West Valley College, Business Division On-Line
Course; Course is Credit/No Credit Option.
Fall 2008, Section 63028, 3 credits; course for
credit, California State University
Business Communication, 078
|
Instructor |
Nancy Mercado |
|
Office Hour |
By appointment |
|
Phone and Fax No. |
408-741-2045
x3578 |
|
E-mail |
Materials Required:
Text: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION, PROCESS AND
PRODUCT, 6th Edition, by Mary Ellen Guffey. Do not get the 5th Edition
as the assignment pages will not correspond.
Course Description:
Business Communication 78 is
a comprehensive realty-based course that examines fundamental communication
concepts through real-life business situations. Emphasis is on grammar,
punctuation, business writing, ethics, communication barriers, cultural
diversity, communication technology, legal issues, employment search, and
communication versatility.
In addition, writing
techniques are presented in a series of easy-to-follow steps. You will appreciate the 3 X 3 Writing
Process for planning, organizing, and revising business messages (Chapters 4-6),
business correspondence including e-mail messages and memos, positive letters,
persuasive and sales messages, and negative messages (Chapters 7-10); seven
specific steps for planning, organizing, and writing reports, proposals, and presentations
(Chapters 11-14), and writing resumes�, cover letters, and interviewing, and
following up (Chapters 15-16).
Course Outcomes
Objectives:
Upon completion of this course,
students should be able to perform the following skills:
1.
Writing collaboratively
2.
Making ethical
communication choices
3.
Overcoming communication
barriers
4.
Creating and processing
of information effectively and efficiently
5.
Adopting an
audience-centered approach to communication
6.
Understanding the
importance of nonverbal communication
7.
Streamlining the writing
process into seven steps (three stages) for a logical approach
8.
Utilizing the hallmark
of good organization
9.
Prewriting techniques
for identifying the main idea
10.
Using steps in the
outline process
11.
Selecting the best words
for correctness and effectiveness
12.
Editing and rewriting of
a message
13.
Writing directly
14.
Writing indirectly
15.
Writing good news and
bad news messages
16.
Organizing the research
process for report writing
17.
Selecting, designing,
and producing the right graphic for the job.
18.
Communicating the
informational and analytical reports
19.
Planning, organizing,
and writing reports and proposals
20.
Developing a
presentation
21.
Writing resumes and
application letters
22.
Interviewing for
employment and following up after the interview
Class
Requirements:
1. Students must complete all readings, assignments, and
writings.
2. Students need to keep in touch with instructor and
other students via e-mail, on-line discussion groups, and chat room discussions
(three to be announced)
3. Students need to satisfactorily complete the assignments,
memos, letters, and report project in a timely manner.
4. Students need to satisfactorily complete three
Textbook Examinations.
GRADING Letter
Grade or
Credit/noCredit
Option
|
Three Textbook Exams |
30 percent |
|
Two Projects |
20 percent |
|
Research paper |
20 percent |
|
Homework Assignments |
20 percent |
|
Two discussion questions
and three chat sessions |
10 percent |