Course Syllabus

MANAGERIAL COMMUNICATION

SPRING 2016 Mgmt. 301-01/02/03

Office Hours:  TR 7:45-8:15; 1:15-2:45

Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30-9:45; 10:00-11:15, 11:30-12:45

Mgmt 301 is a 2-credit class

Smith 347

 

INSTRUCTOR:        DR. THOMAS CLARK         OFFICE:     312 Smith Hall

E-mail:                    clarkt@xavier.edu                    TELEPHONE: 745-2025

OFFICE HOURS:    TUES & THURS, 1:15-3:00     FAX:  745-3692, ML 1215

                                                                                                                                                           

ORAL COMMUNICATION FLAGGED COURSE 

 

Mgmt 301 is an Oral Communication Flagged (OCF) course, meeting the OCF university requirement. Oral communication is a substantial part of this course curriculum with the intent that upon completion of this course, you will have the oral communication skills and knowledge needed to be a successful communication professional.

 

IMPORTANCE OF MANAGERIAL COMMUNICATION                            

 

Effective oral and written communication skills are critical to success in almost all managerial positions.  In fact, studies indicate executives spend from 75-90% of their time communicating.  This fact helps explain why corporate employment interviewers report that the ability to communicate well is a key to winning a job interview. 

 

It is so important to organizational success and so rare among job applicants, interviewers ranked it first in making hiring decisions above thirteen other criteria in seven of eight job categories and second in the remaining category. Likewise when business executives and managers were polled as to which courses most helped them attain their current positions, business communications (and introductory accounting) were ranked as the most important. In focus groups of WCB alumni, Managerial Communication ranked first (with Introductory Accounting) as the most valuable class taken in the business curriculum.

 

PURPOSE OF THIS COURSE

 

Managerial Communication is designed to help you communicate effectively in business settings, with a focus on employment communication.  Students will be evaluated according to three criteria: 

• developing persuasive and ethical communication strategies that are well adapted to the needs and expectations of audiences, especially job interviewers and networking contacts, with a focus on articulating both your career goals and the impact your actions have had on positive organizational outcomes.
• using electronic resources to facilitate the job search process, including the creation of a LinkedIn account that includes a written resume, a video resume, and a set of PowerPoint slides showing you at work, in service, and in learning environments.
• writing business documents that are inviting to read, easily understood, and logically argued.

 

 

It relates clearly to the WCB mission—We educate students of business, enabling them to improve organizations and society, consistent with the Jesuit tradition—by helping you improve your ability to communicate in terms of the needs and criteria of others.

 

COURSE OUTLINE:  Managerial Communications is organized around writing, speaking, Internet, and interpersonal communication exercises.   You will write a cover letter, a resume, and an email; complete career analysis and writing exercises; record yourself giving and taking job interviews as well as creating a video resume; and completing two 5-8 minute job interviews.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Written Communication

• Explain the importance of design elements in creating written messages, including headings, lists, indentation, bullet points, paragraph length, and color.
• Write well-designed and logically complete email messages.
• Explain the purpose of application letters as well as why they should be responsive to the criteria listed in the job description.
• Know how to create and (to explain the rationale for) one and two-page resumes.
• Anticipate, record, and edit answers to likely job interview questions.
• Create an effective brand definition through a combination of verbal and visual means, including a business card and PowerPoint deck that use graphics, photos, and text.

Oral Communication

• Explain how to prepare for, practice, and answer questions in screening and behavioral interviews
• List questions that might appropriately be asked in a job or networking interview.
• Prepare a video resume that effectively highlights your career goals and accomplishments

Career Communication Principles

• Use electronic resources to facilitate the job search process, including doing research on companies and professions.
• Describe a process for finding opportunities in current job market and create a Linked In account that promotes student career objectives.
• Describe the four principles critical to networking success.
• Practice good written, oral, and interpersonal business etiquette skills.

