BA 200 -- Business Communication 200*
Piedmont College, Athens
2008

NOTE:  The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by the instructor may be necessary. 
Normally, this will be done at least once in class and published on the course web page. 

Professor:  Dr. W.A. Kelly Huff               e-mail address:   khuff@uga.edu

Textbook:  Locker, K.O. & Kaczmarek, S.K.  (2007).  Business Communication:  Building Critical Skills  (3rd Ed.). 
    Boston:  McGraw-Hill Irwin.          

Web Page URL:  http://www.wakh.net/
                          
        Check the web page frequently for information about course schedules, assignments, exams, etc.  
        Click on “Information for Current Students;” then “BA 200 – Business Communication.”   

Catalog Course Description:  “A study of the tools and techniques useful for communicating in a business environment 
    and the concepts and theories of business communication.  Prerequisite:  ENG 102.”

Course Objectives:  The course is designed to develop practical understanding of the process of writing and oral
        communication employed in the business world.  Students should understand the concepts behind effective
        communication while developing and refining their own skills, and should be able to communicate effectively
        in the business world.  Emphasis is placed on planning, researching, organizing, and presenting of written
        and spoken presentations necessitated by business activities.  Increasing practical proficiency and theoretical
        knowledge are the primary objectives.  Readings, lectures, speaking, and writing experiences are used to increase
        skill and confidence.  Business situations presented require written strategies covering the areas of goodwill messages,
        unpleasant news, routine requests, refusals, persuasive and sales letters, employment communication, and etc. 
        Special emphasis is placed on employment communication involving resumes, cover letters, letters, and interviewing techniques. 

Grade Scale:  90%=A, 80%=B, 70%=C, 60%=D, Below 60=F.  There will be no rounding of grades or extra credit in any form.  

Grading: 

Weekly Homework Exercises/In-Class Activities/Class Participation
 50 percent
Examination I 20 percent
Resume, Cover Letter, Interview 15 percent
Sales Presentation 15 percent
Attendance also affects grading See Policy

Attendance Policy:  The course lasts for only eight weeks, so we meet just eight times.  Certainly, we all have obligations, but
    this class is one of those obligations.  There are some situations that cannot be avoided, but missed lectures, discussions,
    and assignments are difficult, if not impossible, to make up.  Therefore, makeup tests will cover the same material, but will
    take a more difficult form. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the instructor of any attendance problems.  DO NOT
    miss an in-class assignment.  If homework is assigned, it will be due the next class period.  If an assignment is done in class,
    and the student is absent, a grade of zero (F) will be assigned.  Sales presentation times will be determined in advance. 
    When your time comes, you must complete the project or forfeit the grade with zero (F).  If you know in advance that
    you will be taking your one allowable absence for an important reason as judged by the professor, then inform the professor
    right away in person and in writing and arrangements will be considered. 

    College policy for classes that meet one time each week: 

    (1) Students who miss one class will have to meet with the instructor to continue in the class. 
    (2) Students who miss two or more classes must withdraw from the class. 

    In eight-week evening session classes that meet once weekly, each time a student is late to class
    or leaves class early will count as one-half an absence.  Two of these in any combination count as one absence. 
       
    All absences for participation in recognized school events (e.g., athletics, drama, field trips) will count against
    the announced absence policy. A request for consideration of an exception to this policy must be submitted in
    writing to the appropriate Dean. The student is responsible for all material covered during the classes missed. 
    Sometimes small group projects will be difficult or impossible to make up. 

Written Work, Outlines, and Visual Aids:  All take-home assignments must be typed or word-processed.  This is
        a business communication class and written business communication is not handwritten.  Work that is not typed or
        word-processed (and/or turned in on time) will not be accepted, and a grade of “zero” will be assigned.  Written
        assignments must follow the example that will be given to you by the instructor.

