BBA Program

BUS201 – Business and Human Communication

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A. Course General Information:

Course Code: BUS201

Course Title: Business and Human Communication
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours/Week: 3
Category: Mandatory in the BBA Program; GenEd (for other departments)
Type: Business Foundation
Prerequisites: ENG101, ENG102
Co-requisites: None
Semester/Trimester Spring 2023
Class Time Sunday and Tuesday, 8:00 A.M-9:20 A.M Section 10
Class Location UB20103
Instructor’s Name Ms. Tasneem Bareen Hasan
Office Location 5th Floor UB20510
Email Address ext.tasneem.bareen@bracu.ac.bd
Consultation Hours 11:00 AM- 12:00 PM (Sunday and Tuesday) by appointment
Mobile Number N/A
Course Coordinator Mohammad Atiqul Basher

B. Course Catalog Description:

From learning study materials to getting selected for a job, students will need effective
communication skills to succeed in every aspect of their life. This course will familiarize students
with the basic principles, frameworks, tools and practices of effective communication that will
enable them to accomplish both academic and professional career goals. The major emphasis will be
on approaches for planning, organizing and conveying persuasive messages in today’s challenging
business world. The verbal skills acquired from this course will help students in advanced business
courses, internships, and professional career.

C. Rationale of the Course:

This foundation-level course is mandatory for all the learners of the BBA program and is part of
General Education for other departments. This is because business (and other) graduates are
expected to have sound communication skills to accomplish both academic and professional career
goals. The course introduces learners to the various forms of written and oral communication
methods and techniques that are helpful and, in most cases, necessary in real-life business
situations. The course also focuses on communication in a diverse work setting with ethics at the
forefront which is an integral part of workplaces worldwide.

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D. Course Objectives (COs):

The major objectives of this course are to:

1. Introduce learners to the various forms of written and oral communication methods that are
essential in real-life business situations and in professional lives.
2. Enhance learners’ reading, writing, listening and spoken abilities in order to develop impactful
professional communication skills.
3. Give learners a strategic perspective of business communication, i.e., knowing which type of
communication tool/technique to use to create the desired effect.
4. Develop solid understanding of business communication concepts and ability to differentiate
between verbal, non-verbal and physical communication (body language) in learners.
5. Develop medium to high level of reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiencies in learners
with the aim of achieving standard corporate objectives.

E. Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs):

On successful completion of the course, learners should be able to:

SL. CLO Description

CLO1 Understand the theories of communication, and the ethical aspects of communication
within a local and international business context to ensure ethical leadership.
CLO2 Produce and present artefacts such as memos, business letters and reports that
managers utilize in traditional business contexts in an organizational as well as office
settings.
CLO3 Prepare résumés and cover letters so that local, and global employment seeking
endeavours can be professionally supported with requisite artefacts and documents.
CLO4 Apply analytical writing skills, correct grammar and stylistic techniques in writing
sentences and paragraphs so that grammatically accurate, professionally appropriate,
and standard business documents can be produced.
CLO5 Identify and address current SDG issues concerning racial inclusion, work-place
diversity, gender sensitivity, and sexual freedom to acquire written and spoken
communication skills that result in bias free and inclusive communication materials,
and assist organizations to create strong institutions in the process.

F. Mapping of Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) with Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO1 PLO2 PLO3 PLO4 PLO5 PLO6 PLO7 PLO8

CLO1 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
CLO2 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
CLO3 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
CLO4 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
CLO5 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Mapping of Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) with Program Learning Outcomes (POs) of Gen-Ed:

PO1 PO2 PO3 PO4 PO5

CLO1 ✔

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 CLO2 ✔
CLO3 ✔
CLO4 ✔
CLO5 ✔ ✔

G. Course Plan specifying CLOs, co-curricular activities (if any), Teaching-Learning and Assessment
Strategies mapped with the CLOs:

