CAMOSUN COLLEGE School of Business BUS 130 Business Communications (Section 9) Fall 2008 COURSE OUTLINE 1. Instructor Information Instructor: Office hours: Cynthia Wrate, CAAP, ABC, MBA Mondays 10:30 am - Noon; Tuesdays 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays 10:30 a.m. - noon; Thursdays 5:00 - 6:00 pm or by appointment Office Location: Phone: E-mail: Website CBA 257 370-4134 [e-mail] www.bus.camosun.bc.ca/~wrate 2. Intended Learning Outcomes By the end of this course, successful students will be able to: 1. Analyze business audiences and adjust messages to fit specific circumstances. 2. Make oral presentations describing a procedure, event or activity, briefing a small group, convincing a large group to accept recommendations. 3. Write properly formatted reports designed to assist in decision making and to generate new business. 4. Use a business style and tone to write letters, memos and email in the following circumstances: routine correspondence, responses to customer/client complaints, presentation of negative information, movement to action through persuasive techniques. 3. Required Materials (a)Texts: Guffey, Rhodes and Rogin, BUSINESS COMMUNICATION PROCESS AND PRODUCT, 5th Canadian Edition, Nelson Canada (2008) 4. Course Content and Schedule Date 1 2 January 14 January 19 3 January 21 January 26 4 January 28 February 2 5 February 4 6 February 9 February 11 7 February 16 February 18 8 February 23 February 25 9 March 2 March 4 March 9 March 11 11 March 16 March 18 12 March 23 March 25 13 March 30 April 1 14 April 6 April 8 Group Presentations Group Presentations Persuasive and Sales Messages Negative Messages The Writing Process: Analyze, Anticipate &amp; Adapt The Writing Process: Research, Organize &amp; Compose Business Messages The Writing Process: Revise, Proofread &amp; Evaluate Business Messages Business Reports: Writing &amp; Organizing MIDTERM Informal Reports Proposals and Formal Reports Direct / Routine Letters and Email Messages Speaking with Confidence: Preparing an Oral Presentation Speaking with Confidence: Delivering Oral Presentations January 5 January 7 January 12 Reading / Material Introductions, expectations &amp; overview Communicating at Work Communicating Across Cultures Assignment/Reading Chapter 1 Chapter 4 Sign up for How To Presentation Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Presentation Outline #1 Due Chapter 5 How To Presentations Chapter 6 How To Presentations Chapter 7 How To Presentations FORM PROJECT GROUPS Sign up for Factual Presentations Chapter 12 &amp; 13 Speech Evaluation Due Midterm Chapters: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, &amp; 15 Presentation Outline #2 Due Chapter 14 Factual Presentations Chapter 8 &amp; 9 Progress Report Due Factual Presentations Chapter 11 Direct Letter Due Factual Presentations Chapter 10 Negative Letter Due Persuasive Letter to be Written in Class Group Presentations Group Written Report Due Group Presentations 10 2 5. Basis of Student Assessment (Weighting) Assessment Oral Assessment: &quot;How To&quot; oral presentation Factual oral presentation Persuasive oral presentation (group) Written Assessment: <a href="/keyword/speech-outline/" >speech outline</a> for oral presentations (2) Letters and memos, including progress report Formal written report (group) Quiz: Mid-term Peer Reviews Having written assignments reviewed by a peer (speech evaluation, progress report, direct letter, negative news letter and persuasive letter) *You must select a different peer reviewer for each written assignment* Percentage of Mark 5% 5% 10% 5% 20% 20% 20% 5% Participation Total 10% 100% Student attendance in class is essential. Students must provide written explanations and/or doctor's notes for absences. Missing 3 or more weeks (or the equivalent of 6 classes) may result in a maximum grade of &quot;D&quot;. 6. Grading System Percentage 90-100 85-89 80-84 77-79 73-76 70-72 65-69 60-64 50-59 0-49 Grade A+ A AB+ B BC+ C D F Minimum level of achievement for which credit is granted; a course with a D grade cannot be used as a prerequisite. Minimum level has not been achieved. Description Grade Point Equivalency 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 3 Group Work You will work in a team to complete a group report and presentation. The mark your team receives will be the same for all team members. Members who do not participate in the assignment will receive zero for the assignment. Marking of Group Project All team members must contribute to the group project. I will ask each member to identify his or her contribution to the project. Participation I expect that you will take an active and co-operative role in the class discussions and small group