Course Number: ADM 4301
Course Title: Business Communications Online
CRN: 30014
Instructor: Dr. C. Ashe
Office Hours: Virtual
email: Vista e-mail only
Technical Assistance with Vista: 713-221-8540, option 4 or UHDOnline

Course Description

Analysis of the communications process as it relates to the basic business processes in the knowledge-age workplace.  Principles of communication are applied to the communication process for verbal and non-verbal communication between individuals and within groups.  Emerging forms of communication such as telecommunications, distance learning/training systems, e-mail and software and electronic presentation systems, as well as traditional forms of written business communication, are studied.  In addition to developing strategies for oral presentations and written research, students enhance listening skills and critique oral and written communication. 

PREREQUISITE: Prerequisite(s) ARE NOT optional, pre-requisites ARE requirements or courses that must be completed PRIOR to taking the course.  The pre-requisite(s) for this course are described in the UHD catalog course description as: BA 3300, completion of the common core plus 18 additional hours and a declared business major.   

Upon completion of the prescribed work for this course, the student should be able to:

1. Identify and differentiate between intrapersonal and interpersonal and individual/group and organizational business communications
2. Develop routine correspondence, reports and oral presentations that address a multicultural communication perspective
3. Develop written and oral business communications that incorporate ethical and legal considerations
4. Demonstrate an awareness of the current issues and trends in business communication, i.e. video and telecommunications, e-mail, intranet, internet
5. Demonstrate an awareness that recognizes and anticipates paradigm shifts in business organizations that result from continuous technological change
6. Demonstrate an awareness that recognizes that paradigm shifts brought about by continuous technological change also bring about sifts in organizational structure, reporting relationships and business communication practices
7. Utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills toward developing an analytical approach to performing literature research including appropriately developing a research topic, limiting the scope of a topic, identifying critical information related to the chosen topic and organizing the results of the research process, and
8. Utilize course web site and computer conferencing technologies to communicate, collaborate and connect with individuals and groups to complete required course assignments.

Business Communication, 15th edition by Lehman & DuFrene, Thomson South-Western Publishing 2008, ISBN # 0324601727.

Students can use the following web site to obtain the textbook (e-book or hardback) for this online class: http://www.thomsonsites.com/ichapters/micro/?cluster_id=2662

Policies

COURSE POLICY:
Assignments:
Each assignment must be posted when due in the place instructed if you are to receive credit (see course homepage).
Exams:
Exams are taken online.  Students can take the scheduled exam anytime within the 24 hours on the date shown on your course schedule.  No make-up exams are given. Final exam cannot be taken early.

Extra credit cannot be earned in this course

STATEMENT OF REASONABLE ACCOMODATION:
"UHD adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities should register with Disabled Student Services and contact their instructor(s) in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations. "

UNIVERSITY POLICIES:
All students are subject to UH-Downtown’s Academic Honesty Policy and to all other university-wide policies and procedures as they are set forth in the UH-Downtown University Catalog and Student Handbook.

ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY:
The University Academic Honesty Policy will be strictly enforced. A good source of information to help you understand what constitutes plagerism can be found on the UHD Library website. In brief, PLAGIARISM (copying ideas, writings, etc. of another and passing them off as your own) is cheating. Any student suspected of violating this policy will be treated in accordance with the provisions of the Academic Honesty Policy found in the UHD Student Handbook. Please read the Academic Honesty Policy carefully. Any violation of this policy may result in an “F” for the course.

The system you will use to access this online course is Blackboard Vista. Students are expected to have computer access on a daily basis to successfully complete this course. Note: If you plan to access the course from work, try connecting early in the course. Some businesses have very rigid settings on their firewalls that do not allow participation in activities such as chat, or the interactivity necessary to take a quiz online.
Internet Service Provider - this course is done via connection through the internet. If you are going to work on your class from home, you must have DSL or cable modem line to guarantee solid high-speed access and optimal performance of the course program.

Blackboard Vista help is available, students should call 713-221-8540 and select option 4.