NORTH SOUTH UNIVERSITY

Centre of Excellence in higher Education

The First private university in Bangladesh
School of Business and Economics
Department of Management

Course Name: Business Communication

Course Code BUS 251
& Section No:
Semester Summer 2023

1. Instructor Tanya Ahmed (TYA)

Name:
NAC 978
2. Office
Sundays and Tuesdays:
3. Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays:
Thursday:

4. Office Phone: 55668200 Ext 1781

5. Email Address: tanya.ahmed@northsouth.edu,

6. Department Management

7. Links: North South University Website: http://www.northsouth.edu

School of Business Website: http://www.northsouth.edu/academic/sob/

COURSE & SECTION INFORMATION

Class Time &

Location

Course ENG103
Prerequisite(s)

Course Credit 3.0

Hours
Modern Business Management is all about communicating effectively. Evidence of the
importance of communication in business is found in numerous surveys of executives,
Course
managers, and recruiters. Without exception these surveys have found that communication
Description
ranks at or near the top of the business skills needed for success.

 Understanding the importance of realistic business communication process with real

 life business scenarios.
Course  Adapting writing processes considering different business situations and selecting
Objectives appropriate words in those scenarios through examples.
 Helping the students in learning the differences between formal and informal
writing techniques by providing samples of formal and informal emails, letters,
memos and reports.
 The course deals with explanation of why communicating clearly across cultures is
important to business though case studies.
 Helping students constructing their CV and resume through real life samples and
preparing them for job interviews and public speaking.
 Students are expected to communicate effectively in oral and written messages to
enhance goodwill of the organizations.
 Students will be able to write clearly and convey ideas and decisions effectively.
 They will be able to present their ideas coherently and effectively through
presentations.
 They will be able to write detailed formal reports with graphics.

LEARNING RESOURCES & TEXTBOOK(s)

TEXTBOOK(s)
Author Title Edition & Year Publisher ISBN
Kathryn Lesiker’s Business Thirteenth Edition McGraw-Hill Irwin 978-259-06080-9
Rentz&Paula Lentz Communication (2014)

REFERENCE BOOK
Courtland L Bovee& John V Thill Excellence in Business Seventh Edition
Communication

TEACHING STRATEGY
Instructor will introduce the concepts through class lectures and discuss various aspects of the concepts with
examples. Students are strongly advised to go through different chapters of the textbook carefully to keep
themselves abreast of the discussions in class. Practical examples of different business communication situations
will be explained and students will be invited to participate.
ASSESSMENT STRATEGY AND GRADINGS SCHEME
Grading Tool Points
First Midterm Exam 15%
Second Midterm Exam 15%
Group Report and Presentations 20% (10 +10)
Individual Presentation 10%
Quizzes 10%
Resume 5%
Final Exam 20%
Attendance 5%
Total 100%

The Final grade will be percentage of the accumulation of all points received over the course as follow as per NSU
Grading Policy:

100% - 93% =A 79% - 77% = C+ 60% - 66% =D

92% - 90% = A- 76% - 73% =C Less than 60% = F
89% - 87% = B+ 72% - 70% = C-
86% - 83% =B 69% - 67% = D+
82% - 80% = B-

CLASS ROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1. Cellular phones should be “TURNED OFF”/ “SILENT MODE” during class.

2. NO CELLULAR PHONES OR OTHER DEVICES SHOULD BE IN USE DURING CLASS UNLESS
AUTHORIZED BY ME. No voice recording without authorization.
3. Students are advised to frequently refer to the Student Handbook of North South University on the
following link:
http://www.northsouth.edu/student-code-of-conduct.html

4. Academic Integrity Policy:

Academic dishonesty of any type will be punished as per NSU Rules. This includes, but is not limited to plagiarism
(copying others’ work – in part or in total) and copying during exams. ANY KIND OF CHEATING IN EX
AMS WILL LEAD TO “F” GRADE.In addition, classroom etiquette is to be maintained at all times. This
means that when the Instructor is speaking or when students are presenting their ideas, the class should listen
carefully. Questions from students are always welcome, but chattering among class members causing distractions
are not allowed.Taking or other forms of communication with other students will not be allowed during exams. The
“no talking” requirement will remain in force during the exam and until all students have handed their exam scripts
to the instructor. Talking during the exam will disqualify the student from taking the exam. Any student engaging in
misconduct will be dealt with according to North South University’s Student Code of Conduct.
5. No eating or drinking in CANS in class.

