Business Communication 4 - Unit Guide
Business Communication 4 - Unit Guide
Unit Guide
Trimester 1 2022-2023
FOU105 BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
TRIMESTER 1 2022-2023
CONTACTS
Name: Dr. Kazi Raisha Inshad Anwar
Main Lecturer Email: kazi.raisha@isb.edu.vn
Business communications is an extremely practical subject. You will find the material we study often
relates to situations you have already experienced, enhancing your appreciation of these
experiences, and helping you understand the principles of communication and how it is practiced in
the business environment. This course provides you with a mix of principles to analyze business
communication, and practical tools to improve your communication skills. It also develops your
formal skills in writing business reports, letters and email, and spoken word presentations. The way
we understand communication affects our ability to reflect on and improve our own communication
practices.
The course is delivered in two parallel tracks: Business Communication Principles and Skills Practice
and Business Communication in Application.
● Main Lecturer will be in charge of Business Communication Principles and Skills Practice with 10
sessions.
● Associate Lecturer will be in charge of Business Communication in Application with 5 sessions.
Module 1 (ULO 1) introduces you to distinct communication theories. Practical exercises encourage
you to consider how these theories apply to business situations. The module also covers the
complexity of communication in business, including how we use tone, expression and language.
Module 2 (ULO 2) challenges you to consider how your own perspectives, culture and external
influences shape the way we communicate with others. We will also introduce non-verbal
communication, how we send and receive vast amounts of information, without having to say a word.
We switch from the personal to the interpersonal in Module 3 (ULO 3), focusing on two of the most
common communication practices for individuals in business, listening and having formal discussions.
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You will be asked to reflect on your own practices, and be given the opportunity to analyze case
studies.
These listening and interview skills will serve you well in Module 4 (ULOs 3, 4, 5), where we focus
specifically on teams and meetings. We will consider the different roles we play in groups, common
experiences of teams, and how to effectively contribute to our teams, regardless of whether or not
we have a formal leadership role. You will be asked to identify your strengths and areas of
improvement in group work. You will also be asked to fulfil practical roles in business meetings, and
recognize the ways different skill sets contribute to the smooth functioning of a team, before putting
your knowledge and skills to the test.
Models, guidelines, and advice on formal business communication are covered from a practical
perspective in Module 5 (ULOs 3, 4, 5). How should emails be written in a business context? What
strategies can we use to make our presentations engaging and more memorable? How do we
produce business reports that our audiences appreciate? And how do we make sure our ideas are
understood?
Use the principles and skills you practiced in the previous five modules in Module 6 (ULOs 3, 4) as it
guides you through the process of job hunting, from job researching to writing effective application
letter, curriculum vitae and managing the interview process. Two essential skills for job hunting –
building a personal brand and networking – are also introduced and practiced maximizing your future
employability.
As you work through this course, we encourage you to share your real-life communication
experiences with other students, to extend your knowledge.
Welcome to the fascinating world of business communications. We look forward to making the
journey with you.
PRE-REQUISITES
None
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Assessment Information
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The table below outlines the unit learning outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. Upon completing this unit, you will be
able to:
1. Apply theories and observations of communication to academic business studies 🗹 PLO1🗹 PLO2
and real-world business communication challenges. PLO3 🗹 PLO4
🗹 PLO5 PLO6
PLO7
2. Explain how personal factors and behaviors can influence the communication PLO1 PLO2
process. PLO3 🗹 PLO4
PLO5 🗹 PLO6
🗹 PLO7
3. Apply effective interpersonal communication skills to meet specific objectives in PLO1🗹 PLO2
business situations PLO3 PLO4
🗹 PLO5 PLO6
PLO7
4. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills using currently 🗹 PLO1🗹 PLO2
recognized business formats and appropriate technologies. 🗹 PLO3 PLO4
PLO5 PLO6
PLO7
5. Analyze the interactions between communication practice and organizational PLO1 PLO2
performance. 🗹 PLO3 🗹 PLO4
🗹 PLO5 🗹 PLO6
PLO7
In line with its focus on assuring your skills in ULOs 1-5 above, this unit is also responsible for
introducing/developing/assuring the following program-level learning outcomes (PLOs):
1. Knowledge & Application
Solid understanding and competency of appropriate application of business discipline-specific
knowledge.
