Frederick Community College

BU273 Business Communications (Online)

Spring Semester 2012

Class Begins: 1/30/12 Class Ends: 5/18/12 Last Day to Withdraw: 4/16/12

All students are expected to e-mail their instructor prior to the start date of their class submitting the Academic Honesty Pledge from the FCPS Website.

Instructor Information:

Name: Vivienne E. Werner	E-Mail: vwerner@frederick.edu
Work Telephone: 240-236-8200 Ext. 68377	Home Telephone Number: 301-620-4312 (leave message)
Online Office Hours: Wednesdays 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.	Campus Mail Box Number: #762
On Campus at: FCC Library by appointment only.	Room: L214 by previous appointment only.

Course Information:

Credits: 3

Last Day to Drop: April 16, 2012

First Day of Class: January 30, 2012

Last Day of Class: May 18, 2012

Prerequisites: EN50A & EN52 or

ESL95 & ESL99

Co-Requisites: None

Course Description:

The course emphasizes the theory and practice of oral, written, and interpersonal communications that are used in the digital workplace today. Classroom activities and assignments will focus on writing business correspondence and reports, planning and delivering effective proposals, presentations, and developing teamwork and collaboration skills.

Core Learning Outcomes:

By the completion of the course students will learn to:

Describe the process of communication.
Discuss barriers to interpersonal communication and the means of overcoming those barriers.
Identify the characteristics of successful teams.
Explain how to become an effective listener.
Present business topics using a variety of technological enhancements and visual aids.
Write and prepare various forms of business correspondence and reports.

Additional Outcomes:

Present business topics orally using a variety of technological enhancements.

Instructional Methods:

You will learn the core learning outcomes by doing the following:

Reading the textbook
Doing assignments and case studies that apply what you read in the textbook.
Creating different forms of written and voice communications
Participating in online discussions, critical thinking, and online team work
Current event analysis
Preparing and delivering one presentation
Completing four examinations, three will be administered online and the final examination will be administered at the Frederick Community College Testing Center.

Text for the Course:

“Business Communication,” 7^th Edition, by Mary Ellen Guffey, Mason OH: Thomson/Southwestern Publishing, 2011.

Progress Report:

Students will receive an e-mail assessment of their progress before

March 5, 2012.

Evaluation Methods:

Any assignment received after the due date will be evaluated in the following manner.

1-2 days* late – reduced one letter grade

3-5 days* late – reduced two letter grades

>5 days* - no credit for assignment

*(days will include weekends and holidays)

Note: No instructor will accept an entire semester’s worth of assignments the last week of class.

Topic

Type of Grade

Points Possible

Total

Week 1

Communicating at Work: Effective and Ethical Messages.

Discussion Board 1

Chapter 1

Text Assignments

Week 2

Professionalism:

Workplace Listening and Communications

Text Assignments

Chapter 2 Telephone Assignment 1

Week 3

Intercultural Communications

Text

Chapter 3

Discussion Board 2

Article 1

Test A

100

155

Week 4

Writing Process

Planning Business Messages

Text Assignments Chapter 4 &5

Article 2

Week 5

Organizing and Writing Business Messages and Revising

__________________

Week 6

Electronic Messages and Digital Media

Text Assignments

Chapter 6

Presentation Proposal

________________

Text

Assignments Chapter 7

WIKI Group Project

Article 2

_________________

_____________

Week 7

Positive Messages

Text Assignments

Chapter 8

Test B

100

120

Week 8

Negative Messages

Text Assignments

Chapter 9

Week 9

Persuasive and Sales Messages

Text Assignments

Chapter 10

Discussion Board 3

Week 10

Report and Research Basics

Text Assignments

Chapter 11

Oral Assignment 2

Week 11

Informal Business Reports

Text Assignments

Chapter 12

Article 3

Week 12

Informal Business Reports

Text Assignments Chapter 13

Presentation proposal

Test C

100

140

Week 13

Business Presentations

Text Assignments Chapter 14

Discussion Board 4

Week 14

The Job Search, Resumes, and Cover Letters.

Presentation

Text Assignments Chapter 15

Discussion Board 5

Your Presentation Presented

100

140

Week 15

Interviewing and Following Up.

Final Examination

Text

Assignments

Chapter 16

Resume

Course Evaluation

and Reflection

Test D

100

175

Total Points

1,210

Grading Scale:

Grade A*	A = 1089 -- 1210	90-100%
Grade B	B = 968 -- 1088	80-89%
Grade C	C = 906 -- 967	74-79%
Grade D	D = 730 -- 905	60-73%
Grade F	F = 729 and below	59% and below

*All assigned work for the course must be completed to achieve the grade of A.

