Northeastern State University

College of Business and Technology

Department of MIS and Applied Science

 

INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. Mark Nelson

Office:  PA B6A                  Telephone:  918-456-5511 x2969                    FAX: 918-458-2337

Office Hours: Office Hours: MWF: 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.; & by appointment

E-mail: nelsonms@nsuok.edu    

 

Course Title And Number:                                                

MIS 3113: Business Communications

 

Class Days & Time:  MWF- 11:00-11:50 & Th 9:00-11:40 (BA)

 

Prerequisites:

MIS 1133 or MIS 1003 or CS 1003 or equivalent

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION OF COURSE:  This course is designed to give students a comprehensive view of business communications, its scope and importance, ethical and international considerations. The various types of business communications are covered including: business letters, memos, reports, and oral presentations.

 

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 MIS 3113, the student 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 a 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. Strengthen reading and analytical skills by studying inductive and deductive strategies, as well as comparing effective and ineffective business documents.
  6. Demonstrate that they are perceptive and skillful communicators and that they have the interpersonal, listening, and speaking skills necessary in both independent and collaborative situations.
  7. Apply functional and flexible communication skills within an expanding business environment constantly affected by international, ethical, and diversity needs.
  8. Integrate electronic elements in the oral and written communication process.
  9. Identify important aspects of and develop materials for the job-search process.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: (Required Textbook)

Excellence in Business Communication, 6th edition, John V. Thill and Courtland L. Bovee, © 2005, (ISBN 0-13-141965-X). Additional course materials may be provided as handouts, assigned URLs, or placed on the Web.

Students might consider purchasing a USB flash drive (e.g., JumpDrive). These portable storage devices can be very helpful in storing, carrying, and transferring information between home and school. All students are expected to have their accounts on the NSU networks by the end of the first week of the semester.

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES:  The expected outcomes will be realized through a variety of instructional strategies to complement students’ life experiences. Those strategies include, but are not limited to: lecture, expository discussion, case studies, comprehensive examinations, and assigned problems. A general outline of the course activities include:

 

  Week             Dates              Topics (tentative)

      1              Jan. 9-13            Course Introduction / Chapter 1

      2              Jan. 16-20          Basic Rules for Commas / Chapter 2

      3              Jan. 23-27          Basic Rules for Capitalization / Chapter 3

      4              Jan. 30-Feb 3     Basic Rules for Parentheses / Chapter 4  

      5              Feb. 6-10           Basic Rules for Quotation Marks / Chapter 5

      6              Feb. 13-17         Basic Rules for Abbreviations / Chapter 6

      7              Feb. 20-24         Basic Rules for Plurals and Possessives / Chapter 7

      8              Feb. 27-Mar. 3   Midterm Exam / Chapter 8  

      9              Mar. 6-10           Elements of Style / Chapter 9

      10            Mar 13-17          Spring Break - No class

      11            Mar. 20-24         Basic Rules for Creating Tables / Chapter 10

      12            Mar. 27-31         Politically Correct Terms / Chapter 11  

      13            Apr. 3-7             Elements of Style / Chapter 12

      14            Apr. 10-14         Elements of Style / Chapter 13

      15            Apr. 17-21         Elements of Style / Chapter 14

      16            Apr. 24-28         Course Summary / Review / Chapter 15

      17            May 1-5             Finals

 

STUDENT PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES: (Attendance / Punctuality)

 

Class attendance is expected; necessary absences will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Death, grave illnesses in the family, childbirth, or impassable roads are beyond our control. Concerts, hunting, or other such extra-curricular activities are not excusable. Students will be responsible for all material missed due to their absence, either excused or not excused. Excessive absences will cause a reduction in your grade. Four unexcused absences may reduce your course grade one letter.

 

 

ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES:

 

Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the date indicated when the assignment is given. After the assignment due date, work will be accepted up to one week late with a corresponding grade reduction of one letter grade. Chapter reading is considered preparation for the lecture period. The student is responsible for all material assigned even if not discussed in class. Quizzes over assignments may be given without prior announcement.

 

STUDENT EVALUATION:

 

The course grades will be based on the results of two written examinations consisting of multiple question formats and problem solutions and assigned homework.

 

Midterm                                   20%

Final                                         20%

Homework/Quizes                    35%

Projects/Presentations               15%

Class Participation                    10%

90-100%         A

80-89.99%      B

70-79.99%      C

60-69.99%      D

<60%               F

 

The last day to withdraw with an automatic “W” is April 7, 2006. If you decide to drop after this date the grade of “W” will be assigned if your grade is “D” or higher on the date you drop the course; otherwise an “F” will be assigned.

 

ADA COMPLIANCE:

If any member of the class feels that he/she has a disability and needs special accommodations of any nature whatsoever, 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

                        KTLO 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               Tulsa

 

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