MGMT 202

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Course Syllabus

INSTRUCTOR INFO:

FALL 2016
Patricia Henry, phenry6@emich.edu, (734) 487-3240

OFFICE HOURS:

Mons 5:256:25pm, Tues 8:559:55 am, Thurs 12:50am-1:50, Room 452

TEXTBOOK:

Bove, C. L. & Thill, J. V., (2014). Business Communication Essentials, 7TH

Edition, ISBN: 0133933865

LOCATION & TIME:

College of Business 230, Mondays 6:30 9:10pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Business professionals spend about 70% of their time communicating.
Good communications skills (verbal, nonverbal, written) are essential to you in your career.
This course will help you develop vital communication skills that you will use throughout your
career. As college graduates, you will learn how to adapt your speaking skills, writing skills, and
listening skills in a professional work environment. You will study principles through the
creation of effective business documents and presentations. This course will also focus on
approaches for planning, creating, and transmitting business information within a variety of
business situations including technology.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Understand written and verbal business communication.

Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills.
Proficient use of software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Develop professional business relationships.
Collect and document data from reliable sources.
Demonstrate the importance of networking.
Enhance responsibility through planning, organizing and tasks.
Participate in team activities to enhance collaboration skills.
Compose and revise accurate business documents using computer
technology.
10. Create a style of writing compatible to the audience to whom you
are writing.

PROFESSORS EXPECTATIONS: Since this is a business course, the classroom will mimic a
professional business. Students that signed up for MGMT 202 is expected to attend class each
week, read the assigned chapters prior to class and complete the require assignments. This
course is not difficult, but will require effort on your part. Failure to follow the expectations
may result in a failing grade.
If you need additional information not found in your syllabus, textbook, or on your assignment
sheets..ask questions! Bring a copy of your syllabus to class daily. You will make additions
and changes to the schedule as the semester progresses. You will need a personal EMU email
account to complete assignments in this course and for correspondence with the instructor.

CLASS STRUCTURE/STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: Please note that there is no make-up for missed
assignments, discussions, or exams, unless you have a medical emergency with documentation.
This course requires writing assignments. Submitted assignments should be done in Microsoft
Word, APA format, 12-point font and double-space. Submitted online assignments will only be
accepted in doc. or docx. format and requires answering questions in paragraph form. A
paragraph for this course is seven sentences. Handwritten assignments will not be accepted
(unless specified by the instructor). Students are expected to read the chapters prior to class,
actively participate in classroom discussions, and in-class assignments.

Class announcements are made at the start of class.

Use the syllabus as your guide. Bring it with you to each class in case of changes.
The syllabus will change as needed. Be proactive, keep track of your grades also.
Class lectures and discussions will cover material in your textbook.
Take notes effectively to use while taking exams.
Come to class prepared, having your own paper, pencils, or pens.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY/PLAGIARISM: You must submit your own original work. Cheating will
result in a failing grade. Refer to EMUs Students Code of Conduct Policies at
http://www.emich.edu/studenthandbook/policies/academics.php#univ for detailed explanations. I
have the right to question you regarding your work. If I cannot determine that the work is your
own, you may be asked to re-substantiate your knowledge of the material.
ACCEPTABLE STUDENT BEHAVIOR: Classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructors
ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn. Unacceptable or disruptive
behavior will not be tolerated. The majority of the class time will be spent interacting with
classmates. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to communicate with professionalism and
courtesy. This includes respecting others and their opinions. It is expected that all students show
mutual respect for their classmates, the instructor and the learning environment. Students are
expected to refrain from activities that are disturbing to the classroom environment. In cases
where students are disrupting class, they will be asked to cease the activity or leave the
classroom. According to the Student Conduct Code disruptive students can face disciplinary
action. The instructor shall have full discretion over what behavior is appropriate/inappropriate
in the classroom. Cell phones should not be on your desk or visible during class. Cell phones and
laptops are prohibited during test taking. The full Student Conduct Code is available on the
MGMT 202 course page.
PARTICIPATION/ATTENDANCE POLICY: There will be in-class assignments (individual/groups).
Students are require to actively participate in classroom discussions. Participation points are
awarded to those who contribute comments with substance.
Attendance is very important and you should plan to attend every class. There is no make-up
points if you miss a class unless you provide medical, or legal, documentation. In-class
assignments are meant to be completed in class. A sign-in attendance sheet will be provided