2. Communication
Competency in professional written and oral communication suited to multiple audiences and
contexts.
3. Teamwork
Effective collaboration in teamwork or other tasks in organizational settings.
4. Critical thinking
Critical thinking through appropriate observing, analyzing and reasoning, etc.
5. Problem solving
Effective and constructive problem solving.
6. Ethics
An ethical perspective, including an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of
organizations.
7. Cultural Diversity
A global mindset, including an understanding of the different business settings, the ability to
identify foreign market potentials, to diagnose cross-cultural communication problems and
propose appropriate solutions.
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Final marks and grades are subject to confirmation by the School Assessment Committees which may
scale, modify or otherwise amend the marks and grades for the unit, as may be required by University
policies.
ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
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● Submission is conducted via E-learning platform only. No submission via email is accepted in all cases.
Some basic requirements include:
● Cover page in the right format of ISB.BBUS program
● Page numbering must be well inserted
● All text in font Calibri (Body), size 11, line spacing 1.5, square paragraphing.
● Proper referencing in APA7 format.
● The submission must be strictly named in the right format: A3_[Team number]_[Class code]
The lecturers reserve the right not to mark any submission which does not meet the requirements.
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Scoring guide/Rubric
Rubric 1: Individual or Group workshop:
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Fairly adequate,
Diverse and Lack of most
Adequate, as yet without 1
10 more than important
required important
required subject matters
subject matter
Contents
Accurate and Fairly accurate Mostly
logical yet with and logical yet mistaken, with
Accurate and
20 some minor with 1 many important
logical
mis- important mis- mis-
interpretations interpretation interpretations
The
Charismatic Coherent but
presentation is
lead of the rather not as
Presentation difficult to Unclear
conversation charismatic
skills 10 follow but can presentation
with highly presentation
(individual) highlight the and arguments
convincing Convincing
main
arguments arguments
arguments
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Have total
Have some
control of the
control of the Finish on time
Timing and presentation Over the time
20 presentation but a lack of
coordination flow and timing limit
but sometimes coordination
with great
uncoordinated
coordination
Give accurate
Give accurate
and satisfactory
and satisfactory
answers to most
Give accurate answers to most
questions asked
and satisfactory questions asked Fail to answer
but not be able
Q&A 10 answers to all and provide most questions
to provide
questions appropriate asked
appropriate
asked justification for
justification for
difficult
difficult
questions
questions
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Teaching Activities
LEARNING RESOURCES
● Braun, K., Locker, K.O., & Kaczmarek, S.K. (2016). Business communication: Building critical skills. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill
Higher Education.
Textbook
● Cheesebro, T., O’Connor, L., & Rios, F. (2010). Communicating in the Workplace. 1st ed. USA: Prentice Hall
http://search.proquest.com/login
E-library Username: UEHCMC2010
Password: thuvien0810
E-learning http://e-learning.isb.edu.vn/
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
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Activities
Lecture, Discussion
2 Module 2:
Main Shaping your personal communication
Lecturer
(29/10) Topic 2.1 Ch 2 (Cheesebro et al),
Perception
Activities
Lecture, Discussion, Skills Practice
3 Module 3:
Main Interpersonal communication in business
Lecturer
(05/11) Topic 3.1 Ch 5 (Cheesebro et al),
Listening and responding
Activities
Lecture, Discussion, Business Project coaching
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6 Module 4:
Main Working and communicating in teams
Lecturer
(26/11) Topic 4.1 Module 20 (Braun et al)
Working and writing in teams
Topic 4.2
Planning, conducting, and recording meetings Module 21 (Braun et al)
Activities
Lecture, Discussion, Business Project coaching
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8 Module 5:
Associate Formal business communication practices
Lecturer – Topic 6.1
Lynn Researching the job market Module 23 (Braun et al)
(09/12)
Topic 6.2
Personal branding Uploaded on elearning
Activities
Lecture, Discussion, Business Project coaching
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Activities
Lecture, Discussion, Skills Practice
12 Module 6:
Associate Job hunting
Lecturer – Topic 6.3 Module 24, 25 (Braun et al)
Lynn (26/12) Creating persuasive resumés, cover letters and
job applications
Activities
Lecture, Discussion, Skill Practice
Activities
Lecture, Discussion, Skills Practice
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Referencing
Plagiarism
Student assignments are to contain original content created by the students. Assignments will be
rejected if they include plagiarized content or contain excessive amounts of quoted/cited material
and minimal original content. Students will receive a grade of ZERO (0%) for any assignments rejected
for this reason. Written assignments WILL BE checked by the lecturer with Turnitin.com, an online
plagiarism-checking tool.
