Niagara College Toronto

Business (2-year diploma)

Semester-2

Teaching and Learning Plan

COURSE INFORMATION

Course Title Business Course COMM1340

Communications Code
Requisites/Restrictions COMM1133 - Credit 3
Writing Value
Strategies
Delivery Type On-site
Program manager Shakeeni Program shakeeni.vipulan@niagaracollegetoronto.ca
Vipulan Manager
Contact
Developed by Nima Yousefi Approved Sajida Sultana
by

COURSE OUTLINE
Course Outlines | Niagara College Canada

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Business communication is all about strategy. It is important to know how to write a message to
achieve its business purpose and, at the same time, meet the needs of the reader and the writer.
Through the study of short business documents, this course will introduce techniques and strategies
you can use to present your ideas effectively, to request and provide information, to deliver
negative news and to persuade your reader. In addition to written skills, the workplace also requires
interpersonal and teamwork skills. You will develop these skills though participating in group
activities and authoring group reports.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
1. Explain the function and importance of effective communication in a business
organization.
2. Explain the role of teamwork, team dynamics, and intercultural communication in an
effective business organization.
3. Select appropriate organizational patterns responding to the analysis of the audience's
probable reaction to the message.
4. Select an appropriate channel for various business scenarios including requesting and
presenting information, delivering disappointing messages and persuading the reader.
5. Compose group project(s) that accurately report the results of the group’s analysis of (a)
case study(ies).
6. Use self-directed strategies to evaluate all communications and use a variety of means to
adjust for any errors in content, structure, style, and mechanics.

LEARNING RESOURCES
Type Author Title Publisher ISBN Edition URL, Other
Required J.V. Excellence Pearson 97801 6th https://www.pearson.c
texts, Thill, C. in Business Canada 36962 Canadia om/en-ca/subject-
resources Bovée, Communica Inc. 045 n catalog/p/excellence-
and Keller, tions (e-text in-business-
materials and rental) communication-
Moran canadian-
edition/P20000000262
9/9780134779980

Supplement -
al/Recomm
ended
Resources

EVALUATION DETAILS
Percentage
Type of
Number Assignment Breakdowns/Due Dates of Final
Evaluation/Assessment
Grade
First Evaluation – Week 4 - 5% - In-
Class
1. Revision Assignment 10%
Midterm Part A – Week 7 – 5% - In-
Class
Assignments: Routine,
Routine Message – Week 7 – 10% – In-
2. Negative, and Persuasive 60%
Class Midterm Part B
Messages
 Negative Message – Week 9 – 25% –
Due Week 10
Persuasive Message – Week 10 – 25%
– Due Week 11
Report – 10% – Given week 11, Due
Week 13
Proposal – 10% – Given week 12, Due
3. Group Projects 30%
Week 14
Presentation – 10% – Week 14 – In-
Class

Total 100%

STANDARD COURSE PLAN

Topic Assessments and

Learning Objectives
/Theme/Chapter Activities
Week
Course Overview and
Guidelines

Review of Class Policies

and Social Contracts in
Classroom
0.1 Discovery Learning of the
Course Outcome
Week Review Course Teaching
Introduction and Learning Plan
1 0.2 Mapping the course
Discovering the outcomes to Essential
importance of the course Employability Skills
and identifying the
learning outcomes
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 1

Lecture on the 1.1 Explain the communication

Chapter 1 Importance of Effective process and its application to
Communication business.
Week Achieving Success
through Effective 1.2 Differentiate between formal
2 Reviewing Case Studies
Business and informal communication
Communication on Ethical networks in a business
Communication – organization.
 Topic Assessments and
Learning Objectives
/Theme/Chapter Activities
Week
Highlighting the 1.3 Identify methods of
Effective and Ethical difference between overcoming communication
communication Ethical Dilemma and barriers in a variety of
Ethical Lapses business situations.