 

MEANS BY WHICH THIS CLASS ADDRESSES THE STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 

• Adapt to the communication context
  • Prepare a script for, record, evaluate, and upload a video resume to your LinkedIn account
  • Write letters of application and resumes and answer interview questions in ways that are responsive to the job criteria listed in an employment ad.
• Organize information effectively
  • Follow the CAR format in writing out and in answering behavior-based interview questions: Context, Action, Results
  • Argue deductively in preparing answers to Screening interview questions, suggesting their education and work experience are relevant to the job in the opening sentence (rule of primacy), provide rationale and data in the body, and summarize key ideas in final sentence (rule of recency).
• Advocate a supported position
  • Provide proof for each claim made in the job interviews, including statistics, examples, and testimony.

 

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY: Good teachers are committed to being enthusiastic about their subject and about student learning. My plan is to encourage and inspire you about business communication and to invite you to ask questions both inside and outside of class. In-class assignments and homework are designed to improve your opportunity-finding and problem-solving abilities. As the goal of Managerial Communication is for each of you to improve your business communication abilities, I encourage you to participate in class actively.

 

Personal Management:  A key quality employers look for in prospective employees--personal management--is also measured and rewarded in this class.

ATTENDANCE You are expected to attend all classes. You may miss one class without penalty, not including absences from interview days (see below).  If you have more than two absences, for any reason, you are expected to make up each class during the interview for grade periods. If you are a varsity athlete, you are expected to attend all classes other than those when are you traveling with the team. If your total absences exceed three, you are expected to gain approval to attend on-campus make-up events related to the class. You may substitute attendance at the Job Fair for a missed class.

 

You will be expected to attend two of the three sessions devoted to the each of the two interviews for grade, including the first session of each and the session in which your group does its interviews.  You may use the other day for making up an absence, interview practice & taping, preparing journal assignments, and studying for the test.

 

You will receive a 100-point deduction (based on 1000) from your final grade for excessive absences or a 200-point deduction if it is discovered that you were signed in as present when you were absent from class.

CLASS ASSIGNMENTS You should know when all assignments are due and be responsible for handing them in on time without the need for in-class reminders. By the end of the first week of class, you are encouraged to record the due dates for all assignments on a calendar.

 

CLASS CALENDAR    CS = Career Strategies  PC = Power Communication

                                               
Week 1            1/12                 1/14                 Ch 1-3  CS; Chs 1, 2, 4, 6, PC
Week 2            1/19                 1/21                 Ch 7, CS  Email, Co Analysis, Ch 3
Week 3            1/26                 1/28                 Letter of Application; Video resume prac
Week 4            2/2                   2/4                   2-page Resume; upload video resume to LinkedIn
Week 5            2/9                   2/11                 Chs 4,5, 6 CS, 20 networking contacts

                                                                        Prac Scr Int, Business card

Week 6              2/16                   2/18             Scr Int for grade

Week 7            2/23                 2/25                 Scr Int for grade, Behavior Interview discussion

Week 8            3/1                   3/3                   Behavioral Int Practice, Test

Week 9                        Spring Break

Week 10          3/15                 3/17                 Behavior Interview for grade, PowerPoint slide show

Week 11          3/22                                         Behavioral Interview for grade

                                               

GRADING

 

1. Writing assignments                         Points                          Due Dates

Email                                                     25                              1/19

Co analysis report                                 25                              1/21

Letter of application                            100                             1/28

Resume 2 page                                    100                              2/4      

Biz card                                                 25                              2/11

Ppt deck                                               25                              3/17    

 

1. Interview assignments

            Video resume                                      100                             2/5

2 In-class interviews                           400 (150 pts each)        as scheduled 

                                                                       

III.       Homework & final exam

            CS exercises/participation/att/disc      100                              as assigned

Final exam                                           100                              3/3

                                                                      1000

 

WRITING AND PRESENTATION ASSIGNMENTS

           

Video resume prework

 

Understanding yourself; answer these questions

 

1. What is your work history (See chapter 2 in Career Strategies)

 

What strengths have others recognized in you in work, school, and service?

What proof can you provide?

 

Testimony: oral or written

 

 

Example:  provide an example/story that shows why you were praised?

                        Did you succeed in a challenging situation? Come up with an innovative solution?                         Help another or a team succeed through empathy or interpersonal skills?

 

Statistics:  under what circumstances did you receive a raise, bonus, promotion, recognition—or other quantifiable outcomes?

 

 

1. What are the 1-2 most successful goals you have achieved as an individual?

 

 

What evidence do you have to prove it was a success?

