Northeastern State University

                                                                      College of Business and Technology

                                                        Department of  Information Systems and Technology

                                                                                          Tahlequah, OK

 

INSTRUCTOR:

 

Dr. Jo Ann Starkweather                                                                  Office:  BT 221B

Office Hrs:             W 9:00-11:00                                                        Phone: 918-456-5511  ext. 2938

                                T/Th  9:00-11:00                                                  FAX:  918-458-2337

E-mail: starkwea@nsuok.edu                         

 


COURSE TITLE AND NUMBER:                                         CLASS DAYS & TIME:

IS 3113 –Business Communications (Section 0892) T/Th 11:00am – 12:15pm

 

PREREQUISITES:

Has met English Proficiency and has completed MIS-1133 or equiv. with C or better.

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:

Theory and application of the communicative processes with emphasis on business letters, reports, ethical considerations and international/intercultural communications.

 

COURSE PURPOSE:

Business Communications is designed to equip you with the communication skills needed in today’s dynamic workplace.  The abilities to read, listen, speak, and write effectively are crucial to being successful in the demanding new world of work.  Highly developed communication skills lay the groundwork for success.

 

EXPECTED COURSE OUTCOMES:

After completing IS 3113, students should be able to:

 

1.                                           Demonstrate basic language skills in grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, number usage and sentence

                                 structure.

2.                                           Exhibit advanced communication techniques including skillful use of words, parallelism, emphasis, unity, tone, and style.

3.                                           Communicate in concise, clear, straightforward language.

4.                                           Develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills by analyzing business problems, resulting in functional business

                                documents:  memoranda, letters, and reports.

5.                                           Demonstrate the interpersonal, listening, and speaking skills necessary in both independent and collaborative situations.

6.                                           Apply functional and flexible communication skills within an expanding business environment constantly affected by

                                international, ethical, and diversity needs.

7.                                           Integrate electronic elements in the oral and written communication process.

8.                                           Identify important aspects of and develop materials for the job-search process.

 


INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: (Required Textbook & Materials)

 

John V. Thill and Courtland L. Bovee.  Excellence in Business Communication. (7th ed.).  Upper Saddle River, NJ:  Prentice Hall, 2007.

 

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:

 

The expected course outcomes will be realized through a variety of instructional strategies including:  lectures, classroom assignments/activities, outside assignments/activities, textbook readings and assignments, and other related readings and activities.

 

        Assignments may include (but are not limited to):

                4 exams @ 100 pts. each                                                  400 points

                Oral Presentation (Self Introduction)                                               100 points

                3 short writing assignments

                                @ 100 pts. each (letters, memos, email)                       300 points

                Group PowerPoint Project                                                 200 points

                Resume                                                                                                100 points

               

 

 

 

 

 

        ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

 

Professional, ethical, honest behavior is a MUST in the business world.  These same behaviors are essential in the classroom, as well.  Dishonesty includes (among other things) copying another individual's  work or allowing someone to copy your work; plagiarizing someone else's work as your own; accepting or giving help on quizzes, tests, or in-class writing assignments; and using notes or the textbook for quizzes or tests.  Downloading information from the internet or copying letters, memos, etc., from books is a common form of plagiarism; do not do this.  All your work must be your own original work; if you quote others or use their ideas, give them credit for it.  If any type of academic dishonesty is detected (including violations of the list above), students will be subject to disciplinary action including reduction of a grade(s), expulsion from the class with an F, and/or expulsion from the university as outlined in the Northeastern State University catalog.


 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES: (Attendance/Punctuality)

 

Consistent and punctual attendance is both expected and required for your successful completion of the course.  More than 2 late arrivals will count as an absence.  Students will be expected to make up any work missed as a result of absence, whether or not the absence was justified.

NOTE:  Illness is not an excused absence.  The only excused absence is one necessitated by participation in an official University-sponsored event accompanied by official notification from the faculty sponsor.

Quizzes may not be made up.

Students earning perfect attendance will earn extra credit toward the next exam.

 

ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES:

 

You are expected to be present for each class session and to participate in all class activities.  You are required to complete all assignments on time.  All assignments are to be prepared and submitted according to directions given for the assignment (both oral and written).  Each assignment must be keyed (no handwritten work will be accepted).  Assignments that do not meet specifications will receive a grade of “0.”  Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the date indicated when the assignment is given.  Any assignment turned in during or after that class period is late and no credit will be given.  Late work will not be accepted except in emergency situations for legitimate, validated reasons (at the professor’s discretion).  Full credit will not be given for late work; no work will be accepted after two school days or after the assignment has been returned to the class.  Work received within two school days will receive a maximum of 50% credit.  Extended illness, injury, or emergency situations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

 

An absence for an excused validated school activity requires that the student submit work due or take tests scheduled PRIOR TO that absence.  If a test will be missed, the student must confer with the professor prior to the absence.  Make-up tests will not be given except for absences due to VALIDATED illness or emergencies (at the professor’s discretion).  The student must contact the professor immediately if a test is missed; DO NOT wait until the next class session, or later, to contact the professor regarding the test.

