Pengesahan Ketua Jabatan:

Tarikh:
UNIVERSITI PENDIDIKAN SULTAN IDRIS
REKA BENTUK KURIKULUM KURSUS DAN RANCANGAN INSTRUKSIONAL
Faculty
Department
Semester
Session
Course Name
Course Code
Credit Hours
Prerequisite

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MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS

MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP
2
2013/2014
BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
PPB 3043
3 Hours
CE I & II

LECTURERS INFORMATION:
Name:

DR MOHD ASRI MOHD NOOR

DR JANE TENG YAN FANG

E-mail:

mohd.asri@fpe.upsi.edu.my
jane.tyf@fpe.upsi.edu.my
yfteng_jane@yahoo.com

Telephone No.:

015-48117539
012-9264580
015 4811 7620
012-321 9864

Room No.:

PRM 4, Level 2 Block 10, Proton City Campus

PRM 45,Block 10, Proton City Campus

COURSE SYNOPSIS:
This course emphasises on the language principles and applications that can cause
communication problems in the business world. It covers techniques and skills of technical
writing, including group writing, word processing, informal and formal reports.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. understand the characteristics of a good business presentation
2. develop good business communication skills in order to become good business
communicator
3. write positive messages, negative messages, reports and other employment related
messages
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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1.
2.
3.
4.

Demonstrate ability to perform effective communication.

Identify the procedures of conducting case study/research.
Distinguish and write formal and informal reports.
Describe five sources of information about job opportunities and job
requirements.
5.
Write resumes and prepare for a successful job interview.
MAIN REFERENCE:
Williams, K., Krizan, A.C., Logan, J., and Merrier, P. (2011). Communicating in Business. 8th
Edition. Ohio: Thomson South Western.
SUPPLIMENTARY REFERENCES:
Anna Fung Wai Choo and Choy Tuck Onn. (2000). Easy Steps to Report Writing. Shah Alam:
Federal Publication Sdn. Bhd.
Choo Wan Yat, Yee Sook Fen, and Yeoh Wei Tzee. (2006). Business Letters. Selangor: Local
Publications.
Choo Wan Yat, Yee Sook Fen, and Yeoh Wei Tzee. (2006). Fundamentals of Report Writing.
Selangor: Local Publications.
Choo Wan Yat, Yee Sook Fen, and Yeoh Wei Tzee. (2006). Oral Presentation Skills. Selangor:
Local Publications.
Cotton, D. and Robbins, S. (1993). Business Class. London: International Thomson Publishing
Company.
King, A. (1996). Effective Business Letter-Writing. Shah Alam: Penerbit Fajar Bakti Sdn. Bhd.
O Hair, H. D., O Rourke, J. S. and OHair, M. J. (2001). Business Communication: A
Framework for Success. Ohio: South-Western College Publishing.
Additional References:
Thill, J. V., and Bovee, C. L. (2007). Excellence in Business Communication. NJ: Pearson
Education International.
Adler, R.B. and Elmhorst, J.M. (2008). Communicating at work. Mc Graw Hill.

TEACHING METHODOLOGY:

Lectures, group leading discussion, discussions, e-learning sessions/hands on, role play
and presentations.

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SOFT SKILLS IMPLEMENTATION METHODS:

SOFT SKILLS

KOM

KBPM

PSK

PBPM

PIM

ETIK

KU

Group Presentation

Individual Presentation

Assignment 1

Assignment 2

STRATEGIES

Legends :

KOM Kemahiran Berkomunikasi

KBPM Kemahiran Berfikir dan Penyelesaian Masalah
PBPM Kemahiran Pembelajaran Berterusan dan Pengurusan Maklumat
PSK Kemahiran Kerja Berpasukan
PIM Kemahiran Kepimpinan
ETIK Etika Profesional
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REMARKS

KU Kemahiran Keusahawanan

STUDENTS EVALUATION:

Quiz 1 Week 4

5%

Quiz 2 Week 8

5%

Assignment 1 (Case Study - groups) Week 10

15%

Presentation of report (groups) Weeks 11 - 12

15%

Assignment 2 (Application letter / resume - individuals) Week 12

10%

Interview Week 13

10%

Final Examination

40%

Total

100%

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UPSI GRADING SCALES

Gred

Julat Markah

PNG(S/K)