Week Topic Teaching-Learning Assessment Corresponding

Strategy Strategy CLOs
1  Understanding Business Lecture, In-class CLO1, CLO5
Communication in Today’s Workplace Discussions, Exercises,
Problem solving, Quiz,
Group work Midterm
Exam, Group
project, Final
Exam
2  Communicating in Teams and Mastering Lecture, In-class CLO1, CLO4,
Listening and Nonverbal Discussions, Exercises, CLO5
Communication Skills Problem solving, Quiz,
Group work Midterm
Exam, Group
project, Final
Exam
3  Planning Business Messages Lecture, In-class CLO2, CLO4,
Discussions, Exercises, CLO5
Problem solving, Quiz,
Group work Midterm
Exam, Group
project, Final
Exam
4  Writing Business Messages Lecture, In-class CLO2, CLO4,
Discussions, Exercises, CLO5
Problem solving, Quiz,
Group work Midterm
Exam, Group
project, Final
Exam
5  Writing Memo, Letter, and Email (Use Lecture, In-class CLO2
and Formatting) Discussions, Exercises,
Problem solving, Quiz,
Group work Midterm
Exam, Group
project, Final
Exam
6  Writing Routine, Good-News, and Lecture, In-class CLO2, CLO4,
Goodwill Messages Discussions, Exercises, CLO5
Problem solving, Quiz,
Group work Midterm
Exam, Group
project, Final
 Review Exam
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 7  Midterm Examination Midterm CLO1, CLO2,
o Understanding Business Exam CLO4, CLO5
Communication in Today’s Workplace
o Communicating in Teams and
Mastering Listening and Nonverbal
Communication Skills
o Planning Business Messages
o Writing Business Messages
o Writing Memo, Letter, and Email (Use
and Formatting)
o Writing Routine, Good-News, and
Goodwill Messages
8  Writing Bad-News Messages Lecture, In-class CLO2, CLO4,
Discussions, Exercises, CLO5
Problem solving, Quiz, Group
Group work project, Final
Exam
9  Writing Persuasive Messages Lecture, In-class CLO2, CLO4,
Discussions, Exercises, CLO5
Problem solving, Quiz, Group
Group work project, Final
Exam
10  Understanding and Planning Business Lecture, In-class CLO2, CLO4,
Reports and Proposals Discussions, Exercises, CLO5
Problem solving, Quiz, Group
Group work project, Final
Exam
11  Writing and Completing Business Lecture, In-class CLO2, CLO4,
Reports and Proposals Discussions, Exercises, CLO5
Problem solving, Quiz, Group
Group work project, Final
Exam
12  Planning, Writing, and Completing Oral Lecture, In-class CLO2, CLO4,
Presentations Discussions, Exercises, CLO5
Problem solving, Quiz, Group
Group work project, Final
Exam
13  Searching for Employment and Lecture, In-class CLO3
Preparing Employment Messages Discussions, Exercises,
Problem solving, Quiz, Group
Group work project, Final
 Review Exam
14  Group Presentations Discussions, Group project CLO2, CLO4,
Problem solving, CLO5
Group work

H. Learning Materials:

 Recommended Reading:
o Business Communication Essentials: Fundamental Skills for the Mobile-Digital-Social
Workplace. Edition: 4 (2004). Authors: Bovee, L. C., Thill, J.V. Publisher: Pearson.
(TEXTBOOK)

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  Supplementary Readings:
o Business Communications, Phyllis Davis Hemphill. Fourth Edition, Prentice Hall: Career and
Technology, Englewood, USA (TEXTBOOK)

I. Assessment and Evaluation:

 Assessment Strategy:

1. Attendance in Class Sessions (5%): Class attendance is mandatory (as per BRACU policy).
Learners are strongly encouraged to participate actively in class discussions. Points for
attendance will be given as per BRACU policy – stated below:

Attendance Percentage Marks

90% to 100% 5.00 out of 5.00
85% < 90% 4.00 out of 5.00
80% < 85% 3.00 out of 5.00
75% < 80% 2.00 out of 5.00
70% < 75% 1.00 out of 5.00
Below 70% not allowed to take the final exam

