The Seal of Caldwell College

LORI K. HARRIS-RANSOM JD, MA

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

OF BUSINESS LAW

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DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

SPRING 2001

BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS (BU110-025) 

PROFESSOR:           Dr. Lori K. Harris-Ransom

TIME:                        Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00-10:50

ROOM:                      4223

OFFICE HOURS:            Monday, Wednesday, Thursday   9:00-10:00

                                    Thursday 12:00-1:00

OFFICE:                     4237

OFFICE PHONE:            973-618-3517

OFFICE FAX:   973-618-3355

                                    732-254-2694

EMAIL:                      HARRISRANSOM@MSN.COM

                                    LRANSOM@CALDWELL.EDU

 

 

REQUIRED RESOURCES: Thill, John V. and Courtland L. Bovee.  Excellence in Business Communications.  5th.  New York:  McGraw-Hill.  2002.   

The Wall Street Journal 

Norton Connect.Web

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This writing intensive course will identify the various business communications and relevant technologies utilized in the business environment.  Emphasis will be placed on report planning and the development process utilizing the internet, email and presentation software.  The specific mechanics utilized in developing business communications will be explored, including audience identification, proper formatting, style and oral presentation skills.   Emphasis is placed on the integration of technology in facilitating business communications.

This course is completely “paperless”.  Norton Connect.Web software will be used to complete assignments.  In addition, students will utilize the Internet, email, project management and presentation software. 

Students are required to utilize various methods to improve writing skills including, but not limited to:  proofreading, editing and revising. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 

·         To provide students with the fundamental tools and skills to communicate effectively and efficiently in writing and orally in the business environment.

·         To familiarize students with relevant business communication technologies including the Internet, presentation and project management software and email. 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: 

·         Attendance is required. Three (3) absences  will result in a grade reduction.

·         Students are required to be prepared in advance of the scheduled session.  Students must be self-motivated and demonstrate initiative in preparing course assignments.  Class participation and discussion are strongly encouraged.  All of the above may be considered on a case by case basis to affect borderline grade situations.

·         Students are required to read The Wall Street Journal everyday, and give oral and 1 page, double-spaced typed written summaries of selected articles each week.  The original newspaper article is to be cited in the summary. 

·         All assignments must be double-spaced and completed in Norton Connect.Web, unless otherwise indicated..  Late assignments will not be accepted and the student will receive an “F” grade for that assignment.  Assignments are due the Thursday of the week indicated on the syllabus. 

·         Students are strongly encouraged to revise assignments for a higher grade within 2 weeks of the original due date.  Only 1 revisions of the same assignment will be accepted. Students will receive "feeback" on the assignmnet submitted.  Students are to revise the assignment based on the feedback and resubmit the assignment for a grade.  Not all assignments will receive a letter grade.

·         Some students may be required to work with a writing tutor in the writing lab of the Learning Center.

·         Students are required to maintain all assignments on computer disk and upload the assignment to ConnectWeb.

COURSE EVALUATION:

Students will be evaluated based on homework assignments, two (2) projects, the oral presentations and written Wall Street Journal summaries.  Students will also be evaluated based on team participation during the report project.  Homework assignments will randomly graded.  Final grade is calculated as follows:

        Individual chapter assignments submitted on time    50%

        Team assignments submitted on time                            20%

        Oral Presentations                                                               20%

        Wall Street Journal written and oral assignments          10%

COURSE SYLLABUS

(subject to change) 

WEEK                                                TOPIC 

Aug 25                       Course Overview, Foundations of Business Communications 

Assignment

1.     Read Appendix C

2.     Read Chapters 1,3

3.     One (1) page letter introducing yourself to me, including:  Your major, career goals, expectations from this course, how you think this course will help you in your career, and any other relevant information you wish to share. 

Sept 1                       Planning, Organizing, Composing and Revising Business Messages 

Assignment

1.     Read Chapters 4,5,6

2.    Doc For Anal p. 129

3.     Ex 5.6, 5.9,5.10,5.11,5.16,5.17 pp. 130-131

5.     Doc For Anal 6.A p.155

6.    EX 6.3,6.4,6.6,6.8,6.9,6.10 pp. 156-157

7.     Wall Street Journal written and oral summary 

Sept 8            Continue

 Sept 15             Letters, Memorandum  and E-Mail

Assignment:

1.      Read Chapters 7,8,9

2.      Doc 7A p. 188

3.      Visit and send me http://www.american greetings.com/index.pd one :-) via regular email.

4.      Cases 4 p. 191 Include the link to an actual e-commerce retailer.

5.      Wall Street Journal written and oral summary. 

Sept 22                        Reports and Proposals:  Short Reports 

Assignment:

1.     Read Chapter  10 (EBC)

2.     Doc For anal p. 311

3.     Ex 10-8 p. 313.  Visit the library in person or at http://jenninglibrary.caldwell.edu

4.     Ex 10-9 p. 313.  You may select your own fields if an area of personal interest is not on the list.

5.  Ex 10-11 p. 313.  Access Mergent from the Caldwell College library website to access this on-line business database for this research.

6.     Wall Street Journal written and oral summary 

Sept 29                        Reports and Proposals:  Planning and Writing Long Reports 

Assignment:

1.     Read Chapters 2,11 

2.  Cases 1 p. 354

3.  Cases 2 p. 355.  Attend any club or organization meeting, conference, workshop or session here at Caldwell College for this assignment.

4.  Cases 5 p. 355

5.     Report topics Due:  Select any business related topic.  Your report must include  a graphic depiction, internet research, primary and secondary research, an executive summary, proper citations and must not exceed 10 double-spaced word processing pages.  This is a team project.  Your project group consists of 3 members.

6.     Wall Street Journal written and oral summary. 

Oct 6

Assignment:  

1.  Read Chapter 12

2.     Rough draft of Work Plans due.  Microsoft Project must be used in planning your report generating process.  IMPORTANT:  Send Microsoft Project chart by regular email, separate fromthe Work Plan.

3.     Wall Street Journal written and oral summary. 

Oct 13                Continue

Oct 20

Assignment:

1.     Final draft of Work Plans due  

2.  Rough draft of survey questionnaire due

3.     Wall Street Journal written and oral summary. 

Oct 27 

Assignment:

1. Final draft of survey questionnaire due  

2.  Administer suvvey questionnaires

3.  Individual Interium Progress Reports due

4.     Wall Street Journal written and oral summary. 

Nov 3            Continue

Nov 10 

Assignment:

1.     Rough draft of report due.  

2.  Read Appendix C

3.     Wall Street Journal written and oral summary. 

Nov 17            Continue

Nov 24 

Assignment:

1.    Final draft of report due

2.   Performance evaluations due

3.  Oral Presentations:  Must include PowerPoint

4.     Wall Street Journal written and oral summary. 

Dec 1 

Assignment:

1.     Oral presentations:  Must include PowerPoint

2     Wall Street Journal written and oral summary. 

Dec 8 

1.     Read Chapter 14,15

2.  Rough draft resume due

3.  Final draft resume due

4.  Post your resume on-line p. 465.  Go to www.prenhall.com/thill, Chap 14 and select "student resources".