Syllabus
Course Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to adapt writing to fit the needs of an audience, genre, and situation by asking appropriate questions and thinking critically about the rhetorical situation.
- Question and synthesize the works of others in developing coherent, clear, and logical arguments.
- Effectively apply primary research to writing.
- Show competency in using basic business writing formats, including email, memo, reports, decks, letters, and descriptions.
- Gain confidence to use common punctuation, grammar, and mechanics correctly.
- Consistently deliver quality writing that is concise, clear, and accurate.
Course Description
Business Communication introduces the fundamentals of rhetorical principles and writing practices using a number of typical business situations. During this course, you will produce effective business letters, memos, reports, employment packages, and collaborative writing. This will prepare you for the demands of business careers that require you to spend significant portions of working hours reading, drafting, and revising written communication.
Prerequisites
- FDENG 101
- 22 credits
Course Structure and the BYU-Idaho Learning Model
It is important that you understand the approach to online learning that is used at BYU-Idaho. Familiarize yourself with this by viewing the Orientation to Online Learning at BYU-Idaho found in the Introduction Lesson.
The course is 14 weeks long; each week constitutes a "lesson." We begin with the Introduction Lesson, then, move through Lessons 1 through 12, and finally, culminate with the Conclusion Lesson. As can be seen in the graphic on the left, Lessons 1 through 12 are grouped into units with three lessons in each unit.
As in all BYU-Idaho courses, the structure of this course is founded on the BYU-I Learning Model. It utilizes the following elements: prepare, teach one another, and ponder and prove. Those elements will be implemented in the following ways:
Prepare
This occurs individually as you read/view resources that provide the necessary background information.
Teach One Another
Interacting with others about course content provides an opportunity to deepen your understanding of writing principles. In each week of the course, you will "teach one another" through reviewing your peers' writing samples. Both providing and receiving feedback promotes improvement in your writing skills, when approached conscientiously.
Ponder and Prove
Primary ways you will demonstrate writing proficiency in the course:
- Grammar quizzes: four quizzes (one in each unit) based on the grammar instruction provided in the unit.
- Weekly writing assignments: low-stakes (low points) assignments that provide opportunities for practice and development of your writing skills. These items will be reviewed by your peers. You will also receive feedback from your instructor.
- Unit writing assignments: four major assignments in which you demonstrate writing proficiency. You will not be required to give/receive peer reviews on these assignments, but you will be encouraged to help one another to improve these assignments.
Course Expectations
The following are recommendations for success in this class:
- The BYU-Idaho standard for the student workload in courses is 3-4 hours per week per credit hour. Thus, you should plan to spend at least nine hours per week on this course. You may need to spend more, depending upon your own learning style and skill set.
- Read all material in every course page. This includes the Lesson Overviews and Questions and Conversations pages that you will find at the beginning of each lesson. Some course pages do not have due dates associated with them, thus, they will not appear on your dashboard. However, each page contains important information!
- Plan your time so that you work consistently throughout each unit and lesson. You will have a quality learning experience and less stress if you spread the work out through each unit/lesson.
- Many assignments are long term. To assist you in planning, the Overview page for each lesson contains a schedule that indicates due dates for the current week. You will also see recommendations for progress you should make on unit assignments. It is critical that you not only focus on at what is due in the current week, but also on unit assignments that are due in future lessons.
- One of the advantages of taking a professional writing course is that the world around you is your laboratory. As you learn concepts in the course, you should apply them to course assignments, in other courses in the College of Business and Communication, and all of your professional communication with faculty and potential employers.
- This course also builds on itself; that is, you will be required to use previous principles and concepts in successive assignments and applications.
Required Materials
- Access to a computer with internet connection and appropriate technical setup Test your setup by following the instructions in the Technical Setup section of the Orientation to Online Learning found in the Introduction Lesson.
- Microsoft Word software If you do not already have access to this software, you may download it for free from the BYUI Bookstore. Go to http://www.byui.edu/information-technology/helpcategories/microsoft-office for instructions on how to do this for PC and Mac.
- Elements of Style, 4th Edition. Authors: William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White ISBN: 978-0205309023 Caution: Several editions of this text exist. If you purchase an older edition, some required readings will not be available in your copy.
Required Account
You will be required to create a LinkedIn account. LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking service used primarily for professional networking. Resources are provided in the assignment (Unit 1) to assist you to use LinkedIn.
Grading Policies
You will be graded on a linear scale (not curved). An "A" is a merit that will require dedication and mastery of subject matter. Just completing the minimum expectations does not denote "A" effort. You will need to take the time to study, apply, and understand these topics (such that you could teach a section this course on your own) in order to get an "A".