 

 

 

 

Draw a flow chart to show what you did that led to this success:  Planning? Metrics/Success Standards? Special effort? Advice from others?

 

 

 

 

1. What was the most successful project you tackled as a member of a team? 

 

 

What was the role that you played? 

 

 

What impact did you make?

 

 

What evidence do you have to prove that impact?

 

1. What career do you see yourself pursuing? 

 

What key values motivate your career goals?  (See end of chapter 1 in Career Strategies)

 

 

 

1. Why did you choose your Major? Minor?

 

 

 

1. What are your favorite recreational activities?

 

 

 

1. What volunteer activities do you find compelling?  Why?

 

 

Assignments

 

1. Email: Compose an email which has an introduction, one or more body paragraphs, and a closing, It should also include some headings and, as appropriate, other elements of visual design.

 

2. Key Learnings Company Analysis:

 

Company knowledge: When you interview, an organization expects you to have done research about it.  So find out about a company or organization that values your major’s function. Be sure to identify a corporate vision or mission statement as well as other information. This might include the company’s history, its leadership, its products and services, its financial status, including sales, where its customers are, its M&A activity, number of employees, and its plans for the future.

 

You can find this information by putting the name of the organization into a search engine and reading what the organization says about itself and what others say about it.  A librarian can show you how to quickly find information on proprietary sites for which the library has paid a fee.  Using these proprietary resources may be the fastest way to obtain this information.

 

Paper Prepare a 1-2 page report using an appropriate orienting introduction and a series of headings identifying the topics discussed in that section.  Use bullets when appropriate if you are including lists.

      

You do not need to include any original writing in this paper other than the introductory paragraph.  I will be grading it primarily on visual attractiveness, so be sure you use the same font and font size throughout, bold face all headings, and provide a line of white space between all paragraphs. 

 

Review chapter 4 in Power Communication for ideas on the value of visual design in making a positive first impression on readers. Also see the Model Co Analysis documents on the class website.

 

2. Video resume: Consider these ideas for your video resume, in addition to the information you generated in your prework assignment: excitement about starting your career; technical excellence in your field; leadership with proven impact; excellent public speaking, listening, written, and/or interpersonal skills; passion for success in everything you do.

 

3. Letter of application for an internship or a job that requires a college degree. Attach to your paper a copy of an actual employment ad with three job criteria highlighted. Be sure your letter addresses each of the criteria, with headings identifying each.

 

4. Resume Compose a two-page resume (no 1 ½ page resumes!). Look into finding an attractive template for the resume, so it wins “the first moment of truth” for first impression.  (You should have both a 1-page and a 2-page resume for use in job applications). Consider including an inspirational quotation on it, as well as interests, such as sailing, singing, backgammon, auto mechanics, or woodworking. 

 

5. Business Card and PowerPoint Deck:

 

• Design a business card that represents you well in design and content. (See Vistaprint.com for templates you might select. You can take a screen shot of a card you design on this site if you choose not to purchase them).
• Create PowerPoints showing you at work, at school, in athletics, music, theatre, or other activities, and in a service project.

 

Plagiarism, such as submitting another’s student’s work and representing it as your own, will

result in an F for the class.

 

FINAL EXAM

 

The final exam will cover knowledge I believe you should take away from this class. I will place reasonably heavy weight to material not otherwise tested in class, such as information covered on PowerPoint slides and in assigned chapters of Career Strategies and Power Communication. The exam will include multiple choice, true-false, and short essay questions. Historically, the average grade on this test is B-.  If you miss the test, it is your responsibility to contact me to make it up.

 

Journal and other homework exercises

 

Journal assignments in Career Strategies Please complete the journal assignments below.