Course Requirements:

Course requirements and specific test dates will be forwarded to students following their course registration. The textbook for the course may be purchased at the FCC college bookstore. Students are expected to maintain a dedicated notebook for this course. The material has been divided into fifteen lessons with accompanying textbook readings and assignments, three current events, one WIKI group project, two voice mail assignments, one presentation, five discussion board assignments and four major assessments. The final assessment to be held at the FCC Testing Center on Campus. Specific text/workbook assignments will appear in your Topical Outline.

Student Services:

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services Web Page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities Web Page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.

Participation Policy:

1. It is expected that students will participate fully in all course activities, this policy is designed to support your learning process.

2. Discussion Board opportunities are worth a maximum of 15 points each, and participation is mandatory. Original threads are 5 points, piggybacking on established threads 2 points each. Threads and add-ons must be appropriate to the course material. Comments such as: “I agree.” “Great!” will not count for points.

3. In case of serious illness, emergency, religious holidays, or participation in official college functions, students remain responsible for completing the requirements of the course.

4. WIKI project possible 50 points. Each posting worth 5 points, again comments must be appropriate to the course material. Comments such as: “I agree.” “Your idea is great!” “I second that thought.” will not count for points.

5. If participation components cannot be met due to serious illness, emergency, religious holidays, or participation in official college functions, make-up opportunities in different class participation formats will be made available to students.

Attendance Policy:

Students are expected to make contact with their instructor at least once per week using either the Cyber Café, located under the Discussion Board Category on Black Board, or via FCC e-mail. The discussion board assignments, and WIKI group project participation requires a minimum of two visits per week. All assessments, assignments, current events, discussion boards, and your class presentation must be completed to achieve excellence in this course.

Students must have completed all course requirements on, or before, May 18, 2012. Excused absences from strict due dates include: illness (with doctor’s note), emergencies, religious holidays, and official college functions.

If a problem with a due date is anticipated, arrangements must be made in advance with your instructor regarding the material to be submitted.

Introductory Information on Getting Started:

1. Print out a copy of the course syllabus and the schedule of assignments. It is always wise to keep a copy of this information handy “just in case” you are away from your computer and need to access this information.

2. Your readings and assignments will follow the Topical Outline.

3. Take an hour, or so, to practice navigating the online BlackBoard site, and use the handbook online for specific help in using the website.

4. Record your assigned Black Board username and password in a safe place. Both entries are necessary to login to the course site and to take quizzes and tests online.

5. Bookmark the login page so that you can quickly enter and exit the “classroom” at your convenience.

6. The FCC Computer Lab and Library Computers are available to provide you with easy access to the Internet and BlackBoard program. Check with FCC for their schedule of hours with the college.

Notes:*

Assessments should only be taken after the text/workbook assignments have been completed. Passwords will be obtained from your course instructor. Once you have the password, you are able to decide which day of the week you wish to take the assessment online. You can pace yourself, but remember that all assessments must be completed on or before the last scheduled day of class.

*The syllabus can be changed at the discretion of the instructor.

Academic Honesty:

Each student is expected to perform his/her own academic work. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are considered an extremely serious offense. The student is personally responsible for understanding the various forms of academic dishonesty as they are explained in the “Student Code of Conduct” in the Student Handbook. Ignorance of any requirement for academic honesty will not constitute an excuse from disciplinary proceedings.

Any form of cheating will be considered grounds for failure of the course.

If the final exam grade is significantly different than any of the online tests, I reserve the right to require the student to come to FCC to retake that assignment.

E-Mail Communication:

All students will receive and be expected to use their FCC E-Mail address for correspondence with faculty and staff at the college. Students can establish and access their FCC E-Mail accounts at the login page: https://myfcc.frederick.edu.

Topical Outline:

Every effort will be made to keep to this schedule; however, the instructor reserves the right to alter or amend the outline as necessary. Additional dates, as published in the academic schedule of classes and listed below, may be required as make-up days for inclement weather. Should there be a discrepancy between the topical outline and the Weekly Folders in your Black Board Accounts, please go with the assignments posted in the weekly folders. The weekly folders represent the most current information.

Topical Outline Business Communications Online

BU273 Spring Session 2011

Vivienne E. Werner 240-236-8200 Extension 68377

VWerner@frederick.edu on Campus Mailbox #762

Announcement:

First Day of Class: 3/31/12 Last Day to Drop: 4/16/12 Last Day of class: 5/18/12

All students are expected to contact their instructor at least once per week using the Cyber Café (under the discussion board) or via E-Mail at FCC.

