COM 3110: BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION________________________________Fall 2010

Reference 84071
Section U04
Time: Tuesday & Thursday, 3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
Location: PCA 167

Florida International University

College of Architecture + The Arts
Communication Arts Department
Professor: Mariam Willis
Email: mwillis@fiu.edu (preferred communication)
Phone: (305) 348-___
Dept.: (305)348-1984 (message)
Office Hours:
Monday 12 – 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday 10 – 11 a.m.
Wednesday 1 – 2:00 p.m.
Thursday 2 – 3:00 p.m.
Friday 11:00 a.m. - noon
And by appointment. Email professor.
Office: VH ___ Until further notice, I will be available in the Communication Arts Department office, VH212, during
the designated office hours.

University Drop Date: October 15, 2010

2010-2011 Academic Calendar

Final Grades Submitted: December 15, 2010

TEXT

Title: Business Communication: Building Critical Skills, Special Edition for FIU
Author: Locker & Kaczmarek
Edition: 4th ed. custom
ISBN: 0077473981

The text for this course is an e-text. Each student must purchase his/her own text code to access online materials that
are necessary for assessments in this course. The e-text is only available through the FIU bookstore. If a student does
not purchase the text code s/he will not be able to complete the course work necessary to receive a grade in this course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course is designed to improve your verbal and written communication skills in the business environment. You will
plan, practice, and participate in individual as well as group presentations. Effective communication skills will be applied
to personal, class, and business situations.

This course will help you improve your business communication skills in the following areas:

• Business Writing: You will develop and/or improve your ability to use clear, concise language, to select an
appropriate format, and to write the following professional business documents: memorandums, cover letters,
 resumes, speech outlines, speech notes, citations, bibliographies, and reports.

• English Language Skills: You will develop and/or improve your ability to compose English sentences using
proper punctuation, grammar, and mechanics.

• Public Speaking: You will develop and/or improve your ability to select, organize, and effectively deliver
information in a businesslike manner with appropriate language, articulation, nonverbal communication, and
visual supporting materials.

• Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: You will develop and/or improve your ability to recognize how well
you communicate with others in a problem solving small group setting. Our goal will be for you to develop
essential critical listening, conflict management, time management, and problem solving skills.

INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS AND POLICIES

Attendance: You will be expected to attend every class session. You are allowed two excused or unexcused absences
during the semester. Missing more than two classes may result in failing this course. There will be no exceptions.
Missing an exam or presentation will result in the loss of all points for that exam or presentation. An excused absence is
defined as one that can be documented in writing, such as medical situations, death in the student’s immediate family, or
an officially recognized university sponsored event.

Tardiness: You will be expected to arrive at class on time. Tardiness is not acceptable and will result in a reduction of
your grade. Two “lates” are the equivalent of one absence, and you are permitted one unexcused absence. If you arrive
late on the day of your speech presentation, you may not be permitted to deliver your speech that day. Leaving class
early is counted the same as a tardy. If you are tardy, notify the professor at the break or after class so the absence can
be changed to a tardy.

Assignments: All assignments are due on time during the class period. Writing assignments must be your original work and
will not be accepted through email. A late writing assignment will be deducted 25% for each class session, beginning on
the date due. Oral assignments, in-class assignments, formal presentations, quizzes and exams cannot be made
up.

Writing Assignments for a Grade: All writing assignments turned in for a grade must be typewritten on 8 ½” x 11” paper,
single- or double-spaced, depending on the assignment. Indicate the assignment on the first page.

Readings: Read the assigned chapters before coming to class and be prepared to join in the class discussion.

Plagiarizing: Plagiarizing is a serious academic offense. If you are caught plagiarizing an assignment, you will receive a 0
for the assignment and an official FIU written notice. Refer to the section on plagiarism in the FIU Student Handbook.

Delivery: All presentations will be extemporaneously (conversationally) delivered. Reading or memorizing a presentation
will result in failing the assignment. However, you will be permitted to use no more than 5 3X5 or 4X6 inch speaker
cards with key words on them while you speak.

Visual Aids: They are required for speeches. They do not need to be professionally prepared, but they must look
professional. Criteria will be discussed in class.

Dress: All presentations are professional speaking situations. Therefore, you will be expected to dress appropriately in
corporate attire for each presentation. For women, appropriate dress includes pantsuit, dress, skirt, blouse and jacket
and appropriate shoes (no flip-flops). For men appropriate dress includes dress pants, belt, sports coat and with proper
shoes. You will lose points if your dress is not considered appropriate since it impacts on your presentation.
Electronic devices and food: Cell phones, personal digital assistants, and beepers must be turned off before entering the
classroom. Food is not allowed in the class. Laptops are permitted during lecture but are not permitted during peer
presentations.

