NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY

Department of Business Education

BUED360

            BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

                               Spring 2000

INSTRUCTOR:         Dr. Beryl C. McEwen

OFFICE/PHONE:      308 Merrick Hall; (336) 334-7657 ext. 4001

INTERNET:        Http://www.ncat.edu/~mcewenb/ and e-mail:   mcewenb@ncat.edu

OFFICE HOURS:     

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The study of communication theory and its applications to business. Emphasis is placed on composing the basic forms of business communication, including correspondence and reports. Attention is also given to ethical objectives of communicating in the managerial environment. Prerequisites: ENGL101; Sophomore standing.

REQUIRED TEXT:

Guffey, Mary Ellen.  (2000).  Business Communication Process and Product, 3rd. ed., Cincinnati, OH:  South-Western Publishing Company.

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

Bogle, Mary Anderson, COLLEGE BUSINESS ENGLISH, Baltimore, MD: The H. M. Rowe Company, 1994.

OBJECTIVES/ SDPI COMPETENCIES

• On completing this course, students will be able to:
• Apply the theory and concepts of the communication process in business behavior (3.0)
• Describe basic concepts applicable to communicating (3.1)
• Adapt communication techniques appropriate to the reader's understanding (3.2)
• Compose effective business letters, reports, memos, and other kinds of business communication, demonstrating decision-making skills in solving business communication problems (4.0)
• Demonstrate proficiency in language structure and mechanics (4.1)
• Demonstrate proficiency in composition by the selection and organization of content and format (4.2)
• Demonstrate decision-making skills in solving business communication problems (5.0)
• Apply the decision-making process in the selection of appropriate communication media (5.1)
• Explain the impact of technology on the transmission of communication (5.2)
• Demonstrate effective oral and non-verbal communication skills (6.0)
• Identify effective elements of oral communication skills (6.1)
• Identify effective elements of non-verbal communication skills (6.2)
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of e-mail and the Internet
• Demonstrate understanding of communicating with people from other cultures/countries

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Two 3.5 inch floppy disk (1.44 mb) (required in University computer labs)

REQUIRED COMPUTER ACCOUNT

Students will need an active Internet account for this course, to send and receive e-mail messages and attachments.  If you don't already have one, please go online to the NCA&T Web site ( http://www.ncat.edu/~ helpdesk/email.html) for information on how to apply for one. 

You may also get a free e-mail account by visiting the Web site www.hotmail.com and  registering online. Click  "Sign Up Here!" and follow the instructions.

Students must also be able to use business computer software such as word processing, spreadsheets, and electronic presentations.  Please let me know if you need assistance with any of these skills.

COURSE MODULES/UNITS

    1.    Communication Foundations

    2.    The Writing Process

    3.    Business Correspondence

    4.    Career Documents

    5.    Reports and Proposals

    6.    Other Related Topics

            a.    WWW page evaluation and design

            b.     Business Ethics

            c.     Cultural Diversity

     7.    Grammar activities will be interwoven throughout the course

ACTIVITIES

• Reading, lectures, discussions, in-class and out-of-class writing activities, online instruction
• Group activities
• Video review and discussion
• Individualized instruction in English fundamentals
• Electronic communication
• In-class review of business documents
• Role-play and oral presentations

CLASS SCHEDULE (subject to minor changes)

Note:  There will be a 5 point quiz on each Chapter, given to review your reading, before the chapter is covered in class. 

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES.

EVALUATION:

A point system of grading will be used. The final grade will be determined by the following grading scale:

• 90% - 100% A

• 80% - 89% B

• 70% - 79% C

• 60% - 69% D

• Below 60% F

Exams and tests will be constructed in a variety of formats (multiple choice, short answers, and performance exercises). Test and exam questions will be taken from lecture/discussion content and textbook.

Written assignments will be graded on:  Clarity of content, format, spelling, grammar, and presentation.  All assignments must be done on the computer, using appropriate software.

POLICIES:

• Attendance: Students are expected to attend all class meetings. Students who miss classes for any reason are responsible for work done in their absence. An incomplete grade is not a student option. It is given only at the discretion of the instructor.

• Class Participation: The grade for class participation is based on each student's contribution. Students should prepare for each class and contribute to the overall class understanding of the material. Irregular attendance will affect class participation score.

• Assignments: Assignments must be submitted at the beginning of class on the specified date. Being absent from class is not an excuse for late assignment. Ten percent of points will be deducted for each day the assignment is late.  If an assignment is to be submitted by electronic mail, it should be sent at least one hour before the starting time of class, on the due date. Retain a hardcopy of material sent by electronic mail, in case the mail does not arrive or an attached file cannot be accessed.

• Exams/Tests/Quizzes: No makeup is allowed.    Unexcused absences from tests/quizzes will result in a score of "0".

• Academic Dishonesty: Cheating,of any kind, will not be tolerated. No credit will be given for any material copied from other students or any other source. Any student observed giving or receiving information or assistance during an individual exam/test/quiz will receive a "Zero" for the particular work.

Useful Links

Class Assignments

Electronic Resources

    APA Style Manual

    Business Communication Resources

        Lehman and DuFrene

        Guffey

        Bovee and Thill

    Wired Resumes

   The Job Search Process

   Checklist for Cover Letters

   Other Readings in Business Communication

You may send me an e-mail to mcewenb@ncat.edu

Page last updated:  January 4, 2000.

01/04/00

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