        A typed outline is required for the sales presentation.  Failure to turn in the outline on time will result in your automatic
        failure on the presentation without exception; no outline means no presentation and a grade of zero.  If the outline is
        handed in but not typed, a 10-point penalty will be assessed on the presentation.  The outline must follow the example
        that will be given to you by the instructor.  The outline will constitute part of the grade, so it must be well done.
        Presentations require visual aid(s).  Failure to comply results in a minimum automatic 15-point grade reduction.  Visual
        aid(s) must be well thought out and be integral to the project.  Some examples of what not to do:  Hastily writing
        something on a piece of paper to show the class; Hanging a picture on the wall while you speak; Laying an object on the
        table; Visuals that cannot be seen adequately by the instructor, etc.  These examples and similar instances result in a
        15-point penalty.  Visual aids must be pertinent to, and integrated into, the presentation and must be done effectively.
        Each presentation will be well researched.  At least three legitimate sources of credibility will be necessary – sometimes
        more.  A uniform point penalty will be assessed for violations.  Five points will be taken off for each source under the
        limit, with a maximum penalty of 15 points.  These sources will be typed and handed in with the outline -- on the same
        page or on an attached page.  Correct or incorrect grammar usage is a major factor in grading.  Poor grammar is a major
        cause of ineffective business communication.

       To summarize:  

No outline  Automatic zero grade for presentation
Untyped outline 10 point penalty
Untyped sources 5 point penalty
No visual aid  15 point penalty
Inadequate visual aid Penalty depends on extent of inadequacy; 15 point maximum
Inadequate sources and/or poorly documented sources 5-point penalty for each under three with a 15 point maximum
Overtime/Undertime Speech 5-point penalty every 15 seconds

Participation and Make-Up Work:  Participation extends beyond mere attendance.  Your regular attendance is
    necessary as examinations cover material from the book and material covered only in lectures.  Students must be prepared
    to contribute to all aspects of classroom activity (for example, paying attention to the speeches of others, discussions,
    exercises, and short written assignments).  In order to participate students will be expected to read the assigned
    readings and prepare any required materials by the date specified.  Students who are habitually unprepared to participate
    substantially in class will have points deducted from their final grade as determined by the instructor.  Per
    departmental policy, there are no make-ups for daily in-class activities.    

    Additionally, class activities and pop quizzes will be scattered throughout the semester.  Such activities will go
    toward your final course grade and – per departmental policy – cannot be made up  regardless of the
    reason for the absence.  Please note that if you should you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain
    missed materials from a classmate, not from the instructor. 

    Presentations, examinations, and some other assignments are clearly scheduled on the web page. 
    Students must give presentations, participate, and take examinations on the assigned day.  Students who miss a speech or
    examination must inform the instructor by phone and/or e-mail as soon as possible before the class meets   
    and upon returning to class must present a bona fide written reason to the instructor (i.e. written letter to the
    instructor and valid medical excuse).   This is covered under the same policies that govern final exams; for
    example, serious illness,* a college-sponsored event that is documented in writing and in advance,** or
    a death in one’s immediate family.***  For any of these reasons, the student must notify the instructor in
    advance of the absence and then later present his/her case to the instructor in person and in written form. 
    An excused absence results in a grade of zero.  Remember, in line with departmental policy, students
    cannot make up in-class assignments regardless the reason for the absence. 

    IF the student provides a valid medical excuse for an illness as outlined below, the presentation or exam might
    be made up.  The professor is the final authority on the validity and acceptance of an excuse.  Excused
    or not, an absence is still an absence on the record.   However, the exam will not be multiple choice, but will
    be in written form.  In the case of illness, the student, prior to returning to class, will also be required to
    present a valid doctor’s excuse and a written explanation from the student to the professor.  

