NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY

Center of Excellence in higher Education

The first private university in Bangladesh
School of Business
Department of Management
Course Name:
Course Code
& Section No:
Semester:

Business Communication
BUS 251

Section 1

Fall 2014

INSTRUCTOR & DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

1. Instructor Name:

Kashfah Khan Chowdhury (Kdc)

2. Office

NAC 703

3. Office Hours:
4. Office Phone:

Mondays & Wednesdays 1330-1430, 1800-1830;

Sundays and Tuesdays: 1030-1115, 1300-1430,1800-1830
1740

5. Email Address:

kashfah@northsouth.edu

6. Department:

Marketing & International Business

7. Links:

North South University Website: http://www.northsouth.edu

School of Business Website: http://www.northsouth.edu/academic/sob/

COURSE & SECTION INFORMATION

Class Time &
Location

Sundays and Tuesdays, 1620-1750, NAC 506

Course Prerequisite(s)

ENG103

Course Credit Hours

3:0

Course Description

Modern Business Management is all about communicating effectively. Evidence of the

importance of communication in business is found in numerous surveys of executives,
managers, and recruiters. Without exception these surveys have found that
communication ranks at or near the top of the business skills needed for success.
Understanding the importance of realistic business communication process with real
life business scenarios.
Adapting writing processes considering different business situations and selecting
appropriate words in those scenarios through examples.
Helping the students in learning the differences between formal and informal writing
techniques by providing samples of formal and informal emails, letters, memos and
reports.
The course deals with explanation of why communicating clearly across cultures is
important to business though case studies.
Helping students constructing their CV and resume through real life samples and
preparing them for job interviews and public speaking.
Students are expected to learn different methods of communication in an
organization
They will be able to communicate effectively in oral and written messages to
enhance goodwill of the organization;
Students will be able to write clearly and convey ideas and decisions effectively;

Course Objectives

Student Learning
Outcomes

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They will be able to present their ideas coherently and effectively through
presentations;
They will be able to write detailed formal reports with graphics;
Students will be able to construct proper CV/Resume for job applications.

LEARNING RESOURCES AND TEXTBOOK(S)

Text Book(s)
Author

Edition & Year

Title

Kathryn Rentz &

Paula Lentz

Lesikars Business
Communication

Thirteenth
Edition (2014)

Excellence in Business
Communication

Seventh
Edition

Publisher

McGraw-Hill
Irwin

ISBN

978-1-259-06080-9

REFERENCE BOOK
Courtland L.
Bovee & John V.
Thill

TEACHING STRATEGY
Instructor will introduce the concepts through class lectures and discuss various aspects of the concept with
examples. Students are strongly advised to go through different chapters of the text book carefully to keep
themselves abreast of the discussions in class. Practical examples of different business communication situations
will be explained and students will be invited to participate.
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND GRADING SCHEME
Grading tool
Points
15%

First Midterm Exam

Second Midterm Exam

15%

Group Report and Presentation/s

25%

Assignments/Quizzes

15%

Final Exam

25%

Attendance

5%
100%

Total

The final grade will be a percentage of the accumulation of all points received over the course as follow as per
NSU Grading Policy:
100%-93%
92%-90%
89%-87%
86%-83%
82%-80%

= A
= A= B+
= B
= B-

79%-77%
76%-73%
72%-70%
69%-67%

=
=
=
=

C+
C
CD+

60%-66%
Less than 60%

CLASS ROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1.

Cellular phones should be turned off/Silent mode during the class.

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=D
=F

2. Students are advised to frequently refer to the Student Handbook of North South University on the
following link:
http://www.northsouth.edu/student-code-of-conduct.html
3. Academic Integrity Policy:
Academic dishonesty of any type will be punished as per NSU Rules. This includes, but is not limited to,
plagiarism (copying others work -- in part or in total) and copying during exams. In addition, classroom
etiquette is to be maintained at all times. This means that when the Instructor is speaking or when
students are presenting their ideas, the class should listen carefully. Questions from students are always
welcome, but chattering or whispering among class members causing distraction are not allowed.
Talking or other forms of communication with other students will not be allowed during exams. The no
talking requirement will remain in force during the exam and until all students have handed their exam
scripts to the instructor. Talking during the exam will disqualify the student from taking the exam. Any
student engaging in misconduct will be dealt with according to North South University's Student Code of
Conduct.
EXAMS, QUIZ & MAKE UP POLICY

There will be two Midterm Exams each bearing 15% marks. The Final Exam will carry 25% marks. The
remaining 45% are distributed to assignments and Group Reports.
Students will submit written assignments on designated dates. Late submission of assignments will be
penalized.

Make-up exams for the two Midterms may be allowed, provided there are sufficient convincing reasons.
There will be no make-up exams of the Final Exam.

All Exams will be based on broad questions. Students will be required to write short essay-type answers
reflecting their proficiency in English language. There will be no Exam based on multiple-choice-questions
(MCQ).

Cell phones are prohibited in exam sessions.

GROUP ASSIGNMENT (GROUP SHOULD HAVE 5/6

MEMBERS )

Class will be divided into groups of 5/6 students at the beginning of the semester. Each group will be assigned
a topic to write a short dissertation/report. This will enable students to interact among themselves and
develop cooperative team work culture, which is essential for the success of an organization. The group will
present the report verbally at the end of the semester. The topics will be drawn from communication issues
in different organizations.

INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVIEW

Students will be given topics in the class and have to present on the spot for individual presentations. They
will also face a real life job interview scenario individually in a designated class which will be announced by
the instructor.
LATE ASSIGNMENT POLICY

Students failing to submit their class assignments or group reports on schedule will be penalized.

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ATTENDANCE POLICY

In order to foster a collaborative learning experience where shared student participation is important,
attendance is critical. There may be situations when a student may miss class due to illness or an emergency. In
such cases, students are still responsible to ensure that assignments are submitted on time. Arriving late for class
is a gross violation of discipline and etiquette. Late entrants into class disrupt normal flow of discussion of the
class. Instructor can debar a late student from attending class. North South University stipulates that students
who are absent 25% or more from their classes will be considered failed, even if such absences are excusable.

COURSE ADJUSTMENTS
The instructor can make adjustments in the Course, keeping the overall objective of the Course in mind.

Communication Policy
Instructor may use SMS to communicate with students. Students are required to submit their mobile numbers
and email address at the beginning of the semester.
APPROPRIATE USE POLICY

All members of the North South University community must use electronic communications in a responsible
manner. The University may restrict the use of its computers and network systems for electronic communications
subject to violations of university policies/codes or local laws or national laws. Also, the university reserves the
right to limit access to its networks through university-owned or other computers, and to remove or limit access
to material posted on university-owned computers.
Students With Special Needs

North South University will provide special attention to the requirements of students with disabilities. Students
with disabilities are encouraged to contact their instructors to ensure that their needs are met. The University
through its Special Need section will exert all efforts to accommodate special needs.
STUDENTS COMPLAINTS POLICY

Students at North South University have the right to pursue complaints related to faculty, staff, and other
students. The nature of the complaints may be either academic or non-academic. For more information about
the policy and processes related to this policy, students may refer to the students handbook.

Course Contents
BUS 251
Business Communication for Managers
The following is the outline of Course for the Fall 2014 Semester. Please obtain the textbook as quickly as
possible and read the first chapter before attending the first class. Please note that Course Outline is indicative
and is subject to change as the semester progresses. Students will be informed whenever there are changes.

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Course Outline
Topics
1

Understanding work place communication

Chapter 1

2.

Adapting Your Words to your Readers

Chapter 3

3.

Constructing clear sentences and paragraphs

Chapter 4

4.

Writing for a positive effect

Chapter 5

Choosing the Best Process and Form

Chapter 6

First Mid Term Exam ( on the above Chapters)

6.

Getting to the Point in Good-News and Neutral Messages

Chapter 7

7.

Maintaining Goodwill in Bad-News Messages

Chapter 8

8.

Preparing Informative and Influential Business Reports

Chapter 11

9.

Conducting a winning job campaign

Chapter 10

10.

Handling interviews, Business Communication etiquette

Chapter 10

11.

Second Mid Term Exam ( On the above Chapters)

12.

Communicating across Cultures

Chapter 2

13.

Making Your Case with Persuasive Messages and Proposals

Chapter 9

14.

Communicating Effectively in Meetings and Conversations

Chapter 15

15.

Delivering Oral Reports and Business Speeches

Chapter 16

FINAL EXAM
Course Plan:
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Session 5
Session 6
Session 7
Session 8
Session 9
Session 10
Session 11
Session 12
Session 13
Session 14
Session 15
Session 16
Session 17
Session 18
Session 19
Session 20
Session 21
Session 22
Session 23
Session 24

Introduction of the course, Basic concepts of workplace business communication

Session 1 contd.
Adapting words according to readers and Group formation for Report.
Session 3 contd. And in-class assignment on adaptation of words.
Constructing clear sentences and paragraphs.
In-class discussion on essay and paragraph formats.
Writing for a positive effect.
Choosing the best process and form.
Analysis of examples i.e. messages, emails, letters.
Midterm exam 1
Getting to the point in Good-News and neutral messages.
Session 11 contd. And discussion on group report.
Maintaining goodwill in Bad-News messages.
Preparing informative and influential business reports.
Conducting a winning job campaign.
Handling interviews, Business communication etiquette.
Session 16 contd. And in-class assignment on interviews.
Midterm Exam 2
Individual presentations.
Making your case with persuasive messages and proposals.
Communicating effectively in meetings and conversations.
Delivering oral reports and business speeches.
Communicating across Cultures.
Report submission and Group presentations.

Topic Outline:

Hours/Minutes

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(or % of a 3-hour Course)

I. Introduction to Business Communication Principles
A. Workplace communication methods
B. Writing for building relationship in the organization
C. Adaptation of different forms of writing

10.5

II. Writing Methods in the Business Environment

A. Message writing
B. Business reports
C. Job applications

10.5

III. Role of Communication in Job Recruitment

A. Handling interviews
B. Cover letter/CV
C. Presentation methods

15

IV. Communicating Outside the Business

A. Culture
B. Proposal
C. Public speech

V. Related Topic
A. Referencing

1.5

Total Sessions (coverage hours)

46.5

Summary of UG CPC Topics Covered in this Course:

Hours/Minutes
(or % of a 3-Hour Course)

a. Marketing
d. Management
e. Legal Environment of Business
f. Business Ethics
h. Global Dimensions of Business
i. Information System
j. Quantitative Techniques
l. Comprehensive or Integrating Experience
Total Estimated CPC Coverage Hours

1
3
1
1
1
1
2
46.5
56.5

The instructor reserves the right to change the above outline at her
discretion.

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