Submission Information:

Textbook formal written assignments should be prepared as hard copy, the file should be copied and pasted into the area provided in your weekly Black Board folders. You may also key your answers directly into the designated areas on Black Board. Each text assignment is worth points towards your course point total. A point breakdown appears in your syllabus. All other assignments: (answers to questions, your practice quizzes, and etc.) should be keyed into the open documents that appear underneath the Weekly Folders. Those items that can be immediately graded will return a score to you. Those items that need individual scoring by your instructor will appear with an Exclamation Point indicating that the work has been received, but not yet scored.

CLUE extra credit assignments will always need to be sent to me as an e-mail attachment. These assignments are worth 1 point for each chapter submitted. You will usually be one week ahead of me.

There are a few assignments that you will be required to submit to me for editing. You may send those as an e-mail attachment to me, or drop them in my on-campus mailbox. Please E-mail me ANY TIME you have submitted work to my on campus mailbox #762, so I will know that it is there waiting for me.

Text Assignments:

There will usually be several assignments scheduled each week for each textbook chapter. Monday always starts a new week, so assignments from the preceding week should be submitted Monday prior to 8:00 p.m.to earn full credit. Problems? Contact your instructor.

Lesson

Black Board Site Assignments

(Check out the Weekly folders, click on them, find the location for your answers to be keyed.)

Text Readings

Assignments

(BlackBoard has special areas for you to key in your responses each week)

Estimated Time*

(Time will vary dependent upon student’s reading speed)

Week 1.

Chapter One.

Discussion Board #1. Check the black board site.

Each Chapter, following assignments, has a Grammar and Mechanics Skills Review with C.L.U.E. Chapter 1. 1-10 page 37.

Clue assignments are expected to be submitted at the same time as your weekly assignment work.

Chapter 1 Pages 2-30.

1. Page 32. Chapter Review. Questions 3, 7, 9, and 13.

2. Page 32. Critical Thinking Questions 1-5.

3. Page 32. Activity 1.1 Online Communica-tion Skills Assessment

(Complete the one that appears in your textbook, not the one online)

All work for Week 1 Approximately

570 minutes

Week 2.

Chapter Two.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 2. 1-10 page 77.

Clue assignments are expected to be submitted at the same time as your weekly assignment work.

Chapter 2 Pages 38-70.

1. Page 72. Critical Thinking Questions 1-5.

2. Page 74. 2.15 Nonverbal Communication: Body Language.

3. Page 76. 2.23 Business Etiquette.

All work for Week 2 approximately:

570 minutes

Week 3.

Chapter Three

Check Black Board category “assignments” for your brief vocal assignment #1 and the telephone number to use. Start getting together your thoughts. Next week you will be expected to make the telephone call.

Also check Black Board for directions regarding your major presentation for this course.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 3. 1-10. Page 109. Submit with your other assignments.

Chapter 3. Pages 78-102.

1. Global Interactions: What went wrong? Page 104 & 105. 3.1 A, D. E.

2. Page 107. 3.13 Analyzing a Problem International Letter.

3. Page 107. 3.15 Baksheesh, Mordida, and Kumshah: Making Grease Payments Abroad.

All work for Week 3 approximately:

570 minutes

Week 4.

Chapter Four

and

Chapter Five

Call in your telephone assignment #1.

Key your proposed presentation idea in the reserved space on Black Board to your instructor requesting approval

C.L.U.E. Chapter 4. 1-10. Page 136.

Test A: Coming up next week. It Covers Chapters 1-4.

ARTICLE 1. Zooming In: Part I page 39. Read through the article and respond to the Critical Thinking Questions that appear at the bottom of the article.

Page 48, Zooming In: Part 2. Read through the article and respond to the Critical Thinking Questions that appear at the bottom of the article.

Page 70. Zooming In: Part 3. Read through the article and respond to “Your Task as an Individual.” You may create it as an e-mail message. SHOULD BE SUBMITTED WITH ASSIGNMENTS FOR WEEK 4 in Black Board Folder.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 5. 1-10 Page 161.

Chapter 4. Pages 111-132.

Chapter 5. Pages 137-156.

