Instructor:  Dr. W.A. Kelly Huff

e-mail:  huffwak@peachnet.campuscwix.net

Web Page URL:  http://www.students.armstrong.edu/~huffwill/

Textbook:  Thill, J.V. & Bovée, C.L.  (1999).  Excellence in Business Communication  (4th Ed.).  Upper Saddle
        River, NJ:  Prentice Hall.

Catalog Course Description:  “Knowledge and application of principles of oral and written communications in
        business situations -- planning, organizing and writing letters and other business data for specific types of
        reports.  Prerequisites:  ENG 101 and 102.”

Course Objectives:  The course is designed to develop practical understanding of the process of technical/business
        writing and oral communications 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 credit and
        collection messages.  Special emphasis is placed on employment communications involving resumes, cover letters,
        follow-up letters, and interviewing techniques.

Grading:      Examination I (Chapters 1-2, 4-7)                  20 percent
                    Examination II (Chapters 9-12, 15-16, 18)     20 percent
                    Business Correspondence                               20 percent
                    Resume and Cover Letter                               20 percent
                    Sales Presentation                                           20 percent
                    Attendance also affects grading

Grade Scale:  90-100=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-79=D, Below 60=F.

Attendance Policy:  The course lasts for only four weeks, so we meet just eight times.  Each absence after one will be
        penalized one letter on the final grade.  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.  You will be allowed to make up just one missed test without penalty.  Makeup tests
        will cover the same material, but will take a more difficult form.  The program coordinator will give the test in his
        office and it will be given prior to the next class meeting.   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, then inform the professor right away in person and in writing and arrangements may be made.

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
                                No typed outline                 10 point penalty
                                No visual aid                       15 point penalty
                                Inadequate visual aid(s)        Penalty depends on extent of inadequacy; 15 point maximum