Assigned Reading:
Chapters 2 and 3

Chapters 2

Communicating in
Teams and
Mastering Listening
and nonverbal
Communication

Communication in 2.1 Explain the processes

teams involved in interpersonal, team
and organizational
Role of Culture in
Group work: Compare a communication, including
Communication
company’s online intercultural communication.
presence in different
Week countries and record the 2.2 Explain the barriers to
3 Chapter 3 differences. effective interpersonal, team and
organizational communication.
Communicating Assigned Reading:
Chapter 4 2.3 Implement effective team
Interculturally
management and communication
Understanding the techniques through group
Opportunities and meetings and project(s).
Challenges of
Intercultural
Communication

Developing Cultural
Competency

Week Lecture on the Steps of 3.1 Describe the three-step

Chapter 4
4 Writing Process writing process.
 Topic Assessments and
Learning Objectives
/Theme/Chapter Activities
Week

Planning Business First Evaluation – 1.1 - 3.2 Analyze a writing task,

Messages Revision Assignments - anticipate and profile the
5% audience, and adapt the message
Understanding the for the intended purpose and
Three-Step Writing An MCQ quiz on the audience.
concepts covered in the
Writing a Routine first three weeks - 3.3 Generate and organize ideas
Message appropriate to a specific piece of
Chapters 1-3 of the
business correspondence.
Textbook
3.4 Explain the characteristics of
Assigned Reading: successful letters, memos, e-
Chapter 5 and 6 mails and/or other business
correspondence.

Chapter 5: Writing
Business Messages

Adapting to Your
Audience: Building
Strong Relationships
with Your Audience
Group Work - Adapt 4.1 Employ 'you view', bias-free
messages to reach language, positive language,
Adapting to Your different audiences using courtesy and simple but effective
Audience: the best technological words in messages.
Week Controlling Your platform
5 Style and Tone
Assigned Reading:
4.2 Correctly use the appropriate
Chapter 6: Chapter 7 and 8 layout for letters, memos, e-
Completing mails, and/or other business
Business Messages messages.

Completing Business
Messages

Revising Your
Message: Evaluating
the First Draft
 Topic Assessments and
Learning Objectives
/Theme/Chapter Activities
Week

Evaluating Your
Content,
Organization, Style,
and Tone

Attitude and Tone in

Communication

Chapter 7: Crafting
Messages for
Electronic Media

Crafting Messages for

Electronic Media Lecture on types of
electronic messages –
Electronic Media for Focus on “Content on
Business Social Media” 3.2 Analyze a writing task,
Communication anticipate and profile the
Class Activity – Write a audience, and adapt the message
Creating Content for blog post
Week for the intended purpose and
Social Media
6 audience.
Lecture on Positive and
Routine Messages with 4.2 Use the direct pattern to
focus on Structure and write routine requests, routine
Chapter 8: Writing
Choice of Words replies, and goodwill messages.
Routine and Positive
Messages Assigned Reading:
Chapter 9
Applying the Three-
Step Writing Process
to Routine and
Positive Messages

Midterm:

Week Part A: 1.2 - Revision Assignments – 5% An MCQ Quiz on the concept covered form
7 Week 1 to Week 6 - Chapters 1-8 of the Textbook

Part B: 2.1 - Writing a Routine Message – Assignments 10%

 Topic Assessments and
Learning Objectives
/Theme/Chapter Activities
Week

Week
Reading Week (No Classes)
8

3.2 Analyze a writing task,

Lecture on the Direct anticipate and profile the
and Indirect audience, and adapt the message
Chapter 9: Writing
Approaches for the intended purpose and
Negative Messages
audience.
2.2 - Assignment: Writing
Applying the Three-
a Negative Message –
Step Writing Process
Week 25%
to Negative Messages 4.4 Explain the problems of
9
Due Week 10 conveying negative news.
Direct and Indirect
Approaches
Assigned Reading:
Chapter 10
4.5 Use the indirect pattern for
organizing business messages
that convey negative news.