Oral Communication Lab: http://opl.fiu.edu/

You are required to utilize the Oral Presentation for the Individual and Group Presentation this semester. Make your
appointment as soon as possible. The Oral Presentation Lab, located in the Communication Arts Department at
University Park Campus, provides the students, faculty, and staff of Florida International University with expert
coaching in the organization and delivery of oral presentations. Anyone within the FIU community interested in using
the Lab’s facilities is encouraged to make an online appointment by visiting the Oral Presentation Lab’s appointment
page at web page at http://fiuspeechlab.timetrade.com

For more information on the Oral Presentation Lab, visit the Lab in VH 212. The Oral Presentation Lab is open
Monday thru Thursday 10am – 9pm and Friday from 10am – 2pm.
Phone: 305-348-0069
Email: oralpresentationlab@fiu.edu

Center for Excellence in Writing: http://casgroup.fiu.edu/writingcenter/

Highly recommended: The Center for Excellence in Writing offers individual consultations about any writing you do
throughout your years at FIU. Whether you are brainstorming, drafting, revising or polishing, our writing consultants
can assist you with projects such as:
• Papers, reports, and projects for any course in any department
• Honors theses, master's theses, dissertations
• Proposals
• Resumes and applications for fellowships and employment
• Personal Statements
• Group projects
• PowerPoint presentations and other non-print projects
Want to improve your writing? Make an appointment with one of our consultants!
We also hold workshops during the semester. Visit our Events page for information on upcoming workshops.
Make an appointment as early in the writing process as you can. Before arriving for your appointment, make sure you
have the assignment sheet and any other supporting materials such as grading criteria, grading rubric, previous drafts
with instructor comments, etc. Also, bring any questions you may have about those drafts. The more information you
bring to your consultant, the more successful your session will be.

COURSE CONTENT

Public Speaking: You will develop and/or improve your ability to select, organize, and effectively deliver information in a
business-like manner with appropriate language, articulation, non-verbal communication, and visual supporting
materials.

Interpersonal/Small Group Communication: You will develop and/or improve your ability to recognize how well you
communicate with others and specifically how you communicate with others in a problem-solving small group setting.
The goal is for you to develop essential critical listening, conflict management, time management, and problem solving
skills.

Written Communication: You will develop and/or improve your ability to use clear, concise language, to select an
appropriate format, and to write the following professional business documents: memorandums, cover letters, resumes,
speech outlines, speech notes, citations, bibliographies, and reports.

Language Skills: You will develop and/or improve your ability to use English grammar and mechanics to improve your
written and public speaking skills.

_______________________________________________________.
Course Content:

Assignment Points
Language Skills Quizzes 10
Midterm Exam 10
Memorandum Assignment 5
Persuasive Letter Assignment 5
Bad News Letter Assignment 5
Routine Request 5
Employment Cover Letter 5
Resume 5
Individual Presentation 15
Team Presentation Assignment 20
Final Exam 15
Total 100

Midterm Exam will consist of 50 multiple choice and true/false questions which will cover content from textbook
chapters as well as grammar skills questions.

Final Exam will consist of 49 multiple choice and true/false questions which will cover content from textbook chapters,
grammar skills questions, and one writing skills assignment (1 letter).

Grading Scale:

A 100-94 C 76-74
A- 93-90 C- 73-70
B+ 89-87 D+ 69-67
B 86-84 D 66-64
B- 83-80 D- 63-60
C+ 79-77 F below 60

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

This syllabus is a contract of understanding between professor and student. If the assignments and grading system are
not acceptable, then the student needs to negotiate a change by midnight Sunday on the second week of class or accept
the rules as written.

CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

This Code of Academic Integrity was adopted by the Student Government Association on November 28, 2001 and
reflects the values articulated in the Student Code of Standards.

Florida International University is a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent
teaching and research, the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. All students should respect
the right of others to have an equitable opportunity to learn and honestly to demonstrate the quality of their learning.

Therefore, all students are expected to adhere to a standard of academic conduct, which demonstrates respect for
themselves, their fellow students, and the educational mission of Florida International University.

As a student of this university:

 • I will be honest in my academic endeavors.
• I will not represent someone else's work as my own.
• I will not cheat, nor will I aid in another's cheating.

