International University of Grand-Bassam
School of Business, International Relations, and Economic Policy
http://iugb.org/birep-welcome-from-the-dean/
Business Communication and Professional Development-BCOM3950
Fall Semester (2013-2014)
Tuesdays/Thursdays 16:00 – 17:20 & Class Room: Big Top
INSTRUCTOR
Name: Macit Koc
Phone:+225 21303457 Ext:113
Email: koc.m@iugb.org
Office: Administrative Building- #122
OFFICE HOURS
Monday: From 10:30 AM to Noon
Wednesday: From 3:00 PM to 4:30 P.M.
COURSE DESCRIPTION & PREREQUISITE
This course enables students to develop the communication skills necessary to thrive in a professional
setting and to create a personal career management strategy. Upon completing this course, students
will be able to transition confidently and effectively from college to the workplace, graduate school or
professional school. Students will be able to communicate in a proficient, influential manner in a
variety of business situations. They will also learn how to develop and apply successful
communication strategies to inform, persuade, and motivate others. Students will be able to write
concise business documents and deliver high-quality oral presentations. Through a combination of
course and lab work, students will develop the materials necessary to launch a productive selfdirected internship and job search. In addition, class members will develop long-term personal career
management strategies including an understanding of graduate and professional school options.
Topics will include aspects of interpersonal communication, nonverbal communication, interview
preparation, resume writing and job search correspondence, as well as the influence of culture, ethics,
and technology.
Prerequisites: Eng 1101, Eng.1102. Requires a 2.5 GPA.
COURSE OBJECTIVES & INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Write concise business documents and deliver professional oral presentations.
2. Communicate strategically in a variety of business situations.
3. Demonstrate the communication skills necessary to successfully manage organizational
dynamics and create their own personal career management strategy.
4. Create and apply successful communication strategies to inform, persuade, and motivate
others.
5. Develop the materials necessary to successfully launch a self-directed internship and job
search.
6. Develop long-term personal career management strategies including an understanding of
graduate and professional school options.
COURSE MATERIALS
Textbook: Essentials of Business Communication by Krugman and Obstfeld, 9th Edition
(South-Western, 2010) will be the required textbook.
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International University of Grand-Bassam
School of Business, International Relations, and Economic Policy
METHOD OF EVALUATION
Components
Weighting

