NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY

School of Business
Department of Management
Course Name
Course Code
& Section No
Semester:

Business Communication
BUS 251, Section 1 & Section 2
Summer 16

INSTRUCTOR & DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Instructor Name:

Rahnuma Sanjana (RSj)

Office

NAC 613

Office Hours:

MW-10:00-12:30, R-11.00-2.00

Email Address:

rahnumasanjana97@gmail.com

Department:

Management

Links:

North South University Website: http://www.northsouth.edu

School of Business Website: http://www.northsouth.edu/academic/sob/

COURSE & SECTION INFORMATION

Class Time & Location

Section 1 : R 8.00 am-11.00 am (NAC 502)

Section 2 : R 2:10pm-5:00pm (NAC 211)

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.
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
Students are expected to learn different methods of communication in an organization
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

Course Objectives

Student Learning
Outcomes

LEARNING RESOURCES AND TEXTBOOK(S)

Author

Kathryn Rentz &

Paula Lentz

Title

Lesikars Business
Communication

Edition & Year

Thirteenth Edition
(2014)

Page 1 of 4

Publisher

McGraw-Hill
Irwin

ISBN

978-1-259-06080-9

REFERENCE BOOK
Courtland L. Bovee
& John V. Thill

Excellence in Business
Communication

Seventh
Edition

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
First Midterm Exam

Points
15%

Second Midterm Exam

15%

Group Report and Presentation/s

20%

Individual Presentation/s

10%

Assignments/Quizzes

10%

Final Exam

25%

Attendance & Participation

5%
100%

Total

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%
92%-90%
89%-87%
86%-83%
82%-80%

=
=
=
=
=

A
AB+
B
B-

79%-77%
76%-73%
72%-70%
69%-67%

=
=
=
=

C+
C
CD+

60%-66%
=D
Less than 60% = F

CLASS ROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1. Cellular phones should be turned off/Silent mode during the class.

2. 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
3. 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 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.

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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.
Communication Policy

Email will be the mode of communicate with students. Students are required to submit their email addresses at the
beginning of the semester.
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.

Page 3 of 4

Course Outline
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

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.
9.

Chapter 11

Preparing informative and influential business reports

Handling interviews, Business Communication etiquette

Chapter 10

Second Mid Term Exam ( On the above Chapters)

10.

Communicating across cultures

Chapter 2

11.

Making your case with persuasive messages and proposals

Chapter 9

12.

Communicating effectively in meetings and conversations

Chapter 15

13.

Delivering oral reports and business speeches

Chapter 16

Group Presentation
FINAL EXAM
Course Plan:
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3

5th May
12th May
19th May

Session 4
Session 5
Session 6
Session 7

26th May
2nd June
9th June
16th June

Session 8
Session 9
Session 10
Session 11

23rd June
25th June (Sat)
30th June
7th July
14th July

Session 12

21st July

Intro + Chap 1+ Chap 3

Chap 4+ Chap 5+Class
Assignment 1
Quiz 1+Chap 6
Mid 1+ Chap 7
Chap 8+Chap 11
Class Assign 2+Chap
10
Mid 2+Chap 2
Chap 9+Chap 16
Eid Holiday
Ind. Presentation
+Chap 15
Group Presentation

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

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