B&P Syl

COMS 3358 001- Business & Professional Communication

Fall 2007

Course Instructor: _______________________

Office: _________, Hours: ____________, Phone: 742-3967

Course Director: Dr. Patrick Hughes, Office: MC263, Phone: 742-3911

Course Description: This course is designed to introduce you to basic skills, principles, and contexts of communication in business and professional settings. Verbal and nonverbal elements of oral communication are emphasized. Practice is provided in skills and principles associated with presentations, interviews, and meetings. The course fulfills the Oral Communication component of the University's General Education requirements. The course is based on research evidence and business trends indicating that in addition to fundamental effectiveness in communication skills, quality presentation-making is one of the most prevalent and important job tasks in careers today. In light of this, presentation assignments in the course stress basic skills of idea generation, message development, and message delivery.

Course Objectives: At the end of this course, you should be able to:

Synergize theories and principles of communication into the successful preparation and delivery of business and professional presentations.
Use effective interviewing skills and techniques.
Understand and practice good listening.
Analyze and apply group communication theories and skills.
Demonstrate application of conflict resolution strategies and theories.
Manifest understanding of and ability to apply persuasion theory and principles.
Recognize and apply effective verbal and nonverbal communication in a business and professional context.
Understand and apply ethical communication principles.
Use research based principles to cope with communication apprehension.
Use effective systematic problem solving skills and procedures.

Required Course Materials

Adler, R. B., & Elmhorst, J. M. (2008). Communicating at work (9^th ed). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Roach, K. D., & Brown, J. D. (2007). Business and professional communication (10^th ed.) Champaign, IL: Stipes Publishing.

3 Orange Computer Scantron sheets

Course Assignments/Assessments: The department of Communication Studies supports university policies of academic excellence as noted in the student handbook. Interpretation of grades should be considered within the university framework: A=excellent, B=good; C=average; D=inferior; and F=failure. Final grades in this course will be based on:

* Tests - (45%)

15% Test 1

15% Test 2

15% Test 3

* Presentations - (45%)

15% Presentation 1: Informative - Emphasis on Content and Structure.

15% Presentation 2: Persuasive - With Library and Interview Sources

15% Presentation 3: Persuasive Group Presentation (Peer=3%, Individual=5%, Group=7%)

* Activities - (10%)

A number of activities will be assigned to demonstrate or apply content from the text and class discussions. Each activity will require some sort of writing task to be completed on Activity Sheets included in your Workbook. You must use and turn in the appropriate Activity Sheet when it is due in order to receive credit for the activity. Points earned will be derived as the number of activities you have completed and turned in as assigned, divided by the total number of activities assigned by the end of the course. You cannot get credit for activities that are done on days you are absent. Late activities will not be accepted. You are expected to keep up with your own grades. You should know your standing in the course at any time during the semester.

Course Procedures

Assignments - Assignments must be completed on time. Late work will result in loss of points. Academic integrity is expected on all course assignments and activities. Violations of academic integrity (e.g., plagiarism, cheating, etc.) are serious offenses and will be dealt with according to university policy.

Attendance - Punctual attendance is expected at all class and discussion sessions, especially on presentation and test days. Excessive absences are defined by the instructor as more than two days, excused or unexcused. If you participate in University sponsored activities (e.g., intercollegiate sports) you must check with the instructor with appropriate documentation before you are absent. Texas Tech University policy regarding attendance will be followed in all classes. Students are responsible for all missed work.

Make-Up Assignments and Examinations - If you miss an exam or presentation it must be for one of the following types of documentable reasons: death in the family, severe personal illness, university sponsored activities, etc. If you have an unexcused absence on a day you are scheduled to make a presentation or take a test, you cannot make up that presentation or test. Additionally, because of time constraints, the instructor may elect not to grant make-up speeches for any reason. In order to take a make-up examination you must submit verifiable and official documentation to your instructor (e.g., a doctor’s note for the specific day missed). If your request is approved, you may take a make-up test on the appointed day. All make-up exams must be given for qualified persons within 2 weeks of the missed test.

Extra Credit - Extra credit can be earned for participation in departmental research conducted in or outside of class, if the opportunity arises. Extra credit points awarded will be determined by the nature of the project, but will not exceed 2 points added to the final course total.

Cell Phones – All cell phones must be turned off before class starts.

Last day to drop the course is the 45^th class day.

Observance of a Religious Holy Day – Texas House Bill 256 requires institutions of higher education to excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day. The student shall also be excused for time necessary to travel. An institution may not penalize the student for the absence and allows for the student to take an exam or complete an assignment from which the student is excused. No prior notification of the instructor is required.

Special Considerations - Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make necessary accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification from Student Disability Services. No requirement exists that accommodations be made prior to completion of this approved University process.

Note - The COMS department operates a computer lab in MC261 for student use. Hours are posted.

Note: For the course schedule, you need to check with your instructor and the syllabus for that section.