COM 3110: BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION________________________________Fall 2010 Reference 84071 Section U04 Time: Tuesday & Thursday, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m. Location: PCA 167

Florida International University College of Architecture + The Arts Communication Arts Department Professor: Mariam Willis Email: mwillis@fiu.edu (preferred communication) Phone: (305) 348-___ Dept.: (305)348-1984 (message) Office Hours:

Monday 12 – 1:00 p.m. Tuesday 10 – 11 a.m. Wednesday 1 – 2:00 p.m. Thursday 2 – 3:00 p.m. Friday 11:00 a.m. - noon And by appointment. Email professor.

Office: VH ___ Until further notice, I will be available in the Communication Arts Department office, VH212, during the designated office hours. University Drop Date

: October 15, 2010

2010-2011 Academic Calendar Final Grades Submitted: December 15, 2010

TEXT

Title: Business Communication: Building Critical Skills, Special Edition for FIU Author: Locker & Kaczmarek Edition: 4th

ISBN: 0077473981 ed. custom

The text for this course is an e-text. Each student must purchase his/her own text code to access online materials that are necessary for assessments in this course. The e-text is only available through the FIU bookstore. If a student does not purchase the text code s/he will not be able to complete the course work necessary to receive a grade in this course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is designed to improve your verbal and written communication skills in the business environment. You will plan, practice, and participate in individual as well as group presentations. Effective communication skills will be applied to personal, class, and business situations.

This course will help you improve your business communication skills in the following areas:

• Business Writing: You will develop and/or improve your ability to use clear, concise language, to select an appropriate format, and to write the following professional business documents: memorandums, cover letters,

resumes, speech outlines, speech notes, citations, bibliographies, and reports.

• English Language Skills

•

: You will develop and/or improve your ability to compose English sentences using proper punctuation, grammar, and mechanics. Public Speaking

•

: You will develop and/or improve your ability to select, organize, and effectively deliver information in a businesslike manner with appropriate language, articulation, nonverbal communication, and visual supporting materials.

Interpersonal/Small Group Communication

: You will develop and/or improve your ability to recognize how well you communicate with others in a problem solving small group setting. Our goal will be for you to develop essential critical listening, conflict management, time management, and problem solving skills.

INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES

Attendance: You will be expected to attend every class session. You are allowed two excused or unexcused absences during the semester. Missing more than two classes may result in failing this course. There will be no exceptions. Missing an exam or presentation will result in the loss of all points for that exam or presentation. An excused absence is defined as one that can be documented in writing, such as medical situations, death in the student’s immediate family, or an officially recognized university sponsored event.

Tardiness: You will be expected to arrive at class on time. Tardiness is not acceptable and will result in a reduction of your grade. Two “lates” are the equivalent of one absence, and you are permitted one unexcused absence. If you arrive late on the day of your speech presentation, you may not be permitted to deliver your speech that day. Leaving class early is counted the same as a tardy. If you are tardy, notify the professor at the break or after class so the absence can be changed to a tardy. Assignments: All assignments are due on time during the class period. Writing assignments must be your original work and will not be accepted through email. A late writing assignment will be deducted 25% for each class session, beginning on the date due. Oral assignments, in-class assignments, formal presentations, quizzes and exams cannot be made up. Writing Assignments for a Grade: All writing assignments turned in for a grade must be typewritten on 8 ½” x 11” paper, single- or double-spaced, depending on the assignment. Indicate the assignment on the first page. Readings: Read the assigned chapters before coming to class and be prepared to join in the class discussion. Plagiarizing: Plagiarizing is a serious academic offense. If you are caught plagiarizing an assignment, you will receive a 0 for the assignment and an official FIU written notice. Refer to the section on plagiarism in the FIU Student Handbook. Delivery: All presentations will be extemporaneously (conversationally) delivered. Reading or memorizing a presentation will result in failing the assignment. However, you will be permitted to use no more than 5 3X5 or 4X6 inch speaker cards with key words on them while you speak. Visual Aids: They are required for speeches. They do not need to be professionally prepared, but they must look professional. Criteria will be discussed in class. Dress: All presentations are professional speaking situations. Therefore, you will be expected to dress appropriately in corporate attire for each presentation. For women, appropriate dress includes pantsuit, dress, skirt, blouse and jacket and appropriate shoes (no flip-flops). For men appropriate dress includes dress pants, belt, sports coat and with proper shoes. You will lose points if your dress is not considered appropriate since it impacts on your presentation.