All students are deemed by the university to understand that if they are found responsible for academic misconduct, they
will be subject to the Code of Academic Integrity’s procedures and sanctions, as outlined in the FIU Student Handbook.
Students have the right to due process in all disciplinary situations. For additional information concerning student rights
and responsibilities, please contact FIU’s Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.

Note: Intensive auditing of the course will be conducted to prevent academic misconduct.

______________________________________________________.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS’ MINIMUM GRADE POLICY and TurnItIn.com

It is a requirement that students must submit at least three of the four writing assignments and earn 75% in order to earn
a final grade higher than “C” for this course.

All written assignments must be submitted to Turnitin.com through moodle by the posted deadline. Assignments
submitted by any other means will not be accepted. Writing assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a
penalty of 25% per class period, beginning on the date due.

For further information as to how the similarity/originality percentage is calculated and why it is important, please
review the following video:

http://www.turnitin.com/static/videos/or_vid.html

http://www.turnitin.com/static/pdf/tii_student_guide.pdf

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

The University's policy on religious holy days as stated in the University Catalog and Student Handbook will be followed
in this class. Any student may request, in advance, to be excused from class to observe a religious holy day of his or her
faith.

DISABILITY NOTICE

I understand that there is Office of Disability Services available to me should I need it. It is my responsibility to contact
them to process my request to have my needs met. I need to follow their procedures as to proper notification to the
instructor.

STUDENT CODE OF STANDARDS

A University is a learning community following a tradition more than 1,000 years old. Florida International University is
such a community dedicated to generating and imparting knowledge through excellent teaching and research, the
rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas, and community service. As a member of this community:
• I will respect the tradition of academic inquiry, the University’s rules of conduct, and its mission.
 • I will respect the opinions and differences of all members of the FIU community.
• I will practice civility and demonstrate conduct that reflects the values of the institution.
• I will be diligent and honest in my personal and academic endeavors.

The FIU Student Handbook outlines the Student Code of Conduct regarding students with disruptive behavior.

Website: www.fiu.edu/~sccr/docs/disruptive_brochure.doc

POLICY FOR ASSIGNING AN INCOMPLETE "I" GRADE

An incomplete grade is a temporary symbol given for work not completed because of serious interruption not caused by the
student's own negligence. An incomplete must be made up as quickly as possible but no later than two consecutive semesters
after the initial taking of the course or it will automatically default to an "F" or the grade that the student earned in the course.
There is no extension of the two semester deadline. The student must not register again for the course to make up the
incomplete. Students who have incomplete grades on their records must remove the incomplete by the end of the fourth week
of the term in which they plan to graduate. Failure to do so will result in a cancellation of graduation.

Incompletes are awarded only if the student has completed most of the course work. If a student misses a significant
portion of the course work, he/she should drop the course. If the drop period has ended, the student may petition for a
withdrawal—this requires the student to un-enroll in all of their courses for that semester.

Incompletes are not to be used because a student took on too many credits and they cannot complete everything that is
now required of them.

In such cases where the course instructor determines that it appropriate to award a student a grade of "I" (incomplete) the
following steps must be followed.

Using an Official University Form the course instructor will report the following:

1. The grade earned by the student to date

2. The missing work and the percentage of the final grade it represents (this requires
the details of the specific missing assignment)
3. The date the instructor expects the missing work to be submitted or in the case of an
examination made up
4. The justification for awarding the grade of "I"
5. Have the student sign the form
6. Submit this form to the Department Chair and Dean and maintain a copy for instructor
records and provide a copy for the student
7. Upon satisfying the requirements for a grade the instructor will sign off on the form
and attach it to the change of grade form she or he will submit.
 IN-CLASS DUE
WEEK 1
August 24 – Introduction to course Log into Moodle-Become familiar with Moodle
Tuesday Unit 1: Business Communication components
Update your Moodle Profile – Instructions
Posted online (Moodle)
August 26 - Unit 2: Adapting your message to your audience
Register for your online textbook
Thursday Unit 4: Planning, Writing, and Revising
Take Entrance Exam online (Moodle) - Due
8/30 (Monday) at 8:00 AM
WEEK 2
August 31 – Unit 3: Communicating among cultures Take Language Quiz 1 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday Unit 6: You-Attitude 9/7 (Tuesday) at 8:00 AM

September 2 – Unit 7: Positive Emphasis

Thursday Unit 8: Reader Benefits

WEEK 3
September 7 – Unit 13: Email Messages and Web Writing Routine Request – Submit through Moodle
Tuesday Discussion of Routine Report email- Due 9/13 (Monday) at 8:00 AM - Read
instructions and requirements posted online

September 9 – Introduction to team assignment

Thursday Establish teams, Presentation Delivery Calendar
Unit 9: Formats for Letters and Memos

WEEK 4
September 14 – Unit 9: Formats for Letters and Memos Take Language Quiz 2 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday 9/20 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

September 16 – Discuss Memo Assignment Schedule an appointment with the Oral

Thursday Discuss Individual Presentation Presentation Lab if you have not done so.

