BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 11
Business Communication (BA 324)
Spring 2012 Syllabus and Course Schedule
Unique number: # 01790
Meeting time: MWF 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Meeting location: CBA 4.322
Instructor: Nadina Sandlin
E-mail:
Office: GSB 4.126 H
Office phone: 512-239-8628
Office Hours: MW 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. & 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. (by appointment only)
Student Assistant: Erin Hansen
E-mail:
The BA 324 curriculum is structured for simultaneous advancement of your proficiency in writing, speaking, and professional interaction. Multiple practice assignments are essential to the development of all three skills.
Required Materials
· Business Communication Process & Product (7th edition) M.E. Guffey & D. Loewy.
· The Bare Essentials (2008) E.B. Morrison (provided by Instructor).
· Three-ring, loose-leaf binder with dividers (for organizing class handouts).
· Pocket dictionary for in-class assignments.
Class Policies
· Review the BA 324 Master Syllabus (departmental policies handout) also included in your first-day folder.
· No electronic devices (notebooks/laptops, cell phones, iPods, etc.). You may use laptops for team presentations and a few in-class workshops and assignments.
· Turn off cell phones (including the vibrating feature) during class.
· Come to class prepared. Always bring your textbook and grammar guide (The Bare Essentials), syllabus, loose-leaf binder, and pocket dictionary to class. You may use these materials for most in-class exercises.
· In-class exercises are usually brief, but they are often unannounced and cannot be made up.
· Turn in neat, polished work. All assignments completed outside of class must be typed and formatted appropriately.
· Proofread your work. Word-processing functions (spell check and grammar check) will
let you down. Proofreading a printout is the most effective way to catch mistakes.
· Meet deadlines. Hard copies of assignments are due in class on the scheduled due dates. Electronic copies (instructions to be given in class) must also be submitted on Safe Assign before midnight on the day the assignment is due. If you know you will not be in class on a specific date that an assignment is due, the assignment must be submitted (in hard copy) prior to the scheduled due date. Equipment failure is an unacceptable excuse for late work. No late work will be accepted.
· This course is designed to develop professional skills and behaviors; therefore, attendance and punctuality are very important to your grade. After three unexcused absences, your final grade will be debited one point for each additional unexcused absence. Each point can make the difference between an A and an A- or an A- and a B+, etc. Excessive absences (four or more) can result in a substantial reduction in your final grade.
· Late arrivals affect your class participation grade. Students who arrive 20 or more minutes after the beginning of class will be considered absent.
· Teamwork is a core component of this class. Fulfilling your responsibilities to your team is critical to your final course grade. Negligence in this area will result in a substantial reduction in your final grade.
· Academic integrity is required. You must observe all the responsibilities described in the UT Policies for Academic Integrity. Avoiding plagiarism is a key tenet of academic integrity.
· If you have questions about your grade on an assignment, you must see me within 5 business days of receiving the grade (day 1 is the day the graded assignment is returned). After 5 days, a graded assignment is not eligible for review. Please note that graded assignments submitted for review may be regraded in their entirety.
· If you have questions about a grade or any other aspect of the course, please see me after class or during office hours. If your schedule conflicts with my office hours, I will be happy to schedule additional office time to meet with you.
Take Advantage of “For Credit” Opportunities!
· Many exercises, such as grammar diagnostic exercises and peer evaluations will be “for credit.” Credits are accrued as half credits or whole credits, depending on the nature of the activity. A total of 30 or more credits will translate to a 10-point addition to your final point total (scale of 1000). Maximum credits recorded: 30.
· Credits are not prorated. You will receive the 10 points after you earn all 30 credits. Accruing fewer than 30 credits will not earn any additional points.
· Note: “For credit” exercises conducted in class, such as grammar diagnostics and critiques cannot be made up.
