NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY

School of Business
Department of Management
Course Name Business Communication
Course Code BUS 251
& Section No Section 1: ST 9.40-11.10 (NAC 203)
Section 4: ST 1.00-2.30 (NAC 205)
Section 11: MW 9.40-11.10 (NAC 303)
Section 14: MW 1.00-2.30 (NAC 303)
Semester: Fall ’18
INSTRUCTOR & DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Instructor Name: Rahnuma Sanjana (RSj)

Office NAC 734 (4)
Office Hours: ST- 11:30-1:00
MW- 11:30-1:00
Email Address: rahnumasanjana97@gmail.com
Department: Management

COURSE & SECTION INFORMATION

Course Prerequisite(s) ENG103

Course Credit Hours 3:0

Course Description Modern Business Management is all about communicating effectively. Evidence of the importance of
communication in business is found in numerous surveys of executives, managers, and recruiters. Without
exception these surveys have found that communication ranks at or near the top of the business skills
needed for success.
Course Objectives  Understanding the importance of realistic business communication process with real life business
scenarios.
 Adapting writing processes considering different business situations and selecting appropriate words
in those scenarios through examples.
 Helping the students in learning the differences between formal and informal writing techniques by
providing samples of formal and informal emails, letters, memos and reports.
 The course deals with explanation of why communicating clearly across cultures is important to
business though case studies.
 Helping students constructing their CV and resume through real life samples and preparing them for
job interviews
Student Learning  Students are expected to learn different methods of communication in an organization
Outcomes  They will be able to communicate effectively in oral and written messages to enhance goodwill of
the organization
 Students will be able to write clearly and convey ideas and decisions effectively
 They will be able to present their ideas coherently and effectively through presentations
 They will be able to write detailed formal reports with graphics
Students will be able to construct proper CV/Resume for job applications

LEARNING RESOURCES AND TEXTBOOK(S)

Author Edition & Year Publisher ISBN

Title
Kathryn Rentz & Lesikar’s Business Fifteenth Edition McGraw-Hill 978-1-259-06080-9
Paula Lentz Communication (2017) Irwin

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REFERENCE BOOK

 Courtland L. Bovee Excellence in Business Ninth Edition

& John V. Thill Communication

TEACHING STRATEGY

The instructor will introduce the concepts through class lectures and discuss various aspects of the concept
with examples. Students are strongly advised to go through different chapters of the text book carefully to
keep themselves abreast of the discussions in class. Practical examples of different business communication
situations will be explained and students will be invited to participate.

ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND GRADING SCHEME

Grading tool Points

First Midterm Exam 15%
Second Midterm Exam 15%
Group Report and Presentation/s 20%
Individual Presentation/s 5%
Quizzes 10%
Assignments 5%
Final Exam 25%
Attendance & Participation 5%

The final grade will be a percentage of the accumulation of all points received over the course as follow as per NSU Grading Policy :

100%-93% = A 79%-77% = C+ 60%-66% =D

92%-90% = A- 76%-73% = C Less than 60% = F
89%-87% = B+ 72%-70% = C-
86%-83% = B 69%-67% = D+
82%-80% = B-

CLASS ROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1. The address to my weebly is http://rahnumasanjana.weebly.com/

All students must regularly visit and be updated on what is being posted on my weebly at your own responsibility.

2. Cellular phones should be “turned off’/“Silent mode” during the class.

3. Students are advised to frequently refer to the Student Handbook of North South University on the following link:
http://www.northsouth.edu/student-code-of-conduct.html

4. Academic Integrity Policy:

Academic dishonesty of any type will be punished as per NSU Rules. This includes, but is not limited to plagiarism (copying others
work -- in part or in total) and copying during exams. In addition, classroom etiquette is to be maintained at all times. This means that
when the Instructor is speaking or when students are presenting their ideas, the class should listen carefully. Questions from
students are always welcome, but chattering or whispering among class members causing distraction are not allowed.

Talking or other forms of communication with other students will not be allowed during exams. The ‘no talking’ requirement will
remain in force during the exam and until all students have handed their exam scripts to the instructor. Talking during the exam will

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disqualify the student from taking the exam. Any student engaging in misconduct will be dealt with according to North South
University's Student Code of Conduct.

QUIZ, LATE ASSIGNMENTS & MAKE UP POLICY

 Students will submit written assignments on designated dates.

