BUS102: Business Communications

Instructor & Contact Information

The People tab in Canvas provides information on the course instructor and you can send a message to your instructor following these instructions. Faculty are expected to: 1) grade and return assignments, with feedback, within 7 days from the date of submission; 2) reply to your Canvas messages within 72 hours; 3) reply several times each week in total in the discussion forums (not to each individual student); and 4) demonstrate the core values of City Vision University.

Course Description

This course is designed to prepare students to communicate professionally and effectively in business settings using formal documents, electronic/Internet communications, and presentations. The course focuses on enhancing students’ written communication skills in professional and cross-cultural contexts.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Compose professional business documents including letters, newsletters, memos, reports, email, and résumés.
2. Apply principles of effective writing to practical applications in business communication, including correct spelling and punctuation and appropriate content, style, and form.
3. Formulate logical, well-supported positions in a research report for a nonprofit organization or business.
4. Adapt the tone of business documents to the needs of particular audiences, including professional, cross-cultural, and Christian contexts, by identifying appropriate context.
5. Compose professionally written messages including positive, negative, and persuasive messages, to internal and external stakeholders.
6. Develop a professional presentation using appropriate technology.

Degree Program Outcomes

Degree outcomes are the overall skills and knowledge we expect you will have after successfully completing a degree program at City Vision University. This course supports the following program outcomes, marked with an asterisk (*). After completing the degree, you will be able to do the following in each of the listed domains:

1. Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply traditional theories and concepts of business management and the ability to do this in depth in one area of specialty: nonprofit management, accounting, technology or general management.
2. Understand their vocation in business and their unique identity and role within their field in a way that maximizes their calling and enables 24/7 Christian ministry.
3. To be able to develop and grow businesses and nonprofit organizations in a way that is socially responsible and that reflects God’s love and purposes for the world.
4. Communicate effectively and professionally in business situations through physical or virtual presence, writing, speaking, listening, and electronic media.*
5. Interpret and analyze accounting information for internal control, planning, performance evaluation, and coordination to continuously improve business processes.
6. Integrate and apply Biblical, ethical, legal, economic and business principles into effective managerial decision-making.
7. Demonstrate the ability to understand and apply traditional theories and concepts of a Christian liberal arts education, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to facilitate intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth, pursue their advanced studies, and improve the world in which they live.

Required Texts

Students are required to purchase these texts before the first day of classes. 

• Garner, B. (2013). HBR Guide to Better Business Writing (HBR Guide Series). Harvard Business Review Press; 4148; 9th edition. ISBN: 9781422184035

Guidelines for Written Work

All written work must follow our Writing Format and Forum Requirements. You must read these to understand how to cite sources appropriately.

Critical Policies to Read for This Course

Note: These policies are critical for all students to read. In case of change, we have linked to the versions on our website to make sure you have the latest version.

• Grading Scale 

• Deadlines to Drop Courses

• Attendance, Late Policy and Extensions

• Technology Requirements for Courses

• Standards of Academic Integrity & Plagiarism Policy

• What plagiarism is and how to avoid it 

• Credit Hour Policy, Grading Policy and Other Academic Policies

• ADA Policy, Learning Accommodations & Disabilities Services
• Student Code of Conduct 

• Library Services

Additional Policies:

• Privacy Policy

• Consumer Disclosures
• Additional policies are listed in our catalog

This syllabus is subject to change without notice up until the first day of the semester. Last updated: March 11, 2022