BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS, SPRING 2013
TROY UNIVERSITY
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
SYLLABUS
SPRING 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;
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. 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:
BUS 3382
BUS 3382
BUS 3382
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
MWF 10:00 AM
MWF NOON
TTh 8:30 AM
BIBB GRAVES 219
BIBB GRAVES 221
BIBB GRAVES 201
INSTUCTOR: James M. Orendorff, J.D.
OFFICE HOURS –
appointment
Weekdays 8:00AM to 1:00 PM, unless teaching, or by
OFFICE LOCATION –238D BIBB GRAVES, 221
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:
$162.00
ISBN -13:798- 1 111-22266-6
ISBN -10: 1-111-22266-5
RELATED MATERIALS
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.
PROCEDURES OF THE COURSE
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:
Classes as scheduled are a combination of the instructor’s
leadership and supervision of class discussion on the applicable chapter material and
presentations. Extensive use of the Socratic Teaching Method will be made.
As a professional courtesy to the other members of the class, and to avoid interruption of
the class in progress, classes start PROMPTLY. 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. 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.
It is the student’s obligation to make himself known to the instructor as part of the
objectives of this course (experience dealing with not only subordinates and peers but
also authority figures). Review of student effort will be made by appointment after each
examination.
The instructor’s presentation will not necessarily cover all material of the course
for which the student is held responsible.
2.
Study Groups and Topic Assignment:
Students will be arbitrarily
assigned to a study group or to a team of classmates. Each team will periodically present
oral presentations using principles of the course based on text chapters then being
studied, collaborate in preparation of memoranda again evidencing use of the principles
then being studied (when not responsible for an oral presentation) and prepare the team
formal report on a subject selected by the instructor. Part of the course is to learn to
operate in such a situation, see page 400, of the text regarding team operation.
3.
Grades:
Due to the nature of the course, grades tend to be
subjectively determined. To overcome this uncertainty, the student is provided a number
of quizzes, tests, homework assignments and class participation opportunities for
assessment of the student’s progress and performance. It is strongly recommended that a
student periodically review his earned grade with the instructor. The instructor will set
the standards for the course, and the student’s final grade for the course will follow a
review of the student’s efforts throughout the semester.
Course Grades for the semester are:
A – for outstanding performance,
B – for excellent performance,
C – for adequate performance,
D – for barely passing performance, and
F – for failure to perform at an acceptable level.
Timely student inquiry, on a course matter, is welcomed, during office hours or
by appointment. However, review of documents requires an appointment. A grade
challenge will be considered solely after receipt of the student’s preparation and delivery
of a memorandum analyzing the basis for the challenge. In the event a mutually
satisfactory resolution cannot be met the matter shall be referred to Dr. Henry M.
Findley, Chairman of Business Programs of the Sorrell College of Business for
resolution.
4
Tests may be essay, true/false, quiz, multiple-choice questions or a
combination of these. Information for the scheduled tests is derived from the text.
Combined grades of chapter and unit tests are one half of the student’s grade. The formal
report is 40% and the balance is recognition of professional conduct and attitude
maintained by the student over the semester.
There will be three tests, one at the end of Units 1 & 2 (units combined), Unit 3
and Units 4 & 5 (units combined), with a comprehensive final (including Unit 6).
Arrangements may be made for taking a test prior to the test, but not
afterwards. There is no make up for missed examinations or late submission of
course messages.
Once during the semester if an examination, other than the final, is missed with a
reasonable excuse, it may be substituted with a “take home” test, if well answered it will
be recorded as a “pass,” there is neither a grade nor a missed test. Resolution of
recognition of the status of the missed quiz, test or paper must be resolved within
three days of the missed graded event or it is deemed an “F”.
Some, such as athletes, may have schedule conflicts. The absence may
be excused; however if the date is known in advance the student is required to address
and make arrangements regarding the absence at the first time of such knowledge. In this
way there may be better accommodation. Otherwise the earlier discussion controls.
Excused non-attendance does not excuse knowledge of the content of the missed
class. It is the student’s responsibility to obtain this information
5.
