BOTE 210 - Business Communications
3 Semester Hour Credits

Course Description: Business Communications is the study of oral and written communication in business settings. It includes exploration of nonverbal and group communication, listening and research skills, cross-cultural communication, job search techniques, ethics, technology and preparation of business correspondence.

Schedule: Fall and spring semesters. This course follows the traditional on-campus schedule for beginning and ending dates.

Delivery Method: Online. Students are not expected to come to the campus at any time.

Prerequisite Courses: None.

Instructor: Sandra Larson; email: sandra.larson@dakotacollege.edu

Textbook: Mary Ellen Guffey. Business Communication Process and Product. 6th Edition w/Aplia. South-Western Thomson Learning. ISBN: 978-0-324-61111-3.

Other Materials: Access to a standard English dictionary and a current office reference manual such as HOW 9 or the Gregg Reference Manual

You can order your books through the DCB Bookstore.

Course Objectives: It is expected that students will be able to:

• Analyze a communication situation and the audience based on a communication model, make choices about the most effective way to communicate, and deliver the communication in an acceptable business format.
• Conduct research on a topic in a library, through interviews, or via the Internet; record research material pertinent to the topic; plan, organize, and complete a written report.
• Demonstrate the ability to adjust communication style and content based on communication goals and audience characteristics.
• Write business documents that are grammatically correct, use appropriate business style, and accomplish business objectives.
• Edit your work and utilize feedback to improve communication.
• Effectively evaluate and improve performance on required writings.

Work Expectations: Our goal is to create a constructive environment to learn and practice effective business communication strategies. In order to maintain this productive environment, the following guidelines apply:

• Practice effective on-line etiquette, called netiquette.
• Ask questions when you have them via e-mail.
• Turn in your own original work.
• Regular participation in the class is expected using chat, e-mail, and discussion postings.
• Thorough reading of assigned text segments and supplementary materials.
• Assignments submitted on time and in appropriate format.
• All work prepared must be word-processed.
• Graded assignments from the chapters covered.

Exams - Policies & Procedures:

• Quizzes and exams can be taken on any computer with Internet access.
• Students need to set up or select an environment conducive for testing (e.g. distraction-free area at home, a computer lab at a library, etc.)
• Exams are given at the end of each chapter or set of chapters.
• Each quiz/test will be available for a 24-hour period on a date set by the instructor. Students can take a quiz/test at any time during the 24-hour period.
• Exams are open-book but are available for a limited period of time (15-60 minutes) depending upon the number of questions.
• Tests are comprised primarily of multiple choice, matching, and true/false questions.

Technology Required: Click here to view our technology required page.