OADM110 Business Communication

Department of Business Studies: Office Administration

I. Course Number and Title

OADM110 Business Communication

II. Number of Credits

3 credits

III. Minimum Number of Instructional Minutes Per Semester

2250 minutes

IV. Prerequisites

Writing Placement score of 6 or better or COMP107 (C or better)

Corequisites

None

V. Other Pertinent Information

None

VI. Catalog Course Description

The strategies and techniques of writing letters, memos, and reports are emphasized. Skills are developed and refined through assignments that include positive letters, negative letters, and other types of business messages. A business report is assigned to apply principles for writing a business analytical or informational report.

VII. Required Course Content and Direction

1. Learning Goals:

   The student will be able to:
   
   
   1. describe the communication process and recognize its importance for career advancement.
   
   
   
   2. identify effective techniques and writing style for letters, memorandums, and reports in business.
   
   
   
   3. demonstrate knowledge of direct and indirect order in the communication process and know how to adjust the writing style to the situation while maintaining goodwill.
   
   
   
   4. use correctly the principles of accepted communication -- grammar and English language fundamentals.
   
   
   
   5. describe appropriate approaches for writing positive, negative, neutral, and persuasive letters, memos, and reports.
   
   
   
   6. recognize and differentiate between the characteristics and uses of informational and analytical reports.
   
   
   
   7. identify the differences between primary and secondary data sources and the appropriateness of each.
   
   
   
   8. demonstrate the usefulness of pie charts, bar charts, line charts, tables, and other graphic aids found in business reports.
   
   
   
   9. relate the importance of the psychological impact of written business messages.
   
   
   
   10. recognize how human behavior can affect communication.
   
   
   
   11. recognize sensitivity to reader needs and desires to develop skill in using proper tone.
   
   
   
   12. recognize the importance of a positive tone, tactfulness, courtesy, and goodwill in business messages.
   
   
   
   13. determine the reader's reaction to the letter's goal and the correct approach to be used when composing letters and memorandums.
   
   
   
   14. use and adapt the writing style and language to fit the level of the reader.
   
   
   
   15. recognize the confidence of the reader in the company or in its products by building and retaining goodwill.
   
   
   
   16. write, edit, and rewrite documents to obtain effective messages.
   
   
   
   17. write letters, memorandums, and reports using correct format.
   
   
   
   18. write effective business messages by applying the proper strategies, concepts, and guidelines.
   
   
   
   19. demonstrate the use of correct style and format for letters, memorandums, and reports.
   
   
   
   20. select the appropriate organizational structure for a positive or negative message to suit different business situations.
   
   
   
   21. evaluate messages to improve viewpoint, tone, and organization.
   
   
   
   22. compose messages that use style and tone appropriate to the subject, purpose, and audience.
   
   
   
   23. arrange ideas in direct or indirect order, depending on the reader's probable reaction to the situation.
   
   
   
   24. identify the characteristics of a well-organized, well-written message.
   
   
   
   25. practice the craft of revision by editing for content, organization, style, readability, mechanics, and format.
   
   
   
   26. critique letters and memorandums prepared by someone else to reinforce writing principles and evaluation skills.
   
   
   
   27. write formal business reports using primary and/or secondary data.
   
   
   
   28. organize and analyze data to findings and conclusions.
   
   
   
   29. prepare an effective oral presentation based on the student’s analytical business report with an organized introduction, body, and conclusion while using visual aids and handouts effectively.
   
   Core Learning Goals
   Category I:
   College Level Writing I: The student will be able to:
   
   
   1. apply successfully College Level Writing I skills/concepts to college writing in various disciplines, on the job, and in daily activities.
   
   
   
   2. apply proper strategies, concepts, guidelines, grammar, and English language fundamentals to produce well-organized, well-written academic and/or business communication.
   
   Core Learning Objectives
   Category I:
   College Level Writing I: The students will be able to:
   
   
   1. tailor academic and professional communication for a culturally diverse audience. (1)
   
   
   
   2. eliminate stereotyping and gender bias from all written communications. (2)
   
   
   
   3. revise documents by editing for content, organization, style, readability, mechanics, and format. (2)
   
   
   
   4. articulate requirements for academic integrity and apply appropriate methods for citing and documentation. (2)
   
   Category III:
   Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: The students will be able to:
   
   
   1. reason from what they know, to form new knowledge, draw conclusions, solve problems, explain, decide, and/or predict. (Inductive and/or Deductive Reasoning Skills).
   
   Category III:
   Information Literacy: The students will be able to:
   
   
   1. determine the nature and extent of the information needed.
   
   
   
   2. determine the technologies and information formats appropriate for the information identified.
   
   
   
   3. access needed information effectively and efficiently.
   
   
   
   4. evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into their knowledge base and value system.
   
   
   
   5. develop an understanding of many of the economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information and access and use information legally and ethically.

2. Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities:

   1. Communicating in the new world of work
   2. Expanding communication power: listening, nonverbal, and intercultural skills
   3. Analyzing, anticipating, and adapting techniques in the writing process
   4. Researching, organizing, and composing in the writing process
   5. Revising, proofreading, and evaluating in the writing process
   6. Writing direct business letters
   7. Writing direct memos
   8. Writing negative newsletters
   9. Writing persuasive and sales messages
   10. Writing goodwill and special messages
   11. Writing reports and proposals
   12. Report organization and presentation
   13. Typical business reports
   14. Proposals and formal reports
   15. Preparing effective oral presentation
   16. Employment communication

3. Assessment Methods for Core Learning Goals:

   Category III: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: (Required)
   
   Students will be able to reason from what they know, to form new knowledge, draw conclusions, solve problems, explain, decide, and/or predict in an analytical research report integrating primary and secondary data collection, documentation, organization, illustration, conclusions, and recommendations.

4. Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Students:

   See course format

VIII. Teaching Methods Employed

• Lecture
• Writing and critical thinking application
• Problem-solving activities
• Group discussion

Review/Approval Date - 2/06; Core Goals/Objectives added - 4/04; Updated 4/06