______________FALL 2013
The undersigned student acknowledges:
(1) receipt of a copy of the syllabus for the referenced class,
(2) that the syllabus has been read by the undersigned and
(3) the undersigned understands the terms of the syllabus (including understanding
the stated objectives of the course and how performance will be evaluated).
(4) suggested internet articles dealing with course topics and skill development.
Date:
Sign
(signature)____________________________
Name (print)
______________________________