Grading Scale
This course will use the following standard BYU-Idaho grading scale:
| 93% - 100% = A | 80% - 82% = B- | 67% - 69% = D+ |
| 90% - 92% = A- | 77% - 79% = C+ | 63% - 66% = D |
| 87% - 89% = B+ | 73% - 76% = C | 60% - 62% = D- |
| 83% - 86% = B | 70% - 72% = C- | below 60% = F |
Grade Components
Grades will be determined as follows:
| Category | Points | % |
| Weekly writing and peer reviews (12 papers and 12 reviews at 5 points each) | 120 | 24.5 |
| Unit grammar quizzes (4 quizzes at 10 points each) | 40 | 8.2 |
| Unit writing assignments (1 worth 200 points and 3 at 100 points each) | 270 | 55.1 |
| Miscellaneous - Intro & Conclusion items, surveys (6 items at 5 to 10 points each) | 60 | 12.2 |
| Total: | 490 | 100 |
Late Work Policy
This course is a time to practice professional behavior and challenges. This class will reflect professional situation in which you may find yourself in the future. Now is the time to practice this behavior. The workplace is an environment of constant deadlines; we'll follow suit. Therefore, you should submit assignments on time. Generally, late work will not be accepted, however, the instructor has discretion to accept late work or extend due dates in case of extenuating circumstances.
All due dates are based on your time zone, NOT on the time of Rexburg, Idaho (Mountain Time).
Tutoring
Tutoring options for online students are available through the Academic Support Centers. You can arrange to receive help from the BYU-Idaho Writing Center tutors using a variety of means: email, chat, and live conferencing. Receiving one-on-one feedback and guidance about your writing will significantly improve your ability. Tutors can help you with specific questions about a paper or a frequent problem or issue you may be encountering in your writing.
University Policies
Read the University Policies documents (found in the Course folder>University Policies), which includes Student Honor, Students with Disabilities, Sexual Harassment, and Complaints and Grievances.
Honor Code
Following the Honor Code is of great importance as you strive to be a disciple of Christ. Your commitment to live the Honor Code will contribute to the overall BYU-Idaho (12 papers and 12 reviews at 5 points each) Unit grammar quizzes (4 quizzes at 10 points each) 40 8.2 Unit writing assignments (1 worth 200 points and 3 at 100 points each 270 55.1 Miscellaneous - Intro & Conclusion items, surveys (6 items at 5 to 10 points each) 60 12.2 Total: 490 100 community. Your actions should be respectful and should foster an environment where all can feel the Spirit.
BYU-Idaho's Dress and Grooming standards apply to all students, including online students. By adhering to the Honor Code you will create a learning environment, "consistent with the ideals and principles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." For more detailed information, see the Honor Code webpage.
Good taste, common sense, discretion, consideration, and high moral standards are the watchwords for dress and grooming. Flagrant behavior or extreme dress and grooming at any time or in any place may result in a review of the individual's understanding of the expected behavior or grooming. Clothing is to be modest in fabric, fit, length, style, and appropriate for the occasion. Men's and women's dress should be reflective of their gender, while excessive or extreme styles should be avoided. For women, wardrobe selection should reflect modesty and femininity becoming a Latter-day Saint woman. For men, clothing should reflect good taste and masculinity becoming of a priesthood bearer.
Services for Students with Disabilities
The BYU-Idaho catalog addresses the needs for services for students with physical and academics disabilities. If you have any specific needs that relate to this policy please discuss them with your instructor through email.
Academic Honesty
BYU-Idaho students should seek to be totally honest in all their dealings. They should complete their own work and be evaluated for that work. They should avoid academic dishonesty and misconduct in all its forms, including but not limited to plagiarism, fabrication or falsification, cheating, and other academic misconduct. (BYU-Idaho Student Catalog, pg. 45, BYU-I Honor Code)
Please make sure you have read and understood the policies in the undergraduate catalog.
Penalties for Academic Dishonesty
Although the Academic Honesty section of the University Policies explains what constitutes each of the many forms of academic dishonesty as well as procedures and guidelines for handling such incidents, specific application of consequences are left up to each individual instructor.
In this course, instructors will be responsible for creating and applying their own policy regarding penalties for academic dishonesty. Penalties may vary from point deductions to receiving a zero on the entire assignment. In some cases, the instructor may report an incident to the University Honors Office. Cases will be analyzed on an individual basis and penalties applied according to the severity of the misconduct.
Getting Started
To begin your work in the course, read all information in the Introduction Lesson Overview. You can find this by accessing the course in I-Learn using view mode. In the table of contents on the left side, select the Introduction Lesson folder. The Introduction Overview is the first item in the folder.
Each week, you should begin the lesson by reading the appropriate lesson overview. You will be linked out to information about unit assignments from the lesson overviews. You can also access unit information in the unit folders that are nested in the Course folder.
At the beginning of each week, use the schedule information in the lesson overview to plan your work for the week. After reading the lesson overview and corresponding unit assignment information, work your way through the items in the lesson folder, according to your planned schedule. You should take this approach, as opposed to relying on the "Upcoming Events" section of your I-Learn student dashboard. The dashboard provides useful reminders, but should not be your primary means of navigating through the course.