Business Communication

Course Number:
BA 205
Transcript Title:
Business Communication
Created:
Jul 26, 2022
Updated:
May 01, 2026
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
44
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
No
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98

Prerequisite / Concurrent
WR 121 or WR 121Z

Course Description

Examines the legal and ethical collection, organization, and presentation of business information. Develops research skills using library and Internet resources. Creates effective communications utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, and graphics applications. Introduces techniques for efficient report writing, persuasive presentation, and writing instructions and productive e-mails within a business context. Prerequisites: placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98. Prerequisite/concurrent: WR 121Z. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Communicate personal and organizational information using standard business document formats and business presentation techniques and tools.
  2. Research, write, and edit business documents using on-line and library resources and business software applications common to the contemporary business environment.
  3. Identify and select appropriate technology, including social media and mobile computing, for business communication needs based on the message and audience.
  4. Work collaboratively with teams to communicate business information in a project environment.
  5. Create a resume and cover letter.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Department assessment strategy suggestions:
Assessment methods can include: examinations, quizzes, homework assignments, research papers, and small group problem-solving of questions arising from application of course concepts and concerns to actual experience, oral presentations.

 

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Note: Specific tools, platforms, and applications referenced parenthetically in italics are current examples as of the latest revision of course content for BA205 and should be reviewed and updated periodically.

Outcome 1: Communicate personal and organizational information using standard business document formats and business presentation techniques and tools.

  • Business Writing Principles
    • Tone, clarity, conciseness, and the 7 Cs of effective business writing
    • Audience analysis: adapting messages for internal vs. external readers
    • Active vs. passive voice and appropriate use of each
    • Proofreading, editing, and revision strategies
    • Using AI writing assistants to draft and refine business documents: appropriate use, limitations, and maintaining your own voice 
  • Standard Business Document Formats
    • Business letters: block, modified block, and simplified styles
    • Memos and professional email: format, purpose, and etiquette
    • Formal reports: title page, executive summary, TOC, body, appendices
    • Informal reports: progress, trip, and incident reports
    • Proposals (internal/external), meeting agendas, and minutes 
  • Presentation Techniques and Tools
    • Slide design principles: layout, typography, color, and visual hierarchy
    • Building a presentation narrative: opening, body, and close
    • Charts, graphs, and infographics in presentations
    • Delivery: pacing, eye contact, and handling questions
    • Virtual presenting: background, lighting, camera, and engagement 
  • Organizational Communication Contexts
    • Upward, downward, and lateral communication within organizations
    • Communicating good news, bad news, and neutral information
    • Documentation and record-keeping standards 

Outcome 2: Research, write, and edit business documents using online and library resources and business software applications common to the contemporary business environment.

  • Research Skills and Information Literacy
    • Evaluating sources: authority, accuracy, currency, and purpose
    • Library databases for business research (e.g., EBSCO, ProQuest, IBISWorld)
    • Government and organizational data sources (e.g., BLS, Census, SEC filings)
    • Boolean search strategies and advanced search techniques
    • Citing sources and avoiding plagiarism: APA and Chicago styles
    • Legal and ethical use of information: copyright and fair use basics
    • Using AI tools for research: evaluating AI-generated information for accuracy and attribution
    • Academic and workplace integrity policies regarding AI-assisted writing and research 
  • The Business Writing Process
    • Prewriting: purpose, audience, and content planning
    • Organizing information: direct vs. indirect approach
    • Drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading
    • Peer review and incorporating feedback 
  • Word Processing Applications
    • Document formatting: styles, headers/footers, TOC generation
    • Tables, mail merge, and document templates
    • Track changes and comments for collaborative editing 
  • Spreadsheet and Graphics Applications
    • Formatting spreadsheets and using formulas for business reporting
    • Building charts and graphs; embedding data into Word® documents
    • Creating diagrams, org charts, and process flow visuals
    • Selecting the right chart type for different data relationships 

Outcome 3: Identify and select appropriate technology, including social media and mobile computing, for business communication needs based on the message and audience. 