Presentations: Whether individual or team, oral or written, student
presentations are to show use of the text’s principles, independent analysis and
reasoning not merely a review of another’s work.
There will be presentations as follow:
Personal memorandum due the first Monday of class; the student should arrange
to meet the instructor on the following Tuesday or Thursday to review the memo.
Unit memoranda – (due on the unit test date)) - Each student will prepare an
informal memorandum of professional caliber, with not less than 3 pages, on units 1 & 2,
unit 3, units 4 &5, and unit 6. Each student should arrange to meet with the instructor to
discuss their efforts.
Chapter presentations- For each chapter there will be a three, three, team oral
presentations demonstrating the use of principles from the then current chapter or for
non- presenting teams a team written memorandum concerning an instructor selected
article from the New York Times, using the then current chapter’s principles. NOTE:
Chapter 1 homework includes reading the Internet references; and Chapters 2, 3 and 4
require individual student prepared outlines in lieu of a homework chapter memorandum.
Each team should arrange to meet with the instructor to discuss the memorandum and
presentation.
Format of team chapter oral presentations – Three teams, on the assigned day,
will make separate oral presentations of assigned chapters, e.g., teams 1, 2 and 3 will do
chapter 1, teams 4, 5 & 6, will do chapter 2, etc. The teams will change serially for each
chapter. All team members must participate, but need not participate in the same manner.
Performance dates will be announced promptly the first day of class.
Topic and Formal Report - Each team will prepare a formal report of not less than
ten pages of “body,” with related support documentation on the topic. All team
members must participate, but need not participate in the same manner. Each student
should arrange to meet with the instructor to discuss the submissions.
All papers submitted must have the student’s name and time of class in the upper
right hand corner of the cover page. If not so prepared receipt will be returned and
and noted as not received. In addition Blue Books must be used for all
examinations and the writing must be in ink, blue or black, or the paper will be
returned to the student unread. Team papers must have all the name of each
participating members the upper right hand corner.
The formal report topic is “The benefits and detriments of the Alternative
Minimum Tax.” Using the style of Chapter 10, a formal report will be due April 19,
2013.
Failure to deliver presentations on time will result in an adjustment of the grade
DOCUMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THE DATE DUE.
6
Policies, 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 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/ADAPolicy2
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 6703220. 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 TURN THE CELL PHONE
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 of record
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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Course Schedule
Read internet articles
Prepare a memorandum of not less than three pages entitled “My Best
College Experience,” due the first Monday of class
Unit 1, Chapter 1, referenced internet articles and Unit 2, Chapters 2, 3,
& 4:
a. Assigned team chapter oral presentations,
b. Outline of chapters 2, 3 and 4, thereafter for Chapters 5, 6, 7 and 8, a
team memorandum based on an assigned newspaper article
displaying chapter principles, if not making a chapter oral
presentation on that chapter. Chapter memos are due on assigned
date for oral presentation of chapter and unit memo due date of unit
test. Memos are to be of not less than 3 pages.
Unit 3, Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8, and above.
Units 4 and 5, Chapters 9, 10, 11 & 12, and above.
Unit 6, Chapters 13 & 14, and above.
Dates of significance (also see “SPRING SEMESTER 2013 SCHEDULE OF
CLASSES”):
January 9.
January 14
January 21
March 11-17
April 16
April 30
May 1
Classes Begin
Last Day to w/draw w/o penalty 4:30PM
Holiday
Spring Break
Formal Report due
Classes End
Dead Day
Use this format for all communication not otherwise instructed:
===============================================================
Sending student
Class time
MEMORANDUM
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
RE:
NOTE:
In developing an outline for a business message, consider structure
styles
introduction
body
conclusion
Another style is:
Relevant facts
Issue
Resolution
Analysis
Note that each segment as well as the whole may use the segments. This is a
matter of personal preference to meet the needs of the messages purpose)
=========================================================
Assigned reading beyond the text and syllabus:
How to write an outline,
How to write an effective memo,
How to Study
Marion Cushman
P. Patrick Dobel, Richard F. Encore and Laurie
Werner
Dr. Robert A. Hatch