Los Angeles Valley College Business 32 - Business Communications

Summer 2020 ~ Section Number: 11587

 

Instructor:      Office Hours:	Violet Amrikhas Saado   Post on Discussion Board and/or email me with any questions Office Hours:	ONLINE ONLY – NO CLASS TIMES   Class Starts:   6/15/2020 Class Ends:    7/19/2020
Email Address:	amrikhv@lavc.edu
Welcome

 

Welcome to Business 032 – Business Communications! The goal of this course is to help you to become better communicators of the English language through the use of speaking and writing. We will cover topics in the entire book; therefore, it is vitally important that you follow the schedule of assignments. Please communicate with me if you experience any challenges. I am here to help and want to see you succeed in this course. Let’s make this an awesome semester!

 

 

This course covers the principles and techniques of effective use of English as a communication tool by identifying the speaking, listening, reading, writing, and computer skills to send clear and concise messages. This course provides students the opportunity to develop practical experience in writing letters, memos, reports, application letters, and job-winning resumes utilizing electronic communications and the Internet. the ability to write effective business memorandums, letters, e-mail messages employment documents, and reports.

The problem- solving approach to creating messages that inform, persuade, and convey negative news is stressed. Emphasis is on the concepts of effective writing style such as organization, coherence, and unity as well as principles of grammar and punctuation of written business documents. The course also includes instruction in oral communication, speaking skills, and oral presentations. Communication technology, communication across cultures, listening skills, nonverbal communication, and workplace ethics are included.

 

 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to…

• Discuss the importance of communication skills to your career
• Examine the basics of business writing, and the writing process for Business Messages
• Researching to collect needed information and organizing to show relationships
• Applying the writing process to produce effective e-mail messages and memos
• Discuss writing effective direct business letters, direct request for information and actions, direct claims and replies to information request
• Identify persuasive request, and crafting winning sales letters
• Describe strategies and techniques for delivering bad news
• Recognize report basics, the guideline for developing informal reports, and the six kinds of informal reports
• Discuss business proposals, both formal and informal and the methods for writing formal reports
• Express improving Face-to-Face Workplace communication, productive business meetings, improving telephone skills and other digital communication
• Identify preparations for oral presentations and how the best speakers build audience rapport, polish delivery and follow up and adapting to international and cross-cultural audiences
• Analyze employment preparations, writing the persuasive resume and cover letter
• Discuss the types of Employment Interview, the day before the interview, the day of the interview, during the interview, closing the interview and after the interview

 

 

 

 

Students will be able to create an effective business letter, memo, or other business document using correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar, with 90% accuracy, as well as learning to adhere to rapidly changing communication technologies and information in a competitive market.

 

 

1. This class uses free, online materials, also known as Open Educational Resources (OER). PDF copy of the text is on Canvas in Modules labeled TEXT Book.
2. Textbook: Essentials of Business Communication, 9th Edition, by Mary Ellen Guffey and Dana Loewy. Publisher: South-Western, Cengage Learning; ISBN: 978-1-285-85891-3
3. IMPORTANT: This is a class that deals with participation and involvement from all students. Therefore, I reserve the right to drop any student who does not take an active part in the class as required.

Students are required to complete all graded assignments: complete graded discussions and exams, submit a cover letter, one-page resume, draft a professional email, record and submit three speeches (impromptu, informative, and persuasive), and submit a class Project: construct an outline, report, and presentation on an assigned business.

 

PROJECT:

Projects give you a chance to put your internal and external skills to the test. The assigned project(s) in the course can enable you the opportunity to engage in problem-solving and master the techniques of research and presentation. In the project, you will get to develop a clear presentation, and engage in the fundamentals of effective communication. I will provide guidance as needed and feel free to reach out to fellow classmates and on-campus tutoring for assistance.

If you plan on doing no work, you are responsible for dropping the class before the deadline. Failure to do so may result in receiving an F grade

 

Please check your LAVC or LACCD student email address. This will be the main method of communication, during this course.

 

 

I reserve the right to revise the syllabus at any time during the semester.

 

 

 

Assignment Category	# of Assign.	Points Per Assignment	Total Points	% of Total Grade
Chapter Discussions	5	25	125	19%
Professional E-Mail	1	15	15	2%
Resume and Brand Name	1	50	50	7%
Cover Letter	1	15	15	2%
Speeches	2	20	60	9%
Setting up a LinkedIn account	1	10	10	1%
Linked Profile	1	50	50	7%
Social Media Pitch	1	50	50	7%
Project  Part 1	1	10	10	1%
Project  Part 2	1	20	20	3%
Project Part 3	1	20	20	3%
Tests (Midterm and Final)	2	100/150	250	37%
Grand Total	19		675	100%
504-560 = A	448-503 = B	392-447 = C	336-391 = D	335 and below = F

 

 

 

At all times, course communication with fellow students and the instructor are to be professional and courteous. It is expected that you proofread all your written communication, including discussion posts, assignment submissions, and mail messages. If you are new to online learning or need a netiquette refresher, please look at this guide titled, The Core Rules of Netiquette

 

ADD/DROP/WITHDRAWAL: Please adhere to the timelines prescribed in the schedule of classes for dropping/withdrawing. Failure to do so may result in receiving an F class grade.

 

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS:

Students needing special consideration and accommodations due to disability must contact the SSD office and meet with a counselor right away. SSD is located in the Student Services Annex, Room 175 and their phone number is (818) 947-2681. The SSD office needs to send the instructor a memo that confirms the exact accommodations required by the student.

 

FINANCIAL AID is available! Please go to the financial aid office located in the Student Services Building or call them at (818) 947-2412.

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY/CONDUCT/DISCIPLINE:

Cheating is the act or attempted act of deception and will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is the use of other’s words and/or ideas without clearly acknowledging their source. When you use those words or ideas into your work, you must give the appropriate credit to the originator of the work and/or ideas. Plagiarism, intentional or unintentional, is considered academic dishonesty and is not tolerated. Any student found to be plagiarizing or cheating on assignments (e.g., copying or giving answers, using “crib” sheets, cheat sheets, etc.) will (1) receive a zero (fail) on the assignment, and (2) be referred to the Vice President of Student Services for further disciplinary action. The Business Administration Department adheres to the College's policies and procedures governing academic integrity, student conduct, and disciplinary action. Please refer to the STANDARDS OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION in the current Schedule of Classes and Catalog.

 

 

 

 

Week #	Dates	Assignment	Homework
1	6/15	Unit 1- Chapters 1-3 Unit 2- Chapter 4 Review Ch. 14- Business Presentations	-  Discussion #1 – Online -  Project Part # 1  -  Set up a LinkedIn Account -  Speech # 1 Impromptu Video
2	6/22	Unit 2 – Chapters 5-6 Unit 3 – Chapter 7-9	-   Discussion # 2- Online -  Write a Mass Professional e-mail  -   Setup LinkedIn Profile -   Social Media Pitch
3	6/29	Unit 3- Chapter 10 Mid Term	-  Discussion # 3 -  Project part #2 – Outline -  Mid Term Chapters 1-10
4	7/6	Unit 4- Chapters 11-14 Unit 5- Chapter 15	-   Discussion # 4 -   Speech # 2 - Elevator Pitch Video -   Resume and cover page
5	7/13	Unit 5 – Chapters 16 FINAL EXAM – Chapters 11 - 16	-   Discussion # 5- Online -   Project part # 3- Persuasive Video Presentation -   Final Exam Chapters 11-16 -