BUSA 2105, Fall 2015
Sections 01 and 03
Communicating in the Business Environment

Instructor: Melanie Strickland Brown
Office: Howard Jordan – Room
E-mail: brownme@savannahstate.edu
Mobile/Text Msg: 912-398-9823
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00-6:00 p.m.or by phone/text most of the time

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course will cover basic principles of effective business communication. Written communication components include reports, positive and negative letters, emails, and resumes and cover letters. Oral communication components include brief summaries of exercises, a mock interview, a team presentation, and meeting management skills. Also, the class will cover cross-cultural communication, personal interaction skills, and business etiquette with a focus on electronic communication.

Written documents and oral presentations must include correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

PREREQUISITES:
1. You must have successfully completed (grade C or better) CSCI/CISM 1130, Computer and Its Applications.
2. You must have successfully completed (grade C or better) ENGL 1102, English Composition II.

Remember: You are responsible for insuring that you have met the prerequisite requirements. If you are on the official roll of this course, you are certifying that you have satisfactorily completed these prerequisites prior to enrolling in BUSA 2105. If, at any time, we discover that this certification is invalid, you will be withdrawn from the course; if this happens after the withdrawal deadline, you will receive a WF, even if the discovery is made at the end of the semester and after a final grade has been given.

REQUIRED TEXT: • Thill, John and Bovee, Courtland. Excellence in Business Communication, 10th or 11th edition. 2013 or 2014. New York: Pearson. • You will need an SSU email address and access to D2L (set up through PAWS).

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
You will

• Prepare and deliver effective oral presentations, including appropriate verbal and non-verbal behaviors and audio-visual aids; • Plan, write, and edit letters, reports, emails and other technically correct business documents. • Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively in a team to complete a team project and deliver an effective group presentation; • Develop a resume that represents effectively your current status. • Demonstrate your understanding of basic interviewing skills during a mock interview.

In addition, I expect all students to participate willingly in class exercises and discussions.

Success in accomplishing these outcomes requires a C or better.

CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION: • I will use several methods to deliver instruction, including o Lecture and interactive discussions o Homework and self-study o Exercises and worksheets o Student presentations o Teamwork; partner discussions o Video and PowerPoint o D2L assignments.

DISABILITY ACCOMODATIONS AND PERSONAL COUNSELING ON CAMPUS:
Savannah State University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities, as required under federal law. Disabilities may include learning disabilities, ADD, psychological disorders, brain injury, Autism spectrum disorders, serious chronic medical illnesses, mobility impairment, vision or hearing loss or temporary injuries. SSU also provides free, professional, confidential, individual and group counseling, homeless services and referrals. The Counseling and Disability Centers are located in King Frazier 233, 8a.m. - 5p.m. 912 358 3129. Another resource for mental health emergencies is the GA Crisis and Access Line, available 24 hours a day at 1800 715 4225.

DRESS CODE:
For presentations, speeches, and guest speaker events, you are required to adhere to the COBA professional dress code unless advised otherwise by the instructor. Attire that is unacceptable at any time includes the following: • Ill fitting clothing (too tight; ultra short skirts/dresses; sagging pants) • Pajamas or loungewear • Tank tops, spaghetti string tops, strapless tops • Bare midriff or revealing clothing • Clothing with inappropriate language • Hats (never allowed in the classroom and applies to both men and women); o Ladies, if you aren’t sure about a particular form of headgear, ask me before assuming it will be okay.

ATTENDANCE: • Participation in class is important, and students who participate willingly throughout the semester will receive up to 5 points for that participation. • Attendance in every class is expected for the entire class period. Any deviation from this rule must be approved by the instructor beforehand. Leaving early without approval will result in a loss of points. • Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Late arrivals will be noted. Two unexcused late arrivals will be marked as an unexcused absence. • Up to 3 points will be subtracted from your final grade points for each unexcused absence. • Excused absences must be documented appropriately on the next day that class is attended. • If a student has an unexcused absence on a test day or a presentation day, the student will receive a 0 for that test/presentation/exercise. • Students who miss class are responsible for all homework/assignments missed and must hand in that work on the next day of attendance. Students are responsible for finding out what new work has been assigned. If students miss an exam and the absence is excused, students must arrange a date to take the exam with the instructor.