• Chapter One: Do the first of the 3 things exercise, proof you have already done networking
• Chapter Two: Fill in pps. 15-16. Include all work, whether paid or unpaid, including babysitting, dog walking, and lawn care. Seniors should complete all exercises in this chapter. Highlight compliments from customers, bosses, co-workers as well as raises and promotions. Highlight key improvements you made to organizational performance. You will be using this information in developing answers to your Chapter 3 assignment, as well as one resumes, letters of application, and job interviews.
• Chapter Three: Describe at least six accomplishments, six personal qualities, and three skills, pps. 28-40. Compose answers as well developed as the examples in CS, using a Claim, Rationale, Data, and Significance format. You will use this information in preparing for job interviews.
• Chapter Seven: Use the material in this chapter to help you write resumes and letters of application. See also materials in Power Communication.
• Chapter Four: List a total of at least 20 networking contacts in the space provided on pps. 47-52. Include references’ title, workplace, and either telephone or email address. Consider sending your video resume and a link to your LinkedIn page to these individuals, as well as recommendations to use on your LinkedIn account.
• Chapter Six: Use the information in this and other CS chapters to develop a video resume, a 60-90 second biography focusing on your unique selling points. Also pay careful attention on how to do telephone and face-to-face networking interviews in this chapter, as well as on the third and fourth instalments of networking videos on Canvas.
• Chapter Five: Develop a job search business card (see p. 66 in CS) You may complete the one in CS (do both sides), or design and print your own from Microsoft Works or similar publishing software (see, for example, avery.com, which allows you to print on both sides of the card), or send $9.95 to vistaprint.com for custom printed cards you design from on-line templates. (Use a newly created mail address as vistaprint sells addresses. I do not recommend the more expensive, generic Xavier University cards).
• Chapter Eight: Answer all the questions in writing that you will be answering in the

in-class screening and behavioral interviews. Include at least 3 behavior-based questions, one of which implies a negative. Make sure each question addresses a key quality needed in the job for which you are applying. Each script is due on the day you conduct the interview, as is a copy of your taped practice interview and a T-chart of your analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of your practice interviews.

 

Due dates for INTERVIEW MATERIALS

 

Due day of interview: Write out answers to all questions you will be asked in the in-class interviews--to be handed in on day you participate in interview for grade, along with your filmed practice interviews & a T-chart with strengths and weaknesses identified.

 

VIDEO RESUME AND INTERVIEW GUIDELINES

• You will complete a 60-120 second video resume that you will practice with a partner in class and subsequently film in formal dress. You may not use notes during this exercise and are required to submit a script of your remarks. You will provide a link to this video on your LinkedIn account.
• You will complete two interviews in class: 1) a 5-8 minute screening interview.  In the screening interview you will answer a question about the company to which you applying, a question about the relevance of your education and another relating your work experience to the specific job for which you are applying. You will also answer either the question: “Tell me about an extra curricular activity” or “Tell me about a weakness.” 

2) In the behavioral interview, you will answer three behavior-based questions as well as the question, “Why should I hire you?”  You must ask a question at the end of the interview. This interview too typically takes 5-8 minutes and is to be completed without notes.

 

READING

CAREER STRATEGIES (CS required) Be careful of buying this book as a used copy as some have found pages torn out and previously submitted as homework.

POWER COMMUNICATION, (PC required) Download pdf for $9.99 at http://booklocker.com/books/2196.html

Other materials as passed out in class or assigned on the Web.

 

TEXTBOOK ReadingAssignments

Week 1           Fwd & Ch 1 in both CS & PC. See Appendix 1 in PC for a review of grammar. Ch 2 in both CS & PC; Ch 3 in CS; review Ch 14, Model Documents, with a focus on pps. 235-241; 253-257; & 264-274.

Week 2           Chs 7 in CS & Ch 4 in PC

Week 3           Ch 4 in CS & Ch 6 in PC

Week 4           Ch 5-6 in CS & Ch 8-9 in PC

Week 5           Chs 8 in CS & Ch 10 in PC. Read about behavioral interview

questions from links on Canvas.

 

ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES

Papers are graded on a variety of criteria, including appearance, organization, completeness, logic, evidence, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.  Papers must be handed in when due to receive full credit.  Pro-rated on a 100 point scale, papers will receive a 10 point grade deduction for each week they are handed in late up to 20 points off. Papers handed in after the last class will receive a 30-point deduction.  My preference is to receive the papers in class on or before the due date. You may also put papers in my office, Smith 312, or in my mailbox, which is in the hallway on the 3^rd floor, center suite, of Smith Hall. Notify me via

e-mail if you choose this option. Fax or e-mail papers only with prior permission.

 

To get credit for the 2 job interviews, you must first complete a video--preferably on YouTube, CD, memory stick, or sent to me via email--of a practice interview. 