activities. In addition, homework or small exercises will be assigned for in-class discussion. Participation involves: a co-operative attitude willingness to voluntarily participate in large and small group activities willingness to listen to the opinions of other students in a non-judgmental manner willingness to share your ideas on the subject of discussion without dominating the conversation completion of the home work and assignments in order to be able to participate in small group exercises Formatting Assignments Assignments should be formatted in a 12-pt font and spaced appropriately. Some work will require single spacing, some double-spacing and some using 1 line spacing. All work will be graded for grammar and punctuation. All documents should have professional polish and appearance. Be sure to cite and reference your work. Submitting Assignments I do not accept assignments submitted electronically unless specifically requested (example: an assignment specifically about email correspondence). All assignments must be submitted in hardcopy to the instructor or School s drop-off area if the instructor is unavailable. Late Assignments: A penalty of 5% each day will apply for late assignments. The only exception is for medical reasons which may require a doctor s note. Writing exams/quizzes or tests: The School of Business has a policy for exam procedures: Students are expected to write quizzes, tests and final exams at the scheduled time and place. In emergency situations, a student may write a test before or after the scheduled time if the student would otherwise be unable to complete the program or course. Emergency Circumstances include unavoidable employment commitments, health problems, or unavoidable family crises. The student may be asked to provide written verification of the emergency. Holidays or flight schedules are not considered emergencies. 4 LEARNING SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR STUDENTS There are a variety of services available for students to assist them throughout their learning. This information is available in the College Calendar, Student Services or the College web site at http://www.camosun.bc.ca STUDENT CONDUCT POLICY There is a Student Conduct Policy. It is the student s responsibility to become familiar with the content of this policy. The policy is available in each School Administration Office, Registration, and on the College web site in the Policy Section. http://www.camosun.bc.ca/policies/Education-Academic/E-2-StudentServices-&amp;-Support/E-2.5.pdf SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ACADEMIC HONESTY GUIDELINES The purpose of these guidelines are to provide clear expectations of appropriate academic conduct and to establish processes for discipline in appropriate circumstances. It is the student's responsibility to become familiar with the content. http://intranet.bus.camosun.bc.ca/admin/SchoolGuidelines.pdf 5 ASSIGNMENTS SPEAKING ASSIGNMENTS How-To Presentation: (Individual) A formal, 5 minute, how to speech on any subject you choose. The use of props, charts diagrams, etc. is encouraged. Value: 5% Timing: 5 minutes Students may select any topic approved by the instructor) for the How-To presentations. Try to select something you already know well, as this will make preparation easier. Here are some topics that have been successfully demonstrated by students in the past: How to: Prepare for a job interview Tie a shoe, snow boot, work boot, etc. Make the perfect burger/sandwich Pack for a 6 month backpacking trip Play a simple guitar tune Make the perfect cup of tea/coffee Make brownies/cookies/rice crispy squares Do a jump shot in basketball Shop/sell on eBay Re-grip a golf club Tape a hockey stick Shop on eBay/How to sell on eBay Set a table Make origami Jumpstart a car Tie a Windsor knot Balloon animals Build an earthquake preparedness kit Make a paper airplane Wrap a gift Groom a horse/dog Study for an exam Make a beeswax candle Make a Caesar salad Factual Oral Presentation: (Individual) A formal, 5 minute, factual speech on a business related subject. The use of visual aids is mandatory. For further details, see below. Value: 5% Timing: 5 minutes You can present a factual 5 minute talk on any business and/or communications related subject. This is not a persuasive presentation. You may use any of the suggested topics listed on the publisher s website at: www.businesscommunication-5th.nelson.com/topics.htm Personality assessment for career choices Telecommuting, or working from home: today s work style choice Five steps to overcoming shyness Starting your own home business The four best restaurants for business lunches in Victoria How to find a job that you love Ways to guarantee getting