FOR SUCCESS IN THE COURSE: • Listen well during class discussions and take notes. Many students benefit from putting notes into bullet form rather than trying to write full sentences. Test material will come from the text and from classroom discussions, so it’s important to avoid distractions and avoid letting your attention wander. • Remember, reading is not studying. Studying requires a focused approach where you go back over main points, review the diagrams and charts, test yourself on definitions and concepts, and clarify any confusing statements. It is particularly helpful to outline assigned chapter readings. Doing so will help you prepare for tests, and it will help you learn the best way to outline material logically…an important skill in preparing to write reports. • If you don’t have one already, set up your e-learning account and SSU e-mail immediately. • You may benefit from using the Writing Lab for help with writing assignments. Writing assistance is available in Payne Hall, room 206. You can make appointments at www.appointment-plus.com.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES POLICY:
No electronic devices are to be seen or heard during regularly scheduled class time, quizzes, tests, or examinations – (note that this includes earpieces and ear buds). If any are observed or heard during class, the student may be excused from class. Should such devices be observed or heard during assessment periods, there will be the presumption of academic dishonesty; those found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to the consequences for academic dishonesty under the College of Business Administration Policy on Academic Dishonesty. If you wish to use a laptop of notepad to take notes ask me about it first. If I allow it, you must sit in the front of the room to do so. Any deviance from the ‘for notes only’ policy will result in no further privilege.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY:
Academic dishonesty includes copying another student’s work, handing in work done for you by another person, cheating on an exam/test/quiz, plagiarism, and untruthful information provided to me about your work. Plagiarism is not tolerated and refers to the use of someone else’s work without stating that you are doing so. Citations are required whenever you use others’ work to supplement your own. If you are uncertain about when to use citations in your document, ASK.

The minimum penalty for the student who is academically dishonest will be a grade of ZERO for the assignment; however, the instructor may well assign a grade of F for the semester. Incidents of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of the Dean of COBA, the COBA student Services Office (for inclusion in the student’s academic record) and to the Vice President for Student Affairs.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS:
All written assignments must be typed unless the instructor indicates otherwise. Written work should be free of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors. Assignments that are not typed will receive a failing grade. Unless told otherwise, you will hand in written assignments during class; occasionally, I may ask you to submit assignments via D2L.

One inch from the top of each written assignment (except for business letters which have a different format), you should place your name, the due date, the name of the class, name of the assignment, and my name. All documents (letters, emails, reports, resumes, surveys, etc.) should follow the formats appropriate for each type.

Final Paper:
You will complete a paper that will be due at the end of the semester. You will also give an oral presentation of this paper. Specific instructions will be provided separately.

GRADING:
Each assignment will be given a set of points, and the points will vary a lot. For example, one quiz may be worth 25 points; another may be worth 32 points; another may be worth 100 points. At the end of the semester, the number of possible points will be added together to determine a total. The number of points you have earned will be divided by the total possible to calculate your grade for the course.

For example, if the total number of points for the semester equals 340 and you earn 290, your score would be 290 divided by 340 = .85 or 85%, a B. You will use this same method to calculate your score on any one assignment/quiz. For example, if the assignment is worth 40 points and you earn 35 points, your score would be .875 = .88 or 88%, a B.

It’s important to earn as many points as you can and to avoid any reductions from your points (because of attendance issues for example). One point can make a big difference. For example, if you earn 305 points out of a possible 340, your grade would be .897 or 90%; however, if you earn 304 points out of 340, your score would be .894 or 89%. One point can make the difference between an A and a B. (Remember, up to 5 additional points may be given for quality participation, but unexcused absences or arriving or leaving late without permission may result in negative points.)

SYLLABUS:
The syllabus may be revised any time at my discretion.

Week 1:
Tues., Aug. 11 Intro to course; syllabus HW: Set up D2L and SSU e-mail (if necessary); read chapter 1 and Study Guide
Thurs., Aug. 13 Chapter 1: Achieving Success Through Effective Business Communication HW: OTJ, Toyota, pg. 27, to hand in; type out answers completely, not just letters.

Week 2:
Tues., Aug. 18 Ch. 1 continued; instructions for Team Member Interview HW: Study for Chapter 1 Test. Use Study Guide and Notes along with text.
Thurs., Aug. 20 Test 1, Chapter 1; introduce Chapter 2 HW: Read and study Chapter 2 and Study Guide.

Week 3:
Tues., Aug. 25 Team Member Oral Report due plus oral presentation of interview; Chapter 2, Mastering Team Skills and Interpersonal Communication; Instructions for Phrases and Gestures Exercise. HW: Read and study Chapter 2 and Study Guide. Phrases and Gestures Exercise.
Thurs., Aug. 27 Ch. 2, continued; finish oral reports as necessary; Code Switching And Perceptions; Phrases and Gestures Exercise due. HW: Continue studying Ch. 2 and Study Guide for Test.