Taraf

80 100

4.00

Cemerlang

A-

75 79

3.70

Cemerlang

B+

70 74

3.40

Kepujian

65 69

3.00

Kepujian

B-

60 64

2.70

Kepujian

C+

55 59

2.40

Lulus

50 54

2.00

Lulus

C-

45 49

1.70

Lulus Lemah

D+

40 44

1.40

Lulus Lemah

35 39

1.00

Lulus Lemah

0 34

Gagal

SOFT SKILLS GRADING SCALES:

SKALA

KRITERIA

Menguasai ciri-ciri KI berkenaan pada tahap cemerlang

Menguasai ciri-ciri KI berkenaan pada tahap baik

Menguasai ciri-ciri KI berkenaan pada tahap memuaskan

5 of 11

Menguasai ciri-ciri KI berkenaan pada tahap minimum

Lemah dan perlu diperbaiki

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14-WEEK TEACHING SCHEDULE

Topic

Week

Learning Outcomes

Teaching & Learning

Activities

Soft Skills

Reference

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
FOUNDATIONS
o
o
o
o
o

Explanation about the course RI

Goals of Business Communication
(page 4)
Patterns of Business Communication
(page 6)
The Communication Process (page
9)
Communication Barriers (page 16)

1.

2.

3.
4.
5.

Explain why
business
communication is
important.
List and
explain the goals of
business
communication.
Describe the
patterns of business
communication.
Explain the
communication
process.
Identify
communication
barriers and describe
ways to remove them.

Lecture
Group discussions

7 of 11

Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
(2011).
Communicating
in Business. 8th
Edition. Ohio:
Thomson South
Western.
Chapter 1 (pp. 2
23)

PRINCIPLES OF BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION
o
o
o
o

Choosing words (page 93)

Developing sentences (page 103)
Forming paragraphs (page 114)
Using unbiased language (page 119)

1.

Identify words
that receivers will
understand and that
will elicit the intended
response.
2.
Discuss
elements that create
clear, concise, and
effective sentences.
3.
Develop clear,
concise, logical,
coherent, and effective
paragraphs.
4.
Use
appropriate
alternatives to ensure
unbiased language in
business messages.

Group leading discussion

Interaction
Chapter exercises

Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
(2011). Chapter 4
(pp. 92 126)

3
BUSINESS RESEARCH AND REPORT
WRITING

o
o
o
o

Report types and characteristics

(page 287)
Research techniques (page 290)
Formal written reports (page 303)
Mechanics of Formal Reports (page

Lecture
Group leading discussion
Mini-scale survey
1.

Identify and
use the five steps for
conducting research.
2.
Distinguish

Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
8 of 11

307)

(2011). Chapter
10 (pp. 286
329)

POSITIVE, NUETRAL AND SOCIAL

BUSINESS MESSAGES
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

between formal and

informal reports.
3.
Identify the
types of informal
reports
4.
Describe the
components of a
formal report.
5.
Write formal
and informal reports.

Use the direct plan for positive and

neutral messages (page 188)
How to use the direct plan (page 188)
Unsolicited positive and neutral
messages (page 191)
Request for information or action
(page 193)
Request approvals (page 195)
Claims (page 198)
Claim adjustments (page 200)
Social business messages (page 203)
Style in social business messages
(page 210)
Quiz 1

1.

Describe
positive and neutral
messages.
2.
Describe the
four guidelines for
using the direct plan.
3.
Distinguish
between poor and
good positive and
neutral messages.
4.
Prepare a
variety of positive and
neutral messages
using the direct plan.

Group leading discussions

Interaction
Real life experience
Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
(2011). Chapter 7
(pp. 187 217)

NEGATIVE MESSAGES
Group leading discussions

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Interaction
Real life experience
o
o
o
o
o
o

Choosing the indirect or direct plan

for negative messages (page 220)
Writing negative messages with the
indirect plan (page 222)
Using the indirect plan (page 222)
Implementing the indirect plan (page
229)
Using the indirect plan for a variety of
purposes (page 234)
Using the direct plan for negative
messages (page 243)

1.

Describe the
nature of negative
messages.

2.