Lecture on the Logical,

Emotional, and
Authoritative Appeals
Chapter 10: Writing (Logos, Pathos, and
Persuasive Messages Ethos) 3.2 Analyze a writing task,
anticipate and profile the
Applying the Three- Group work: audience, and adapt the message
Step Writing Process Distinguishing between for the intended purpose and
to Persuasive Features and Benefits audience.
Week Message
10 2.3 - Assignment: Writing 4.6 Employ the strategies and
AIDA Method a Persuasive Message – components of a modified
25% indirect pattern for persuasive
Logical, Emotional business messages.
appeals Due Week 11

Features VS Benefits Assigned Reading:

Chapter 11 and 12
 Topic Assessments and
Learning Objectives
/Theme/Chapter Activities
Week

Chapter 11:
Planning Reports
and Proposals

Applying the Three-

Step Writing Process
to Reports and 5.1 Participate in group meetings
Proposals Group work: Identifying to discuss and analyse the
the layout, sections, and communication challenges and
Gathering choice of words in tasks related to (a) case
Information reports study(ies).

Conducting Primary 3.1 - Group Project: 5.2 Document group discussion

Week and Secondary Report – 10% and consensus.
Research
11
Due Week 13 6.1 Revise and proofread
Chapter 12: Writing messages for appropriate style,
Reports and Assigned Reading: clarity, vigour and conciseness,
Proposals Chapter 13 and Appendix and readability.
B
Adapting to Your 6.2 Evaluate the final draft of a
Audience business message to assess its
success.
Drafting Report and
Proposal Content

Using Technology to
Craft Reports and
Proposals

Chapter 13:
Group work: Analyzing 5.1 Participate in group meetings
Completing Reports
and evaluating proposals to discuss and analyse the
and Proposals
and business plans communication challenges and
tasks related to (a) case
Revising Reports and
3.2 - Group Project: study(ies).
Week Proposals
Proposal – 10%
12
5.2 Document group discussion
Producing Formal
Due Week 14 and consensus.
Reports
Assigned Reading: 6.1 Revise and proofread
Proofreading Reports
Chapter 14 messages for appropriate style,
and Proposals
 Topic Assessments and
Learning Objectives
/Theme/Chapter Activities
Week
clarity, vigour and conciseness,
and readability.

6.2 Evaluate the final draft of a

business message to assess its
success.

Chapter 14:
Designing and
Delivering Oral and
Online Group Work: Identify 5.3 Consolidate results in (a)
Week
Presentations the pillars of effective team-edited group project(s) for
13
presentation submission.

Presentations

5.3 Consolidate results in (a)

Week 3.3 - Group Project:
Presentations team-edited group project(s) for
14 Presentation – 10%
submission.

Chapter 15: Building Careers and Writing Résumés

Chapter 16: Applying and Interviewing for Employment

Week
15 Consolidation of the Course – Reviewing the Learning Outcomes

Group Activity - Writing a CV, Cover letter, and Job Interviews

POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

ACCOUNTABILITY & RESPONSIBILITY
Accountability includes completing all assignments on time and as requested, taking responsibility
for one’s actions, and assuming a pro-active approach to the course. It does not include making
excuses or forcing the instructor to follow-up on issues. Online learning, if applicable, requires
considerable self-discipline. It is strongly recommended that you view your online courses as
having a workload comparable to courses taught on campus.
Refer to Canvas under each chapter for Homework Assignments and Assignments pertaining to a
particular class.
Late or missed assignments maybe be accepted at the discretion of the instructor under the
College’s Practice for Missed or Late Assignments (see relevant section below for details).
All evaluations, assignments and quizzes are included in the final course grade calculations.
E-MAIL COMMUNICATION
All students are required to check their official student e-mail account regularly. E-mail
is the official route of communication between the College and its students.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students are subject to the College’s Practice on Student Academic Misconduct and should
therefore be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and its consequences. Student
academic misconduct is a serious offence and will not be tolerated. It may take many forms and
not limited to, plagiarism, copying another student’s work or allowing others to copy one’s own
work, the use of unauthorized aids in assignments or examinations, falsifying identity and logging
into another student’s account, submitting substantially the same academic assessment work in
two or more courses without faculty permission, unauthorized group work for an individually
assigned assignment, the willful distortion or fabrication of experimental results or data, and the
use of generative artificial intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT or other, to help complete any of
your work in this course.
If you are unsure of what constitutes academic integrity infringements such as plagiarism or others,
or you do not know whether an online resource or tool can be used in this course, you can seek
assistance from your instructor, program coordinator, academic advisors, or the library staff. You
can also refer to the library resources link Academic Integrity Introduction: NCT Library
(niagaracollegetoronto.ca).

