SYLLABUS--BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 300

(BCOM 300)

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS WRITING

PREREQUISITE	Upper Division; Ability to Input Data
PROFESSOR	Dr. Nelda H. Spinks
OFFICE	141 O.K. Allen Hall
OFFICE HOURS	To be announced in class
DATE/TIME:	Spring Session, 1998--11:00 TT
MEETING PLACE	195 F.G. Mouton Hall
VOICE MAIL	(318) 482-6659
E-MAIL	nspinks@ibm.net or nspinks@usl.edu
WEB PAGE	http://www.geocities.com/WallStreet/1901 /index.html http://cobweb.usl.edu/users/nhs9281 http://suze.ucs.usl.edu/~nhs9281

TEXT:	Vik, G.N., Wilkinson, C.W. and Wilkinson, D.C. WRITING AND SPEAKING IN BUSINESS, Tenth Edition, Irwin Publishing, Inc., l990.
AUXILIARY TEXT:	Clark, J.L. and Clark, L.R. A HANDBOOK FOR BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, Wadsworth Publishing Company, 1994.
SUPPLIES:	Two scantron answer sheets. (Due the first week of class.) Two computer disks, High Density--3½" One audiocassette tape for verbal résumé commentary. [Optional] One résumé folder with matching paper and mailing envelope. (Due last week of class.)
COURSE DESCRIPTION:	A study of effective business communication techniques with practical applications in the preparation of business letters and other documents, including letters of application and résumés. Includes use of computer software to analyze writing.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:	Students are expected to: General ¨ Apply analytical and problem solving skills in the preparation of effective written business communication. ¨ Apply strategies, theories, organizational techniques and principles needed to communicate effectively in business. ¨ Use concise, clear, concrete, and grammatically correct English. ¨ Understand and apply a variety of organizational formats for developing and presenting written business communication. ¨ Critique and proofread to correct grammatical, spelling, and typographical errors. Specific ¨ To compose good news messages. ¨ To compose bad news messages. ¨ To compose persuasive messages. ¨ To compose employment communication (application letters and résumés).

TOPICAL OUTLINE:

I. Basics of Business Communication

A. Preliminary Considerations; B. Using an Effective Style; C. Promoting Goodwill
II. Psychological Planning for Effectiveness: A. Good News and Neutral Messages; B. Disappointing News; C. Persuading in Selling; D. Effectively Selling Ideas and Services

III. Psychological Planning for Personal Services: A. Job Application Letters; B. Personal Résumés

¨ EVALUATION: Two examinations will be administered during the semester at the completion of a unit of study. The first two exams will be objective in nature--containing true-false and multiple choice questions; the final examination will include a letter of application and résumé, that will be due at the regular scheduled time. The exam questions (1st and 2nd exams) will be taken from class discussions, the textbook, videocassette and audiocassette tapes, and any outside readings assigned during the semester. (This will include material not in the textbook and all material in the textbook whether or not it was discussed in class.) The first two exams will use ScanTron sheets as answer sheets. Whenever students are absent, they should get the class notes from another student.

All assigned cases are required to be computer formatted. Assigned cases are due at the beginning of the class period on the assigned day. "Late Work" will receive one letter grade lower than the evaluation of the assignment. [Any late assignments may be evaluated and returned at the end of the semester, as prompt papers will be evaluated and returned first.] For the first two assigned cases, students may be given chances for revisions; however, late work will not get a chance for revision.

Evaluation Percentages: Cases (in and outside of class)	50%
Examinations (3)	50%
Grading Scale: 90-100 = A; 80-89 = B; 70-79 = C; 60-69 = D; 59 and below	F

¨ ATTENDANCE POLICY: Class attendance is regarded as an obligation as well as a privilege, and all students are expected to attend regularly and punctually all classes in which they are enrolled. The class professor keeps a permanent attendance record for the class; these records are subject to inspection by appropriate College or University officials. When a student accumulates justified or unjustified class absences which are considered excessive--a minimum of three--the professor may recommend to the student's academic dean that the student be withdrawn from the rolls of that class and given an appropriate grade of "W." If the student chooses not to withdraw from the course, the professor will award a grade of "F" to the student at the end of the semester.

¨ ACADEMIC HONESTY: The Code of Student Conduct will be followed in this class. Any student who cheats or plagiarizes will be given a grade of "F" on that test or paper and possibly a grade of "F" for the course.

¨ EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES: A map of this floor is posted near the elevator marking the evacuation route and the Designated Rescue Area. This is an area where emergency service personnel will go first to look for individuals who need assistance in exiting the building. Students who may need assistance should identify themselves to the teaching faculty. [Approved by University Council 11/29/93.]