Week 4:
Tues., Sept. 1 Test 2, Chapter 2 HW: Read chapter 3
Thurs., Sept. 3 Ch. 3 Communicating in a World of Diversity; instructions for Final Project. HW: Study chapter 3 and study guide.

Week 5:
Tues., Sept. 8 Ch. 3, continued; instructions for Cross Cultural Exercise: Country Analysis; submit names of groups and members. HW: Complete Country Analysis; prepare 2-3 minute oral presentation. Study Chapter 3 and Study Guide.
Thurs., Sept. 10 Country Analysis Presentations HW: Study for Test on Chapter 3.

Week 6:
Tues., Sept. 15 Test 3, Chapter 3 HW: Read ch. 15
Thurs., Sept. 17 Ch. 15, Building Careers and Writing Resumes—in particular pp. 493-505 for resume construction. HW: Work on resume; study chapter and Study Guide.

Week 7:
Tues., Sept. 22 Chapter 15, continued; in particular finding jobs; Draft Resume Due; report on status of Project. HW: Study chapter and Study Guide; read Ch. 16

Thurs., Sept. 24 Chapter 16, Applying and Interviewing; Cover Letters; Draft Resumes returned. HW: Revise resume; study ch. 16 and Study Guide

Week 8:
Tues., Sept. 29 Chapter 16, continued; Final Resume Due; interviewing, top Questions asked. Draft cover letter HW: Complete draft of cover letter. Study chapters 15 and 16.
Thurs., Oct. 1 Test 4, Chapters 15 and 16 HW: Make sure you are prepared for Mock Interviews and that your Final Resume is ready to be turned in at the interview.
Week 9:
Tues., Oct. 6 Mock Interviews—may finish these on Wednesday.
Thurs., Oct. 8 FALL BREAK—Work on Final Draft of Cover Letter and be thinking and working on your Final Projects. Read chapter 7.

Week 10:
Tues., Oct. 13 Final Cover letter due; Chapter 7: Electronic Communication; Feedback on Interviews; assign Boss’ e-mail. HW: Study Chapter 7; work on Boss’ e-mail.
Thurs., Oct. 15 Chapter 7 continued; Boss’ email due on D2L by Friday at midnight. HW: Read Chapter 8

Week 11:
Tues., Oct. 20 Chapter 8: Writing Positive Messages HW: Study chapter 8
Thurs., Oct. 22 Ch. 8 continued HW: Study for test on chapters 7 & 8

Week 12:
Tues., Oct. 27 Test on chapters 7 & 8 HW: Read chapter 13
Thurs., Oct. 29 Chapter 13: Writing Reports and Proposals; Rules for your final Paper/format; Report on Project Status HW: Study chapter and Study Guide

Week 13:
Tues., Nov. 3 Chapter 13 continued, including references and citations; introduce chapter 14 HW: Read chapter 14; References Assignment
Thurs., Nov. 5 Chapter 14, Delivering Oral and Online Presentations HW: Study chapter and Study Guide;

Week 14
Tues., Nov. 10 Chapter 14, continued; References Assignment Due. HW: Work on Final Project.
Thurs., Nov. 12 Oral Presentations; Presentations and All Final Papers due. HW: Read chapters 9 and 10.

Week 15
Tues., Nov. 17 Oral Presentations; assign Negative Letter. HW: Work on Negative Letter.
Thurs., Nov. 19 Chapters 9, 10: Negative Messages, Persuasive Messages (Main Points). Negative Letter due. HW: Study chapters and Study Guide

Week 16
Tues., Nov. 24 Review for final Exam.

Wed. Nov. 25-Fri, Nov. 27 THANKSGIVING BREAK

FINAL EXAMS WILL BEGIN ON FRIDAY, DEC. 4 AND WILL CONTINUE MONDAY, DEC. 7, TUESDAY, DEC. 8 AND WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9

Do not make travel plans that will conflict with the final exam schedule.

