Course Syllabus

BUS-C300 Business & Professional Communication 

Fall 2025 Syllabus

Course Description 

Welcome to BUS-C300, a course designed to equip you with the essential written and oral communication skills crucial for success in both your academic pursuits and professional endeavors. Throughout this course, you'll have the opportunity to explore real-world business issues relevant to your chosen field, providing a practical context for developing these vital skills. We will examine a wide range of business communication scenarios, encompassing both internal and external audiences, from potential employers and colleagues to supervisors, customers, and clients. 

Why Focus on Business Communication? 

In today's dynamic professional landscape, effective communication is not just a desirable trait—it's a fundamental requirement. Recent data consistently highlights its critical importance: 

  • Top Skill for Career Success: A 2024 LinkedIn Learning report, based on analysis of millions of job postings and hiring decisions, identified "Communication" as one of the most in-demand soft skills globally. This echoes findings from numerous industry surveys and employer polls. 
  • Employer Priority: The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) continues to rank communication skills highly among the attributes employers seek in new hires. Their Job Outlook 2024 survey reinforces that employers prioritize candidates who can effectively convey information, listen actively, and collaborate. 
  • Core Competency for Impact: As renowned business author and consultant Harry Beckwith aptly states, "Communication is not a skill. It is THE skill." This course isn't just about learning techniques; it's about developing a core competency that will amplify your influence and impact in any professional setting. 

By honing your communication abilities in BUS-C300, you'll significantly enhance your job readiness and overall professional versatility. 

Course Prerequisites 

BUS-C300 is an elective course open to all non-business majors, including those pursuing a business minor. To enroll, students must have sophomore standing and have successfully completed ENG-W131 or an equivalent course with a grade of C or better. 

Section Numbers: 

28472, MW, 8:00am-9:15am

12936, MW, 9:35am-10:50am

28238, MW, 11:10am-12:25pm

Course Format 

BUS-C300 is a 3.0 credit-hour, 16-week course, which meets 100% in-person for 150 minutes each week. 

Course Learning Outcomes 

The programmatic elements, content and assignments offered in C300 materially satisfy the following Undergraduate Program Competencies 3, 4, and 6, Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4. The Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) are: 

  • Apply the complex communication process model to specific contexts. 
  • Write, design, and deliver clear, concise, and audience-centered messages in written and oral form. 
  • Construct and critically analyze arguments. 
  • Collaborate within team environments to deliver effective messages. 
  • Demonstrate professional presence in interpersonal, group, and public settings. 

Grading Scale 

98-100% A+              87-89.99% B+          77-79.99% C+        67-69.99% D+ 

93-97.99% A             83-86.99% B            73-76.99% C           63-66.99% D 

900-92.99% A-          80-82.99% B-         70-72.99% C-          60-62.99% D- 

Below 60% F 

Course Schedule  

*Note class schedule subject to change and will be posted in Canvas Announcements. 

**Note that correlating assignments are listed in the below table. 

Week 

Modules & Goals 

Week 1

Credible Impressions: Establishing Your Professional Ethos 

  • Identify key components of professional credibility.  
  • Analyze how tone, language, and delivery affect perception.  
  • Apply strategies to enhance ethos in communication. 

Week 2

Digital Dynamics: Communicating in a Connected World 

  • Evaluate the strengths and limitations of artificial intelligence tools.  
  • Practice adapting tone and content for digital contexts.  
  • Apply best practices for clarity and professionalism online. 

Week 3

Click-Worthy: Your Digital Self in the Job Market 

  • Evaluate your current digital presence and identify areas for improvement.  
  • Apply strategies to enhance your online professional brand.  
  • Create or refine digital profiles that reflect your career identity and goals. 

Week 4

Purposeful Presence: Communicating Your Value 

  • Identify key elements of your professional identity and value proposition.  
  • Craft messages that align with audience expectations and contexts.  
  • Practice delivering your narrative in interviews and networking settings. 