Electronic devices and food: Cell phones, personal digital assistants, and beepers must be turned off before entering the classroom. Food is not allowed in the class. Laptops are permitted during lecture but are not permitted during peer presentations. Oral Communication Lab: http://opl.fiu.edu/ You are required to utilize the Oral Presentation for the Individual and Group Presentation this semester. Make your appointment as soon as possible. The Oral Presentation Lab, located in the Communication Arts Department at University Park Campus, provides the students, faculty, and staff of Florida International University with expert coaching in the organization and delivery of oral presentations. Anyone within the FIU community interested in using the Lab’s facilities is encouraged to make an online appointment by visiting the Oral Presentation Lab’s appointment page at web page at http://fiuspeechlab.timetrade.com For more information on the Oral Presentation Lab, visit the Lab in VH 212. The Oral Presentation Lab is open Monday thru Thursday 10am – 9pm and Friday from 10am – 2pm. Phone: 305-348-0069 Email: oralpresentationlab@fiu.edu Center for Excellence in Writing: http://casgroup.fiu.edu/writingcenter/ Highly recommended: The Center for Excellence in Writing offers individual consultations about any writing you do throughout your years at FIU. Whether you are brainstorming, drafting, revising or polishing, our writing consultants can assist you with projects such as:

• Papers, reports, and projects for any course in any department • Honors theses, master's theses, dissertations • Proposals • Resumes and applications for fellowships and employment • Personal Statements • Group projects • PowerPoint presentations and other non-print projects

Want to improve your writing? Make an appointment with one of our consultants! We also hold workshops during the semester. Visit our Events page for information on upcoming workshops. Make an appointment as early in the writing process as you can. Before arriving for your appointment, make sure you have the assignment sheet and any other supporting materials such as grading criteria, grading rubric, previous drafts with instructor comments, etc. Also, bring any questions you may have about those drafts. The more information you bring to your consultant, the more successful your session will be.

COURSE CONTENT

Public Speaking: You will develop and/or improve your ability to select, organize, and effectively deliver information in a business-like manner with appropriate language, articulation, non-verbal communication, and visual supporting materials. Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: You will develop and/or improve your ability to recognize how well you communicate with others and specifically how you communicate with others in a problem-solving small group setting. The goal is for you to develop essential critical listening, conflict management, time management, and problem solving skills. Written Communication: You will develop and/or improve your ability to use clear, concise language, to select an appropriate format, and to write the following professional business documents: memorandums, cover letters, resumes, speech outlines, speech notes, citations, bibliographies, and reports. Language Skills: You will develop and/or improve your ability to use English grammar and mechanics to improve your written and public speaking skills. _______________________________________________________.

Course Content:

Midterm Exam will consist of 50 multiple choice and true/false questions which will cover content from textbook chapters as well as grammar skills questions.

Final Exam will consist of 49 multiple choice and true/false questions which will cover content from textbook chapters, grammar skills questions, and one writing skills assignment (1 letter).

Grading Scale:

A 100-94 C 76-74

A- 93-90 C- 73-70 B+ 89-87 D+ 69-67 B 86-84 D 66-64 B- 83-80 D- 63-60 C+ 79-77

F below 60

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

This syllabus is a contract of understanding between professor and student. If the assignments and grading system are not acceptable, then the student needs to negotiate a change by midnight Sunday on the second week of class or accept the rules as written.

CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

This Code of Academic Integrity was adopted by the Student Government Association on November 28, 2001 and reflects the values articulated in the Student Code of Standards.

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. All students should respect the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning.

Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of Florida International University.

As a student of this university:

Assignment Points Language Skills Quizzes 10 Midterm Exam 10 Memorandum Assignment 5 Persuasive Letter Assignment 5 Bad News Letter Assignment 5 Routine Request 5 Employment Cover Letter 5 Resume 5 Individual Presentation 15 Team Presentation Assignment 20 Final Exam 15 Total 100

• I will be honest in my academic endeavors. • I will not represent someone else's work as my own. • I will not cheat, nor will I aid in another's cheating.

All students are deemed by the university to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they will be subject to the Code of Academic Integrity’s procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the FIU Student Handbook. Students have the right to due process in all disciplinary situations. For additional information concerning student rights and responsibilities, please contact FIU’s Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. Note: Intensive auditing of the course will be conducted to prevent academic misconduct.

