Course Design Guide COM/285 Version 3

Course Design Guide

School of Business COM/285 Version 3 Introduction to Business Communication
Copyright 2010, 2009, 2008 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.

Course Description This course introduces students to the foundations of communication in a business setting. Students are exposed to various topics related to interpersonal and group communication within the context of applications in an office or virtual office setting. Students will develop skills in the forms of written communication, including memos, e-mails, business letters, and reports. Communication ethics and cross-cultural communications are also explored. Upon completing the course, students will have an awareness of their personal communication style and be able to identify areas for further exploration of communication as a business skill. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum.

University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Locker, K. O., & Kienzler, D. S. (2008). Business and administrative communication (8th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill. All electronic materials are available on the student website.

Week One: Business Communication Concepts

Details
Objectives 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Describe the managerial functions of communication. Identify various message types. Analyze the characteristics of effective messages. Explain the audiences effect on communication.

Due

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Readings

Read this weeks Weekly Overview. Read Ch. 13 of Business and Administrative Communication. Read this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Read the following items, available at http://ecampus.phoenix.edu: Learning Team Handbook Guide to Charter Learning Team Charter Learning Team Log Learning Team Evaluation 4 out of 7 days 1.25

Participation

Participate in class discussion. Participation is very important as it contributes to the overall learning and enjoyment of the class. For full participation credit, student/learners are required to contribute two substantive discussion messages at least four days each week in the Main Forum. Participation will not be required during the final week. Participation consists of messages sent above and beyond graded assignments. Both quantity and quality are important considerations when posting substantive messages. For example, "I agree does not constitute participation because it does not add anything of substance to the discussion. In order to earn full participation points, the messages must be related to the course topics for the week and include new ideas, personal perspectives and examples, or poignant follow-up questions. Students must post the full requirements of participation Respond to weekly discussion questions.

Discussion Questions

All 3 DQs are due on Day 3 (Thursda y) 7th Day Week 1 (Monday)

1.25

Individual Business Communication Trends Paper

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper describing current trends in business communication. Address: What role does business communication play in your day-today activities at work? How does it help you manage your daily

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work activities? What trends have you seen in your current or previous workplaces? What message types result from these trends?

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Required: at least one reference

Week Two: Interpersonal and Group Communication

Details
Objectives 2.1 Identify ways to foster positive group communication. 2.2 Identify strategies to increase positive cross-cultural communication. 2.3 Compare and contrast individual and group communication. 2.4 Analyze the advantages and disadvantages of using technology for communication. Read this weeks Weekly Overview. Read Ch. 13 & 14 of Business and Administrative Communication. Review this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Participation is very important as it contributes to the overall learning and enjoyment of the class. For full participation credit, student/learners are required to contribute two substantive discussion messages at least four days each week in the Main Forum. Participation will not be required during the final week. Participation consists of messages sent above and beyond graded assignments. Both quantity and quality are important considerations when posting substantive messages. For example, "I agree does not constitute participation because it does not add anything of substance to the discussion. In order to earn full participation points, the messages must be related to the course topics for the week and include new ideas, personal 4 out of 7 days 1.25

Due

Points

Readings

Participation

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perspectives and examples, or poignant follow-up questions. Students must post the full requirements of participation Discussion Questions Respond to weekly discussion questions. All 3 DQs are due on Day 3 Thursday 1.25

Learning Team Instructions Individual Audience Analysis Paper

Resource: Learning Team Chater Complete the Learning Team Charter. Submit for faculty approval. Write a 1,050- to 1,200-word paper addressing a situation in which you are called on to present quarterly sales information at an inperson meeting to a group of stakeholders, including managers, salespeople, and customers. Knowing communication must always be designed with the audience in mind, answer: What characteristics of the audience must you consider? What communication channels are appropriate? Explain. What are some considerations to keep in mind given the diversity of the audience? How do you ensure your message is effective? Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Required: at least one reference 7th Day Week 2 (Monday) 10

Week Three: Business Writing

Details
Objectives 3.1 Describe the steps in various business writing. 3.2 Compare and contrast business and academic writing. 3.3 Create documents in various business formats. Read this weeks Weekly Overview.

Due

Points

Readings

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Read Ch. 46 & 10 of Business and Administrative Communication. Review this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participation Participate in class discussion. Participation is very important as it contributes to the overall learning and enjoyment of the class. For full participation credit, student/learners are required to contribute two substantive discussion messages at least four days each week in the Main Forum. Participation will not be required during the final week. Participation consists of messages sent above and beyond graded assignments. Both quantity and quality are important considerations when posting substantive messages. For example, "I agree does not constitute participation because it does not add anything of substance to the discussion. In order to earn full participation points, the messages must be related to the course topics for the week and include new ideas, personal perspectives and examples, or poignant follow-up questions. Students must post the full requirements of participation Respond to weekly discussion questions. 4 out of 7 days 1.25

Discussion Questions

All 3 DQs are due on Day 3 Thursday

1.25

Nongraded Activities and Preparation

Resource: Business Communications Online website, located at http://www.mhhe.com/business/buscom/bcommonline/ Access the Business Communications Online website and click Business Around the World on the lower left of the page. Click each region on the map and read the information displayed for countries in each region. Select one country to research from each of the three different regions. Search the Internet for additional information on the countries business communication practices. Resource: University of Phoenix Material: Cross-Cultural Communication Matrix Complete the Cross-Cultural Communication Matrix using the 7th Day Week 3 (Monday) 5