2. Quizzes (15%): There will be 2 Quizzes taken out of which the best one will be counted. The
quizzes will consist of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), true/false, fill in the blanks and/or
short questions from the topics covered in class. Specific quiz time will be announced during
the class time and scheduled at least one week before the quiz.
3. Midterm (20%): Midterm exam will take place during the midterm week. The midterm is
designed to test your knowledge of the first half of the course. This exam will consist of
MCQs, descriptive questions (conceptual and theoretical in nature) and case studies. There
will be no makeup midterm unless there is a valid reason and that again is at the discretion
of the instructor and the Registrar’s Office.
4. Assignment (10%): The course will have assignments. The objective of these assignments will
be to make the students aware of the real-world business communication issues that they
are likely going to face as soon as they are going to enter into the corporate world. The topic
and structure of these assignments will be at the discretion of the individual faculty
members.
5. Group Project + Presentation (15%): The group project (term paper) will see you working on
one specific real-world issue, problem or situation where you are expected to demonstrate
the knowledge, skills and competencies learned in class and apply it in a real-world situation.
Students will be free to choose from a range of Business Communication topics. There will
also be a group presentation based on this term paper. Topics will be given in class. Delay in
submission will result in the penalty.
6. Final Exam (35%): The final exam is designed to test your holistic knowledge of the course,
covering all the topics that have been covered previously. By nature, the final is
comprehensive and there is a distinct focus on strategic knowledge. Students are advised to
be well-prepared and well-informed about the final since this comprises a significant portion
of the grade. Questions will be a combination of MCQs, descriptive (conceptual and
theoretical in nature) and case studies. There will be no makeup final exam unless there is a
valid reason and that again is at the discretion of the Registrar’s Office.
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  Marks Distribution:
Activities % of the Total Assessment
Class Attendance and Participation 5%
Quizzes (best 1 out of 2) 15%
Assignment 10%
Group Project + Presentation 15%
Midterm Exam 20%
Final exam 35%
Total 100%

 Make-up Procedures:

Learners are not encouraged to give make-up mid-term except on certain special circumstances.
Make-up examinations will only be allowed to the learners with extreme medical condition OR
death in the immediate family during the semester. (Recommendations from 30th Syndicate
and 69th Academic Council, BoT approved in the 27th meeting)

Learner must notify in writing before the exam if he/she is going to miss the exam and needs to
sit for a make-up exam. Learner needs to apply to sit for the make-up exam by filling out the
appropriate form available at the office, take the necessary approval and submit the form to the
registrar office with required fees for the make-up exam.

 “I” and “W” Grades:

A grade of “I“ (Incomplete) will be granted only as a result of most extreme circumstances -
beyond a learner’s control and only after stringent verification of the circumstance and approval.
A grade of “I” is not given in lieu of an “F” or any other passing grade. Any learner who
discontinues attending class, and who does not officially drop the course/ withdraw from the
university, will receive a grade of “F”.

 Academic Integrity:

Although group-study is encouraged strongly, all learners/groups are expected to complete all
assignments individually. As such, one may not share, lend or borrow another learner’s (group’s)
work in any manner - either on paper, by computer or by word of mouth. Any cheating,
plagiarism and other forms of scholastic dishonesty or misconduct will result in the strictest
disciplinary action - according to the BRACU regulations (please refer to BRACU learner’s
Handbook).

J. Grading Policy:

Letter grades for the course will be based on the following scale - as specified in BRACU catalog.

Range of Marks Grade GPA Remarks Range of Marks Grade GPA Remarks
97 to 100 A+ 4.0 Excellent 60 to <65 C 2.0 Fair
90 to <97 A 4.0 “ 57 to <60 C‐ 1.7 “
85 to <90 A‐ 3.7 “ 55 to <57 D+ 1.3 “
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80 to <85 B+ 3.3 “ 52 to <55 D 1.0 Poor
75 to <80 B 3.0 Good 50 to <52 D‐ 0.7 “
70 to <75 B‐ 2.7 “ <50 to 0 F 0.0 Failure
65 to <65 C+ 2.3 “
K. Course Coordinator:

Mohammad Atiqul Basher

 Instructor’s Expectations of Learners:

Learners are expected to strive for excellence in acquiring knowledge – through attending all
classes from start to end; participating actively in class discussions; preparing for class lectures in
advance; spending at least two hours for each class-hour on, self-study, completion of assigned
tasks and preparation for class, quiz, exam, presentation, etc.; and completing and submitting
required tasks on-time.

Learners are also expected to maintain a classroom environment conducive to learning, be

respectful of others’ opinions and be completely honest by implementing the highest ethical
standards. It is also expected that learners will uphold this principle in all their future
endeavours, including their career activities.

 Learner Disability:

Any learner who has a disability that prevents the fullest statement of his/her abilities should
contact the instructor personally. All efforts will be made to devise the appropriate
accommodation in order to facilitate learner’s successful completion of the course.

L. Disclaimer:

Every effort will be made to ensure that the information contained in this document is adhered to;
however, it is subject to change. Changes will be notified in class, in advance. Learners are
encouraged to check with the instructor if there are any doubts. It is the learner’s responsibility to
be informed.