daily at the beginning of each class session. You may not sign-in for anyone other than yourself.
Points will be deducted if you arrive 10 minutes late to class. (Your paycheck is deducted when
you arrive late for work).
INSTRUCTOR COMMUNICATION: Instructors use mass email to communicate with students.
Students are responsible for checking their university email accounts regularly. Emails from
instructors contain important information about the course. Use your emich.edu email to
communicate with me, not your personal email.
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS: Please feel free to visit the Disability Resource Center (DRC) if
you need additional time or help in the classroom. When I receive the appropriate paperwork
from DRC, I will discretely make the necessary arrangements for you.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS: A student who is absent from a class or exam for the observance of a
religious holiday may complete missed work after the absence, if proper notice has been given
in advance.
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS MISSION STATEMENT: To support the economic development of
southeastern Michigan by preparing graduates to perform effectively in the global business
community. We develop outstanding business professionals through a rigorous, applied
educational experience.
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ETHOS STATEMENT: Please read the Ethos statement and the six
interrelated values on the MGMT 202 course page.
STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR STATEMENT (SEVIS): Please read Student and Exchange
Visitor Statement (SEVIS) policy on the MGMT 202 course page.
FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA): The Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act is a federal legislation enacted in 1974 that controls students records. It grants
students the right to access their own educational records as well as limiting, for privacy reasons,
the release of those same records to anyone other than the student and/or the students
designee. Please read this Act on MGMT 202.

COURSE OUTLINE
DATE
9/12 M

MATERIAL TO BE COVERED
Introductions; review syllabus; forms of communication

9/19 M

Ch 1/Professional Communication..
Ch 2/Interpersonal Communication
Ch 3/Planning Business Messages
Ch 4/Writing Business Messages

9/26 M

ASSIGNMENTS
Online assignment
In-class assignment

DUE
DATES
9/13
9/12

2 - In-class assignments

9/19

Online assignment

9/28

10/3 M

EXAM 1 chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, notes/until 8pm

In-class assignment

10/3

10/10 M
10/17 M

Computer lab Owen Building

Ch 5/Completing Business Messages
Ch 6/Digital Messages
Ch 7/Positive Messages
Ch 8/Negative Messages

In-class assignment
In-class assignment
Online assignment
In-class assignment
Online assignment

10/10
10/17
10/19
10/24
10/31

EXAM 2 chapters 5, 6, 7, 8, notes/until 8pm

-Ch 10 & 11/Understanding and Writing Reports
-30-second elevator speech for job interview
-Form groups
Computer lab Owen Building

In-class assignment

10/31

In-class speeches
In-class assignment
5-page report and
In-class assignment
In-class assignment
Online assignment
In-class assignment
Online assignment

11/7
11/7
11/14

10/24 M
10/31 M
11/7 M

11/14 M
11/21 M
11/28 M

12/5 M
12/12 M
12/19 M

Ch 9/Persuasive Messages
Group Presentations
EXAM 3 chapters 9, 10, 11, notes/until 8pm
Ch 12/Delivering Business Presentation
Ch 13/Building Careers & Writing Resumes
Discussions
Group Presentations
Ch 14/Applying & Interviewing for Employment
Ethical & Unethical Communication
FINAL EXAM chapters 12, 13, 14, notes

11/21
11/23
11/28
11/30

In-class assignment
In-class assignment

12/5
12/12
12/19