TROY UNIVERSITY
BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
SYLLABUS
FALL 2012 CLASSES AUGUST 15th – DECEMBER 4th
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:
1. Correctly select, plan, and compose letters, résumés, memoranda, and reports.
2. Explain business communication concepts, methodologies, and formats.
3. Plan and deliver a well organized oral presentation.
4. Participate effectively in business discussions with peers.
5. 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: BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS
BUS 3382 TBAA MWF 8:00 AM – 8:50 AM ROOM 245 BG
BUS 3382 TEAA MWF 11:00 AM – 11:50 AM ROOM 245 BG
BUS 3382 TFAA MWF NOON – 12:50 PM ROOM 245 BG
BUS 3382 TOAA TTh 8:3O AM - 9:45 AM ROOM 245 BG
TERM – FALL 2012
PRE-REQSITE: Successful completion of English 1102 or 1104
INSTUCTOR: James M. Orendorff, J.D.
OFFICE HOURS – 7:30 AM – 11:00 AM, or by appointment
OFFICE LOCATION –238D BIBB GRAVES
OFFICE TELEPHONE - 334.670.3290
E-MAIL -
TEXT – Business Communications, 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
There are available to those with appropriate needs, 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
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 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.
Classes start PROMPTLY as a professional courtesy to the other members of the class, and to avoid interruption of the class. A student’s professionalism is evidenced by not only by attending timely but also by being prepared to discuss the day’s assignment. This includes having read the assigned materials and discussed them in a study group prior to class.
The Socratic Method requires full class participation; therefore each student is expected to be prompt, prepared and present.
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).
The instructor’s presentation will not necessarily cover all material of the course
for which the student is held responsible.
2. Teams and Topic Assignment: Students will be arbitrarily assigned
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 the subject “What We Like about the Troy University campus.” Part of the course is to learn to operate in such a situation.
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 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 final grade for the course will follow a review of the student’s efforts throughout the semester and as determined by the instructor.
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.
The standards are set by the instructor and, timely student inquiry, on a course
matter, is welcomed, but a grade challenge will be considered solely after receipt of the student’s preparation and delivery of an explanatory memorandum. Dr. Henry M. Findley, Chairman of Business Programs of the Sorrell College of Business, and may be contacted in the event resolution is not reached.
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 quizzes and tests are one half of the student’s grade. Other presentations are 40%. The balance is recognition of the professional attitude maintained by the student over the semester.
There will be four tests, one at the end of Units 1 & 2 (units combined), Unit 3
and Units 4 & 5 (units combined); and a comprehensive final (including Unit 6).
5 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
6. 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:
A. Unit memoranda – (due on test date for Unit)) - 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.
B. Chapter presentations- For each chapter there will be a rotating 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 memoprandum.
D. 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.
E. 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.
The course’s formal report topic will be “What We Like about the Troy University campus.” The formal report will be due November 16, 2012.
Failure to deliver presentations on time will result in an adjustment of the grade for the message
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 the anti-cheating policy see the Troy University Student Handbook, “The Oracle.”
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 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: 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. Particularly, use of a communication device to
violate 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 Schedule
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
c. Team memorandum based on an assigned newspaper article displaying chapter principles, if not making a chapter oral presentation. Chapter memo 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, see “a” and “c” above.
Units 4 and 5, Chapters 9, 10, 11 & 12, see “a” and “c” above
Unit 6, Chapters 13 & 14, see “a” and “c” above
Dates of significance (also see “FALL SEMESTER 2012 SCHEDULE OF CLASSES”):
August 15 Classes Begin
August 20 Last Day to w/draw w/o penalty 4:30PM
September 3 Holiday
November 12 Holiday
November 16 no classes after 11:30AM
November 19 - 20 Fall Break
November 21-23 Thanksgiving
December 4 Classes End
Use this format for all communication not otherwise instructedS:
======
MEMORANDUM
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
RE:
[Matters considered in an evaluation:
WAS THE PRESENTATION INTERESTING AS TO FORM AND SUBSTANCE?
WAS THE PRESENTATION CLEAR, CONCISE COMPLETE AND CONVINCING?
WAS THE APPROPRIATE FORM AND STYLE USED?
WAS THE INTRODUCTION, BODY AND CONCLUSION USED TO THEIR BEST ADVANTAGE?
WAS THE AUTHOR/AUDIENCE RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPED TO ESTABLISH CREDITABILITY?]
Reading citations beyond text and syllabus:
How to write an outline, hhttp://www.lavc.edu/library/outline.htm
How to write an effective memo, http://www.elistonwordpro.ca/id19.html
Effective Study Skills, http://www.adprima.com/studyout.htm
Directions for Outlining a Textbook Chapter, http://www.ebow-6218820-directions-outlining-textbook-chapter.hml