  • Technology Selection Framework
    • Matching channel to message type, urgency, and formality
    • Synchronous vs. asynchronous tools and when to use each
    • Factors in channel selection: audience, sensitivity, permanence, reach
    • Accessibility considerations in technology selection
  • Business Communication Platforms
    • Professional email: best practices, inbox management, organizational policies
    • Team messaging platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack)
    • Video conferencing etiquette and professional use (e.g., Zoom, Teams, Google Meet)
    • Document sharing and collaboration (e.g., SharePoint, Google Workspace, OneDrive)
    • Project management communication tools (e.g., Asana, Monday, Trello)
  • Social Media in Business
    • Platform overview and primary business uses (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube)
    • LinkedIn for networking, employer branding, and B2B communication
    • Social media as a customer service and public relations channel
    • Legal and reputational risks: missteps, virality, and crisis communication
    • Social media policies, employee guidelines, and measuring effectiveness
  • Mobile and Emerging Technologies
    • Professional mobile etiquette: email, messaging, and device boundaries
    • Mobile-first design: how audiences read and respond on phones
    • Security and privacy considerations for mobile business communication
    • AI-powered communication tools (e.g., grammar assistants, email drafting aids, meeting summarizers, and presentation builders)
    • Automation: chatbots, auto-responders, and communication templates

Outcome 4: Work collaboratively with teams to communicate business information in a project environment.

  • Foundations of Business Teamwork
    • Stages of team development: forming, storming, norming, performing
    • Team roles: leader, facilitator, recorder, contributor
    • Establishing norms, ground rules, and shared expectations
    • Diversity in teams: cultural and generational communication differences
  • Collaborative Communication Skills
    • Active listening, giving and receiving feedback professionally
    • Consensus-building and group decision-making techniques
    • Managing disagreement and conflict productively
    • Assertive vs. aggressive vs. passive communication styles
  • Project Communication Management
    • Defining scope, roles, deadlines, and deliverables
    • Creating a project communication plan: who, what, when, how
    • Status updates, progress reports, and meeting management
    • Version control and document sharing on collaborative projects
    • AI tools for team productivity (e.g., meeting transcription, auto-generated summaries, and task tracking)
  • Team Deliverables and Virtual Collaboration
    • Dividing writing tasks and maintaining consistent voice across contributors
    • Peer editing, collaborative revision, and team presentations
    • Challenges of remote/hybrid teams: async work, time zones, cohesion
    • Best practices for virtual meetings: agenda, engagement, follow-up

Outcome 5: Create a resume and cover letter.

  • Understanding the Job Search Communication Process
    • The resume and cover letter as targeted marketing documents
    • How Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) work and how to write for them
    • Researching employers and tailoring materials to specific roles
    • LinkedIn profile as a complement to the resume
  • Resume Content and Structure
    • Resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination
    • Professional summary, work experience, education, and skills sections
    • Writing results-oriented bullets using action verbs and quantified outcomes
    • Optional sections: volunteer work, certifications, languages, projects
    • What to omit: age, photo, marital status, references
  • Resume Design and Formatting
    • Length guidelines: one page vs. two and when each is appropriate
    • Typography, white space, and consistent visual formatting
    • File format: Word® vs. PDF and when each is appropriate
  • Writing the Cover Letter
    • Structure: opening, body paragraphs, and closing call to action
    • Opening: lead with purpose; avoid clichés
    • Body: connect your experience to the employer’s specific needs
    • Demonstrating knowledge of the company and role
    • Tone: confident, professional, and authentic; one page, business letter format
    • Tailoring every letter to the specific position — never generic
    • Using AI resume and cover letter tools: benefits, risks of generic output, and employer detection
  • Review and Refinement
    • Self-review checklist for resume and cover letter
    • Peer review: giving and receiving feedback on application materials
    • Adapting materials across industries and roles

Suggested Texts and Materials

  • Business Communication: Process and Product Guffey/ Loewy, 11th Edition, 2025, Cengage Learning

Department Notes

Business Communications differentiates business writing from academic writing.  Writing assignments can be graded as workplace documents where zero-error documents would merit an A grade.  The importance of clear, concise, and complete business writing is stressed throughout the course.