lOMoARcPSD|4728872

BRAC Institute of Languages (BIL)

BRAC University
UB- 14th Floor

Course Outline
Business and Human Communication (BUS-201)
Fall – 2013
Course Instructor Contact
Jerry Cornelius Cardoza jerry@bracu.ac.bd

Course Description:

The primary objective of Business and Human Communication is to introduce students to the various forms
of written and oral communication that are essential in real-life business situations or in our personal lives.
This course will mainly focus on the contemporary aspects of business communication in the work-place in
particular, and businesses in general and will cover business writings such as business letters, memos,
persuasive messages, reports, proposals and examine what sort of tone, language and style should be
adhered to whilst doing so. The course also covers aspects of formal business presentations highlighting the
language, dos and don’ts and the appropriate usage of visuals and multimedia in presentations. The course
will teach the students report writing skills first and then they will be assessed by an assignment.
Furthermore, students will be taught the format and languages needed to write résumé and cover letters
followed by mock interview sessions in groups. Newspaper clips, videos and guest lecturers’ sharing their
practical experiences would also add value to the learning process during the course.

Recommended Text:
 Business Communication Essential by Courtland & Bovee, John & Thill and Barbara &
Schatzman, 7th Edition.
 Lesikar’s Business Communication Connecting in a Digital World by Rentz, Flatley and Lentz,
12th Edition

Mode of Instruction: Interactive Lectures, assignments and take home projects, interactive class sessions,
interactive discussion of guest lecturer, video presentations and discussions centered on contemporary
issues on communication.
COURSE POLICIES and OBLIGATIONS
 Students have to maintain 70% class attendance. Students are not allowed to enter the class 10
minutes after the class starts.
 If any student fails to attend classes due to physical illness or any unavoidable circumstances,
then s/he must submit an application immediately to the course teacher stating the situation with
medical reports approved by BRACU medical officer and a guardian’s signature. However, this
application will not be taken as an excuse for absence; it is just for keeping record.
 Students must avoid PLAGIARISM, copying any kind of written or oral words and ideas of
others without proper acknowledgement. Student found guilty of plagiarism will face serious
consequences.
 There will be no make-up exam for the quizzes.
 If any student fails to sit for Writing Final Examination or Final Speaking Presentation, s/he will
end up getting ‘F’ grade.

Break-down of Marks: The following table captures the break-down of marks that would be allotted for
the deliverables presented in the table below.

MARKS DISTRIBUTION
Topic Percentage Remarks
Class Attendance and participation 05
Quiz 10
Assignments 10
Mid-term 20
Mid-term Presentation 10
Final Exam 30
Final Report (in group) 10
Final presentation 05
Total 100%

The Delivery Plan may be changed depending upon the needs of the students.
Delivery Plan

Week Class No. Class Contents

1 1 Ice breaker, Introduction to the course and Do’s and don’ts of professional grooming
2 Need Analysis and Understanding Business Communication in Today’s Workplace
3 Communicating in Teams and Mastering Listening and Nonverbal Communication Skills
2
4 Planning Business Messages for Better Organization
5 Cross-Cultural Communication in Global Business
3
6 Writing Business Messages for a Positive Effect
7 Working with Letters, Memos, and E-Mail Messages
4
8 Quiz 1 & Forming groups for Midterm Presentation
9 Writing Routine, Good-News, and Goodwill Messages
5
10 Writing Bad-News Messages (Assignment-1)
11 Writing Persuasive Messages
6
12 Revision for the Mid Term
7 13 Mid Term Presentation (Feedback on presentation)
14 Writing Mid Term
15 Writing and Completing Business Reports and Proposals
16 Business Reports and forming groups for Final Report & Final Presentation
9 17 Planning, Writing and Completing Oral Presentations
18 Searching and Preparing for Employment Messages
10 19 CV, Resume and Cover Letter (Assignment-2)
20 Quiz 2 & Preparing for the Final Report and Final Presentation
11 21 Interviewing for Employment and Following Up
22 Effective Presentation
12 23 Revision for Final Examination
24 Preparing Final Presentation
13 25 Final presentation
26 Final presentation