COMM 1116
Business Communications 1
| School | School of Computing and Academic Studies |
|---|---|
| Program | Computer Information Technology |
| Course Credits | 4 |
| Minimum Passing Grade | 50% |
| Start Date | September 03, 2019 |
| End Date | December 13, 2019 |
| Total Hours* | 60 |
| Total Weeks | 15 |
| Hours/Weeks | 4 |
| Delivery Type | Lecture/Lab |
| CRN | 34328 |
Acknowledgement of Territories
The British Columbia Institute of Technology acknowledges that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam).
Instructor Details
| Name | Matthew Rockall |
|---|---|
| Matthew_Rockall@bcit.ca | |
| Location | DTC - 685 |
| Office Hours | Mondays and Tuesdays: TBD Please email to make an appointment.
|
Course Description
Information technology professionals spend time each day communicating orally and in writing with their supervisors, colleagues and clients. As problem-solvers and entrepreneurs in industry, you need to communicate quickly, clearly, and effectively. This course will teach you how to be a professional and efficient communicator at work. You will write effective business correspondence and instructions and deliver a formal oral presentation to your set. The first term establishes the principles and basic patterns on which you will build more advanced applications in the second term.
Course Learning Outcomes/Competencies
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Identify elements in a communication exchange.
- Define purpose and audience for a given communication task.
- Select and organize information to meet the needs of the audience.
- Make your writing accessible by using headings, lists, and white space.
- Use a style and tone appropriate for the purpose and audience.
- Write emails, letters, and short reports that get results.
- Plan and deliver an informative oral presentation to a group audience.
- Critically evaluate information to determine if it is accurate, relevant, and complete, and to use critical thinking to develop strong arguments.
Learning Resources
Required textbook: Writing in the Technical Fields: A Practical Guide. Thorsten Ewald. (ISBN-13: 978-0199021499)
Evaluation Criteria
| Criteria | % | Comments |
| Quiz 1 | 2.5 | Completed on D2L |
| Quiz 2 | 2.5 | Completed on D2L |
| Multiple Choice Questions | 10 | To be completed throughout the term based on weekly readings and other assigned materials. |
| Take-home claim-letter assignment | 10 | |
| Take-home short report assignment | 10 | |
| *Mid-Term Exam | 20 | |
| *Final Exam | 25 | *IMPORTANT: A less than 50% average mark on these two exams will result in a grade of U, a technical failure, regardless of grades in the other course components. |
| Oral Presentation | 15 | |
| Participation | 5 | Each unapproved absence or late arrival (more than 5 minutes after the class officially starts) will result in the loss of 1 mark. |
Attendance Requirements
Attendance in labs is mandatory.
In case of illness or other unavoidable cause of absence, the student must communicate as soon as possible with his/her instructor indicating the reason for the absence.
Prolonged illness which causes the student to miss 10% or more of the labs will require a BCIT-approved medical certificate submitted to the department, substantiating the reason for the absence.
Excessive absence of 10% or more of the labs may result in failure or forced withdrawal from this course.
Course Specific Requirements
Consistent with the rest of your program, this is a flipped course. Materials will be provided each week for you to complete outside the classroom. These take the place of a traditional lecture. Various methods will be employed to confirm participation, including quizzes and other tasks. In addition, during the seminars, you will be given an opportunity to put theory into practice. This makes it important to complete each week's prepatory materials before the relevant class. Failure to achieve more than 50% in the online course components (grammar quizzes, multiple choice questions, and plagiarism module) may result in failure or forced withdrawal from this course.
This course includes mandatory online activities and content. Lack of participation in the online portion of this class may result in failure of the course.
