Effective Business Communication
BCOM 3360 - 001
Summer Intersession 2011
Class time: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Room: COB 253
Instructor: Linda WilsonOffice: COB 618
Phone: 817-272-2876 (Marketing Office)Email:
Office Hours: Mon./Wed. 11:50 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will develop the student’s written and verbal skills which will be necessary for effective communication in a business environment. The course includes resume preparation and interpretation. There will be a special emphasis on the business writing process includingbusiness letters, organization memos, business reports, and Internet communication such as emails. The relationship of communication and interpersonal skill development within teams will be explained. The course will utilize a variety of methods including lecture, class discussion, and exercises to achieve this purpose.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the classroom instruction, including appropriate media, case discussion, & problem-solving simulations, the following student learning outcomes will be achieved:
1.The students will be able to implement the appropriate business communication strategy based upon the business problem presented.
- The students will be able to understand and implement the general guidelines for effective communication in letters, emails, presentations and other forms of business communication.
- The students will be able to create effective resumes, cover letters, and other business related communication documents.
- The students will be able to examine the process of problem solving and conflict management through the negotiation process and by practical application.
- The students will be able to develop their interpersonal skills through a better understanding of the communication process.
- The students will be able to create a higher level of confidence when communicating routine business messages.
- The students will be able to understand the process of developing and planning business communications through practical application.
TEXTBOOK (Required) You NEED the text by the second day of class – May 17.
Business Communication: Process & Product; 6/e; Mary Ellen Guffey/ Gary Lacefield; Cengage Learning (Thompson South-Western); ISBN13:978-0-324-61413-8. You may not use previous versions of this text if the Blue C.L.U.E. pages in the back are missing (you cannot photo-copy the pages because of copyright laws).
CLASSROOM METHOD: Several teaching methods including, but not limited to, lecture, class discussion, DVDs, case studies, and group activities are combined to achieve the course objective of providing students with a workable understanding of business communications.
WHAT STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO DO: Active participation is critical for an optimum learning experience. Prior to coming to class, students will be expected to know the subject and content of scheduled material in order to participate in class discussions/activities. Preparation for class includes a thorough reading of the scheduled material and completed assignments. Class lectures will also cover information that is supplemental to that found in the text. Any material covered in assigned readings, lectures, or DVDs shown in class may be included on exams. Please note that DVDs shown in class will not be available for later viewing. Make sure you bring your textbook to each class since it will be used in class activities.
STUDENT CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR: Each class session is a formal meeting. Students are not to engage in any behavior that interferes with the right of other students to learn. Behaviors such as, but not limited to, personal conversations, reading newspapers, and preparing for other courses are not acceptable and shall not be permitted. Students engaging in such behaviors may be asked to leave class and will not be allowed to return until the next class session. No cell phone use, or other personal electronic devices use, will be permitted in ANY manner. This includes talking on the phone and text messaging. Turn off your cell phone, put it away and don’t take it out/look at it during class. Use of cell phone may result in loss of participation points. Laptop use is permitted for BCOM 3360 purposes only.
ATTENDANCE: Each student is expected to attend each class session, be punctual, remain for the entire class session, and be prepared to actively participate in class discussion. Class starts at 8 a.m. Be aware that I may take attendance at the beginning of class. No attendance credit will be given to anyone coming to class after the attendance has been taken. Ten percent of your grade is based on attendance and participation.
EXAMS (300 POINTS – 100 POINTS PER EXAM): There will be three exams during the semester. The first two exams will be given 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on the designated days. You will have two hours (8 - 10 a.m.) to take the final exam on June 1. Exams might be multiple choice, short answer, and/or essay question format and may include some case study or DVD scenario questions in addition to any material covered in the chapters and/or class discussions. Be sure to turn off your cell phone, because if it rings or vibrates your exam will be taken from you and you will NOT be allowed to complete it. All backpacks and book bags must be closed and not opened during the exam.
