BCM 347 - ADMINISTRATIVE COMMUNICATION

Rusche College of Business, Stephen F. Austin State University

Note: This "standard" course syllabus is only a guide. Actual requirements for a particular section of this course are described in the course section syllabus, which should be obtained from the course instructor at the beginning of the respective semester.

BCM 347 - Administrative Communication

Catalog Description:


A study of administrative communication skills with focus on written and visual communication. Electronic presentation tools will be used to assist in document development. Prerequisites: BCM 247 or ENG 273; recommended prerequisite: CSC 101 or 121.

Learning Objectives:


Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate improved communication skills with both traditional strategies and computerized technology.
  2. Design and convey formal and informal messages for internal and external publics.
  3. Demonstrate awareness of the impact technology, environment, and audience have on message preparation and presentation.
  4. Design and prepare appropriate graphic aids for written messages and oral presentations that incorporate effective principles of electronic layout, formatting, and design.
  5. Utilize primary and secondary research strategies.
  6. Make an effective oral business presentation with appropriate media support.
  7. Apply effective teamwork and collaboration skills.
  8. Apply strategies for preparing persuasive proposals.
  9. Utilize effective editing and revision skills.

Topics/Components:

The following topics/components will be covered in the course.

  1. Advanced Business Communication Concepts (2 weeks)
    1. Importance of professional business communication skills
    2. Communication in businesses and organizations
    3. Managerial communication skills and tasks
    4. Ethics and communication
    5. Diversity and communication (intercultural, international, intergenerational, and gender)
  2. Process for Advanced Writing (4 weeks)
    1. Overall writing sequence
    2. Writing techniques for clarity, emphasis, and impact
    3. Electronic writing processes
    4. Collaborative writing 
    5. Research writing
    6. Procedural writing
    7. Document types and formats
  3. Advanced Visual Support (3 weeks)
    1. Principles of graphic design (emphasis, balance, unity, scale, and color)
    2. Media selection, preparation, and usage
    3. Incorporation of visual elements into written and oral business formats
  4. Persuasive Proposals (5 weeks)
    1. Major purposes of proposals
    2. Classification of proposals
    3. Proposal planning process
    4. Formulation of a solution and strategies
    5. Proposal writing process
    6. Proposal format and appearance
  5. Media Communication (1 week)
    1. Press/news releases
    2. Press conferences
    3. Media interviews

Project Applications:

The following types of applications will be completed as part of the course:

·         Reading and interpretation of published resources related to pertinent business issues

·         Creation and production of business documents for various situations

·         Team writing and design projects to include procedural documents, news items, a formal proposal, and promotional materials

·          Team oral presentation, with PowerPoint multimedia slides and other supporting materials

 

Textbook:

Gale, S. H., Garrison, M., Lehman, C. M., & DuFrene, D. D. (2008). Administrative communication. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. ISBN: 978-0-324-61391-9


Evaluation:

Examinations including both objective and essay portions will be utilized to assess understanding of course content reflected in class lectures and discussion and in text and other readings. Individual assignments as well as team writing and presentation assignments will be used to assess appropriate application of concepts covered in the course. A writing portfolio reflecting the student’s edited course assignments will also be assessed.