1. Page 133. Critical Thinking 1-5.

2. Page 133. 4.1 Audience Benefits and the “You” View.

3. Page 135. 4.9 Channel Selection: Burger King and the $1 Double Cheeseburger.

4. Page 135. 4.12 Copyright Confusion: Myths and Facts.

1. Page 157. Critical Thinking 1-5

2. Page 158. 5.1 A-H. and 5.2. A-G.

3. Page 158. 5.4 Active Voice A-E. and 5.6 A-H.

4. Page 160. 5.11 Individual Brainstorming.

All work for Week 4 approximately:

1,140 minutes

Week 5.

Chapter Six

C.L.U.E. Chapter 6. 1-10 Page 185. (Remember should be submitted with other assignments.)

Test A: Covers Chapters 1-4. E-Mail your instructor for the password. The test will only be available through this Sunday at midnight. You have one week to prepare.

Assignment #5. 6.13 is the first one where you must key in information on the Black Board Folder, and submit a formal copy of your letter to your instructor as an e-mail attachment for editing.

Chapter 6. Pages 163-180.

1. Page 181. 6.1 Flabby Expressions A-D.

2. Page 181. 6.5 Empty Words A-D.

3. Page 181. 6.6 Trite Business Phrases. All

4. Page 182. 6.9 Lists, Bullets, and Headings

5. Page 183. 6.13 Document for Analysis: Poorly Written Customer Letter.

REWRITE THE LETTER AND SUBMIT FOR EDITING

All work for Week 5 approximately:

660 minutes

Week 6.

Chapter Seven

Article 2. Zooming In: Part I. Page 163. Taco Bell Tweaks Menu to Rebuild Customer Base. Read then answer Critical Thinking Questions.

Zooming In: Part II Page 172. Read the article, address the Critical Thinking Questions.

Zooming In: Part III Page 178.

Read the article, clean up the manager’s memo. Submit with other assignments for the week.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 7. 1-10. Page 218. (Submit with other assignments)

Discussion Board #2. Small group project. Directions will appear underneath the announcement category on Black Board on Monday of this week.

Chapter 7. Pages 187-213.

1. Page 214. 7.1 Document for Analysis: Jumbled e-mail message. Revise it.

2. Page 215. 7.2 Document for Analysis: Poorly Organized
E-Mail

3. Page 215. 7.4 Choosing a Holiday Plan. Write the e-mail.

All work for Week 6 approximately:

570 minutes

Week 7.

Chapter 8.

Last Day to Drop is: April 16 2012

Telephone Assignment #2. Instructions appearing on Black Board. Call it in to the voice mail.

WIKI Small Group Project. Directions will appear underneath the Announcements Category on Black Board on Monday of this week.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 8. 1-10. Page 254. (Submit with other assignments)

Chapter 8. Pages 219-245.

1. Page 246. 8.1 Direct Openings A-D.

2. Page 246. 8.2 Writing Instructions. A and B only.

3. Page 247. 8.3 Document for Analysis: Direct Request. Revise and Submit.

4. Page 247. 8.4 Document for Analysis: Direct Response. Revise and Submit.

All work for Week 7 approximately:

570 minutes

Week 8.

Chapter 9.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 9. 1-10. Page 293.

Spend some time working on your presentation.

Work on Wiki Project with team members

Chapter 9. Pages 295-322.

Chapter 14. Skim through the material for ideas on preparing your presentation.

1. Page 287. 9.7 Refusing Internal Request for Time Off.

2. Page 290. 9.19 Bad News to Customers.

3. Page 292. 9.27 Credit Refusal

All work for Week 8 approximately:

600 minutes

Week 9.

Chapter Ten

Discussion Board #3. Work within your small groups. Do not worry about classmates that are not in your group.

Wiki Project due this Sunday at midnight. Make sure that you fill out the WIKI reflection assignment on Black Board.

Work on Presentation.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 10. 1-10. Page 334.

TEST B. Coming up next week. Based on chapters 4 through 10.

Chapter 10. Pages 295-322.

1. Page 324. Critical Thinking 1-5.

2. Page 325. 10.1. List the document’s weaknesses.

3. Page 326. 10.4. List the document’s weaknesses.

4. Page 331. 10.24 Persuasive Organizational Message Flowing Downward: Cutting Overnight Shipping Costs. Create the memo.

All work for Week 9 approximately:

570 minutes

Week 10.

Chapter Eleven

Test B. Must be taken prior to midnight this coming Sunday.

Work on Presentation.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 11. 1-10. Page 378.

Chapter 11.

Pages 337-371.