Students entering an exam period after any student has completed the exam will not be allowed to take the exam. No make-up exams will be administered without complete documentation of a university approved excuse AND prior permission from instructor. Missing a scheduled exam for an unexcused reason will result in a zero recorded for that exam. No exceptions. If permission is given for a make-up exam, it will be administered the same day as the final exam. A student taking a make-up exam will not receive any “curve” on the exam.
ASSIGNMENTS (150 POINTS): There are nineC.L.U.E.(Competent Language Usage Essentials) exercises found at the back of your text,pages F-1 thru F -19 (10 points each), one resume assignment (30 points), and several writing assignment that are due throughout the intersession. Some of the writing assignments will be assigned in class and are not on this syllabus. All assignments are due at the beginning of class and must be submitted when asked for, no exceptions. If you cannot be in class the day the assignment is due, you may email me your assignment, but it must be sent before the start of class (8 a.m.) You may utilize this option only ONE time during the summer intersession, and it can only be used if you cannot come to class. Be sure to send your assignment in a WORD document. If I am unable to open your assignment you will receive a zero. No late assignments will be accepted.
EMAIL - As per the UTA policy, I cannot accept ANY email from students unless it is from a UTA e-mail address (@mavs.uta.edu). This policy includes all email correspondence.
There is no extra credit in the Summer Intersession.
FINAL GRADES: Grade information cannot be given via telephone, mail, or email. Final grade information will be provided by the Registrar’s Office. The following grading scale will be utilized for determining each student’s total points earned.
GRADING
Exam #1……………………….100 Points —20%
Exam #2……………………….100 Points —20%
Exam #3……………………….100 Points —20%
Grammar Reviews………….. 90 Points —18%
Resume………………………. 30 Points -- 6%
Writing Assignments……….. 30 Points -- 6%
Attendance/Participation….. 50 Points — 10%
Total Points…………………..500 Points
EVALUATION
A = 450 - 500 points (90 – 100%)
B = 400 - 449 points (80 – 89%)
C = 350 - 399 points (70 – 79%)
D = 300 - 349 points (60 – 69%)
F = Below 300 points (0 – 59%)
This syllabus and other documents needed for class can be found at:
Be careful, this web address is case sensitive and must be typed exactly. You will be asked your username and password several times before you will get onto the site.
COURSE OUTLINE and ASSIGNMENTS
Business Communication Process & Product
DatesDiscussionAssignments
Mon, May 16Communicating in Today’s WorkplaceChapter 1 CLUE #1
Tues., May 17Developing Team, Listening, andChapter 2 Etiquette Skills CLUE #2
Wed., May 18Communicating Across CulturesChapter 3 CLUE #3
Thurs., May 19The Job Search, Resumes,Chapter 15 and Cover Letters CLUE #4
Fri., May 20Exam #1 - Ch. 1, 2, 3, & 15
Writing Process Phase 1Chapter 4
Mon., May 23Writing Process Phase 2Chapter 5
Writing Process Phase 3Chapter 6 CLUE #5
Resume Due
Tues., May 24E-Mail MessagesChapter 7
CLUE #6 & #7
Wed., May 25Exam #2 - Chapters 4,5,6,7
Positive Letters & MessagesChapter 8
CLUE #8
Thurs., May 26Persuasive MessagesChapter 9
Negative MessagesChapter 10
CLUE #9
Fri., May 27Business Report Basics Chapter 11
CLUE #10
Mon., May 30Memorial Day HolidayCampus Closed
Tues., May 31Interviewing & Following UpChapter 16
Wed., June 1Final Exam - Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, & 16
The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus. It is each student’s responsibility to be aware of any and all changes that may occur.
College of Business Administration / University General Policies
Drop Policy
Students will not be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. It is the student's responsibility to complete the course or withdraw from the course in accordance with new University Regulations which are effective Fall 2006. Under the new policy, there is only one drop date at the two-thirds point in the semester. A student dropping on or before that date will receive a “W” grade. Students are strongly encouraged to verify their grade status with the instructor before dropping a course and to see their advisor if there is any question about the consequences for dropping a course under the new guidelines. Please refer to the on-line Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs and the Schedule of Classes for specific university policies and dates.