Class Attendance and Participation
10 %

Assignment (Report -10% and Presentation-10%)
20%

Class Test/Quiz and/or Homework/Case Study
10%

Mid-Term Exam
25 %

Final Exam
35 %
Total
100 %
Note: The Final Exam format is designed to reflect students’ critical thinking abilities and to effectively
express his/her self on a variety of topics covered during the course of action. Also note that: 1. Case study to
be distributed to the students after the 3rd week of the semester and to be collected before the Mid-Term
Exam. 2. Assignment to be distributed to the students on the third week of the semester.3. Grades for the class
participation are not for the students’ attendance. These grades have been earmarked to judge the students’
punctuality, attentiveness, participation in question-answer session in the classroom, initiation in case study
discussion and their involvement in other academics activities.
GRADING SCALE
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD
F
Numeric Grade
96 - 100
93 – 95
90 – 92
87 – 89
83 – 86
80 – 82
77 – 79
73 – 76
70 – 72
60 – 69
<60
GPA Quality Points
4.3
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.0
0.0
TIPS FOR GOOD GRADES
 Do not miss any classes; be punctual in the class – come on time.
 Try to participate/interact in class discussions.
 Seek your teacher’s professional help if you do not understand something.
 Work on your assignments and submit them early/on time.
 Be original in your work. Avoid cut-and-paste or download-and-print work. Never
plagiarize!
 Do not just memorize concepts; rather, understand and think how you can use them in
real-life situations.
 If you have any difficulties in learning and understanding some concepts during the class,
do not be afraid to ask questions.
 When you are in a team, cooperate and help. Share your suggestions and views.
 Plan effectively your free/available time to study your subjects. Balance your time
between your studies and recreation.
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International University of Grand-Bassam
School of Business, International Relations, and Economic Policy
Exams
Two exams will be administered a midterm exam and a final exam. The Final-Exam will be
comprehensive. No make-up exams are provided except for documented health or business reasons
arranged with the instructor in advance if at all possible.
Quizzes
There may be some cases in which pop-up Quiz or practice mini-exam will be delivered.
Homework
Homework is an essential tool to keep up with the current development in the marketplace. Therefore,
regular homework will be given in order to assess your understanding of key concepts and
knowledge.
STUDENT MISCONDUCT IN CLASSROOM:
Students are expected to behave professionally. All forms of disruptive behavior should be avoided.
Please ensure that all potentially noise-making equipment is turned off during lectures.
ACADEMIC INTEGRIT&HONESTY:
The issue of academic honesty is taken very seriously in this class. Plagiarism and cheating on
assignments and exams will not be tolerated. Clear cases of intentional cheating will result in failure
in the course. Students are required to provide a reference for all materials quoted or from which the
student obtains ideas and papers and presentations. References should be substantive enough so that
anyone interested can find the material.
COURSE POLICIES
Make-up Policy
As a general rule, there will be no make-ups for individual assignments, group projects, quizzes and
exams. If you have a legitimate excuse (documented health or business reasons) from missing any of
the above, please notify the instructor if possible a week prior to the assignment, project, quiz or
exam and provide an accepted justification. Failure to do so without an appropriate excuse will result
in a zero grade. No extra-credit assignments, projects, quizzes and exams are available under any
circumstances.
Attendance Policy
Attending class significantly increases your understanding of the course content and improves your
odds of obtaining a good grade in the class. Attendance will be taken daily and will account for 5
percent of your in-class participation grade. Missing up to 3 classes will not be penalized; more than
3 classes will cost you all the 5 points and may result in a failure of the course. Only absences for
which an excuse is provided (professional letterhead required) will be accepted. Coming late to class
or leaving the classroom before the end of the class session is considered as an absence. If you must
miss a class, please get my approval in advance. Also, if you miss a class session, it is your
responsibility to find out what you missed and to do whatever is necessary to get up to speed.
e course.
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International University of Grand-Bassam
School of Business, International Relations, and Economic Policy
TOPICS & DELIVERY PLAN:
Week 1
In-class discussion, lectures, activities
Career Success begins with Communication Skills
Syllabus Review, Class Introductions, Discuss 30-second Elevator Pitch and
Cover Letter assignments, Communication Process and Strategy
Week 2
The Writing Process: Planning, Composing and Revising
Peer review cover letter
Week 3
Cover/Application Letter Due
Persuasive letter, Informational Interviews and Listening skills
Week 4
Return graded cover letters and discuss,
Peer review persuasive letter
Discuss speech and short memo assignments,
Presentation Skills –preparation
Week 5
Persuasive Letter Due
Presentation Skills –delivery and practice tips; effective organization; visual aids
Week 6
Return graded persuasive letters and discuss
Informative Speeches rehearsal and Effective short memos
Week 7
Informative Speeches Due & Informative Speeches Overflow
Thank-you letters & Peer review short memos
Week 8
Week 9
Mid-Term Exam
Thank-You Letter Due
Discuss hot seat interview and the STAR method
Negatives Messages – When and how to use a buffer
Week 10
Communicating in Meetings, by Telephone, and by Video
Team dynamics. First team meeting
Week 11
Memo Report Due &Hot Seat Interviews
Review persuasive speech assignment 2nd team meeting
Week 12
Peer review persuasive speech outline
Team Exercise - Cover what learned in informational interview
Week 13
Persuasive Speeches (in large classes, a few will be due this week)
Negative Messages – When and how to use a buffer
Persuasive speeches rehearsal
Week 14
Week 15
Persuasive Speeches due
FINAL EXAM – ( Comprehensive )
Note-The delivery plan has been drafted assuming that the classes will begin from 2nd
September 2013 and Final Exams will commence from the scheduled date. This course syllabus
provides a general plan for the course; deviations may be necessary.
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