List the
advantages of using the
indirect plan for effective
communication of
negative information.

3.

Describe the five

guidelines for using the
indirect plan.

4.

Prepare negative
messages using direct or
indirect plan where
appropriate.

Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
(2011). Chapter 8
(pp. 219 253)

LISTENING AND NONVERBAL MESSAGES

o
o

Listening (page 432)

Nonverbal communication (page 439)

1.

Distinguish
between hearing and
listening.
2.
Describe the
four elements of the
listening process.

Group leading discussions

Interaction
Listening Activities
Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
10 of 11

3.

List the
guidelines for effective
listening.
4.
Describe
barriers to effective
listening.
5.
Describe the
advantages of
effective listening.
6.
Explain the
importance of
nonverbal messages.
7

ORAL COMMUNICATION ESSENTIALS

o
o
o
o
o

Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
(2011). Chapter
14 (pp. 431
447)

Enhancing your voice qualities (page

451)
Using your voice effectively (page
452)
Strengthening your presence (page
456)
Preparing and delivering
presentations (page 460)
Communicating in special
presentation situations (page 472)

1.

Classify
delivery styles by type.
2.
Identify the
steps to follow in
preparing an oral
presentation.
3.
Demonstrate
the techniques to be
used when delivering
an effective
presentation.

Group leading discussions

Interaction

1.

Group leading discussions

Interaction/Group work

Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
(2011). Chapter
15 (pp. 449
480)

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND

TEAMWORK
o

The elements of interpersonal

communication (page 395)

Identify the
components of

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o
o
o
o
o
o

Positive relationships (page 396)

Feedback (page 406)
Conflict (page 409)
Teamwork (page 411)
Writing teams (page 425)
Quiz 2

interpersonal
communication.
2.
Describe
techniques for
resolving conflicts.
3.
Describe the
features of and
process used by a
writing team.

Role play

1.

Hands on
On line learning

Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
(2011). Chapter
13 (pp. 394
429)

THE JOB SEARCH AND RESUME

o
o
o
o
o
o

Analysing your qualifications and job

preferences (page 485)
Obtaining information about
employment opportunities (page 492)
Preparing a resume (page 500)
Preparing your resume (page 506)
Submitting electronic resumes (page
515)
Refining the resume (page 520)

Describe
sources of information
about job opportunities
and job requirements.
2.
Prepare
targeted and general
resumes in
chronological,
functional, or
combination format.

Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
(2011). Chapter
16 (pp. 484
523)

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10

EMPLOYMENT COMMUNICATION AND

INTERVIEWING
o
o
o
o
o

11

1.

Write effective
application letters for
solicited and
unsolicited positions.
2.
Prepare for a
successful job
interview.

Group leading discussions

Interaction
Role play

Williams, K.,
Krizan, A.C.,
Logan, J. and
Merrier, P.
(2011). Chapter
17 (pp. 525
557)

1.

Use voice
effectively.
2.
Strengthen
personal presence.
3.
Demonstrate
the techniques to be
used when delivering
an effective
presentation.

Students presentations
Q & A sessions

KOM
PBPM
KU

1. Use voice effectively.

2. Strengthen personal
presence.
3. Demonstrate the
techniques to be used
when delivering an
effective presentation.

Students presentations
Q & A sessions

KOM
PBPM
KU

GROUP PRESENTATIONS
o

12

Writing application letters (page 526)

Preparing an employment application
(page 531)
Interviewing for a job (page 532)
Preparing other employment
messages (page 550)
Assignment 1 due date

Presenting reports orally

GROUP PRESENTATIONS
o
o

Presenting reports orally

Interview and Resume Due

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13

INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS
o

14

Job interview

1. Preparing for a
successful interview
2. Use voice effectively.
3. Strengthen personal
presence.
4. Demonstrate the
techniques to be used
when delivering an
effective presentation.

Students presentations
Q & A sessions

WRAP-UP AND REVIEW

o
o
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o
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o
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o

Business communication foundations

Principles of business communication
Correspondence applications
Business research and report writing
Listening and nonverbal
communication
Oral communication essentials
Interpersonal communication and
teamwork
The job search and resume
Employment communication and
interviewing

Discussions
Exercises

14 of 11

KOM
KBPM
PBPM

15 of 11