NATIONAL ECONOMICS UNIVERSITY SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
SCHOOL OF TRADE and Independence – Freedom – Happiness
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
SYLLABUS
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Title: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
Course Number: LOGI.QTVH1109(221)_LSIC63
General Education courses
Units: 3 credits
- Theoretical periods: 20
- Practical periods: 17.5
Prerequisite: None
2. LECTURER’S INFORMATION
Full name: LE THI THU MAI Tittle: Senior Lecturer, MBA.
Address: 705A1, NEU Building Phone number: 0946203410
Email: maile@[Link]
Faculty/ Institute: Faculty of Foreign Languages
3. COURSE CONTENT/DESCRIPTION
Business Communication is a content-based course to be conducted with the communicative
approach to provide learners with and to get them to understand the essentials of Business
Communication. It also gives the learners opportunities to practice and perform well popular
written and oral forms of business communication. In principle, the course is conducted fully in
English. However, to help students get closer to the real working environment, some reference
materials will be provided in Vietnamese.
The course takes 30 periods of 75 minutes during 15 weeks.
4. LEARNING RESOURCES: COURSE BOOKS, REFERENCE BOOKS, AND
SOFTWARES
- Coursebook: Mary Ellen Guffey & Dana Loewy. 2018. Business Communication: Process &
Product, 9th ed., Cengage Learning.
- Reference books:
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Bovee & Thill. 2005. Business Communication Today. Pearson. Prentice Hall.
- Other required materials and information:
a. NEU’s Ebooks and documents at [Link] Emerald Insight, IG
Publishing eBook and Proquest Central
b. NEU’s Ebooks and documents at [Link]
5. COURSE GOALS
The course is designed
1. to provide learners with the with the essentials of business communication.
2. to guide learners through the process of collecting, analyzing and evaluating information
necessary for completion of communication tasks and solving possibly arising problems.
3. to get learners to practice in organizing and presenting the information and findings in
appropriate written and oral forms of business communication such as: letters, memos, emails,
instant messages, proposals, reports, and oral presentation.
4. to encourage learners to
a. personalize their communication so as to achieve the desired objectives and to win the
satisfaction of readers and/or audience.
b. understand the value of business communication in the competitive business environment
today.
c. perform well the process of collecting, analyzing and evaluating information necessary for
completion of communication tasks and solving possibly arising problems.
d. organize and present the information and findings correctly and clearly in appropriate
written and oral forms of business communication such as: letters, memos, emails, instant
messages, proposals, reports, and oral presentation.
5. to encourage learners to use technological tools, to work independently and in teams when
completing their tasks.
Program
Course Learning
Goal Description Bloom level
Goals Outcomes
(PLO)
[1] [2] [3] [4]
G1 Understanding Communication Foundations 1.2.2, 1.3.4 I, II
G2 Applying the 3-x-3 Writing Process 1.2.2, 1.3.2, II, III
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1.3.3
G3 Exploring and Composing Business 1.2.2, 1.3.2, III, IV, VI
Correspondence 1.3.3
G4 Understanding and Giving Business Presentations 1.2.2, 1.3.2 III, IV, VI
6. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLO)
Course
CLO Descriptions Bloom level
goals
[1] [2] [3] [4]
CLO 1.1 Remember basics in communicating in today’s I
workplace
CLO 1.2 Understand phases of developing team, listening, II
G1
and etiquette skills
CLO 1.3 Understand basics of communicating across II
cultures
CLO 2.1 Applying Writing Process Phase 1 III, VI
G2 CLO 2.2 Applying Writing Process Phase 2 III, VI
CLO 2.3 Applying Writing Process Phase 3 III, VI
CLO 3.1 Exploring & Composing E-Mail messages and III, VI
memos
CLO 3.2 Exploring & Composing Positive Letters and III, VI
G3 Messages
CLO 3.3 Exploring & Composing Negative Messages III, VI
CLO 3.4 Exploring & Composing Persuasive and III, VI
Marketing Messages
G4 CLO 4.1 Understanding & Giving Business Presentations VI, VI
7. COURSE ASSESSMENT
Assessment Assessment Percentage
Description Time CLO
methods indicators (%)
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Class Class participation points Week 1- Attendance Bonus
Participation will be based on general 15 points
class attendance,
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&
contribution in class and
Times of
compliance with the class
answers and
rules delineated below. Poor
questions in
class attendance, little
class
contribution in class or non-
compliance with class rules & active
will result in a poor class participation
participation grade. in class
discussions
CLO 1.1
CLO 1.2
CLO 1.3
Fulfillment of homework CLO 2.1
given in LMS every week.