Memo Assignment - Submit to the

corresponding drop box in Moodle - Due 9/20
(Monday) at 8:00 AM - Read instructions and
requirements posted online

WEEK 5
September 21 – Unit 10: Informative and Positive Messages Take Language Quiz 3 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday 9/27 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

September 23 – Unit 12: Persuasive Messages

Thursday Discussion of Persuasive Letter Assignment

WEEK 6
Unit 11: Negative Messages Persuasive Letter Assignment - Submit to the
September 28 – corresponding drop box in Moodle - Due 10/4
Tuesday (Monday) at 8:00 AM - Read instructions and
requirements posted online
September 30 - Unit 11: Negative Messages
Thursday Discussion of Bad News Letter Assignment

WEEK 7
October 5 – Lecture on Individual Presentations Bad News Letter Assignment - Submit to the
Tuesday Discussion of Individual Presentation Assignment corresponding drop box in Moodle - Due 10/11
(Monday) at 8:00 AM - Read instructions and
 October 7 - Unit 25: Using Visual Aids requirements posted online
Thursday Using PowerPoint

WEEK 8
October 12 – Unit 23: Short Reports Take Language Quiz 4 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday 10/18 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

Get ready for your Individual Presentation to

October 14 – Take Midterm Exam online (Moodle Available be delivered during weeks of 10/18-10/29
Thursday from 10/14 (Thursday) at 8:00 AM until 10/17 Read instructions and requirements posted
ONLINE (Sunday) at 8:00 AM online
CLASS
WEEK 9
October 19 – Individual Presentations – Read instructions and Take Language Quiz 5 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday requirements posted online (5:30-6 minutes) 10/25 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

October 21 – Individual Presentations – Read instructions and

Thursday requirements posted online

WEEK 10
October 26 – Individual Presentations – Read instructions and Take Language Quiz 6 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday requirements posted online 11/01 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

October 28 - Individual Presentations - Read instructions and

Thursday requirements posted online

WEEK 11
November 2 – Unit 26: Researching for Jobs Take Language Quiz 6 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday Unit 28: Job Application Letters 11/08 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

Cover Letter Assignment - Submit to the

November 4 – Unit 27: Resumes corresponding drop box in Moodle - Due 11/9
Thursday (Tuesday) at 8:00 AM - Read instructions and
requirements posted online

WEEK 12
November 9 – Discussion of Team Presentation Assignment – Take Language Quiz 8 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday Read instructions and requirements posted online 11/15 (Monday) at 8:00 AM
(Moodle) – Working in Teams, Contract and
Guidelines. Resume Assignment - Submit to the
corresponding drop box in Moodle – Due
November 11 – 11/15 (Monday) at 8:00 AM – Read
Thursday VETERANS DAY instructions and requirements posted online
UNIVERSITY CLOSED
WEEK 13
November 16 – Unit 29: Job Interviews Take Language Quiz 9 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday Unit 30: Follow Up Letters and Calls and Job Offers 11/22 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

November 18 – Unit 21: Proposals and Progress Reports Submit PART A and B of Team Project in
Thursday Discussion of Team Presentation Assignment – class on November 23 (Tuesday).
Read instructions and requirements posted online
(Moodle) – Working in Teams
WEEK 14
November 23 – Submit Team Presentation Part A and B in class Get Ready for your Team Presentation to be
Tuesday on November 23. delivered during week of 11/29 -12/6- Read
instructions and requirements posted online – A
November 25 – discussion forum for your team will be available
Thursday THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY online to hold team online discussions.
UNIVERSITY CLOSED

WEEK 15
November 30 – Team Presentations - Read instructions and Take Language Quiz 10 online (Moodle) – Due
Tuesday requirements posted online 12/06 (Monday) at 8:00 AM

Team Presentations - Read instructions and

December 2 – requirements posted online
Thursday

WEEK 16
Final Exam Team Presentations - Read instructions and
TBA requirements posted online
Take Final Exam online (Moodle):
Available from _____