 Late submission of assignments will be penalized by deducting 5% of the total points for each day delayed.
 Copying/Cheating is a strict misdemeanor in this class, if I do catch you doing it, YOU SHALL BE PENALIZED.
 ALL QUIZZES, ASSIGNMENTS SHALL BE COUNTED TOWARDS YOUR FINAL GRADE, THERE WILL BE NO ‘BEST OF’
APPROACH.
 There will be no make up for quiz. Make-up for midterms will not be allowed as well. However if there is a valid reason for
missing it you will sit for a comprehensive final. There will be no make-up exams of the Final Exam.
 Cell phones are prohibited in exam sessions.

GROUP ASSIGNMENT (GROUP SHOULD HAVE 5/6 MEMBERS )

Class will be divided into groups of 6/7 students at the beginning of the semester. Each group will be assigned a topic to write a short
dissertation/report. This will enable students to interact among themselves and develop cooperative team work culture, which is
essential for the success of an organization. The group will present the report verbally at the end of the semester. The topics will be
drawn from communication issues in different organizations.

INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION AND INTERVIEW

Students will be given topics in the class and have to present on the spot for individual presentations. They will also face a real life
job interview scenario individually in a designated class which will be announced by the instructor.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

In order to foster a collaborative learning experience where shared student participation is important, attendance is critical. There
may be situations when a student may miss class due to illness or an emergency. In such cases, students are still responsible to
ensure that assignments are submitted on time. Arriving late for class is a gross violation of discipline and etiquette. Late entrants
into class disrupt normal flow of discussion of the class. Instructor can debar a late student from attending class. North South
University stipulates that students who are absent 25% or more from their classes will be considered “failed”, even if such absences
are excusable.

COURSE ADJUSTMENTS

The instructor can make adjustments in the Course, keeping the overall objective of the Course in mind.

Students With Special Needs

North South University will provide special attention to the requirements of students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are
encouraged to contact their instructors to ensure that their needs are met. The University through its Special Need section will exert
all efforts to accommodate special needs.

Course Contents

Please obtain the textbook as quickly as possible and read the first chapter before attending the first class. Please note that Course
Outline is indicative and is subject to change as the semester progresses. Students will be informed whenever there are changes.

Course Outline

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 Topics

1 Understanding work place communication Chapter 1

2. Adapting your words to your readers Chapter 3

3. Constructing clear sentences and paragraphs Chapter 4

4. Writing for a positive effect Chapter 5

5 Choosing the best process and form Chapter 6

First Mid Term Exam ( on the above Chapters)

6. Getting to the point in good-news and neutral messages Chapter 7

7. Maintaining goodwill in bad-news messages Chapter 8

8. Chapter 11
Preparing informative and influential business reports

9. Communicating across cultures Chapter 2

Second Mid Term Exam ( On the above Chapters)

10. Handling interviews, Business Communication etiquette Chapter 10

11. Chapter 9
Making your case with persuasive messages and proposals
12. Communicating effectively in meetings and conversations Chapter 15

13. Chapter 16
Delivering oral reports and business speeches
14. Individual Presentation
15. Group Presentation
16. FINAL EXAM

Course Plan:

Session 1 26 Sep Intro Session 13 31 Oct Chapter 8

Session 2 1 Oct Chapter 1 Session 14 5 Nov Chapter 11
Session 3 3 Oct Chapter 3 Session 15 7 Nov Ind. Presentation
Session 4 8 Oct Chapter 4 Session 16 9 Nov (Friday Class) Quiz 2
Session 5 10 Oct Assignment 1 Session 17 12 Nov Chapter 2
Session 6 12 Oct (Friday Class) Quiz 1 Session 18 14 Nov Mid 2
Session 7 15 Oct Chapter 5 Session 19 19 Nov Chapter 10
Session 8 17 Oct No Class Session 20 26 Nov Chapter 10
Session 9 22 Oct Chapter 6 Session 21 28 Nov CV Submission +Chapter 15+
Chapter 16
Session 10 24 Oct Mid 1 Session 22 3 Dec Chapter 9
Session 11 Session 23 5 Dec Group Presentation
Session 12 29 Oct Chapter 7 Session 24 10 Dec Group Presentation

The instructor reserves the right to change the above outline at her discretion.

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