Fall 2006
Dr. Kenneth S. Knodt
Voicemail: 215-641-0348
Culture and Communication Dept.
33rd and Powelton; Office: 305
Office Hours: T 12:30-2
E-Mail: knodtks@drexel.edu
Text: Philip Kolin, Successful Writing at Work, Concise edition, Houghton Mifflin.
Course Overview
Business communication--including writing, developing appropriate graphics (both design and visuals), and presentations--is a critical part of success in business, non-profits and government. In this course you will learn a variety of business expectations and formats, utilizing this knowledge to produce a wide variety of documents.
Requirements and Policies:
PAPERS
· Though life gets busy for everyone, one still must meet deadlines. Thus, all papers must be handed in on time--with one exception: you may turn in one paper, of your choice, at any time up to the last day. Any other late paper will automatically lose 10% of the total paper grade. Be sure to keep track of whether you owe me any papers.
· Put your name and class time on every paper.
REVISION OF PAPERS
You may revise two papers for a grade up to the last day. Because a revision is graded anew, different things can affect the outcome; also, not every last detail needing improvement may be identified, hence the grade may not be higher (however, you'll never get a recorded lower grade). The original and the revised grades will be averaged to determine the new grade. When submitting a revision, you must attach the original and the revision.
ATTENDANCE
· Itıs important that you attend class on a regular basis because while papers measure achievement, classes develop learning. I realize that you have many legitimately competing things to do, so you are allowed some optional flexibility: you may miss two classes without any penalty, but after that you will lose six points for each additional class you miss. Also, if you are significantly late to class, this may affect your attendance grade.
· Involvement is a basic expectation, with the class needing the interaction of each student for a better learning experience--you really do have something significant to contribute.
Grading: There are 300 points that can be earned during the term. Following is the grade distribution:
A+ 284 (95 and above equivalent %)
A 278-283 (93-94 equivalent %)
A- 269-277 (90-92
equivalent %)
B+ 260-268 (87-89)
B 248-259 (83-86)
B- 239-247 (80-82)
C+ 230-238 (77-79)
C 218-229 (73-76)
C- 210-217 (70-72)
D+ 200-209 (67-69)
Etc Etc Etc
Other Points: 10 bonus points will be given for anyone who completes all of the unannounced, mostly in-class projects. 5 points will be given to those who miss only one such project. These cannot be made up or excused, because they are meant to be a measure of your direct involvement in the ongoing course.
Week Topic
Whatıs Due When
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1 |
Importance of Business Comm Structure Judging a Paper |
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2 |
Business Letters |
Paper 1/Letter (50) |
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3 |
Memo Strategy |
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4 |
Resumes, Application and Follow-Up Letters |
Paper 2/Memo (50) |
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5 |
Designing Documents |
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6 |
Proposals Executive Summary Individual Meetings |
Paper 3/Job Package (70) |
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7 |
Editing and Revising |
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8 |
Types of Reports Business Research Visuals |
Paper 4/Proposal (60) |
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9 |
Preparing a Presentation |
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10-11 |
Presentation (10) |
Paper 5/Report (60) |