 

Prepare a brief report, organized as a T-chart, in which you describe what you and your interview partners believed were your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your plan for addressing weaknesses prior to the in-class interview. You may refer to your script for the practice interview. You can find the T-chart form on Canvas.

 

Importantly, you are to communicate spontaneously, without a script, in the graded interview.  The interviewer may use a script in the final interview and should maintain eye contact with the interviewee when the interviewee is answering questions.

 

GRADING SCALE

 

The average grade for this class is B+, considered a high average within the Williams College of Business. Keep in mind that the median grade on the test is a B. You can track your class progress using Canvass’ Gradebook function.

                                   

 

950-1000 = A
930-949 = A-
900-929 = B+
875-899 = B
850-874 = B-
800-849 = C+
750-799 = C
700-749 = C-
650-699 = D+
600-649 = D
under 600 = F

 

Paper Grading Standards

 

Papers will be graded according to the following four criteria (in order of importance): quality of organization and the originality and development of ideas; appearance, including the effective use of graphic design techniques; sentence maturity, style and diction; and spelling, usage, mechanics, and punctuation.

 

A         DEMONSTRATES UNUSUAL COMPETENCE: The purpose is clear; ideas are original, substantively developed, and supported with details and illustrations.  The paper is well organized and shows effective use of graphic design techniques.  The paper displays careful use of language: complete, clear and engaging sentences as well as correct and distinctive diction.  There are few errors in usage, punctuation, and spelling.

 

B         DEMONSTRATES COMPETENCE: The purpose is clear and ideas are adequately

developed and supported with details and illustrations.  The paper is organized and attractive to look at.  The sentences are clear and complete.  The diction is correct and appropriate.  There are few errors in Standard English usage, punctuation, and spelling.

           

C         SUGGESTS COMPETENCE: There is a sense of organization. The central idea is apparent if not always clear; the ideas need more development, along with more details and illustrations for support. While the sentences are complete and clear, their structure or rhythm may seem repetitious.  The diction is appropriate though limited.  There may be recurring errors of Standard English usage, punctuation, and spelling.

 

D-F     FAILS TO MEET CRITERIA FOR ASSIGNMENT: The paper lacks an apparent central idea, and ideas that are present need more development and support.  It is unattractive to look at and poorly organized.  There are incomplete   sentences.  The diction is inexact.  There are many recurring errors of usage, punctuation, and spelling.  Often is sloppy, skimpy, and disorganized.  All or part of the paper is plagiarized.

 

PREREQUISITE: Freshman English

 

Xavier University Mission Statement

Xavier’s mission is to educate. Our essential activity is the interaction of students and faculty in an educational experience characterized by critical thinking and articulate expression with specific attention given to ethical issues and values. Xavier is a Catholic institution in the Jesuit tradition, an urban university firmly rooted in the principles and conviction of the Judeo-Christian tradition and in the best ideals of American heritage.

Xavier is an educational community dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, to the orderly discussion of issues confronting society; and, as would befit an American institution grounded in the humanities and sciences, Xavier is committed unreservedly to open and free inquiry.

Xavier, while primarily an undergraduate institution emphasizing the liberal arts, is also committed to providing graduate and professional education in areas of its demonstrated competence and where it meets a particular need of society, especially of Xavier’s regional constituency. Faculty members, moreover, are strongly encouraged to engage in research outside the classroom in order to maintain the professional standing of the institution.

With attention to the student as an individual, Jesuit education seeks to develop: 1. Intellectual skills for both a full life in the human community and service in the Kingdom of God; 2. Critical attention to the underlying philosophical and theological implications of the issues; 3. A worldview that is oriented to responsible action and recognizes the intrinsic value of the natural and human values; 4. An understanding and communication of the moral and religious values through personal concern and lived witness, as well as by precept of instruction; and 5. A sense of the whole person- body, mind, and spirit.

In keeping with the Jesuit tradition, Xavier believes that religious insights are complementary to the intellectual life, and that a continuing synthesis of the Christian perspective with all other forms of human knowledge is conductive to wisdom and understanding. Xavier shares in worldwide Jesuit commitment to a creative and intelligent engagement with questions of peace and justice.

 

This syllabus is tentative and will be altered to accommodate contingencies.