|Day/Date |Topic |Assignments Due |
|Mon Jan 12 |Intros |Set Up D2L |
| |Syllabus | |
|Wed Jan 14 |Chapter 1: Achieving Success Through |Read Chapter and Study Guide |
| |Effective Business Communication | |
| | | |
|Fri Jan 16 |Ch. 1 continued |OTJ, Toyota, pg 27 to hand in |
| |Instructions for Team Member Interview |(type answers out completely, |
| | |not just letters) |
|Mon Jan 19 |HOLIDAY | |
|Wed Jan 21 |Test 1, Chapter 1 |Prepare for test, Use Study |
| | |Guide and Notes along with text|
| | | |
| | | |
|Fri Jan 23 |Ch. 2, Mastering Team Skills and Interpersonal Communication |Team Member Interview Report |
| |Instructions for Phrases and Gestures Exercise |due plus oral presentation of |
| | |interview |
| | |Study chapter and Study Guide |
|Mon Jan 26 |Ch. 2 continued, finish oral reports as necessary |Phrases and Gestures Exercise |
| |Code Switching and Perceptions |due |
|Wed Jan 28 |Ch. 2 continued | |
|Fri Jan 30 |Test 2 Chapter 2 | |
| | |Study for Test |
|Mon Feb 2 |Review for Test | |
| |Instructions for Final Project | |
|Wed Feb 4 |Ch. 3 Communicating in a World of Diversity |Study chapter and Study Guide |
| |Instructions for Cross Cultural Exercise: Country Analysis |Submit names of groups and |
| | |members |
|Fri Feb 6 |Ch. 3 continued | |
|Mon Feb 9 |Ch. 3 continued |Hand in Country Analysis and |
| |Country analysis Presentations |prepare for 2-3 minute oral |
| | |presentation |
| | | |
|Wed Feb 11 |Country analysis presentations continued |Presentations continued |
|Fri Feb 13 |Test 3 Chapter 3 | |
|Mon Feb 16 |Ch. 15, Building Careers and Writing Resumes, -in particular pp 493-505 for |Draft Resume Due |
| |resume construction |Study chapter and Study Guide |
|Wed Feb 18 |Ch. 15 continued | |
|Fri Feb 20 |Ch. 15 continued, in particular finding jobs |Final Resume Due |
|Mon Feb 23 |Ch. 15 continued |Report on status of Project |
| |Instructions for Interview and Cover Letter | |
| | | |
|Wed Feb 25 |Ch 16 Applying and Interviewing |Study chapter and Study Guide |
| |Cover Letters | |
|Fri Feb 27 |Ch. 16 continued |Draft Cover letter |
| |Interviewing, Top Questions Asked | |
|Mon Mar 2 |Mock Interviews |Prepare for mock interviews, |
| | |Hand in final resume during |
| | |interview |
|Wed Mar 4 |Mock Interviews | |
| | | |
|Fri Mar 6 |Mock Interviews | |
|Mon Mar 9-13 |Spring Break, Yea |You should be thinking about |
| | |your projects |
|Mon Mar 16 |Feedback on Interviews |Report on status of projects |
| |Work on Projects | |
|Wed Mar 18 |Test 4 Chapters 15 and 16 |Prepare for Test |
| | |Final Cover letter due |
|Fri Mar 20 |Chapter 7: Electronic Communication |Study Chapter and Study Guide |
|Mon Mar 23 |Chapter 7 continued | |
|Wed Mar 25 |Chapter 7 continued |Boss’ email due in D2L |
|Fri Mar 27 |Chapter 8: Writing Positive Messages |Study chapter and Study Guide |
|Mon Mar 30 |Chapter 8 continued | |
|Wed Apr 1 |Chapter 8 continued |Online Test chapters 7 and 8, |
| |Online test 5 |open book |
|Fri Apr 3 |TBD |Introduction to final paper due|
|Mon Apr 6 |TBD | |
|Wed Apr 8 |Chapter 13: Writing Reports and Proposals |Report on project status |
| |Rules for your final paper /format |Study chapter and Study Guide |
|Fri Apr 10 |Chapter 13 continued | |
|Mon Apr 13 |Chapter 13 continued |References assignment |
| |Including references and citations | |
|Wed Apr 15 |Chapter 14 Delivering Oral and Online Presentations |Study chapter and Study Guide |
|Fri Apr 17 |Chapter 14 continued | |
|Mon Apr 20 |Chapter 14 continued | |
|Wed Apr 22 |Oral Presentations |Presentations and All Final |
| | |Papers Due |
|Fri Apr 24 |Oral Presentations |Presentations continued |
|Mon Apr 27 |Feedback on Presentations | |
|Wed Apr 29 |Chapters 9, 10: Negative Messages, Persuasive Messages (Main Points). |Negative Letter Due |
| | |Study chapters and Study Guide |
| | | |
| | | |
|Fri May 2 |Chapters 9, 10: Negative Messages, Persuasive Messages (Main Points). | |
| |Feedback on Final Papers | |
|Mon May 4 |Final Exercise to prepare for final exam |Review Study Guide |
|May 5-8 |Exam Week | |