Components of Your Final Grade
Writing Total value: 50% Points
In-class exercises (grammar and writing) 130
Homework assignments 270
Section draft of team proposal/Editor’s Draft 70
Final written team proposal 70
Speaking Total value: 35% Points
Impromptu presentation (2) 20 (Better of 2 recorded)
Expanding Your Horizons presentation (1) 50
Three-person presentation (1) 100
Team presentation (1) 120
Professional Development Total value: 15% Points
Team work plan & agreement 15
Team contact report 15
Exam 100
Class participation 40
Total Possible Points 1000
Important: Your final grade will be calculated by dividing your point total by 10, e.g., 930/10 = 93. All BA 324 instructors calculate final course grades using the following plus/minus scale:
A 93 and above
A- 90-92.9
B+ 87-89.9
B 83-86.9
B- 80-82.9
C+ 77-79.9
C 73-76.9
C- 70-72.9
D+ 67-69.9
D 63-66.9
D- 60-62.9
F 59.9 and below
Note: The syllabus and course schedule are subject to change, depending on the needs and progress of the class. You should always have your syllabus and course schedule with you so that you can record any adjustments.
Business Communication (BA 324)
Spring 2012 Tentative Course Schedule
Week / Dates / In-Class Agenda & Lecture Topics / Readings & Assignment Due Dates /1 / Wed
1/18 / · Introduction to course, syllabus, and classmates / · Read Chapter 1
Fri
1/20
/ · Understanding the process of communication
· Overcoming Communication Barriers
· Looking at Business and Ethics / · Read Chapter 1
· Bring signed plagiarism agreement to class
2 / Mon
1/23 / · Discussion of Chapter 4
· The 3 x 3 writing process
· Distribute Assignment 1 / · Read Chapter 4
Wed
1/25 / · Discussion of Chapter 5
· Gathering information through research
· Organizing your ideas
· Direct and indirect writing styles / · Read Chapters 5 and 6
Fri
1/27 / · Discussion of “The Bare Essentials”
· In-class grammar skills assessment (for credit)
· Distribute Interactive Plagiarism Tutorial Assignment / · Read “The Bare Essentials”
3 / Mon
1/30 / · Discussion of Chapter 7
· Distribute E-mail Assignment / · Read Chapter 7
· Turn in Assignment 1
· Complete the Interactive Plagiarism Tutorial (for credit)
Wed
2/01 / · Discussion of Chapter 8
· Distribute memo assignment / · Read Chapter 8
Fri
2/03 / · Critiques of first draft of e-mail assignment (for credit)
· Review e-mail guidelines
· In-class writing quiz / · Rough draft of e-mail assignment due (bring 2 hard copies to class)
4 / Mon
2/06 / · Discussion of Chapter 2
· Listening skills and public speaking
· Assign groups for speaking assignment / · Read Chapter 2
· Final draft of e-mail assignment due
Wed
2/08 / · Discussion of Chapter 14
· Effective oral presentations
· Using visual aids effectively
· Discussion of 3-person speaking assignment
· Draw for speaking dates / · Read Chapter 14
Fri
2/10 / · Critiques of first draft of memo assignment (for credit)
· Review memo guidelines
· In-class writing quiz / · Rough draft of memo assignment due (bring 2 hard copies to class)
5 / Mon
2/13 / · Meet in ModLab East (CBA 5.325)
· Library Research Session (April Kessler) / · Final draft of memo assignment due
Wed
2/15 / · Discussion of Impromptu Speaking
· Discussion of Business Research Tutorial
· Overcoming Your Speech Anxiety Workshop / · Continue working on 3-person speaking assignment
Fri
2/17 / · In-class writing quiz
· Review oral presentation guidelines / · Watch the Business Research Tutorial and take test for 2/20 (see Blackboard under Research Tutorials)
6 / Mon
2/20 / · Discussion of oral and written communication, and ethics in intercultural settings
· Distribute Intercultural e-mail assignment / · Read Chapter 3
· Take Business Research Tutorial test on Blackboard before 5 p.m. (for credit)
Wed
2/22 / · 3-person oral presentations begin (4)
· In-class peer evaluations / · Teams presenting on 2/24 should be ready
Fri
2/24 / · 3-person oral presentations (4)
· In-class peer evaluations
