Business Communication Sandlin BA 324 Fall 2011

Business Communication (BA 324) Fall 2011 Syllabus and Course Schedule

Unique number: # 02025 Meeting time: MWF 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Meeting location: CBA 4.322 Instructor: Nadina Sandlin E-mail: [email protected] Office: GSB 4.126 H Office phone: 512-471-3663 Office Hours: MW 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Student Assistant: Erin Hansen E-mail: [email protected]

The BA 324 curriculum is structured for simultaneous advancement of your proficiency in writing, speaking, and professional interaction. Multiple practice assignments are essential to the development of all three skills.

Required Materials

 Business Communication Process & Product (7th edition) M.E. Guffey & D. Loewy.  The Bare Essentials (2008) E.B. Morrison (provided by Instructor).  Three-ring, loose-leaf binder with dividers (for organizing class handouts).  Pocket dictionary for in-class assignments.

Class Policies

 Important: Please be sure to review the BA 324 Master Syllabus (departmental policies handout) also included in your first-day folder.  No electronic devices (notebooks/laptops, cell phones, iPods, etc.). You may use laptops for team presentations and a few in-class workshops and assignments. Please turn off cell phones (including the vibrating feature) during class.  Come to class prepared. Bring your textbook, grammar guide (The Bare Essentials), syllabus, loose-leaf binder, and pocket dictionary. You may use these materials for most in-class exercises.  You are allowed to use your copy of The Bare Essentials during all in-class exercises (including tests).  In-class exercises are usually brief, but they are often unannounced and cannot be made up.  Turn in neat, polished work. All assignments completed outside of class must be typewritten and formatted appropriately. BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 2

 Please proofread your work. Word-processing functions (spell check and grammar check) will often let you down. Proofreading a printout is the most effective way to catch mistakes.  Meet deadlines. Hard copies of assignments are due in class on the scheduled due dates. I will also need to receive an electronic copy (instructions to be given in class) submitted before midnight on the day the assignment is due. If you know you will not be in class on a specific date that an assignment is due, the assignment must be submitted (in hard copy) prior to the scheduled due date. Equipment failure is an unacceptable excuse for late work. No late work will be accepted.  This course is designed to develop professional skills and behaviors; therefore, attendance and punctuality are very important to your grade. After two unexcused absences, your final grade will be debited one point for each additional unexcused absence. Each point can make the difference between an A and an A- or an A- and a B+, etc. Excessive absences (four or more) can result in a substantial reduction in your final grade. Late arrivals affect your class participation grade.  Teamwork is a core component of this class. Fulfilling your responsibilities to your team is critical to your final course grade. Negligence in this area can result in a substantial reduction in your final grade.  Academic integrity is required. You must observe all the responsibilities described in the UT Policies for Academic Integrity. Avoiding plagiarism is a key tenet of academic integrity.  If you have questions about your grade on an assignment, please see me within 5 business days of receiving the grade (day 1 is the day the graded assignment is returned). After 5 days, a graded assignment is not eligible for review. Please note that graded assignments submitted for review may be regraded in their entirety.  If you have questions about a grade or any other aspect of the course, please see me after class or during office hours. If your schedule conflicts with my office hours, I will be happy to schedule additional office time to meet with you.

Take Advantage of “For Credit” Opportunities!

 Many exercises, such as grammar diagnostic exercises and peer evaluations, will be “for credit.” Credits are accrued as half credits or whole credits, depending on the nature of the activity. A total of 30 or more credits will translate to a 10-point addition to your final point total (scale of 1000). Maximum credits recorded: 30.  Credits are not prorated. You will receive the 10 points after you earn all 30 credits. Accruing fewer than 30 credits will not earn any additional points.  Note: “For credit” exercises conducted in class, such as grammar diagnostics and critiques, cannot be made up. BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 3

Components of Your Final Grade

Writing Total value: 55% Points In-class exercises (grammar and writing) 130 Homework assignments 270 Section draft of team proposal 75 Final written team proposal 75

Speaking Total value: 30% Points Impromptu presentation (2) 20 (Better of 2 recorded) One-person presentation (1) 50 Three-person presentation (1) 100 Team presentation (1) 130