Americans With Disabilities Act
The University of Texas at Arlington is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation; reference Public Law 93112--The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. With the passage of new federal legislation entitled Americans with Disabilities Act--(ADA), pursuant to section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act, there is renewed focus on providing this population with the same opportunities enjoyed by all citizens.
As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide "reasonable accommodation" to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Your responsibility is to inform me of the disability at the beginning of the semester and provide me with documentation authorizing the specific accommodation. Student services at UTA include the Office for Students with Disabilities (located in the lower level of the University Center) which is responsible for verifying and implementing accommodations to ensure equal opportunity in all programs and activities.
Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form at The University of Texas at Arlington. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.
"Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." (Regents' Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22).
Student Support Services Available
The University of Texas at Arlington supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. They include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.
Policy on Nonpayment Cancellations
Students who have not paid by the census date and are dropped for non-payment cannot receive a grade for the course in any circumstances. Therefore, a student dropped for non-payment who continues to attend the course will not receive a grade for the course. Emergency loans are available to help students pay tuition and fees. Students can apply for emergency loans by going to the Emergency Tuition Loan Distribution Center at E. H. Hereford University Center.
Textbook Purchases
Textbooks should be purchased by Census Date. The bookstore policy is to return any unsold textbooks to the publisher after this date.
COBA Policy on Bomb Threats
Section 22.07 of the Texas Criminal Law states that a Class A misdemeanor is punishable by (1) a fine not to exceed $4,000, (2) a jail term of not more than one year, or (3) both such a fine and confinement. If anyone is tempted to call in a bomb threat, be aware that UTA has the technology to trace phone calls. Every effort will be made to avoid cancellation of presentation/ tests caused by bomb threats to the Business Building. Unannounced alternate sites will be available for these classes. If a student who has a class with a scheduled test or presentation arrives and the building has been closed due to a bomb threat, the student should immediately check for the alternate class site notice which will be posted on/near the main doors on the south side of the Business building. If the bomb threat is received while class is in session, your instructor will ask you to leave the building and reconvene at another location. Students who provide information leading to the successful prosecution of anyone making a bomb threat will receive one semester's free parking in the Maverick Garage across from the Business Building. UTA's Crimestoppers may provide a reward to anyone providing information leading to an arrest. To make an anonymous report, call 817-272-5245.
COBA Policy on Food/Drink in Classrooms
College policy prohibits food and/or drinks in classrooms and labs. Anyone bringing food and/or drinks into a classroom or lab will be required to remove such items, as directed by class instructor or lab supervisor.
Evacuation Procedures
In the event of an evacuation of the College of Business building, when the fire alarm sounds, everyone must leave the building by the stairs. With the fire alarm system we now have, the elevators will all go to the first floor and stay there until the system is turned off. All those in the North tower side of the building should proceed to the fire escape stairs located on the East and West sides of that wing.
For disabled persons: please go to the Northeast fire stairs. We have an evacuation track chair located on the 6th floor stairwell. We have people trained in the use of this chair and there will be someone who will go to the 6th floor to get the chair and bring it to any lower floor stairwell to assist disabled persons. Faculty members will notify the Dean’s Office at the beginning of each semester of any disabled persons in their classes. Should this be a real emergency, the Arlington Fire Department and UTA Police will also be here to help.
E-Culture Policy: The policy for receiving email from students.
The University of Texas at Arlington has adopted the University email address as an official means of communication with students. Through the use of email, UT-Arlington is able to provide students with relevant and timely information, designed to facilitate student success. In particular, important information concerning registration, financial aid, payment of bills, and graduation may be sent to students through email.
All students are assigned an email account and information about activating and using it is available at New students (first semester at UTA) are able to activate their email account 24 hours after registering for courses. There is no additional charge to students for using this account, and it remains active as long as a student is enrolled at UT-Arlington. Students are responsible for checking their email regularly.
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