Course Schedule and Assignments
|
Week & Date |
Material Covered |
Assignment |
Chapter(s) |
|
1 / Sep 2/3 |
No Seminar Orientation |
Start reading! |
1 |
|
2 / Sep 9/10 |
Course Introduction How to communincate at BCIT Grammar: Clauses / Punctuation |
In class 2.5% Pro Dev #1 |
Appendix A |
|
3 / Sep 16/17 |
Intro to writing direct messages Writing multiple choice (MC) questions. |
In class 2.5% |
2 / 3 |
|
4 / Sep 23/24 |
Writing direct messages |
Take home Assignment 10% (Due 11:59pm Sept 30/Oct 1 in the D2L dropbox provided.) MC Questions 1 - Direct Messages (2%) |
4 / 5 |
|
5 / Sep 30/Oct 1 |
Letters vs emails vs memos |
5 |
|
|
6 / Oct 7/8 |
Intro to short reports |
Incident reports practice MC Questions 2 - Short Reports |
6 |
|
7 / Oct 14/15 |
No seminar Thanksgiving Incident reports |
Online Activities: Incident reports practice |
6 |
|
8 / Oct 21/22 |
Mid-Term Week |
Mid-Term Exam (20%) (Exact dates TBD) |
|
|
9 / Oct 28/29 No seminar |
Working in teams Using graphics in reports |
Online activities Take-home Team Assignment (10%) Due 11:59pm Mar 11/12 in the D2L dropbox provided. |
10 |
|
10 / Nov 4/5 |
Presentation Skills |
MC Questions (2%) - Oral Presentations Pro Dev #2 Presentation 15% |
14 |
|
11 / Nov 11/12 |
No seminar Remembrance Day Social communication |
Managing your digital footprint Presentations practice |
|
|
12 / Nov 18/19 |
Oral presentations Intro to recommendation reports |
MC Questions (2%) - Recommendation Reports Recommendation reports practice |
|
|
13 / Nov 25/26 |
Oral presentations Recommendation reports cont. |
More reports practice and peer review |
|
|
14 / Dec 2/3 |
Oral presentations review Final exam QA |
MC Questions (2%) Pro Dev #3 |
|
BCIT Policy
The following statements are in accordance with the BCIT Policies 5101, 5102, 5104, and 7507, and their accompanying procedures. To review these policies and procedures please click on the links below.
Attendance/Illness:
In case of illness or other unavoidable cause of absence, the student must communicate as soon as possible with his/her instructor or Program Head or Chief Instructor, indicating the reason for the absence. Students who are seeking accommodation for a medical absence must have a BCIT approved medical certificate submitted to the department, substantiating the reason for absence. For other absences, the student should be prepared to provide appropriate supporting documentation. Unapproved absence in excess of the prescribed regulations within this outline may result in failure or forced withdrawal from the course or program. Please see Policy 5101 - Student Regulations, and accompanying procedures.
Academic Integrity:
Violation of academic integrity, including plagiarism, dishonesty in assignments, examinations, or other academic performances are prohibited and will be handled in accordance with Policy 5104 - Academic Integrity and Appeals, and accompanying procedures.
Accommodation:
Any student who may require accommodation from BCIT because of a physical or mental disability should refer to BCIT's Policy on Accommodation for Students with Disabilities (Policy #4501), and contact BCIT's Accessibility Services (SW1 2360, 604-451-6963) at the earliest possible time. Requests for accommodation must be made to Accessibility Services, and should not be made to a course instructor or Program area.
Any student who needs special assistance in the event of a medical emergency or building evacuation (either because of a disability or for any other reason) should promptly inform their course instructor(s) and Accessibility Services of their personal circumstances.
Human Rights, Harassment and Discrimination:
The BCIT community is made up of individuals from every ability, background, experience and identity, each contributing uniquely to the richness and diversity of the BCIT community as a whole. In recognition of this, and the intrinsic value of our diversity, BCIT seeks to foster a climate of collaboration, understanding and mutual respect between all members of the community and ensure an inclusive accessible working and learning environment where everyone can succeed.
Campus Mediation Services is a supportive resource for both students and employees of BCIT, to foster a respectful learning and working environment. Any student who feels that they are experiencing discrimination or harassment (personal or human rights-related) can confidentially access this resource for advice and support. Please see Policy 7507 – Harassment and Discrimination and accompanying procedure.
Students should make themselves aware of additional Education, Administration, Safety and other BCIT policies listed at https://www.bcit.ca/about/administration/policies.shtml
Guidelines for School of Computing and Academic Studies
Attempts:
Students must successfully complete a course within a maximum of three (3) attempts at the course. Students with two attempts in a single course will be allowed to repeat the course only upon special written permission from the Associate Dean. Students who have not successfully completed a course within three attempts will not be eligible to graduate from their respective program.
Approved
I verify that the content of this course outline is current.
Matthew Rockall, Instructor
September 01, 2019
I verify that this course outline has been reviewed.
Thomas Lane, Program Head
September 04, 2019
I verify that this course outline has been reviewed.
Jean Scribner, Program Head
September 04, 2019
I verify that this course outline has been reviewed and complies with BCIT policy.
Patricia Sackville, Associate Dean
September 04, 2019
Note: Students will be given reasonable notice if changes are required to the content of this course outline.
*Course hours and credits are calculated per Policy 5012 and the associated procedure.
Total hours – Example of 3 credit lecture/lab course:
- Full-time course: 45 hours of scheduled learning
- Flexible Learning course: 36 hours of scheduled learning plus 9 hours of independent (non-scheduled, non-instructional) learning