    * Illness:  The student must contact the instructor prior to the presentation, exam, or assignment.  If the student is unable
    to do so, have a friend or family member do so.  (Note:  Under most circumstances the make-up must be
    scheduled prior to the next class period or within the same week of the exam or assignment.  Students may
    not take a makeup without an official medical excuse presented to validate.)  Whicheve health center you use
    to get an excuse, you MUST get a “Plan of Care/Instructions” from that health center.  To get
    a note from the health center, I do NOT mean the traditional form indicating that the student “was
    seen” at the health center.  Instead you must ask for a form that says “Plan of care/Instructions.”  Ask the
    doctor to write on that form: “In my opinion, this student should not be in classes today, tomorrow, next
    two weeks, etc.”  A doctor, physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner will write that note if you ask.  If
    you don’t ask, it is unlikely they will do so. The note does not have to say why you can’t attend class, just
    that you are not fit for attending class.  NOTE: A nurse CANNOT and WILL NOT fill out the plan of
    care/instructions.  Thus you must request seeing someone other than a nurse.  Without a note from
    your doctor stating that you were too sick to attend the exam or the “Plan of Care/Instructions” form from
    the health center indicating you were too sick to give the speech or exam, you will receive a ZERO for
    that speech and/or exam.  Excused or not, an absence is still an absence.  Don’t be foolish in cutting class. 

     ** College-sponsored event :  Note:  The student must submit a written request to the instructor prior to
    the event and must complete arrangements to make up the assignment or exam in advance. 

    *** Family death:  Students must contact the instructor prior to the exam or discussion.  The college
    typically verifies that the student must miss class because of a family death.  At the very least, leave an e-mail
    message or a phone message at Piedmont College and see the instructor as soon as possible.  

Classroom courtesy:

    Students are expected to support this class with good attendance, punctuality, attentiveness, and respect for
    other students and the professor.  Attendance in class is mandatory.

    No private conversations are allowed during class.  We will have polite class discussions with no rude arguing.
    Violators will be asked to leave, counted absent, and must meet with the instructor prior to attending future
    class meetings.

    All phones, beepers, pagers, radios, etc. must be turned off before class begins and will remain off and packed away throughout
    class.  No headphones will be allowed during class. You will not even be allowed to touch or look at a phone or other electronic
    devices during an exam or quiz.  You will put such items away so that no one, including yourself, can see the phone or other device.

    During class time none of the following will be tolerated:
            Studying for other classes.
            Reading outside materials of any kind. 
            Doing crossword puzzles or anything similar.    

    Any student deemed by the professor as disruptive to the conduct of the class will be asked to leave for the
    day, will receive an unexcused absence, and be asked to “show cause” as to why he/she should be allowed to
    continue with the class.  

    Arrive on time and leave on time.  During a presentation in progress, no one will be allowed to enter the
    classroom.  If you are late, wait outside until the presenter is finished.  Failure to comply will result in a 10-
    point penalty on your own grade for that round of speeches. 

    If you come in late on the day of an exam, you have only until the last person who came on time turns in
    theirs to finish yours. 

Special Considerations:  Piedmont College makes every effort to provide reasonable and appropriate
    accommodations to students with disabilities.  Accommodations must be coordinated through the Office
    of Counseling and Career Services by contacting the director at 1-800-277-7020 ext 1259 or by
    email kcutrell@piedmont.edu.  Students are responsible for providing accurate and current documentation
    of their disability and for making a written request to the director before receiving accommodations. 
    Students with special needs (disabilities, problems, or any other factors that may affect their performance
    or that require special instructional strategies) should also make these needs known to the professor/instructor
    during the first class session.

Academic Integrity:  A student found responsible for any act of academic dishonesty (cheating, fabrication, facilitating
    academic dishonesty, plagiarism -- see your Student Handbook) will be subject to dismissal from the college.

Special Notes:

    You must fill out and sign the form* given to you in class that acknowledges receipt and understanding of this
    syllabus.  You will return the form to the professor when you receive it or you will be assigned a zero for the final
    grade.  Not receiving a form will not be accepted as an excuse, since the form and syllabus will be available to all
    students during the first week of class meetings.

    No one will go to anyone else about a problem with the class, instructor, or other students without first meeting with the
    instructor.  Failure to follow the first or any other step in the hierarchy will result in forfeiture of any rights to an appeal. 

    *In class, you will receive a form that says:  "I have read the online syllabus and attendance policy and I have had the opportunity to ask
    questions about anything I did not understand.  I understand the syllabus and agree to abide by its provisions.  I also understand
    that some changes may be necessary and will be made by the instructor as needed and announced at least once in class." 

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