Lahore University of Management Sciences

MGMT 212 Business Communication

Spring 2017

Instructor Shezeen Hemani
Room No. SDSB 419
Office Hours TBA
Email Shezeen@lums.edu.pk
Telephone
Secretary/TA Nabeela Shezadi
TA Office Hours
Course URL (if any)

Course Basics
Credit Hours 3
Lecture(s) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week 2 Duration 75 mins
Recitation/Lab (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week - Duration
Tutorial (per week) Nbr of Lec(s) Per Week - Duration

Course Distribution
Core Yes
Elective
Open for Student Category
Close for Student Category

COURSE DESCRIPTION
Business Communication trains students on how to communicate in a professional context. Students will learn how to deliver coherent
presentations, compose formal documents and engage in directed discussions. The course welcomes students from all academic backgrounds
who wish to burnish their skills in writing and speaking. The assignments encourage attention to detail, research and iteration.

Business Communication course will equip students with the effective writing and oral communication skills. Values and Ethics are some of the
major features being focused throughout the course as the effective communication and presentation is based on a relationship with the
audience through trust building and networking, which is not possible through unethical means.

Students would be able to apply analytical thinking and problem solving skills once they are active listener through a 2-way communication.
During the course, students would be required to use information technology to prepare well not only for the individual lectures but also for their
assignments and presentations. Course is designed in such a way that students would be able to work in teams and would be required to interact
with the organizations to get the exposure of the diverse and multicultural environments.

Students will also get an exposure to the organizations to learn about their ecosystem while developing a business plan and producing a sales
pitch. They will learn about the key business disciplines through case-lets, business plan development and guest speakers. The whole course
revolves around sense-making communications to produce desired results, which would result in a right decision, at the right time in the right
situation for the right target audience. This course would help the participants learn how to manage their relationships through problem solving
and decision making.

COURSE PREREQUISITE(S)

N/A


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COURSE OBJECTIVES

Realize the modes of communication that are common in the professional world and the contexts in which they arise
Develop writing and discussion styles that are distinctive yet encompass the rudiments of precision, brevity, formality and
courtesy
Become comfortable working on assignments that involve planning, market research, teamwork and multiple iterations
Become comfortable critiquing the work of self and others as part of a process of incremental improvement




Learning Outcomes

Students will realize the relative significance of content, language and formatting in deliverables
Students will have a grasp of jargon and concepts that are commonly used in communicating in the professional world
Students will feel more comfortable marketing both themselves and their ideas in the professional world

Grading Breakup and Policy

Attendance (5%): There will be an explicit policy for class attendance and in-class discipline.

Class Participation (15%): Students are expected to come prepare pre-assigned readings and share their opinions on different subjects.

Quizzes (10%): Based on readings and class discussion. Quizzes can be both announced and/or unannounced

Short Assignments (10%): CV writing/LinkedIn Profile, Email Assignment (individual)

Mid-Term Presentation (10%): Presenting ones life experiences (individual)

Mid-Term Assignment (15%): An exercise in developing a Business Plan (group)

Writing Assignment (10%): Writing Personal Statement (individual)

Final Project (25%): Developing and presenting a Case Study (group)



Examination Detail

Yes/No: No
Combine Separate:
Midterm
Duration:
Exam
Preferred Date:
Exam Specifications:


Yes/No: No
Combine Separate:
Final Exam
Duration:
Exam Specifications:




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Lecture
/ Topics Objectives/ Application
Module

Introduction & Course Overview Understand what aspects of communication are necessary for graduates. Overview of
1
policies, instruments and grading for the course and expectations from instructor and
students.

2 Presentation Skills I Preparing for and delivering presentations in a professional context


Presentation Skills II Giving some flavor of public speaking through impromptu presentations on assigned
3
reading and discussion of case study


4 Business Plan I Discussion on the components of a business plan


Communicating in Groups Bridge Building Exercise
5
Understanding how to behave in a group when developing a project and working in teams


Business Plan II Understanding the format, tone and components of Business Plan for assignment
6
submission

7 Individual Student Presentations 1 Topic: Whats your story?
8 Individual Student Presentations 2
9 Individual Student Presentations 3 Students will give a talk/presentation discussing their most crucial life experience so far
Presentation Feedback Individual feedback rounds to enable students learn from self-assessment as well as
10
instructor evaluation of presentations
Emails Review of Email Assignment
11
Class discussion on basic etiquettes of email writing
CV/LinkedIn Discussion on CV writing
12

Listening Skills Class activity on listening skills
13

Guest Speaker session TBA
14

Case Study 1 Students will prepare and discuss 4 business cases that illustrate communication
challenges in organizations. The focus will be on understanding how to communicate with
15
internal and external stakeholders and the challenges of inter-departmental
communications.
Sales Pitch
16 To understand the idea of giving a sales pitch

Mock Interview Mock interviews will be arranged in class
17

Case Study 2 Discussion of Case Study
18

Case Study 3 Discussion of Case Study
19

20 Case Study 4 Discussion of Case Study
Sales Pitch II Students will make a sales pitch in class on topic as discussed in class
21

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Case Writing
22
Learning about how to develop a case study. Understand in terms of content, format,
Case Writing structure of the case and the teaching note. In-depth discussion of case format and
23 structure based on the shortlisted organizations by student groups

24 Open Session TBA

25
Team Presentations: 1
26 Team Presentations: 1 The final team presentations where all students are expected to be active members of
27 Team Presentations: 2 the audience
28 Team Presentations: 3

Textbook(s)/Supplementary Readings

Handouts, exercises and readings will be updated through the semester. All readings will be shared through email.

Other useful information about the course

Attendance, CP and other Policies:

Only three absences are allowed. From the fourth absence, grade reduction will take place
The class will begin right on time. Any student entering in class after 5 minutes shall be marked absent.
Maximum number of points awarded per class for CP is 3 per student.
Students shall be awarded a mark between 1 and 3 on individual CP based on quality i.e. value and relevance.

Method of instructions:
Class will consist of lectures, discussions, videos, cases and activities to enrich learning.
It is essential that you:

1. Prepare for the classes. Please read the assigned reading(s)/cases before each class.
2. Attend all classes.
3. Actively contribute to class discussions and activities.
4. Thoroughly and thoughtfully complete assignments.

Plagiarism
Universitys ethics code applies.