Spring 1999 IDS 290 Business Communication SS 2500, 1-2:15 MW
Instructor: Dr. Gretchen Vik
Email: Gretchen.Vik@sdsu.edu Voice/Message: 594-6024 Office: SS 3114
Office Hours: MW 2:45-3:45, before and after class, and by appointment and E-mail
Course Description: Principles of effective communication applied to business messages and long reports. Includes the organization, writing, and presentation of business documents using word processing software. Incorporates basic principles of speaking effectively for business.
Required Texts: Lesikar, Raymond V. , John D. Pettit, and Marie E. Flatley, Lesikar's Basic Business Communication (Eighth Edition, Burr Ridge:IL,Irwin/McGraw-Hill, 1999).
Raimes, Ann, Keys for Writers (Second Edition, Houghton-Mifflin, 1999).
Proofreading Standard: If you need help with writing skills, get a thorough handbook and look things up--you can't get a C without good proofreading skills. For common errors: The Goof-Proofer by Manhard (Collier, 1987, $3.95). A good handbook The Elements of Grammar by Shertzer (Collier, 1986, $4.95). Handbook with lots of exercises and answers: The Least You Should Know About English by Glazier (Holt). Serious proofreading errors include subject-verb agreement (remember that company=it, not they), noun and verb endings, punctuation errors that interfere with meaning such as apostrophes and semicolons, and spelling. Run your spellchecker FIRST and then proofread for homonyms, of/or, etc.
Academic Honesty Policy: In addition to university sanctions against cheating, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty and unethical conduct, the College of Business Administration may remove you on the first offense from a business major for such activities.
Plagiarism/Source Citations
GIVE CREDIT TO SOURCES OF PARAPHRASES, QUOTED, OR BORROWED IDEAS: PLAGIARISM (STEALING IDEAS AND WORDS) IS CAUSE FOR A FAILING GRADE AND LOSS OF BUSINESS SCHOOL CODES! (CBA Policy) The SDSU penalties for plagiarism range from a zero grade on the assignment to receiving an F for the course, having business major codes blocked to you at registration, and expulsion from the University.
Listing and/or attaching sources at the end of a report does NOT cite them; place individual parenthetical citations in the text when you borrow words or ideas. See LPF/Appendix E for documentation systems (modern systems no longer use superscript notes). Generally, cite an electronic source by author, title, etc. as if it were a print source, then add the electronic address and date of document and date of access. See the sdsu libweb site: Citing Electronic Citations by Friedman for a good handout.
Lateness Policy: Missed in-class assignments and exams cannot be made up without prior arrangement with the instructor and then with a late penalty applied. Only documented severe illness or other grave circumstances will be considered valid reasons for allowing a make-up.
Incompletes: Incompletes are allowed by the College of Business only in extremely serious circumstances (hospitalization, etc.) and require a contract indicating specific dates and assignments to be completed. Incompletes are changed to F grades if the contract is not completed as signed even if one year has not passed.
Class Schedule: While this schedule gives you an idea of the material we plan to cover and exam dates, you are responsible for any changes as announced in class. All assignments are due at the beginning of class and considered late thereafter.
IDS 290 Class Schedule – Spring 1999
| Date | Topic | Assignment |
| Jan. 25 | Introduction and overview | Handouts |
| Jan. 27 | Communication Theory | LPF/1, 18, Appendix A |
| Feb. 1 | Basic Writing Principles Revision tips, Layout | LPF/2,3,4; Appendix B. Bring 1 Journal entry for review in class. |
| Feb. 3 | Good News Writing | LPF/5 and 8, Appendix B |
| Feb. 8 | Job Search | LPF/9 |
| Feb. 10 | In-Class Writing | Direct Message Exam (Ch. 5 and 8) |
| Feb. 15 | Report Writing | LPF/10, 11, 12; Appendix E |
| Feb. 17 | Report Writing (sources) | Job Portfolio Due (Parts 1-5: Information) |
| Feb. 22 | Graphics | LPF/13, Journal Due (10 items) |
| Feb. 24 | Report Writing | Planning the report |
| Mar. 1 | Bad News Writing |
LFP/6 and 8 Report Project Progress Report Due (Memo) |
| Mar. 3 | In-Class Writing | Negative Message Exam (Ch. 6 and 8) |
| Mar. 8 | Report Writing | Analysis vs. Description of information |
| Mar. 10 | Mid-Term Exam | Bring Scantron 20788 (Ch. 1-5, 10-13, 16, 18) |
| Mar. 15 | Resume and Job Letter | LPF/9; discuss LPF/9 examples |
| Mar. 17 | No Class—ABSEL Meeting | Work on resume and letter |
| Mar. 22 | Questions on resume, letter, report | |
| Mar. 24 | Resume and Job Letter due | Discuss report progress, questions |
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Mar. 28-Apr. 4:Spring Recess | |
| Apr. 5 | Persuasive Writing | LPF/7 and 8 |
| Apr. 7 | Persuasive Writing | |
| Apr. 12 | In-Class Writing | Persuasive Message (Ch. 7 and 8) |
| Apr. 14 | Report Writing (Format) | Appendix D |
| Apr. 19 | Reports | Bring drafts to class for review |
| Apr. 21 | Reports | |
| Apr. 26 | Oral Communication | LPF/14,15 Report Due |
| Apr. 28 | Reports | |
| May 3 | Oral Presentations | |
| May 5 | Oral Presentations | Full Journal Due (15 more entries) |
| May 10 | Oral Presentations | |
| May 12 | Cross-Cultural | LPF/17 |
| FINAL |
Wednesday, May 19, 1-3 pm Bring a Scantron 20788 |
Ch. 6-9, 14, 15, 17 plus editing and revision |