Individual Cross-Cultural Communication Matrix

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information on the countries you gathered in the activity. Write three to four sentences for each item on the matrix. Include APA-formatted references on a separate page. Learning Team Learning Team Charter Analysis Resource: Learning Team Charter Write a 2,100- to 2,800-word analysis of the Learning Team Charter. Discuss: In your own words, define group communication in three to five sentences. How does group communication differ from individual communication? Discuss strategies to promote individual and group communication. Does the section in the charter on dispute resolution have enough information? What do you include to provide stronger strategies? Has the team provided effective strategies for fostering team communication? Provide examples of how to implement these strategies. Discuss two to three technologies you might utilize to facilitate group communication. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using each? Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Required: at least one reference 7th Day Week 3 (Monday) 15

Week Four: Laws and Ethics in Communication

Details
Objectives 4.1 Identify laws relating to employees and communication privacy. 4.2 Analyze workplace communication policies regarding privacy and ethics. 4.3 Apply appropriate e-mail etiquette.

Due

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4.4 Create documents to deliver difficult messages. Readings Read this weeks Weekly Overview. Read Ch. 11 of Business and Administrative Communication. Review this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate in class discussion. Participation is very important as it contributes to the overall learning and enjoyment of the class. For full participation credit, student/learners are required to contribute two substantive discussion messages at least four days each week in the Main Forum. Participation will not be required during the final week. Participation consists of messages sent above and beyond graded assignments. Both quantity and quality are important considerations when posting substantive messages. For example, "I agree does not constitute participation because it does not add anything of substance to the discussion. In order to earn full participation points, the messages must be related to the course topics for the week and include new ideas, personal perspectives and examples, or poignant follow-up questions. Students must post the full requirements of participation Respond to weekly discussion questions. 4 out of 7 days. 1.25

Participation

Discussion Questions

All 3 DQs are due on Day 3 Thursday 7th Day Week 4 (Monday

1.25

Individual Business Writing Portfolio

Suppose you are part of the following scenario: You are a public relations manager who must present information regarding changes in retail store operations to three sets of stakeholders of a retail clothing chain. The stakeholders are store managers, employees, retail customers, and the public. You must explain adjustments that allow employees to come to work on fewer days a week in an effort to combat rising gas prices and save money on store operations. Stores close on Sundays. On Monday through Saturday, stores open an hour later and close an hour earlier. Full-time employees, including managers, work four 10-hour days a week.

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Part-time employees consolidate their hours in 1-, 2-, or 3-day workweeks, depending on how many hours they are scheduled to work. No stores are closing, and no new stores are opening. While constructing your messages, determine the characteristics of your audience and consider the appropriate communication type and style for each audience. Complete Part I: Business Writing Steps. Outline the steps you must take in drafting the three business communications. The outline may take the form of a list, a flowchart, or a web diagram. Complete Part II: Portfolio. Write three messages by selecting one message format for each audience. Explain the changes in the retail store operations. The three messages contain potentially negative information; address the information presented in the scenario so your audience might perceive it in a positive way. Audiences Store managers Store employees Retail customers and the public Message Formats A business letter A business memo An e-mail message

Complete Part III: Reflection. Write a 200- to 300-word reflection on your writing, and compare and contrast the business writings in this assignment with academic papers you have completed. Submit the Business Writing Steps, Portfolio, and Reflection to your facilitator as one attachment.

Week Five: Reports and Presentations

Details
Objectives 5.1 Identify skills needed to deliver effective oral presentations. 5.2 Create a written report.

Due

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Readings

Read this weeks Weekly Overview. Read Ch. 1517 of Business and Administrative Communication. Review this weeks Electronic Reserve Readings. Participate is not required for week 5. There wll be no discussion questions due in week 5. Write a 1,050- to 1,200-word report addressing e-mail, Internet use, and privacy policies. Answer: What are the e-mail use, Internet use, and privacy policies at your job? What are the current laws regulating employee e-mail and Internet privacy? Why do companies implement e-mail and Internet use policies? What assumptions might employees make about their privacy at work? How do these policies affect employee privacy at work? Required: at least one reference 7th Day Week 5 (Monday) 10

Participation Discussion Questions Individual Employee Privacy Report

Individual Final Examination

Resource: Business and Administrative Communication Click the link to the Final Examination on the student website available from the end of Week Four through the end of Week Five. Complete the Final Examination. You are allowed one attempt to complete the exam, which is timed and must be completed in 3 hours. Results are auto-graded and sent to your facilitator. Create a 10- to 15-slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation on the subject of oral presentation best practices. Utilize information gathered from your text and online resources. Include, but do not limit content, to slide-formatting, organization, and presentation skills.

7th Day Week 5 (Monday)

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Learning Team Oral Presentation

7th Day Week 5 (Monday)

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Include APA-formatted citations on a slide titled References. Prepare to present to the class.

Copyright
University of Phoenix is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Final exams contain third-party copyrighted materials. Portions are: Copyright 2010 University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010 McGraw-Hill. All rights reserved. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix editorial standards and practices.