a good job Office earthquake preparedness Future trends of personal computing Ways to guarantee getting a raise Handling conflict in the workplace Running a web-based business Business opportunities at the 2010 Olympic Games The best companies in Victoria to work for Another topic of your choice (approved by and why the instructor) 6 Persuasive Oral Presentation (Group) Report presentation by groups of students who will make a presentation of their formal reports. Details attached - Group Report and Presentation Project Value: 10% Timing: 20 minutes Evaluation form attached WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS: Individual Work: 1. A <a href="/keyword/speech-outline/" >speech outline</a> to be submitted prior to each individual oral presentation. 2. Two informal memo reports (speech evaluation and group progress report). 3. Direct, negative news and persuasive letters. These are described in the Writing Assignments section. <a href="/keyword/speech-outline/" >speech outline</a> s The outline you plan to use when delivering your presentation. Typed, on 8 1/2&quot; x 11&quot; paper. 2 pages maximum. Include reference to overheads and any other visual aids you plan to use. Include Introduction, Body and Conclusion. Group Work: 1. A formal written report done as a group on a persuasive oral presentation. 2. A presentation of the contents of your formal report, including an outline. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS - INDIVIDUAL All written assignments (with the exception of the <a href="/keyword/speech-outline/" >speech outline</a> s) must have been reviewed by one other student in the class and changes made based on the feedback received BEFORE the due date. Each written assignment must be handed in with the peer evaluation signed, dated and attached. <a href="/keyword/speech-outline/" >speech outline</a> for How-To Presentation January 21 <a href="/keyword/speech-outline/" >speech outline</a> for Factual Presentation February 25 Speech Evaluation February 18 Progress Report March 9 Direct Letter March 16 Negative News Letter March 23 Persuasive Letter To be written in class on March 25 FORMAT: DUE DATES: All written assignments are to be typed on 8 1/2&quot; x 11&quot; white paper. Letters should follow the format and strategy identified in the textbook and/or any supplementary readings. Maximum 2 pages per assignment. These assignments are designed to help you learn to use a variety of writing strategies and techniques. SUBJECT MATTER: Each of the following individual assignments will be evaluated and marked on your ability to apply the lecture and text suggestions. 1. Speech Evaluation. Write an informal memo report evaluating a speech. Evaluate one of your classmates How To presentations. Your submission should include a summary of the speech, your impressions and suggestions for improvement. Each of the informal reports should be written in sentence format in appropriate business style (clear, concise, complete and correct). Point form is not acceptable. Headings for this memo should include: Summary of Presentation Strengths Suggestions for Improvement The value is 5% of your grade. 8 2. Progress Report. Write an informal memo report to your instructor summarizing your group s progress on the group report from your perspective as follows: Headings for this memo should include: Summary of Progress Work Completed Work to be Completed Anticipated Problems &amp; Solutions The value is 5% of your grade 3. Letter and email Assignments Write three letters: one direct letter, one negative news letter and one persuasive letter. The goal is to complete one of each of these types of messages. a. Direct Letter - Select a product or service that has disappointed you. Write a claim letter requesting a refund, replacement, explanation, or whatever seems reasonable. Value - 5% b. Persuasive Message (Chapter 10, pgs. 284 - 310) Select one: 10.8, 10.10, 10.12, 10.14, 10.18 &amp; 10.20. Value 5% c. Negative News (Chapter 11, pgs. 320 - 348) Select one: 11.12, 11.16. 11.18, 11.31. Value 5% The total value is 15% of your grade. 9 REPORT &amp; PERSUASIVE ORAL PRESENTATION - GROUP PROJECT Topic List: 1. As office administrator at the Wilmoth Company, you must make a recommendation for the selection of a photocopying machine for use in the organization's office. The office has 210 employees. Copying load for work orders, incoming and outgoing invoices, cheques and typewritten materials is about 600 pages a day and copies may be made on any kind of paper. About 10 percent of the copies made in the office must be on bond paper. Investigate the products of three different copy-machine manufacturers and prepare a report making a recommendation to t...