Strategic Communications for Business
Spee410

Spring 2007
 

Schedule of Classes and Assignments

 

Professor:  Ann Baldinger
Associate Professor:  Tim Ryan

Ann Baldinger
Office Phone:  239-8378                Office V-192
Home 269-684-4256 (not a long distance call from South Bend but dial the area code)

Tim Ryan
Office Phone:  239-8318               Office B-01

Course Description:  This course is an overview of communications in business and profession settings.  It explains the role of communication in achieving organizational goals and the diversification of the workforce.  It introduces the fundaments of successful communication including listening, verbal and nonverbal skills as well as management and leadership skills.  It provides the skills of resume writing, interviewing, conflict management and presentation skills that are all essential to surviving successfully in the workplace,  This course has been developed for the student who is about to enter the workforce.

Textbook:  Strategic Communication in Business and the Professions, O’Hair, Friedrich and Dixon, 5th edition, Houghton Mifflin, 2004

Credits - 3                        Pre-requisites - none
 
 

Upon completion of this course, the student should have the following skills:

1.  Explain the role of communication in achieving organizational oglas, understand the challenges posed by new communication   technologies, and the globalization of the marketplace.

2.  Have a knowledge of the basic communication skills of perception, listening, interactive listening, and the effects of verbal and nonverbal communication in the workplace.

3.  Be able to illustrate the importance of management and leadership in business settings.

4.  Knowledge of different leadership skills and which style applies to self.

5.  Knowledge of the skills needed to maintain constructive relationships with superiors, coworkers, customers, and others.

6.  Knowledge of the basic principles of interviewing.

7.  Knowledge of group communication strategies.

8.  Experience of participating in a problem-solving meeting.

9.  Knowledge of practical and value-based approaches to handling negotiation and conflict.

10.  Knowledge and experience of successful business presentations both informational and persuasive.

Attendance:

On time attendance is strongly recommended.  I realize that there may be times when absence or tardiness cannot be helped.  Think of this as your place of employment.  You cannot just be absent from the workplace without dire consequences.  This of this class as a dress rehearsal for the workplace.  Appropriate conduct is expected.  Ten points will be assessed for each absence,  (in many workplaces, no pay would be the result of absence.)  Five (5) points will be assessed for each tardy.
Students are expected to participate in each class, delivering presentations, conducting class, discussion of topics, etc.  Being absent will adversely affect your grade in numerous ways.  If absent, no make-up work will be allowed unless the instructor has been notified of the cause before the next class meeting.
 

Policies:

1.  No make up speeches, presentaions etc.  will be allowed without approval.
2.  A taped interview for you e-folio is required.
3.  A written evaluation is required
4.  A five minute information presentation is required that is taped and part of e-folio
5.  A five minute persuasive presentation is required that is taped and part of e-folio
6.  A team taught chapter is required
7.  A skektchbook of appropriate business attire
8.
  A self-evaluation of the informational and persuasive presentations along with a tape for the e-folio
9.
  A group problem-solving, negotiation meeting that is taped and evaluated both by self and by outside evaluators submitted for e-folio.

10.  All are required and must be submitted on time.
11.  Students will chose for inclusion in final project the presentations that they will to submit to Mr. Greve to fulfill the requirements of the e-folio

Grading:

Interview
        Evaluation by interviewer--------------------------------------------------------100 points
        Self-evaluation------------------------------------------------------------------------100 points

Sketchbook----------------------------------------------------------------------------------   50 points

Presentations
        Informative------------------------------------------------------------------------------100 points
        Persuasive------------------------------------------------------------------------------100 points
        Team taught chapter--------------------------------------------------------------- 100 points
                Listening skill self-evalation----------------------------------------------   25 points
                Leadership self-concept evaluation----------------------------------   25 points
                Workplace management sytle evaluation--------------------------   25 points
                Verbal and Nonverbal communication assessment-----------   25 points

Negotiation / Problem Solving Project (using Getting to Yes)
         Evaluation by outside evaluators------------------------------------------- 100 points
        Self-evaluation----------------------------------------------------------------------- 100 points

Papers
        Resume, cover letter and thank you letter-------------------------------  50 points

Tapes for e-folio submitted for final senior project
        Informative presentation
        Persuasive presentation
        Conflict Managment project
        Interview

Final exam---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100 points
                                                                                                    Total             1000 points

Ten (10) points will be assessed for each absence and five (5) points for each tardy over 5 minutes.
 
 
 

Transferable Skills:  for oral communication

The student will be able to :   Speak effectively

The student will be able to:  Prepare and deliver effective oral presentations

The student will be able to:  Accurately gauge audience dynamics

The student will be able to:  Demonstrate listening skills

The student will be able to:  Defend a position, point of view, or an interpretation

The student will be able to:  Research effectively

The student will be able to:  Participate in a team project effectively