Homework Every CLO 2.2 LMS
All assignments are due by 10%
fulfillment week CLO 2.3 assignment
the date and time specified
in the assignment. CLO 3.1
CLO 3.2
CLO 3.3
CLO 3.4
Midterm 2 in-class individual In-class
Week 10 20%
Test assignment assignment
Class is divided into groups
of 4 students. Groups are CLO 1.1
expected to do a report and Group
Group Week 12, CLO 1.3
a presentation. The report presentation 20%
Project 13, 14 CLO 4.1
needs to be submitted and report
through Turnitin 2 days
before the presentation.
CLO 2.1
Final exam of 90 minutes. CLO 2.2 Questions
Students have permission to CLO 2.3 on theories,
take the final exam when University
Final Exam CLO 3.1 practical 50%
they attend more than 80% schedule
CLO 3.2 situations,
of the total classes. Make-up
CLO 3.3 case studies.
exams will not be offered.
CLO 3.4
8. LESSON PLAN
(Any changes on the schedule WILL BE announced in class and on TURNITIN in advance)
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8.1. Theoretical hours
Learning and teaching Assessment
Class Topics CLO
activities methods
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Introduction to the
Course and LMS
Textbook, chapters 1-3
assignment CLO 1.1
Read carefully the syllabus Questions &
Week 1 Understanding the CLO 1.2
provided; discussion
Foundations of CLO 1.3
Assign members into groups
Business
Communication
Understanding the
CLO 1.1 Textbook, chapters 2-3
Foundations of Questions &
Week 2 CLO 1.2 Analyze fundamental
Business discussion
Communication CLO 1.3 communication skills
The 3X3 Writing Textbook, chapter 4 Questions &
Process – Phase 1: discussion
Week 3 CLO 2.1 Analyze and edit weak business
Analyze, Anticipate, Written
Adapt written reports
Exercise
The 3X3 Writing Textbook, chapter 5 Questions &
Process – Phase 2: discussion
Week 4 CLO 2.2 Analyze and edit weak business
Research, Organize, Written
written reports
Compose Exercise
The 3X3 Writing Textbook, chapter 6 Questions &
Process – Phase 3: discussion
Week 5 CLO 2.3 Analyze and edit weak business
Revise, Proofread, Written
written reports
Evaluate Exercise
Email Messages and Textbook, chapter 7 Questions &
Memos discussion
Week 6 CLO 3.1 Explore components of
business emails and memos Written
Exercise
Positive Letter and Textbook, chapter 8 Questions &
Messages discussion
Week 7 CLO 3.2 Analyze and edit weak business
written messages Written
Exercise
Week 8 Negative Messages CLO 3.3 Textbook, chapter 9 Questions &
discussion
Analyze and edit weak business
written messages Written
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Exercise
Persuasive and Textbook, chapter 10 Questions &
Marketing Messages discussion
Week 9 CLO 3.4 Analyze and edit weak business
written messages Written
Exercise
Week MIDTERM TEST
10
Business Presentation Textbook, chapter 14 Questions &
Week CLO 4.1
Analyze and edit weak business discussion
11
presentations Practice
Group Project Each group:
Presentation - 12 minutes for
Week CLO 1.1 presentation
12+13 + CLO 1.3
14 - 2 minutes for Q & A
CLO 4.1
Submit Turnitin & hard copy
report of group project
Week Revision
15
8.2. Practical hours
Learning and teaching Assessment
Class Topics CLO
activities methods
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Introduction to the
Course and TURNITIN
CLO 1.1 Watch video: 10 surprising
Understanding the Questions &
Week 1 CLO 1.2 ways to offend people in other
Foundations of discussion
Business CLO 1.3 countries
Communication
Understanding the
CLO 1.1
Foundations of Watch videos: Working in Questions &
Week 2 Business CLO 1.2
groups discussion
Communication CLO 1.3
The 3X3 Writing Questions &
Process – Phase 1: discussion
Week 3 Analyze, Anticipate, CLO 2.1 Ex. 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5
Written
Adapt Exercise
Week 4 The 3X3 Writing CLO 2.2 Ex 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, Questions &
Process – Phase 2: 5.7 discussion
Research, Organize, Written
Compose
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Exercise