EXAMS, QUIZ & MAKE UP POLICY

 Students will submit written assignments on designated dates. Late submission of assignments will be
penalized.
 Make-up exams for the two Midterms may be allowed, provided there are sufficient convincing reasons.
HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE SOME PENALTY FOR MAKE UP EXAM DEPENDING ON THE
REASON.
 There will be no make-up exams of the Final Exam.
 All Exams will be based on both written question answers and MCQ. Students will be required to write
short essay-type answers reflecting their proficiency in English Language.
 Cell phones are prohibited in exam sessions.

GROUP ASSIGNMENTS (GROUP SHOULD HAVE 4/5 MEMBERS)

 Class will be divided into groups of 5/6 students at the beginning of the semester. Each group will be
assigned a topic to write a short dissertation report. This will enable students to interact among themselves
and develop cooperative teamwork culture, which is essential for the success of an organization. The group
will present the report verbally 8/9 weeks after the beginning of semester. The topics will be drawn from
contemporary social, economic, business sectors of Bangladesh.

LATE ASSINGMENT POLICY

Students failing to submit their class assignments or group reports on schedule will be penalized.

ATTENDANCE POLICY
In order to foster a collaborative learning experience where shared student participation is important, attendance is
critical. There may be situations when a student may miss class due to illness or an emergency. In such cases,
students are still responsible to ensure that assignments are submitted on time. Arriving late for class is a gross
violation of discipline and etiquette. Late entrants into class disrupt normal flow of discussion of the class. Instructor
can debar a late student from attending class. North South University stipulates that students who are absent 25% or
more from their classes will be considered “failed” or even such absences are excusable.
COURSE ADJUSTMENTS
The instructor can make adjustments in the Course, keeping the overall objective of the Course in mind.

COMMUNICATION POLICY
Instructor may use SMS or EMAIL to communicate with students. Students are required to submit their mobile and
email address at the beginning of the semester.

APPROPRIATE USE POLICY

All members of the North South University community must use electronic communications in a responsible
manner. The University may restrict the use of its computers and network systems for electronic communications
subject to violations of university policies /codes or local laws or national laws. Also, the university reserves the
right to limit access to its networks through university-owned or other computers, and to remove or limit access to
material posted on university-owned computers.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

North South University will provide special attention to the requirements of students with disabilities. Students with
disabilities are encouraged to contact their instructor to ensure that their needs are met. The University through its
Special Need section will exert all efforts to accommodate special needs.

STUDENTS COMPLAINTS POLICY

Students at North South University have the right to pursue complaints related to faculty, staff, and other students.
The nature of the complaints may be either academic or non-academic. For more information about the policy and
processes related to this policy, students may refer to the students’ handbook.
COURSE CONTENTS

Topics
1. Understanding workplace communication Chapter 1
2. Adapting your Words to your Readers Chapter 3
3. Constructing clear sentences and paragraphs Chapter 4
4. Writing for a positive effect Chapter 5
5. Choosing the Best Process and Form Chapter 6
First Mid Term Exam (on the above Chapters)
6. Getting to the Point in Good-News and Neutral Messages Chapter 7
7. Maintaining Goodwill in Bad-News Message Chapter 8
8. Preparing Informative and Influential Business Reports Chapter 11
9. Communicating across cultures Chapter 2
Second Mid Term Exam (on the above chapters)
11 Making your case with persuasive messages and proposals Chapter 9
.
12 Conducting a winning job campaign Chapter 10
.
13 Communicating Effectively in Meetings and Conversations Chapter 15
.
14 Delivering oral reports and business speeches Chapter 16
.
Final Exam