______________________________________________________.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS’ MINIMUM GRADE POLICY and TurnItIn.com

It is a requirement that students must submit at least three of the four writing assignments and earn 75% in order to earn a final grade higher than “C” for this course.

All written assignments must be submitted to Turnitin.com through moodle by the posted deadline. Assignments submitted by any other means will not be accepted. Writing assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a penalty of 25% per class period, beginning on the date due. For further information as to how the similarity/originality percentage is calculated and why it is important, please review the following video: http://www.turnitin.com/static/videos/or_vid.html

http://www.turnitin.com/static/pdf/tii_student_guide.pdf

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

The University's policy on religious holy days as stated in the University Catalog and Student Handbook will be followed in this class. Any student may request, in advance, to be excused from class to observe a religious holy day of his or her faith.

DISABILITY NOTICE

I understand that there is Office of Disability Services available to me should I need it. It is my responsibility to contact them to process my request to have my needs met. I need to follow their procedures as to proper notification to the instructor.

STUDENT CODE OF STANDARDS A University is a learning community following a tradition more than 1,000 years old. Florida International University is such a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. As a member of this community:

• I will respect the tradition of academic inquiry, the University’s rules of conduct, and its mission.

• I will respect the opinions and differences of all members of the FIU community. • I will practice civility and demonstrate conduct that reflects the values of the institution. • I will be diligent and honest in my personal and academic endeavors.

The FIU Student Handbook outlines the Student Code of Conduct regarding students with disruptive behavior. Website: www.fiu.edu/~sccr/docs/disruptive_brochure.doc

POLICY FOR ASSIGNING AN INCOMPLETE "I" GRADE

An incomplete grade is a temporary symbol given for work not completed because of serious interruption not caused by the student's own negligence. An incomplete must be made up as quickly as possible but no later than two consecutive semesters after the initial taking of the course or it will automatically default to an "F" or the grade that the student earned in the course. There is no extension of the two semester deadline. The student must not register again for the course to make up the incomplete. Students who have incomplete grades on their records must remove the incomplete by the end of the fourth week of the term in which they plan to graduate. Failure to do so will result in a cancellation of graduation.

Incompletes are awarded only if the student has completed most of the course work. If a student misses a significant portion of the course work, he/she should drop the course. If the drop period has ended, the student may petition for a withdrawal—this requires the student to un-enroll in all of their courses for that semester.

Incompletes are not to be used because a student took on too many credits and they cannot complete everything that is now required of them.

In such cases where the course instructor determines that it appropriate to award a student a grade of "I" (incomplete) the following steps must be followed.

Using an Official University Form the course instructor will report the following:

1. The grade earned by the student to date 2. The missing work and the percentage of the final grade it represents (this requires the details of the specific missing assignment) 3. The date the instructor expects the missing work to be submitted or in the case of an examination made up 4. The justification for awarding the grade of "I" 5. Have the student sign the form 6. Submit this form to the Department Chair and Dean and maintain a copy for instructor records and provide a copy for the student 7. Upon satisfying the requirements for a grade the instructor will sign off on the form and attach it to the change of grade form she or he will submit.

IN-CLASS DUE WEEK 1

August 24 – Tuesday

Introduction to course Unit 1: Business Communication

Log into Moodle-Become familiar with Moodle components Update your Moodle Profile – Instructions Posted online (Moodle) Register for your online textbook Take Entrance Exam online (Moodle) - Due 8/30 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

August 26 - Thursday

Unit 2: Adapting your message to your audience Unit 4: Planning, Writing, and Revising

WEEK 2 August 31 –

Tuesday

Unit 3: Communicating among cultures Unit 6: You-Attitude

Take Language Quiz 1 online (Moodle) – Due 9/7 (Tuesday) at 8:00 AM

September 2 – Thursday

Unit 7: Positive Emphasis Unit 8: Reader Benefits

WEEK 3 September 7 –

Tuesday

Unit 13: Email Messages and Web Writing Discussion of Routine Report

Routine Request – Submit through Moodle email- Due 9/13 (Monday) at 8:00 AM - Read instructions and requirements posted online

September 9 – Thursday

Introduction to team assignment Establish teams, Presentation Delivery Calendar Unit 9: Formats for Letters and Memos