Professional Development Total value: 15% Points Team work plan & agreement 15 Team contact report 15 Test 80 Class participation 40

Total Possible Points 1000

Important: Your final grade will be calculated by dividing your point total by 10, e.g., 930/10 = 93. All BA 324 instructors calculate final course grades using the following plus/minus scale:

A 93 and above A- 90-92.9

B+ 87-89.9 B 83-86.9 B- 80-82.9 C+ 77-79.9 C 73-76.9 C- 70-72.9 D+ 67-69.9 D 63-66.9 D- 60-62.9 F 59.9 and below

Note: The syllabus and course schedule are subject to change, depending on the needs and progress of the class. You should always have your syllabus and course schedule with you so that you can record any adjustments. BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 4

Business Communication (BA 324) Fall 2011 Tentative Course Schedule

Week Dates Lecture Topics/Assigned Readings Required Reading and Assignments

1 Wed  Introduction to course, syllabus, and  Ch 1: Effective and Ethical 8/24 classmates Communication at Work

 Assignment overview

Fri  Understanding the process of  Ch 1: Effective and Ethical communication Communication at Work 8/26  Overcoming Communication Barriers  Complete the assignment on Guffey Chapter 1 (see handout)  Looking at Business and Ethics  Bring signed plagiarism agreement to class (in first-day folder)

Mon  Read Chapter 4 2 8/29  Discussion of Chapter 4  Complete the Interactive Plagiarism  The 3 x 3 writing process Tutorial for 1 credit

 “Know your audience” exercise

Wed  Discussion of Chapter 5  Read Chapter 5 8/31  Gathering information through research  Organizing your ideas

 Direct and indirect writing styles

 Read Chapter 6 Fri  Grammar skills assessment  Read “The Bare Essentials”  Discussion of memos and emails 9/2

3 Mon 9/5 LABOR DAY – No Class BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 5

Week Dates Lecture Topics/Assigned Readings Required Reading and Assignments

Wed  Discussion of Chapter 7  Read Chapter 7 9/7  Email messages, Instant messaging,  Memo exercise (see handout) texting, professional blogs and  E-mail exercise (see handout) Social Network Sites

 Critique of first drafts of memos and emails (self and peer)

Fri  Discussion of chapter 2  Read Chapter 2  Listening skills and public speaking 9/9  Discussion of 2- and 3-person speaking assignment  Draw for speaking dates

4 Mon  Discussion of Chapter 14  Read Chapter 14 9/12  Effective oral presentations  Using visual aids effectively  Begin working on 2- and 3-person speaking assignment  Polishing your delivery

Wed 9/14  Q & A about 2- 3-person speaking  Continue working on 2- and 3- assignment person speaking assignment  Discussion of impromptu speaking  Grammar diagnostic (for credit)

 Workshop: Overcoming your speech Fri anxiety  Final drafts of memos and emails are due 9/16  Workshop: Plagiarism

Mon  2- and 3-person presentations (4) 5 9/19  Written critiques of presentations  Teams presenting on September 19 should be ready BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 6

Week Dates Lecture Topics/Assigned Readings Required Reading and Assignments

 2- and 3-person presentations (4) Wed  Written critiques of presentations  Teams presenting on September 9/21 21 should be ready  Punctuation Diagnostic (for credit)

Fri  2- and 3-person presentations (2) 9/23  Written critiques of presentations  Teams presenting on September  Written peer evaluation of team 23 should be ready speaking experience

 Discussion of informal and formal 6 Mon proposals  Read chapter 13 9/26  Discussion of team proposal (what makes a good topic)

 Obtain volunteers for cross-cultural panel

Wed  Discussion of oral and written  Read chapter 3 (prepare for cross- 9/28 communication, and ethics in cultural discussion) intercultural settings  Cross-cultural panel  Review of grammar and punctuation diagnostics

Fri  Assignment of proposal teams  Complete cross-cultural memo  Proposal teams meet to decide on (see handout) 9/30 tentative proposal topic  Brings news articles for discussion (see handout)

