BUS4300

Business communications

L C Wilkins

6 points
* One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week
* First semester
* Clayton

Objectives The subject introduces the student to the following aspects of business communication: awareness of the importance of effective communication in all forms in both professional and social contexts; various aspects of oral and written communication within the framework of managing group processes; recognition of the importance of the interface between technology and people; and acceptance of a leadership role in the broader context of organisation responsibilities.

Synopsis Communication and theory of communication in group settings; effective listening, non-verbal communication; oral presentations: organisation and planning, definition of audience and objective, use of visual aids, the mechanics of effective presentation; study skills: reading, skimming and scanning, note-taking, summarising; library-based research: Sesame2, CD-ROM, on-line searches; writing: clear exposition, memos, technical reports, use of graphics; meetings: planning and preparation, roles and leadership; interviewing and being interviewed: job applications, covering letter and resume writing; negotiation in organisations: cross-cultural negotiation and team building, organisational communication, business ethics and liability issues.

Assessment Assignments: 65%
* Semester test: 25%
* Tutorial participation: 10%

Prescribed texts

Dwyer J The business communication handbook 3rd edn, Prentice-Hall, 1993

Recommended texts

Beisler F and others Communication skills 2nd edn, Longman, 1993
Huckin T N and Olsen L A Technical writing and professional communication for non-native speakers of English McGraw-Hill, 1991