Week 5

Ethical Crossroads: Navigating Communication Dilemmas 

  • Recognize common ethical issues in workplace communication.  
  • Apply ethical reasoning models to case studies.  
  • Reflect on personal and organizational values in decision-making. 

Week 6 

Persuasive Power: Influencing with Integrity 

  • Identify rhetorical strategies used in persuasive communication.  
  • Construct persuasive arguments tailored to specific audiences.  
  • Evaluate the ethical implications of persuasive techniques. 

Week 7 

Spotlight Moments: Delivering Your Midterm Presentation 

  • Organize and structure a clear, compelling presentation.  
  • Use verbal and nonverbal delivery techniques effectively.  
  • Incorporate persuasive techniques to influence your audience. 

Week 8 

Team Synergy: Strategies for Collaborative Success 

  • Identify characteristics of high-performing teams.  
  • Practice communication strategies that support collaboration.  
  • Reflect on your role and contributions to team settings. 

Week 9

Polished Prose: Writing Style for Recommendation Reports 

  • Apply principles of business writing to formal documents.  
  • Edit for clarity, tone, and conciseness.  
  • Format recommendation reports using professional conventions.  

Week 10 

Idea Ignition: Research Foundations and Concept Development 

  • Develop focused, researchable questions.  
  • Conduct preliminary research using credible sources.  
  • Synthesize findings to support project development. 

Week 11 

Pitch Perfect: Delivering Seated Quick Presentations 

  • Structure a brief, persuasive pitch.  
  • Deliver messages clearly and confidently in a seated environment.  
  • Adapt delivery to time constraints and audience needs. 

Week 12 

Visual Impact: Designing with Rhetorical Purpose 

  • Analyze the rhetorical function of visuals in communication.  
  • Design visuals that align with the audience and purpose.  
  • Apply design principles to enhance clarity and engagement. 

Week 13 

Early Insights: Presenting Preliminary Reports & Ideas 

  • Present preliminary findings with clarity and confidence.  
  • Use visuals and structure to support your message.  
  • Incorporate feedback to refine your project. 

Week 14 

Feedback Forward: Receiving and Responding with Purpose 

  • Apply strategies for giving and receiving feedback effectively.  
  • Reflect on feedback to guide personal growth.  
  • Use feedback to revise and improve communication products. 

Week 15

Final Flourish: Presenting Your Capstone Work 

  • Synthesize research and insights into a cohesive presentation.  
  • Demonstrate effective delivery and audience engagement.  
  • Reflect on your growth as a communicator. 

 

Assignments  

Note: All assignments are subject to change and will be posted in Canvas Announcements. 

Readings & Discussion Posts (10%) 

Assignment Name 

Due Date 

Establishing Credibility in Professional Communication 

Jan 11 

Credibility in the Real-World Discussion Post 

Jan 13 

Communication in the AI Era 

Jan 18

Op-Ed Analysis: Credibility Through Thought Leadership 

Jan 20 

Ethical Dilemmas in Communication 

Feb 9 

 

Individual Assignments (60%) 

Assignment Name 

Due Date 

Individual Notes & Exercises 

Ongoing 

Writing an Op-Ed with AI Assistance 

Jan 26 

Build Your Digital Personal Brand through LinkedIn 

Jan 27 

Resume 

Feb 1 

In-Class Networking Event 

Feb 2 

Tell Me About Yourself Presentations 

Feb 4 

Work With Me Presentation Worksheet 

Feb 15 

Work With Me Midterms 

Feb 22

Midterm Peer Assessments & Request Memo 

Mar 1 

Initial Research Questions 

Mar 22 

Initial Research Findings 

Mar 29 

Practice Slide Deck 

Apr 8 

 

Team Assignments (30%) 

Assignment Name 

Due Date 

Team Charter 

Mar 9 

Seated Quick Presentations Mar

Mar 29

Preliminary Reports & Quick Pitch Presentations 

Apr 12

Preliminary Report & Quick Pitch Reflection & Action Plan 

Apr 21

Final Report & Presentations 

Apr 27