Titular Professors
Professors
None
- Students will gain an understanding of best practices in written and oral business communication
- Students will learn core leadership frameworks and competencies
- Students will explore team management competencies, including leading effective meetings and giving and receiving feedback
On the successful completion of this course students will be able to:
- Deliver a clear, concise and effective business presentation
- Apply basic principles of quality written business communication
- Explain key leadership concepts and describe real-life examples
- Describe the main features of work groups and teams, and processes that may affect them
Below are the main topics that will be covered, although the order in which they are discussed may vary.
Topic 1
- Welcome and Introduction to the course
- Chapter 1 - Why Is It Important to Communicate Well?
- The Communication Process
Topic 2
- Chapter 19 - Group Communication, Teamwork and Leadership
- Introduction to the Speech to Demonstrate
Topic 3
- Chapter 10 - Developing Business Presentations
- Practicing the Speech to Demonstrate
Topic 4
- Chapter 12 - Presentation Organization and Outlines
- Practicing the Speech to Demonstrate
Topic 5
- Chapter 4 - Effective Business Writing
- Practicing the Speech to Demonstrate
Topic 6
- Understanding Leadership
Topic 7
- Creating a Vision/Positive Leadership
- Chapter 14 - Presentations to Persuade
Topic 8
- Goals and Performance
- Introduction to the Speech to Persuade
Topic 9
- Chapter 9 - Business Writing in Action
- Practicing the Speech to Persuade
- Introduction to the Final Project
Topic 10
- Giving and Receiving Feedback
- Leading and Contributing to Effective Meetings
Topic 11
- Chapter 18 - Intercultural Communication and Cultural Competencies
Topic 12
- Chapter 18 (cont'd) - International Communication and the Global Marketplace
Topic 13
- Final Group Communication Project Preparation
- Revise and Check
The learning approach is based on a range of teaching methods that seek to foster your understanding of communication and the development of practical communication skills. A hands-on approach is taken throughout the course with out-of-class readings, assignments and exercises; teamwork activities; individual and group presentations; exercises and discussions. To understand these concepts, it is essential that required readings be completed on time. Classes are designed to maximize student participation and debate. Participative attendance is a major component of this course.
Your Final Grade for this course will be calculated as follows:
(1) 30% of your grade will be based on quality class participation. Be prepared to participate in class discussions on assigned readings. This grade also reflects homework, in-class assignments and quizzes. Late homework or assignments will not be accepted.
(2) 10% of your grade is based on your first individual presentation.
(3) 15% of your grade is based on your second individual presentation.
(4) 15% of your grade is based on the result of a mid-term examination.
(5) 30% of your grade is based on your Final Group Project.
Business Communication for Success, eBook available online and on eStudy: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/BookDetail.aspx?bookId=8
"The Most Important Leadership Competencies, According to Leaders Around the World" by Sunnie Giles, Harvard Business Review, March 15, 2016.
"Redefining Leadership for a Digital Age" by Rainer Neubauer, Andrew Tarling and Michael Wade, IMD, 2017.