7 Mon  Impromptu presentations (first half of  Review APA style guidelines (see 10/3 class) Blackboard)  Discussion of APA style and annotated bibliography  Review of cross-cultural memos BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 7

Week Dates Lecture Topics/Assigned Readings Required Reading and Assignments

Wed  Impromptu presentations (second  Complete on-line Business 10/5 half of class) Research Tutorial (for credit – see  Discussion of survey writing handout)  Vote on homework assignment # 6

Fri  Meet in ModLab West (CBA 5.304)  Draft proposal of team survey (for credit – to be reviewed in class on 10/7  Library Research Session (April October 12). This assignment will Kessler, business librarian) require an outside team meeting.

8 Mon  In-class exercise  Library research assignment (see 10/10  Team Workshop Day handout)

Wed 10/12  Discussion of Team Agreement and  Draft of team survey Work Plan  Discussion of formal team meetings  Peer critique of team survey  Discussion of # 6 homework assignment

Fri  Discussion of Team Presentation  Complete Team Agreement and assignment Work Plan 10/14  Draw for presentation dates  In-class exercise  Begin working on # 6 homework  Review for exam assignment (see handout)

9 Mon  Sample presentation by former BA  # 6 homework assignment due 10/17 324 students  # 6 homework peer critique  Impromptu speeches BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 8

Week Dates Lecture Topics/Assigned Readings Required Reading and Assignments

Wed 10/19  Review for exam (content to be  No assignment announced)  Impromptu speeches

Fri  Exam  Study for exam

10/21

Mon 10 10/24  Meet in ModLab West (CBA 5.304)  No assignment  In-class writing assignment

Wed 10/26  Successful Persuasive and Sales  Read Chapter 10 Messages

Fri  Discussion of indirect writing and  Read Chapter 9 “Bad News” letter 10/28  Workshop for team presentations

Mon 11 10/31  Peer review of “Bad News” letter  “Bad News” letter (handout)  Discussion of “Expanding Your  Begin working on Proposal Team Horizons” presentation presentations  Draw for presentation dates  Bring your laptops, Powerpoint  In-class exercise slides, and outline to class for workshop

Wed 11/2  Impromptu speeches  Refresh your audience skills BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 9

Week Dates Lecture Topics/Assigned Readings Required Reading and Assignments

Fri  Proposal Team presentations with peer critiques  Team presentations begin 11/4

12 Mon  Proposal Team presentations with  Continue working on Team 11/7 peer critiques Presentation and “Expanding Your Horizons” presentation  Distribute handout on team written proposal requirements

Wed  Proposal Team presentations with  Review handout on team written 11/9 peer critiques proposal requirements

 Distribute handout on requirements  Continue working on Team of and deadlines for formal written Presentation and “Expanding Your Team Proposal Horizons” presentation

Fri  “Expanding Your Horizons”  Work on “Expanding Your presentations Horizons” presentation 11/11  Begin section drafts of Team Proposal

Mon 13 11/14  Review requirements for team  Work on “Expanding Your proposal Horizons” presentation

 Impromptu speeches  Work on section drafts of Team Proposal

Wed 11/16  “Expanding Your Horizons”  Work on “Expanding Your presentations Horizons” presentation  Work on section drafts of Team Proposal BA 324 Sandlin, Fall 2011 Page 10

Week Dates Lecture Topics/Assigned Readings Required Reading and Assignments

Fri  Discussion of Executive Summary  Final section drafts of Team Proposal due  In-class exercise/writing assignment 11/18  Note: must be in final form – ready for incorporation into the final proposal.

Mon 14 11/21  “Expanding Your Horizons”  Continue working on Team presentations Proposal  Impromptu speeches

Wed 11/23  In-class exercise  Continue working on Team Proposal  Impromptu speeches

Fri THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – No Class 11/25

Mon 15 11/28  “Expanding Your Horizons”  Continue working on Team presentations Proposal  Impromptu Speeches

Wed 11/30  “Expanding Your Horizons”  Continue working on Team presentations Proposal  Impromptu Speeches

Fri  Turn in Team Proposal  Team Proposal Due 12/2  Complete team peer evaluation