Department of
General Business and Finance
Spring 2008
CID: 1711 Sec: 01
Schedule: Mondays, 6:00-8:50 pm
Location: The
Instructor: Geraldine E. Hynes, Ph.D.
Office: 210H Smith-Hutson Bldg.
Phone: 936-294-4149
Fax: 936-294-3074
E-mail: hynes@shsu.edu
Office hours: Mondays 2:00-4:00 at SHSU and 5:00-5:45 at TUC
Tuesdays 11:00-5:00 at SHSU,
Wednesdays 2:00-5:00 at SHSU,
Thursdays 11:00-5:00 at SHSU,
Fridays by appointment
Textbooks:
Required: Hynes,
Geraldine E. Managerial
Communication: Strategies and Applications. 4th Ed. McGraw-Hill,
2008.
Recommended: Alred, G.J., Brusaw, C.T., & Oliu, W.E. The Business Writer’s Handbook. 8th Ed. Bedford/St. Martin’s Press, 2006.
Course Description:
This course presents principles of communication that apply to the needs of today's business professionals. It is designed to help students improve the writing and speaking skills that effective managers use in various business contexts.
Course Objectives:
At the completion of the course, students will
§ Appreciate the importance of good communication skills for business success.
§ Understand the communication process on four levels - interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural.
§ Know how to communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, subordinates, customers, and other organizational stakeholders.
§ Have developed listening habits that enhance interpersonal and organizational communication.
§ Know how to conduct research on contemporary business issues and how to develop written and oral reports of the research results that are appropriate for business audiences.
§ Have sharpened the oral and written communication skills that are most useful in the workplace and in the SHSU Graduate Business Programs.
Course Requirements:
1. Regular and punctual class attendance. Any unexcused absence beyond one grace absence will cost 5 course points. Two tardies or early leaving of class equal one absence.
Section 51.911(b) of the Texas Education Code requires that an institution of higher education excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose, without penalty. University policy 861001 provides the procedures to be followed by the student and instructor. If you plan to be absent due to observance of a religious holy day, you must notify the instructor in writing by January 25, 2008.
2. Preparation for class. You are expected to have read the assigned material before the class during which it is discussed. PowerPoint® slides for each textbook chapter and class lecture are available on the Blackboard course site.
3. Participation in all class activities. Class sessions provide opportunities to practice your communication skills.
4. Computer proficiency, especially in the use of MS Word, PowerPoint® graphics software and the Internet for conducting research. All written assignments are to be word-processed.
5. Timely completion of all course assignments. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date. Late written assignments (exams, reports, homework) will cost 5 points per day. Late oral assignments (presentations, interviews, listening exercise) will cost 5 points per class meeting. If you are absent from class when an assignment is due, you will avoid the late penalty by submitting your work early. The last date any late work will be accepted is Monday, May 5, 2008.
6. Appropriate academic conduct. Unprofessional, disruptive, or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. Plagiarism (submitting others’ work without appropriate citation or allowing others to submit your work without citation) will not be tolerated.
7. Cell phone and computer use in class. Personal use of cell phones and other electronic devices during class is prohibited. Using computers during class for any purpose other than the assigned task or for taking lecture notes will cost 5 course points for each misuse.