The 3X3 Writing Ex. 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 Questions &
Process – Phase 2: discussion
Week 5 Research, Organize, CLO 2.3
Written
Compose Exercise
Email Messages and Ex. 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5 Questions &
Memos discussion
Week 6 CLO 3.1 Submit proposal
Written
Exercise
Positive Letter and Ex. 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 Questions &
Messages discussion
Week 7 CLO 3.2
Written
Exercise
Persuasive and Ex. 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5 Questions &
Marketing Messages discussion
Week 8 CLO 3.3
Written
Exercise
Negative Messages Ex. 10.3, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.10 Questions &
Business Presentations CLO 3.4 discussion
Week 9
CLO 4.4 Written
Exercise
Week MIDTERM TEST
10
Videos of good and bad Questions &
Week Business Presentation business presentations to discussion
CLO 4.1
11 analyze Practice
Week Group Project CLO 1.1 Group presentations
12 + 13 Presentation CLO 1.3 Presentation
+14 CLO 4.1
REVISION Questions &
Week discussion
15 Written
Exercise
9. COURSE REQUIREMENT & EXPECTATION
Grading Policy: Grades will be determined by the percentages listed below.
Class Attendance Required (80%)
Class Participation Bonus
Homework fulfillment 10%
Midterm Test 20%
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Group Project 20%
Exams 50%
Class Attendance & Participation – Students are required to attend at least 12 out of 15 lessons
during the whole semester to be eligible for the Final Exam. Participation in and contribution to
the class discussion and due completion of homework assignment will be served as plus or reward
points of class participation points.
Homework fulfillment: Homework assignments will be given every week during the semester
and will account for 10% of the overall score. The topics will consist of reading materials and
material covered in class.
Midterm Test: 2 written in-class individual assignment will be given for the Midterm Test in
Week 10, accounting for 20% of the whole assessment.
Group Project: Groups of 4 students will be assigned by the lecturer in Week 1. Each group is to
develop a proposal for a project aiming at solving real business communication problems which
can occur between managers and staff, among colleagues, between company and customers,
between company and other stakeholders, and so on. The business problems are expected to be real,
selected from a business which students know/learn from a reliable source e.g. their parents’
business or the organization where they are working on a part-time basis. The Proposal is due by
the date and time specified in Week 6. Late submission will be penalized 10% per calendar day (not
merely per class period) beginning with the due date. After three late days no Proposal is accepted.
Group presentations are scheduled in Weeks 12, 13, 14. The presentation will last for 12 minutes
(followed by a 2-minute Q&A), when the group present their solutions to the selected business
problem.
The report accounts for 10% while the oral presentation accounts for 10% of the overall score.
Exams: Exam will be worth 50%. The exam will include critical thinking questions and revising
and/or writing business messages based on material presented and discussed in class.
Class rules:
1. Arrive on time and be seated and ready to begin when the class begins. If you do arrive late
for more than 30 minutes, you will not be counted for that class.
2. Come prepared – read the chapters assigned.
3. Turn off cell phones during classes.
4. Participate by contributing comments and questions during the discussions. The instructor
will call on students during the class if participants do not volunteer.
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SCHOOL OF TRADE AND Hanoi, 21 / 2 / 2022
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS Lecturer
Le Thi Thu Mai
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