1. Page 373. 11.1 Report Functions, Strategies, and Formats. A-D only.

2. Page 373. 11.3.Data Forms and Questions A-C only.

3. Page 373. 11.5 Problem and Purpose Statements A, B, &C

4. Page 373. 11.6 Plagiarism, Paraphrasing, and Citing Sources. A and B only.

All work for Week 10 approximately:

570 minutes

Week 11.

Chapter Twelve

Discussion Board #4.

Article 3 Zooming In: Part I Read through the article on page 425, then answer the Critical Thinking Questions.

Zooming In: Part II. Read through the article on page 431, answer the Critical Thinking Questions.

You are only to complete Part I and Part II for this article. Submit with the other assignments for this week.

Polishing your presentation.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 12. 1-10. Page 423.

Chapter 12. Pages 380-413.

1. Page 415. 12.5 Buying a Car: Create a Decision Matrix. Submit your chart.

2. Page 416. 12.8 Writing a Survey: Studying employees use of Instant Messaging.

3. Page 421. 12.28 Feasibility Report: Can Rainbow Precision Instruments Afford a Children’s Center?

All work for Week 11 approximately:

610 minutes

Week 12.

Chapter Thirteen

And

Chapter Fourteen

C.L.U.E. Chapter 13. 1-10. Page 455.

Test C is coming up next week. This test is based on the material presented in Chapters 11-13 in your textbook.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 14. 1-10. Page 492.

Practice your presentation in front of a mirror, or in front of a friend. Look for nervous tics, like running your fingers through your hair as you talk, clicking your teeth, using the word OK more than three times and etc.

Chapter 13.

Pages 424-450.

Chapter 14. Pages 457-487. Pay particular attention to the segment on page 477 about Stage Fright.

1. Write your instructor a progress report on your presentation for this class.

2. Request a presentation appointment time or indicate your media choice to use.

3. Page 452. 13.2 Proposals: Think like an Entrepreneur. Complete the written parts for submission. Write the letter.

1. Page 487. Chapter 14. Critical Thinking 1-5.

2. Page 491. Chapter 14.18. Presenting Yourself as a Professional When Texting. Choose either A, B, or C. Write up your message as though you were texting it, send to me as an e-mail.

All work for Week 12 approximately:

1,140 minutes

Week 13.

Chapter 15

Test C. Based on the material presented in chapters 11-13. E-mail Instructor for the password. Remember that the test will only be available through Sunday midnight.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 15. 1-10. Page 535.

Chapter 15.

Pages 495-531

1. Page 533. 15.4 Evaluating Your Qualifications

2. Page 533. 15.7 Searching the Job Market

3. Page 534. 15.9 Writing Your Personal Resume.

4. Copy of your personal Resume should be sent as an E-Mail Attachment to your instructor for editing.

All work for Week 13 approximately:

570 minutes

Week 14.

Chapter 16.

C.L.U.E. Chapter 16. Page 565.

Deliver your Presentation according to your appointment schedule or submit an electronic copy of you presenting your project. If you decide to create an electronic version, drop it in Mailbox #762 on campus, and e-mail me so I will know to pick it up.

Chapter 16. Pages 537-560.

Page 564. 16.11 Handling Inappropriate and Illegal Interview Questions.

Page 564. 16.12 Knowing What to Ask.

Page 564. 16.16 Requesting a Reference

All work for Week 14 approximately:

570 minutes

Week 15.

Finishing Touches.

May 18, 2012. Last Scheduled Day of Class

Final Examination based on Chapters 13, 14, 15, and 16. To be administered at the FCC testing Center. Find out their hours. You will need a photo ID and can take no study aids into the testing area with you.

Dates for this examination will be posted as an announcement.

THIS examination will close prior to the last day of CLASS.

Any work submitted after the last day of scheduled class will NOT count.

Final Examination. Test D must be completed on campus prior to 5/18/12

You should check on the FCC’s testing center hours. You need to arrive at least 2 hours prior to their scheduled closing time. Remember to bring a photo ID with you.

You will not be allowed to bring any study materials into the testing center with you.

All work for Week 15 approximately:

180 minutes

*Key for Approximate Assignment Times:

Chapter Reading: 80 minutes Textbook Learning Activities: 60 minutes

Assignment Questions: 45 minutes Writing Applications: 60 minutes

Discussion Board: 20 minutes Online Assignments: 60 minutes

Articles: 40 minutes Vocabulary: 30 minutes

Quizzes: 30 minutes Test A, B, C, D: 90 minutes each

Presentation: 60 minutes per week WIKI: 60 minutes per week assigned

Resume: 90 minutes Research: 60 minutes

CLUE Grammar Exercises: 60 min.