Business Correspondence and Communication - Online

POFT 2312 Tentative Syllabus , Spring 2012

Instructor: Veronica Cook

Office Location: 2232.04, Round Rock campus

Phone: (512) 223-0166

Office Hours: Posted at www.austincc.edu/ronicook

Prerequisite: POFT 1301 Business English

E-mail: vcook@austincc.edu

Web site: www.austincc.edu/ronicook

Course Description

The ability to communicate effectively plays a major role in achieving career success. Technological advancements have increased the need for skilled communicators, and employers state that the application of acceptable communication skills is essential for a workforce to survive in a competitive, global environment. This course is designed to provide the student with those skills. (3 semester hours)

Textbook: Effective Communication for Colleges, 11th edition, Cengage Learning, Brantley (ISBN:   0‑324‑37476-3)

The textbook is written with a “Communication by Objectives” approach, which is a no-nonsense process for preparing effective messages. It presents communication principles and strategies supported by examples and illustrations. It provides a framework for communicating successfully with diverse audiences whether the message is written or spoken, formal or informal, paper-based or electronic. Case studies emulate workplace situations to help build communication competence.

In order to enhance your learning and retention, be sure to read the learning objectives, checklists, and chapter summaries. The textbook also includes a student CE with chapter review questions, PowerPoint presentations, and additional case studies. The student support Website is located at http://brantley.swlearning.com (Student Resources link).

Optional Reference Book: HOW 10 by James L. and Lyn R. Clark (ISBN: 0-324-71882-4)

Catalog Description: POFT 2312 BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE & COMMUNICATION (3-2-2). Development of writing and presentation skills to produce effective business communications. OFFERED IN FALL SEMESTER. Fee: $12 Skills: R Prerequisites: POFT 1301 or equivalent. Course Type: W

Course Objectives

· Enable the student to recognize the relationship of effective communications skills to succeed in academic, work and social environments.

· Challenge the student to understand how to plan and develop messages that achieve the message objective and maintain goodwill by using the CBO approach, an appropriate message strategy, and basic message qualities.

· Develop both written and oral communication skills to produce clear, complete, accurate messages.

· Understand message strategies and formats appropriate for professional communication situations.

· Develop and apply critical thinking skills when determining solutions for communication-related problems.

Testing Requirements for the Course

Ch. 1 – 4 Part 1—Principles of Communication

Ch. 5 – 7 Part 2—Effective Message Applications Test

Ch. 8 – 11 Part 3—Test

Grading

Your grade will be determined by a weighted average of the following:

Chapter Exercises/Quizzes 20%

Cases 30%

Tests (Ch. 1-4, 5-8, 8-11) 30%

Final Report
(based on Ex. 11-1, Case 11-1 handout) 10%

Final Exam (essay) 10%

Assignments

The criteria for evaluating your written messages will include CONTENT (topic, organization and readability), GRAMMAR (including punctuation and spelling), and FORMAT.

The CBO (content by objective) approach includes the following steps: planning the message, composing the draft, and completing the message.

An assignment is considered late if it is not turned in on the date that it is due. Late assignments will carry a one-letter grade (10 points) penalty for each class day they are late.

Student Withdrawal Policy

It is your responsibility to withdraw from this course. If you are unable to complete this course due to illness, moving, personal problems, etc., please officially drop or you will receive an “F.” The Admissions Office at each campus has withdrawal forms. The last day to withdraw from 16-week classes is posted on ACC’s Calendar. It is your responsibility to withdraw from class.

Incomplete Policy

A grade of incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of “I,” a student must have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that have occurred after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of “W.”

Sample Course Calendar

1. Partners for Effective Communication

2. The Six Cs of Effective Messages

3. The Communication-by-Objectives Approach

4. Technology and Electronic Communication

5. Good News and Neutral News Messages

6. Bad News Messages

7. Persuasive Messages

8. Job Searches, Resumes, and Cover Letters

9. Applications, Interviews, and Follow-up Messages

10. Visuals and Presentations

11. Reports, Proposals and Instructions for the Workplace