Semester

5

Course Code

MA 5500

Course Name

Business Communication

Credit Value

3

Pre-requisites

None

Core/Optional

Optional

Hourly Breakdown

Theory

Small Group Activities

Independent Learning

14

31

105

Course Aim(s): To provide the necessary tools to develop communication skills for effective business operations and professional conduct as engineering managers.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the course, students should be able to:

➢      analyse audience and related modes of communication for different situations.

➢      demonstrate communication skills in writing and presenting.

➢      apply communication skills in negotiating and conducting business meetings.

➢      use effective communication strategies for conflict handling and counselling.

➢      demonstrate communication skills in facing and conducting interviews.

Course Content: (Only main topics & subtopics)

➢      Understanding Your Audience: Understanding yourself, perception, and getting to know your audience.

➢      Different Communication Modes for Business Situations: Communication choices in businesses; techniques of communications; nonverbal communications; listening and critical thinking.

➢      Effective Writing for Business: Letters, memorandums; proposals; reports; resumes; text; and emails.

➢      Business Presentations: Preparation for presentations; presenting; use of presentation aids.

➢      Conducting Business Meetings: Agenda; the role of the chair and members; meeting minutes.

➢      Business Negotiations: Laying the groundwork, mutual gain and win-win situations; complex issues and ethics.

➢      Communications in Handling Stress, Conflict and Counselling: Controlling stress through communication, conflict handling, and decision making; manager as a counsellor.

➢      Interviewing Skills: Facing interviews; conducting interviews.

Teaching/Learning Methods:

➢      Lectures

➢      Student Based Activities

Assessment Strategy:

Continuous Assessment
50%

Final Assessment
50%

Small Group Activities 30%

Quizzes 20%

Theory(%)

50%

Practical(%)

-

Other (%)

-

Recommended Reading:

➢      Luecke R. and Munter, M. (2003). Harvard Business Essentials: Business Communication. Harvard Business School Press.

➢      Malhotra, D. (2016). Negotiating the Impossible: How to Break Deadlocks and Resolve Ugly Conflicts. Pearson.

➢      Thill, J. V. and Courtland, L. B. (2017). Excellence in Business Communication. Pearson Education.