UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA
COMMUNICATION AND STUDY SKILLS UNIT
Semester 2 Teaching Outline
January - May 2021
Faculty: Center for Academic Development
Department: Communication & Study Skills Unit
Course Code: COM 122 (Business)
Title: Professional Communication for Business
Lecturer: Dr Keoneeng Magocha
Email: [email protected]
Office: 247/427
Office Hours: Tuesday /Thursday 0900hrs -18 00hrs.
Rationale for the course:
Communication skills are necessary to enable students to function effectively in a
variety of business and social contexts, for example, within the university, when they go
out to collect research data in different organizations, when they seek part time or
temporary employment/ internships and ultimately in the world of work.
Course Synopsis
The course is designed to develop communication skills and competencies that the
students are expected to use in the professional business context. The activities are
task- based and designed to stimulate the mind of the students in order to engage them
in real life situations. The course provides an introduction to communication and
interpersonal skills for professional purposes and effective professional oral and
written communication skills in business contexts.
Objectives:
At the end of the course students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of how communication works in organizations
2. Identify and use correct methods and channels of communication in business
contexts.
3. Demonstrate awareness of interpersonal and cross-cultural skills in various
business contexts
1
4. Deliver effective oral presentations.
5. Participate effectively in meetings and interviews.
6. Write effective business correspondences such as letters, memos and reports
using appropriate format, style and tone.
7. Use information technology to enhance communication and research
Teaching Methods:
Lectures
Mini-lectures
Discussions
Group work
Simulations
Case Studies
Workshops.
Oral presentations
Project work
Role play
Problem-based learning
E- learning technologies
Discussions
Dates Course content Activities/assessment
27 Introduction to Communication Group discussions
January Definition and purpose
The communication process Class discussion
Barriers to effective communication & Mini-lectures
how to overcome them.
Characteristics of effective Tutorials
messages/information
The role of interpersonal skills
Self – Image: JOHARI Window and CA 2 Integrated Skills
Transactional Analysis (TA)
Project assigned
The different modes of communication-
oral, written, visual, non-verbal,
computer-mediated communication
(CMC) (types, advantages and
disadvantages)
10 Or Group activities
February Organisational Communication
2
Organisational structures
Communication networks Week 3 &4
Organisational culture
Group communication CA 1- Test
Types
Characteristics
Team building
Intercultural communication
9 March Oral Skills Class exercises
Presentation Skills
Preparation
Research
Outline
Presentation Techniques
verbal
non-verbal cues
Delivery
Use of use of audio/ visuals:
videos, power point slides,
flash cards, posters, artifacts,
etc.
Giving and receiving feedback
16-22 Mid-Semester Break
March
23 Interview Skills Class exercises
March Simulations
General features Role play
Types of interview Class exercise
job
data collection Submission of
concept formulation
Participating in interviews write-up.
The role of interviewee
The role of interviewer
30 Business Meetings Skills and Simulations
March Documents Role play
Class exercise
Types of meetings
Basic meeting terminology
3
(abstain, adopt. Propose,
quorum, etc)
participating in meetings
The roles of the
chairperson and the
secretary
The role of Members
- Notice,
- Agenda
- Minutes
Action sheet
10-13 Good Friday/ Easter Monday
April
Effective Professional Written
14 April Communication
Class exercises
Readability and style in written
communication
Effective email
Email structure and etiquette
Business letters
Job application & CV
Complaint
apology,
sales,
collection
Business Documents
Fliers
Posters
Adverts
Brochures
27 April Effective Report Writing Class exercises
Main features of reports
Purpose
Types of reports
Occasional report (feasibility
Study etc)
Routine report (Progress, etc)
Investigative report ( Commissioned Reports,
etc)
4
Final Project write-
up/Product due: 24
April 2019
8-12 SECAT WEEK
May
17 May EXAMINATIONS
MODES OF ASSESSMENT
Continuous assessment: 70%
1. Test 10%
2. Integrated Skills Project (60%) made up of the following;
Portfolio-10+Concept Formulation write-up -15 + Presentation-15+ Product 20
Final Examination: 30%
Required Textbook
Fielding, M. (2014). Effective Communication in Organisations. Cape Town. Juta
Further Reading
Bovee, C.L. and Thill, J.V. (2014). Communication Today. (14th Global edition).
USA Pearson Hall.
Grant, A. (1997). Presentation Perfect. London. The industrial Society.
Kupsh, J and Graves, P.R. (1994). How to Create High Impact Business Presentations.
Illinois.NTC Business Books.
Robbins, P. R. and Hunsaker P.L. (1996). Training in Interpersonal Skills: Tips for
Managing People at Work. (2nd Ed). New Jersey: Prentice. Hall.
Stanton, N. (2009). Mastering Communication. London: Macmillan
Web links
5
https://saylordotorg.github.io/text_business-communication-for-success/
https://udc.libguides.com/c.php?g=720365
http://hrcouncil.ca/hr-toolkit/workplaces-meetings.cfm
http://www.effectivemeetings.com/
https://study.com/academy/lesson/cross-cultural-communication-definition-
strategies-examples.html
N.B: More web links will be given during progression of the course.