· In-class writing quiz / · Teams presenting on 2/27 should be ready
7 / Mon
2/27 / · 3-person oral presentations (4)
· In-class peer evaluations / · Continue working on Intercultural e-mail assignment
Wed
2/29 / · Peer critiques of intercultural e-mail assignment (for credit)
· Distribute Avoiding Plagiarism Tutorial and Test Instructions
· Distribute & discuss Team Proposal Assignment (what makes a good topic)
· Assignment of proposal teams / · Read Chapter 13
· Rough draft of intercultural e-mail assignment due (bring 2 hard copies to class)
Fri
3/02 / · Distribute and Discuss Team Agreement and Work Plan Assignment
· Discussion of informal proposals and formal business reports
· Review Impromptu Speaking / · Read Chapters 2 and 11
8 / Mon
3/05 / · Impromptu presentations begin
· Peer evaluations / · Final draft of intercultural e-mail assignment due
Wed
3/07 / · Impromptu presentations
· Peer evaluations
· Distribute News article assignment / · Watch the Avoiding Plagiarism Tutorial on Blackboard and take the test before 5 p.m.(for credit)
Fri
3/09 / · Impromptu presentations
· Peer evaluations
· Discussion of Annotated Bibliography
· In-class writing quiz / · Review “The Bare Essentials”
9 / Mon
3/12 / Spring Break – no class
Wed
3/14 / Spring Break – no class
Fri
3/16 / Spring Break – no class
10 / Mon
3/19 / · Proposal teams meet decide on proposal topic
· In-class team workshop day / · Bring news articles to class with annotations (for credit)
Wed
3/21 / · In-class grammar skills assessment (for credit)
· Discussion of survey writing and interviewing / · Review “The Bare Essentials”
· Teams finalize proposal topics
Fri
3/23 / · Discussion of APA style and annotated bibliography
· Distribute Library Research Assignment / · Team Agreement and Work Plan Due (see handout)
· Review APA style guidelines (see Blackboard)
· Review pages 361-364
· Review Appendix C-3 to C-5
11 / Mon
3/26 / · Distribute and discuss Team Presentation Assignment
· Draw for presentation dates / · Review Chapter 2
Wed
3/28 / · Successful Persuasive and Sales Messages
· Distribute homework assignment # 6 / · Read Chapter 10
Fri
3/30 / · In-class writing quiz
· Discuss and distribute Expanding Your Horizons Presentation / · Review “The Bare Essentials”
12 / Mon
4/02 / · Impromptu presentations (second round begin) / · Refresh your audience skills
Wed
4/04 / · Impromptu presentations / · Refresh your audience skills
· Final draft of Library Research Assignment due
Fri
4/06 / · Impromptu presentations / · Refresh your audience skills
13 / Mon
4/09 / · Discussion of indirect writing and “Bad News” letter
· Distribute “Bad News” letter assignment
· In-class grammar skills assessment (for credit) / · Read Chapter 9
· Review “The Bare Essentials”
Wed
4/11 / · Peer review of # 6 assignment (for credit)
· In-class writing quiz / · Rough draft of assignment # 6 due (bring 2 hard copies to class)
Fri
4/13 / · Team presentations / · Final draft of assignment # 6 due
14 / Mon
4/16 / · Team presentations / · Refresh your audience skills
Wed
4/18 / · Team presentations / · Final section drafts of Team Proposal due by 5 p.m.
· Note: must be in final form – ready for incorporation into the final proposal
Fri
4/20 / · Team presentations / · Refresh your audience skills
15 / Mon
4/23 / · Discussion of Executive Summary
· Peer review of “Bad News” letter (for credit) / · Rough draft of “Bad News” letter due (bring 2 hard copies to class)
Wed
4/25 / · Exam / · Study for exam (“The Bare Essentials” and textbook)
Fri
4/27 / · Expanding Your Horizons presentations / · Refresh your audience skills
16 / Mon
4/30 / · Expanding Your Horizons presentations / · Final draft of “Bad News” letter due
· Refresh your audience skills
Wed
5/02 / · Expanding Your Horizons presentations / · Refresh your audience skills
· Final Team Proposal Due by 5 p.m.
Fri
5/04 / · Expanding Your Horizons presentations
· Last Day of Class / · Team Peer Evaluations Due