WEEK 4 September 14 –

Tuesday

Unit 9: Formats for Letters and Memos Take Language Quiz 2 online (Moodle) – Due 9/20 (Monday) at 8:00 AM Schedule an appointment with the Oral Presentation Lab if you have not done so. Memo Assignment - Submit to the corresponding drop box in Moodle - Due 9/20 (Monday) at 8:00 AM - Read instructions and requirements posted online

September 16 – Thursday

Discuss Memo Assignment Discuss Individual Presentation

WEEK 5 September 21 –

Tuesday

Unit 10: Informative and Positive Messages Take Language Quiz 3 online (Moodle) – Due 9/27 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

September 23 – Thursday

Unit 12: Persuasive Messages Discussion of Persuasive Letter Assignment

WEEK 6

September 28 – Tuesday

Unit 11: Negative Messages

Persuasive Letter Assignment - Submit to the corresponding drop box in Moodle - Due 10/4 (Monday) at 8:00 AM - Read instructions and requirements posted online September 30 -

Thursday Unit 11: Negative Messages Discussion of Bad News Letter Assignment

WEEK 7 October 5 –

Tuesday

Lecture on Individual Presentations Discussion of Individual Presentation Assignment

Bad News Letter Assignment - Submit to the corresponding drop box in Moodle - Due 10/11 (Monday) at 8:00 AM - Read instructions and

October 7 - Thursday

Unit 25: Using Visual Aids Using PowerPoint

requirements posted online

WEEK 8 October 12 –

Tuesday Unit 23: Short Reports

Take Language Quiz 4 online (Moodle) – Due 10/18 (Monday) at 8:00 AM Get ready for your Individual Presentation to be delivered during weeks of 10/18-10/29 Read instructions and requirements posted online

October 14 – Thursday ONLINE CLASS

Take Midterm Exam online (Moodle Available from 10/14 (Thursday) at 8:00 AM until 10/17 (Sunday) at 8:00 AM

WEEK 9 October 19 –

Tuesday

Individual Presentations – Read instructions and requirements posted online (5:30-6 minutes)

Take Language Quiz 5 online (Moodle) – Due 10/25 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

October 21 – Thursday

Individual Presentations – Read instructions and requirements posted online

WEEK 10 October 26 –

Tuesday

Individual Presentations – Read instructions and requirements posted online

Take Language Quiz 6 online (Moodle) – Due 11/01 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

October 28 - Thursday

Individual Presentations - Read instructions and requirements posted online

WEEK 11 November 2 –

Tuesday

Unit 26: Researching for Jobs Unit 28: Job Application Letters

Take Language Quiz 6 online (Moodle) – Due 11/08 (Monday) at 8:00 AM Cover Letter Assignment - Submit to the corresponding drop box in Moodle - Due 11/9 (Tuesday) at 8:00 AM - Read instructions and requirements posted online

November 4 – Thursday

Unit 27: Resumes

WEEK 12 November 9 –

Tuesday

Discussion of Team Presentation Assignment – Read instructions and requirements posted online (Moodle) – Working in Teams, Contract and Guidelines.

Take Language Quiz 8 online (Moodle) – Due 11/15 (Monday) at 8:00 AM Resume Assignment - Submit to the corresponding drop box in Moodle – Due 11/15 (Monday) at 8:00 AM – Read instructions and requirements posted online

November 11 – Thursday

VETERANS DAY

UNIVERSITY CLOSED WEEK 13 November 16 –

Tuesday

Unit 29: Job Interviews Unit 30: Follow Up Letters and Calls and Job Offers

Take Language Quiz 9 online (Moodle) – Due 11/22 (Monday) at 8:00 AM Submit PART A and B of Team Project in class on November 23 (Tuesday).

November 18 – Thursday

Unit 21: Proposals and Progress Reports Discussion of Team Presentation Assignment – Read instructions and requirements posted online (Moodle) – Working in Teams

WEEK 14 November 23 –

Tuesday

Submit Team Presentation Part A and B in class on November 23.

Get Ready for your Team Presentation to be delivered during week of 11/29 -12/6- Read instructions and requirements posted online – A discussion forum for your team will be available online to hold team online discussions.

November 25 – Thursday

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

UNIVERSITY CLOSED

WEEK 15 November 30 –

Tuesday

Team Presentations - Read instructions and requirements posted online

Take Language Quiz 10 online (Moodle) – Due 12/06 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

December 2 –

Thursday

Team Presentations - Read instructions and requirements posted online

WEEK 16 Final Exam

TBA Team Presentations - Read instructions and requirements posted online Take Final Exam online (Moodle): Available from _____