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Advanced Business Communication, ETWR 2377
Course Master Syllabus
Business & Technical Communication Department
CIP CODE Area 23.1101
Course Level Sophomore Level
Course Number ETWR 2377
Course Title Advanced Business Communication
Hours Credit: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Lab Hours: 0
Prerequisite This course is specially designed for accounting students in the ATC Professional Accounting program. Permission to enroll from the department chairperson of Accounting is required.
Method Three-hour lecture/discussion each week
Description Advanced Business Communication: study the theory and and practice the skills necessary to effective written, oral and electronic communication in the modern business environment. Effective communication skills are essential to success in the workplace for accounting and other professionals. This course satisfies the communication requirement for students in the ATC Professional Accounting program and other programs and contributes to student success in subsequent coursework as well as in their professions.
Textbooks ETWR 2377 instructors will chose textbooks from the DataTel inventory for this course.
Instructional
Methodology
See specific instructor’s syllabus
Course Rationale This course meets the requirements of the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy for writing and general instruction and addresses the importance of writing skills in the CPA exam. It addresses the importance of communication skills for accountants in general.
Primary Learning Outcomes All sections of ETWR 2377 will include some combination of the following:
  • Audience: Identifies audience characteristics and writes the instructions accordingly.
  • Writing style: Employs appropriate writing style, given audience and purpose as well as correct use of conventions of formal standard written English.
  • Headings: Uses headings effectively and according to the guidelines.
  • Vertical lists: Uses vertical lists effectively and according to the guidelines.
  • Notices: Uses notices effectively and according to the guidelines.
  • Tables and graphics: Uses tables and graphics effectively and according to the guidelines.
Secondary Learning Outcomes Sections of ETWR 2377 will include some combination of the following:
  • identify strategies, format and tone appropriate to various business situations and audiences.
  • write business documents that reflect good writing mechanics, business vocabulary and citation techniques.
  • prepare business documents and presentations that are effective, clear, concise and well organized.
  • apply effective interpersonal communication skills to collaborative work efforts.
  • use communication technology appropriately and effectively.
Grading System Your instructor will provide specific information about how you will be graded in this course.
Course Policies

Departmental policies for Incompletes, Attendance, and Withdrawal are as follows:

Incomplete Policy: An incomplete (I) will be granted to a student in rare circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of I, a student must have completed all examinations and assignments to date, be passing, and have personal circumstances that prevent course completion that occur after the deadline to withdraw with a grade of W.

Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend classes. Non-attendance will have an impact on the student’s grade.

Withdrawal Policy: It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from a course. Instructors are allowed to withdraw students but students must not rely on their instructor to withdraw them if they wish to withdraw.

Austin Community College policies for Academic Freedom, Scholastic Dishonesty, Student Discipline, and Students with Disabilities are as follows:

Academic Freedom Statement: Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be many differing viewpoints. These differences enhance the learning experience and create an atmosphere where students and instructors alike will be encouraged to think and learn. On sensitive and volatile topics, students may sometimes disagree not only with each other but also with the instructor. It is expected that faculty and students will respect the views of others when expressed in classroom discussions.

Scholastic Dishonesty Statement: Acts prohibited by the College for which discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their thought, research or self-expression. Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether taken electronically or on paper; projects, either individual or group; classroom presentations, and homework. (See the Student Handbook.) Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one assignment to an F in the course and/or expulsion from this institution.

Student Discipline Statement: Classroom behavior should support and enhance learning. Behavior that disrupts the learning process will be dealt with appropriately, which may include having the student leave class for the rest of that day. In serious cases, disruptive behavior may lead to a student being withdrawn from the class. ACC's policy on student discipline can be found in the Student Handbook.

Students with Disabilities Statement: Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request reasonable accommodations through the Office for Students with Disabilities on the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three weeks before the start of the semester. (See the Student Handbook.)