BA 2103 –Business Communication (3 Credit Hours
T TH 9:30-10:20, 2nd 8 weeks
Course Syllabus
Spring 2013
Instructor:
Division:
Office:
Email:
Kathy Kirk
Business & IT Division
by Appointment only
kkirk@northark.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course teaches principles and mechanics of business writing and application of principles to
specific business writing situations.
PREREQUISITES:
ENGL 1013 or 1113 and CIS 1013 or 1023 or satisfactory completion of Keyboarding Skills
Assessment Test.
AUDIENCE:
This course is a general requirement for Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business
Administration.
NEXT COURSE IN SEQUENCE:
None
TEXT AND MATERIALS:

Textbook – Mary Ellen Guffy and Dana Loewy , Business Communication Process and Product,
7th Ed.; 2011

Binder – (1/2” or 1”) for Business Letter Portfolio

Pen, pencil and highlighter

North Arkansas College Email Account – A Northark email account was issued to you
automatically when you enrolled in our classes. To access your email, navigate to
Northark’s Web site at www.northark.edu. On the students tab, you should see a link on the
right side to Student Email. Your email address will be your username@mail.northark.edu

USB Flash Drive – This is not required but recommended if you plant to work on your
assignments on more than one computer. This is also helpful when working on other
students on team project.

Business Attire- One business outfit suitable for mock interviews scheduled later in the
semester.
WEBSITES FOR CLASS:
www.northark.edu
https://portal.northark.edu/ics
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Students will need access to a computer with the following capabilities:




Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher
Microsoft Windows XP or higher
Microsoft Word 2007 or 2010
High-speed Internet Connection
RATIONALE:
This is a required course for the student pursuing a business-oriented curriculum and is essential
for those planning a business employment.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to

Prepare various business documents in proper format and one using appropriate media

Use correct grammar and punctuation in typical business communications

Prepare an effective written report and oral presentation on the culture of a different
country to prepare a business person to operate in a global workplace

Outline the employment search process, prepare an effective application and follow-up
documents, create a resume, and use interview strategies.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
The material will be presented by lecture, classroom discussion, online discussion and video
lecture. Projects will be assigned for the student to complete. You will have outside class work
COURSE CONTENT:
Unit 1:
Communication Foundations
Unit 2:
The Writing Process
Unit 3:
Workplace Communication
Unit 4:
Reports, Proposals, and Presentations
Unit 5:
Employment Communication
EVALUATION:
Students will be evaluated in this course and given grades: A, B, C, D, F or other “grade symbols” as
explained in the current College Catalog. Your Grade will be based on points earned from the
following.
Points
% Final
Grade
Discussion Board Discussion Board
20%
International Team Report International Team Report
20%
Mock Interviews Mock Interviews
20%
Portfolio & Writings Portfolio & Writings
40%
100%
GRADING SCALE:
90% - 100%
80% - 89%
70% - 79%
60% - 69%
Below 60%
A
B
C
D
F
PORTFOLIO:
Your portfolio is a professional example of your work. The contents of your portfolio should be
perfect! Use a 3-ring binder. Hole-punch the contents or use sheet protectors. Documents must be
in order as presented in the list of portfolio assignments.
ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to attend all class meetings and officially withdraw from courses if they are
no longer attending. Instructor WILL NOT drop a student for excessive absences; students will be
allowed to fail if they do not drop themselves.
Please come to class on time. Tardiness disrupts the instructor and other students. Since we
believe that consistency in handling absences plays a vital role in promoting student success
instructors will keep an accurate record of attendance.
As a general rule, an instructor will not assign a grade of Incomplete (“I”) unless the student as
completed approximately 80% of the course but has not been able, because of illness or other
reason beyond his/her control, to finish the work assigned in the course. The student must contact
the instructor to request an incomplete (“I”) and make arrangements for completing the course.
The instructor determines the requirements for making the “I”. An incomplete grade not made up
within one semester automatically becomes and “F” unless the instructor notifies the Registrar’s
office in writing on a later date.
MAKE-UP WORK:
If you must miss a class and know prior to the absence, you may turn work in early and/or make
arrangements to take test early. All early exams will be taken in the Testing Center. NO LATE
ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Students have received a complete class schedule with due
dates for the semester, no late assignments will be accepted.
ACADEMIC INTERGRITY:
North Arkansas College is committed to academic achievement supported by a strict but fair policy
to protect academic integrity. The policy regards academic fraud and dishonesty as disciplinary
offenses requiring disciplinary actions. It is expected that students will conduct themselves with
integrity. If you cheat or assist others in cheating, you violate a trust. Cheating includes but is not
limited to the following: (1) copy files or lend your storage device to another student, (2) copy
answers on exams or glance at nearby exams, (3) print work for someone else, (4) turn in
assignments that have been used in other classes, and (5) purchase or sell assignments or exam
materials. If you cheat, some or all the following actions will be taken: (1) You will receive a lower
point score up to and including a zero for that particular assignment or exam (2) a report of the
incident may be forwarded to Vice President of Instruction who may file the report in your
permanent record and /or take further disciplinary action. Please refer to North Arkansas College
Catalog for additional information.
COMPUTER LAB SAFETY:
Food and drinks are not allowed in any computer lab or classroom. Please turn off cell phones
during class time and place your cell phones on your desk during class. Text messaging is
prohibited in the classroom. Please read the Student Conduct section of the College Catalog.
STUDENT RESOURCES:
Please do not hesitate to contact your instructor during office hours. Computer labs are available
for you to use to complete your class work. The labs in the JPH Building are open for students to
use when classes are not in session; schedules are posted on the bulletin board outside B202. See
the Library information in the College Catalog or online at Northark’s Website for the library’s
hours of operation. Other computers may be available on the North Campus.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
See the current Northark College Catalog for information concerning the items listed below. You
may obtain a college catalog from Student Services.
ADA STATEMENT – Accommodations for Students with Special Needs:
North Arkansas College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special
accommodations should make their request in the following way:

Talk to your instructor after class or during office hours about your disability or special
needs related to your classroom work; and/or

Contact Student Support Services in Room M184 and ask to speak to Kim Brecklein. Ms.
Brecklein may also be reached by phone at 870-391-3338.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Read the college catalog and all materials you receive during registration. These materials tell you
what the college expects of you.

Read the syllabus for each class. The syllabus tells you what the instructor expects from
you.

Attends all class meetings. Something important to learning happens during every class
period. If you must miss a class meeting, talk to the instructor in advance about what you
should do.

Be on time. If you come in after class has started, you disrupt the entire class.

Never interrupt another class to talk to the instructor or a student in that class.

Be prepared for class. Complete reading assignments and other homework before class so
that you can understand the lecture and participate in discussion. Always have a
pen/pencil, paper and other specific tools for class.

Learn to take good notes. Write down ideas rather than word-for-word statements by the
instructor.

Allow time to use all the resources available to you at the college. Visit our instructor
during office hours for help with material or assignments you do not understand; use the
library; use the free tutors, tapes, computers and other resources in the Learning Center.

Treat others with respect. Part of the college experience is being exposed to people with
ideas, values and backgrounds different from yours. Listen to others and evaluate ideas on
their own merit.
PROVISION FOR CHANGES:
Students will be notified by the instructor of any updates/ changes in the course syllabus.