Sources
Furthermore, your reference to support your statements must be from a reliable source, such as
textbooks, additional reading materials, and reference books. However, many websites are not
reliable sources. Examples are Wikipedia.org, about.com, and ask.com. If you are not sure if a
reference is acceptable or not, please contact the lecturer.
Referencing & Citation
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) 6th ed., will serve as the
primary reference materials for all students. Therefore, all papers must be submitted in APA format.
The mechanics of student papers and work will be evaluated, as well as the content.
Submission
Assignment cover sheet
▪ All assignments are required to be submitted with an Assignment Cover Sheet.
▪ Group assignments are to be submitted with a Group Assignment Cover Sheet as well as a Peer Evaluation
Form depending on the request of unit instructor.
Non-contributing team members can sometimes be an issue with group-work structured assessment.
Individual student group work scores may be adjusted as a result of peer dissatisfaction with a
particular student’s contribution to group work assignments, as reflected in submissions of the
evaluation form.
Note:
▪ Assignment cover sheets and the evaluation form can be located on MyISB system
▪ Students are advised to keep a copy of all assignments submitted for marking.
Submission style
Assignments are expected to achieve a professional standard:
▪ Be typed, one and a half spaced, on A4 paper
▪ Use a simple clear format, suitable for a report to senior management in a commercial organization.
Submission method
Soft copy: submitted electronically via E-learning system by 11:59 PM on the due date (Suggested
title: Student name_Unitname_Name of Assignment).
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Hard copy: submitted to ISB Submission Box at the Reception Area (17 Pham Ngoc Thach) by the due
date.
Attendance
Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of all classes (which normally 12/15 sessions).
Other cases equating to an absence:
▪ Arriving to class late by 15 minutes at the beginning,
▪ Arriving late by 5 minutes after the break
▪ Leaving prior to the scheduled end time without the permission of the lecturer
If you are unable to attend any session, please let your lecturer know AND submit a request for
absence form to program administrator prior to the session.
IMPORTANT: Students will not be allowed to sit in the final examination if violating the above
absence rule.
Electronic device use
▪ Cell phones will be turned off or switched to vibrate mode before class starts.
▪ No phone calls or text messaging are allowed inside classroom during class time.
▪ Portable listening and/or music devices may not be operated in the classroom.
▪ Headphones and/or ear buds of any type may not be worn while in the classroom whether operating
or not.
▪ Laptop and other electronic devices are not permitted unless specifically authorized by the lecturer
exclusively for note taking and doing class work.
IMPORTANT: If you are in violation of these policies, you will be excused from class and an absence
will be assessed.
Email etiquette
Your lecturers receive many emails each day. In order to enable them to respond to your emails
appropriately and in a timely fashion, students are asked to follow basic requirements of professional
communication.
Your emails should:
▪ Have a concise and descriptive title, including the class and name of the unit you are enquiring about
▪ Be clear about the intention of their emails
▪ Use appropriate tone and language, proof-read what is written in the email before sending it.
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Students should also allow 3-4 working days for a response before following up. If the matter is
legitimately urgent, you may indicate “URGENT” in the email subject header.
Make an appointment: If your email request is complex and requires a lengthy response, it may be
probably best to make an appointment with your lecturer/instructor to meet in person.
IMPORTANT:
▪ First violation will result in a grade ZERO (0%) for that assignment.
▪ Second violation will result in a failing course grade.
Additional information
This unit guide may be revised at the discretion of the Academic Department with approval from
Program Academic Director and School Academic Committee where appropriate.
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