 

Since we meet in a computer lab, no food, drink, or tobacco products are allowed, including water.  Help keep your work station clean and do not leave unwanted papers at the printer.


 

STUDENT EVALUATION:

 

The final grade will be based on classroom/outside assignments, examinations, classroom participation, and a constructive/productive attitude.

 

                                Grade Scale

                                A  90 – 100

                                B  80 – 89

                                C  70 – 79

                                D  60 – 69

 

Final examination will be:  Tuesday, May 1 @ 11:00 am

 

Leaving the classroom with testing materials (test copy, completed Scantron form, etc.) will result in a zero score for that test and possible dismissal with an F for the course.

 

The last date on which a student may drop the course with an automatic “W” is Friday, Apr. 6. If you drop after this date, you will receive the grade you have earned up to the drop date.  The grade of “W” will be assigned only if your grade is a “D” or higher; an “F” will also be assigned if you stop attending and have not turned in assignments or have not taken scheduled exams prior to the drop date.

 

 

GRADE APPEALS:

 

A student may petition a grade change by using the Grade Appeals Process if satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved after consultation with the instructor and/or Dean.  The Grade Appeals Process must be formally initiated with a written appeal to the Dean within four months following awarding of the original grade.  Please contact the dean of the college in which the grade was given for a copy of the grade appeals process.

 

ADA COMPLIANCE:

If any member of the class feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodations of any nature whatsoever, the instructor will work with you and the University's Office of Student Affairs to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in this class.  Please advise the instructor of such disability and the desired accommodations at the first class attended.


 

INCLEMENT WEATHER / DISASTER POLICY:

 

The following are basic premises for the inclement weather policy at Northeastern State University:

1.             Classes are expected to be held if at all possible.

2.             It is the student's responsibility to receive the information when weather is questionable.

3.             Neither students nor faculty are expected to risk life or limb.

4. Faculty members are obligated to hold classes if the University is not closed, unless the faculty member is unable to get to campus.

 

Policy:   During times of inclement weather, decisions concerning day classes will be made by 6:00 a.m. in order for the media to be notified and for students to receive the announcement before they leave home. Decisions concerning night classes will be made by 3:00 p.m.

 

The following media will be notified regarding closing of the campus:

 

Radio Stations:                                                            Television Stations:

 

KRMG 740 AM      Tulsa                                      KJRH Channel 2 Tulsa

KAYI 107 FM         Tulsa                                      KOTV Channel 6  Tulsa

KTLQ 1350 AM     Tahlequah                            KTUL Channel 8  Tulsa

KEOK 102 FM       Tahlequah                            KFSM Channel 5 Fort Smith

KBIX 1490 AM       Muskogee                             Cable Channel 96 Tahlequah

KMMY 97 FM         Muskogee

KVOO 1170 AM    Tulsa

 

The automated attendant message on 918-456-5511 will be modified to include information concerning campus operations during inclement weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION 3113

SPRING 2007

 

COURSE SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNMENTS

(SUBJECT TO REVISION by DR. J)

 

                                                                                               

WK.

~DATE

TOPIC

CHAPTER

ASSIGNMENT

IN CLASS ACTIVITY

1

8 Jan.

INTRO/ORIENTATION

1

 

 

2

15 Jan.

SPEAKING SKILL

13

Self Introduction

Ind. Presentation

3

22 Jan.

Speeches, speeches, etc.     

 

             

 

4

29 Jan.

INTERCULTURAL COMM.

2

 

EXAM 1 (Ch 1, 2, 13)

5

5 Feb.

GOOD NEWS

7

PPP Sources Due Fri.

LETTERS

6

12 Feb,

BAD NEWS

8

 

LETTERS

7

19 Feb.

PERSUASIVE/SALES

9

 

LETTERS

8

26 Feb.

LETTERS

 

 

EXAM 2 (Ch 7-9)

9

5 Mar.

REPORT PLAN / WRITE

10-11

 

 

10

12 Mar.

PROPOSALS

12

PPP Outline Due Fri.

 

11

19 Mar.

  !!  Spring Break !!

 

 

 

12

26 Mar.

 

 

 

EXAM 3 (Ch 10-12)

13

2 Apr.

EMPLOYMENT

14

 

 

14

9 Apr.

EMPLOYMENT

14