Students agree that by taking this course all submitted assignments/papers may be reviewed by
Turnitin for textual similarity in support of academic integrity. All submitted assignments/papers
will be included as source documents in the Turnitin reference database solely for the purpose of
detecting plagiarism of such papers. Use of the Turnitin service is subject to the Usage Policy
posted on the Turnitin.com website. Students also agree that all the submitted assignment/papers
may be checked for any AI-produced material using AI detection tools and software.

CITATION
Students are expected to use proper citations techniques when submitting assignments. Citations
help students to avoid accusations of plagiarism and demonstrates a writer’s integrity and ability
to engage in a formal scholarly work. The College adopts the APA citation style (APA 7th Edition
https://apastyle.apa.org/) which was created by the American Psychological Association. In APA,
you must "cite" sources that you have paraphrased, quoted or otherwise used to write your work.
Cite your sources in two places:

• In the body of your assignment/paper where you add a brief in-text citation.
 • In the Reference list at the end of your paper where you give more complete information
for the source.

CLASS CANCELLATION OR RESCHEDULING

On occasion, it may be necessary to cancel or reschedule a class. College Practice on Class
Cancellation and Rescheduling provides details on what students can expect in the event of a
change to a regularly scheduled class meeting.
STUDENT CLASS ATTENDANCE AND LATENESS
Students are responsible for understanding the College Practice on Attendance and Lateness and
are advised that unless they participate in course activities, it is unlikely that they will be able to
progress satisfactorily.

MISSED OR LATE ASSIGNMENTS

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or
compassionate reasons, please fill out the Academic Consideration Request Form that can be found
in each course and send the form to the faculty teaching the course. Late assignments without
notice will be graded based on the following Late Submission penalty:

• 10% deduction of the assignment will apply for each day passed the assignment due date
until Day 7.
• Late submission passed Day 7 will automatically receive a zero grade.

ACADEMIC STANDING AND PROGRESSION

To progress to the next level of program study, a student must achieve all the following:

• A passing grade in a course is 50%

• A semester Grade Point Average of 60%
• Successful completion of prerequisite and/or co-requisite course(s) if applicable
• Successful completion of mandatory course and/or semester requirements (such as non-
academic requirements among others) as determined by the program.
ACCESSIBILITY
The College is committed to the provision of an open and supportive learning environment. If you
are a student with a disability, please remember that it is your responsibility to contact Health,
Wellness and Accessibility Services (HWAS) and/or the Accessibility Consultant and provide
documentation pertinent to your disability. The earlier you ask for assistance, the more effective
we can be in facilitating the appropriate support. Do not wait until you are experiencing serious
difficulties to contact the above resources.

USEFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES

The contacts below may provide useful resources and information that support your academic and
overall progress as a student, don’t hesitate to reach out if you require any help or support:
• Academic Integrity Introduction: NCT Library (niagaracollegetoronto.ca)
• IT Issues and Support: support@nctorontostudents.ca
• Health Wellness Department: hwas@niagaracollegetoronto.ca
• Accessibility Consultant: accessibility@niagaracollegetoronto.ca
• Student Advising: academicadvising@niagaracollegetoronto.ca
• Career Services: NCT Career Services -1 (niagaracollegetoronto.ca)
• Library Services: NCT Library (niagaracollegetoronto.ca)
• Student Orientation: BE NCT Ready (niagaracollegetoronto.ca)