Instructor Syllabus for Business Communications Online Course

Instructor Syllabus for Business Communications Online Course Division of Business, CIS, and Engineering Department of Business

Name: Scott Gardner, Associate Professor of Business B.S.E, M.S.E, Ed.S Arkansas State University Office: Room 255, WTC Office Hours: M 10:15-11:05 AM, T 3:00- 5:30 PM, W 10:15-11:05 AM

Electronic Appointments Preferred, Walk-ins Welcome

Summer: E- mail Only Homepage:

www.professo rgardner.com

Telephone: 815-921-3104 E-mail: Use RVC EAGLE Mail Course Prefix/#: ENG 105 INT Business Communications PCS Code: 1.2 IAI #: None

Course Materials

 Optional: Business Communication-Process & Product by Mary Ellen Guffey, 7th Edition, South-Western/Cengage Learning, 2010 ISBN: 9780538466257  Required: Use of RVC Eagle Learning Platform  Visit http://rvceagle.instructure.com Use of RVC Google Docs  Visit mail.student.rockvalleycollege.edu and explore the Document Tab o To be used for document collaboration on team assignments.

 Required: Access to a computer with a webcam (and microphone)

 Required: Ability to setup a free YouTube account

 Required: Headphones—to watch videos in the WTC lab

 Required: Access to a computer with reliable Internet, Internet Explorer*, Microsoft Word and PowerPoint 2003 or later. Note: An * indicates software is freely available on the Internet if you don’t already have it installed.

 Required: Basic knowledge of computer usage such as how to print, save files, etc.

Course Description

This course covers the current trends affecting business communication today. Students will demonstrate both verbal and nonverbal skills through a variety of professional documents such as letters, memos, email and reports. Special emphasis is placed on good news, bad news, and persuasive messages using the psychological approach to writing.

Prerequisites: ENG 101 Credit: 3 Semester Hours Lecture: 3 Lab: 0 Method of Delivery: Online

Course Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able Institutional Student to… Learning Outcomes Glo bal An Aw Pers Co alyt are onal mm ic nes Res uni Rea s & pon cati son Res sibil on ing pon ity Course Objectives sibi lity 1 Demonstrate effective written communication skills by preparing good news, bad news, persuasive, and employment messages using the psychological x x approach to writing. 2 Demonstrate effective oral communication by presenting before a live x audience. 3 Incorporate technology using best practices in both written and oral forms of communication. x

4 Develop interpersonal skills by working and functioning in a team environment. x

5 Be aware of and be able to discuss a variety of current business communication topics. x

Topical Outline

1. Origins of Written Communication 2. Forms of Communication 3. The Communications Process 4. Ethics and Communication 5. Culture and Communication 6. Barriers to Intercultural Communication 7. Communicating in Teams/Workplace 8. Nonverbal Communication 9. Leader Characteristics 10. Group Characteristics 11. Functional Barriers to Communication 12. Organizational Communication 13. Empathetic Communication 14. Grammar and Empathy 15. Effective Business Writing Techniques 16. Organizing a Message 17. Good News Messages-Deductive Approach 18. Bad News Messages-Inductive Approach 19. Persuasive Messages-Inductive Approach 20. Resumes and Cover Letters, and Interviewing

Last Day to Withdraw With A Grade of “W” Contact the Registrar since this is an 8 week course. Final Exam Date and Time No final exam for this course during final exam week. A short post-assessment quiz will be given during the last few weeks of your course prior to final exam week. Methods of Assessment X Exams and/or Quizzes X Written Assignments X Oral Assignments _ Case Studies _ Surveys _ Other COURSE POLICIES

Online Quizzes & Exams

To take your online quiz/exam:

Login at http://rvceagle.instructure.com

You are responsible for providing yourself with RELIABLE Internet access. If in doubt, you may complete quizzes & exams in the WTC lab during their business hours. Should you momentarily lose power or your Internet connection, simply log back in immediately once power/connection is restored and pick up where you left off. Please note, timed exams/quizzes will continue to count down and will expire so time is of the essence. If you are unable to log back in, the results will auto submit once time expires and what you had completed will be submitted and graded. If you do not attempt the exam/quiz by the deadline, a zero will be recorded for that assignment. (no make-ups permitted) You may want to mark important deadlines such as quizzes and exams on your personal calendar. E-Mail

E-mail the instructor using RVC EAGLE mail from within your course.

Late Work

All work must be completed and submitted by the due date & time indicated on your weekly outline or specified by the instructor. Late work will not be accepted for credit.

Grading Grading Scale

100-90 A 89-80 B 79-70 C 69-60 D 59-0 F

Note: .5 or higher rounds up .4 or lower rounds down.

Grade Access

Grades are accessible from with RVC EAGLE as they become available. Click on the Report tab in Eagle to run a grade report.

College Policy on Academic Honesty Standards and Prodedures

Academic Honesty Statement:

The faculty and administration expect that RVC students are enrolled in courses as serious and honorable scholars. Furthermore, students are expected to do their own, original work, except when collaboration on projects is directed by faculty as part of the course or specific assignment. Students are expected to observe the commonly accepted standards of academic honesty at all times.

Students who commit any of the forms of academic dishonesty as outlined in the RVC Student Handbook are subject to the penalties and sanctions agreed upon by the Faculty and Administration of Rock Valley College. Detailed procedures regarding academic dishonesty are given in the RVC Student Handbook. In addition to the penalty assigned by a faculty member, a report of the alleged violation and assigned penalty will be made to the Dean of Students Office. Notification of Services for Students with Disabilities

If you have a documented disability and would like to request accommodation and/or academic adjustments, please contact the Disability Support Services office. You should make contact as soon as a need for accommodation is known so that implementation can occur as soon as possible. The Disability Support Services Office is on the lower level of the Student Center. The telephone number for this office is 815-921-2371 v/tty.

Electronic Devices Policy

Electronic devices may be used in the classroom as long as they are being used for academic purposes and/or are an approved accommodation for a documented disability.

Advising Service

Business division faculty will be available to meet with interested students to assist with scheduling, graduation review, and to answer general questions about the business program degrees and career opportunities associated with the degrees.

We recommend that you email the faculty member with whom you would like to meet with the desired day and time of meeting. The faculty member will then contact you to confirm the appointment.

Please be prepared when you attend the meeting with the faculty member. If you have a list of courses you have taken to date it is advisable to bring this information to the meeting.

Disclaimer

Circumstances may require some changes to this syllabus.